Clipston is a village and civil parish in West Northamptonshire. The nearest town is Market Harborough, about 4 miles (6.4 km) to the north-east.
The Domesday Book mentions the village as Clippestone, the first element of which is derived from an Old Norse name Klypper. Originally, therefore, the village’s name probably meant “Klypper’s Farm”. However, over the years, the name of the village has undergone several changes. Evidence is shown that as early as 1667 the village was known as “Clipston”, on the occasion of the endowment of the Grammar School (a building which remains to this day).
The area around Clipston is important historically for its connections with the Civil War and it was also believed that King John held a palace in the village, which was probably a hunting lodge according to Benjamin Pitts Copper in a book published in 1812. The site of the Battle of Naseby is nearby.
The village has two main churches - All Saints Church is a Grade I listed building, dating from the early 13th century, and The Baptist Chapel which was built in 1803 .
To the west of the church is Clipston Primary School. The school was previously used as a hospital and dates back to 1667–73. A distinctive feature of the school is its one handed clock that appears at the front of the building.
Clipston also has a pub, a village hall and a green.
Between 1859 and 1960 the village was served by Clipston and Oxendon railway station about 3 miles north-east of the village and running trains between Northampton in the south and Market Harborough in the north.
