Islip
is a picturesque village situated on the west side of the River Nene. The parish consists of 1383 acres, with Harpers Brook on the north side of the village and the River Nene on the east side forming a boundary between Islip and Thrapston. The parish is divided from Woodford on the south side by a brook flowing east into the river. This brook now runs alongside the A14. The west boundary runs along Green Lane between Alledge in Woodford and Lowick. The whole parish is roughly rectangular in shape, and the soil mainly gravel and clay, with a sub – soil of clay and ironstone. Much of the land belongs to the Drayton Estate, as it has done since the 12th Century and is mainly agricultural. In medieval times the population in Islip was approx.. 200. In 1801 it had increased to 440, and by 1901 had reached 600. At present there are roughly 800 residents. Islip’s charm is probably due to its number of 17th Century and 18th Century stone cottages, some with thatched roofs, others with pantiles or Collyweston slate. The fine 15th Century crocketed spire of St. Nicholas Church stands proudly in the centre of the village overlooking the Nene Valley.