Appleby Magna is a village and civil parish in the North West Leicestershire district, in the county of Leicestershire, England. It includes the small hamlets of Appleby Parva and Little Wigston. The parish has a total collective population of 1,084 (2011) spread across 500 properties (2020), with Appleby Magna its largest settlement. Historically, Appleby was one of the largest and wealthiest parishes in Leicestershire, which was reflected by its large church. However, the village and its population have remained fairly small by restricting large-scale development. The village lies on the edge of the ancient boundary between the kingdom of Mercia and the Danelaw. The land itself has been inhabited from the early Neolithic period. The village developed in the pre-Saxon era. The name Appleby is derived from aeppel (apple) and by(r) (settlement). The village sits on the outskirts of the National Forest and is bordered by the Gopsall Park Estate. The Ashby-de-la-Zouch Canal passes within a mile of the village, as do the M42 and A444. History Prehistoric times There is evidence of human settlement in Appleby from the early Neolithic period, 6,000 years ago. There was no single settlement, but a scattering of round houses, whose inhabitants farmed the land south of the River Mease. In the same area there is an oval ditch of a 6-acre enclosure, which was revealed by crop marks. In 1966, archaeologists found prehistoric pottery on the site. A short distance to the east, near the White House Farm, crop marks revealed a rectangular enclosure believed to be an Iron Age site. To the east of the parish, on Birdshill Gorse, a further ring ditch was discovered, believed to be from the Bronze Age. Roman era There is evidence of further activity within the village during the Roman period, including evidence of a villa or farm and a temple, although it is unclear whether there was a formal village-like settlement during this period. A Romano-British farm dating from the 4th century was discovered during construction of a hotel in Appleby Fields, next to Junction 11 of the M42. Artifacts included coins from the reigns of Constantine I(307-337) and Magnentius (350-353); pottery fragments dating from the late 4th century; and evidence of corn drying ovens and three farm buildings. Roof tiles, a corroded knife blade, copper pins, an iron hobnail, and fragments of quern stones were also found, as well as animal bones indicating that