Barrow Road

Barrow Road is the main thoroughfare from the junction of King Street and High Street going north westward to the parish boundary with Barrow upon Soar. The properties on the west side of the road have long plots possibly signifying an older planned aspect to that side of the village. A back lane once existed at the end of these plots and also to properties on High Street; it went out of use by 1760.

In the early 18th century anyone travelling to Barrow from the centre of the village would have passed two large mansions to the west (Sherards and Pochins) and large farms to the east. Once past these the traveller would have progressed by an area of manorial 'waste' which had been populated with squatter cottages in the early 17th century. This area is known as Underhill or 'Hundy hill' and the parts there near to Barrow Road were locally known as Monkey Square.

Further down the road on the left there were more farmhouses, only a couple of which have survived into the 21st century. Another interesting survival is the village pinfold or pound. This locality is known as Latmore End in the documents. A small hamlet of buildings was established further north in the latter part of the 19th century and contains locally important buildings such as Field House (latterly known as Lynfield) and The Charn/Charn View.

From the late 19th century Barrow Road took on the garb of industrial activity that was prevalent in the village. Driver's hosiery factory and the Barrow End brickworks (near the site of Costcutters) are notable additions at this period, as are the rows of terraced housing built by Wright's the brick manufacturer and others. A windmill was situated off the road near the blue bridge and near the Barrow boundary Ellis's lime and concrete works provided work for many in the neighbourhood.

The solid, granite built National School was opened in 1860 and closed in 1978. Its buildings have since been used as a restaurant and have more recently been converted into housing. Another notable building here is the Horse and Trumpet Inn.