NORTHAMPTONSHIRE

  
 

 
Alfred East Art GalleryKetteringArt Gallery
Regular series of changing exhibitions by local artists and a permanent exhibition gallery displaying the work of Sir Alfred East, T C Gotch and other artists.

Apethorpe HallApethorpe
Among England's finest country houses, big and stately Apethorpe Hall was begun in the late 15th century. It contains one of the country's most complete Jacobean interiors, and hosted 13 royal visits between 1565 and 1636.

Boughton HouseKetteringHistoric House
Home of the Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry, extensive fine arts collection "Vision of Louis XIV Versailles", extensive parkland.

Canons Ashby HouseCanons Ashby, DaventryHouse & Garden
Canons Ashby was first built by the Dryden family during the Elizabethan period, using stone from the Augustinian priory which previously occupied the site. The private church is all that remains of the priory. The interior is welcoming and atmospheric, with Jacobean wall paintings, plasterwork and tapestries. The house was updated in the 18th century with the south-facing rooms remodelled, and again in the 19th century, when Sir Henry Dryden's The Antiquarian recorded much of the history of the estate and the surrounding area.

Chichele CollegeHighham FerrersChapel
The gatehouse, chapel and other remains of a communal residence for priests serving the parish church, founded by locally-born Archbishop Chichele before 1425.

Eleanor CrossGeddingtonStone Cross
In 1290 Eleanor of Castile, the beloved wife of Edward I and mother of his 14 children, died at Harby in Nottinghamshire. The places where her body rested on the journey south to its tomb in Westminster Abbey were marked by stone crosses. The stately triangular Geddington cross, with its canopied statues surmounted by a slender hexagonal pinnacle, is the best-preserved of only three intact survivors. Other crosses stand at Hardingstone near Northampton, and Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire.

Haddonstone Show GardenNorthamptonGardens
See Haddonstone's acclaimed collection of garden ornaments in walled manor gardens. Jubilee Garden features follies. Open Monday-Friday excluding Christmas and public holidays. Limited parking.

Harrington Aviation MuseumHarringtonAir Museum
Harrington Aviation Museums exhibits include the secret wartime and Cold War roles of Harrington Airfield; The Royal Observer Corps; and aviation history in Northamptonshire.

Kirby HallCorbyHistoric House
Kirby Hall is one of England’s greatest Elizabethan and 17th century houses earlier owned by Sir Christopher Hatton, Lord Chancellor to Queen Elizabeth I. Although this vast mansion is partly roofless, the walls show the exceptionally rich decoration that proclaims that its successive owners were always in the forefront of new ideas about architecture and design. The Great Hall and state rooms remain intact, refitted and redecorated to authentic 17th and 18th century specifications. Take time to wander around the recently restored great gardens with their elaborate ‘cutwork’ design complete with statues and urns.

Lamport Hall and GardensNorthamptonHistoric House
Home of the Isham family for over 400 years, containing a wealth of paintings, furniture, books, etc. Now owned and run by the Preservation Trust.

Lyveden New BieldOundleHouse & Garden
Set in the heart of rural Northamptonshire, Lyveden is a remarkable survival of the Elizabethan age. Begun by Sir Thomas Tresham to symbolise his Catholic faith, Lyveden remains incomplete and virtually unaltered since work stopped on his death in 1605. Discover the mysterious garden lodge and explore the Elizabethan garden with spiral mounts, terracing and canals. Wander through the new orchard, containing many old varieties of apples and pears, or explore the Lyveden Way, a circular path through beautiful meadows, wooodland and villages.

Manor House MuseumKetteringMuseum
Temporary exhibitions, regular activities and a "hands-on" approach to history make this a lively and vibrant place to visit, appealing to children and adults alike.

Priest's HouseEaston on the Hill, Nr StamfordOther Building
A delightful small 16th-century building, with interesting local architecture and a museum exploring Easton's industrial past.

Rockingham CastleMarket HarboroughCastle
Rockingham Castle was built by William the Conqueror and was a Royal residence for 450 years and is the best example of a Norman Castle in Britain. The predominantly Tudor building has architecture, furniture and works of art, including a remarkable collection of 20th century pictures and British history. Charles Dickens was a regular visitor to the Castle and based Chesney Wolds in Bleak House on Rockingham.

Rushton Triangular LodgeRushtonHistoric House
This delightful triangular building was designed by Sir Thomas Tresham (father of one of the Gunpowder Plotters) and constructed between 1593 and 1597. It is a testament to Tresham’s Roman Catholicism: the number three, symbolising the Holy Trinity, is apparent everywhere. There are three floors, trefoil windows and three triangular gables on each side. On the entrance front is the inscription ‘Tres Testimonium Dant’ (‘there are three that give witness’), a Biblical quotation from St John’s Gospel referring to the Trinity. It is also a pun on Tresham’s name; his wife called him ‘Good Tres’ in her letters.

Wicksteed ParkKetteringTheme Park
The first Leisure Park in the UK, a heritage visitor attraction with 147 acres of Parkland and Lakes, 35 rides and attractions and daytime entertainment.


 
78 DerngateNorthampton
Abington MuseumNorthampton
AlthorpNorthampton
Berzerk LeisureMoulton Park
Billing Aquadrome LimitedGreat Billing
Blisworth Tunnel BoatsBlisworth
Brackley Tourist Information CentreBrackley
Brampton Valley Way Linear ParkBrixworth
Brixworth Country ParkBrixworth
Canal MuseumStoke Bruerne
Castle Ashby GardensNorthampton
Catanger LlamasTowcester
Coton Manor GardenGuilsborough
Cottesbrooke Hall & GardensNorthampton
Daventry Country ParkDaventy
Daventry Tourist Information CentreDaventy
Deene ParkCorby
Fermyn Woods Country ParkBrigstock
Harrington Aviation MuseumsNorthampton
Holdenby House & FalconryNorthampton
Indian Chief CruisesStoke Bruerne
Irchester Country ParkWellingborough
Kelmarsh HallKelmarsh
Kettering Heritage QuarterKettering
Kettering Tourist Information CentreKettering
Northampton and Lamport RailwayChapel Brampton
Northampton Museum Art GalleryNorthampton
Northampton Visitor Information CentreNorthampton
Old Dairy Farm Craft CentreWeedon
Pitsford WaterHolcot
Prebendal Manor, ThePeterborough
Royal Theatre, TheNorthampton
Santa Pod RacewayPodington
Silverstone CircuitTowcester
Stoke Bruerne Boat CompanyShutlanger
Sulgrave ManorSulgrave
Sywell Country ParkEcton
Titchmarsh Local Nature ReserveNorthampton
Wellingborough Heritage CentreWellingborough
Wellingborough Tourist Information CentreWellingborough
West Lodge Rural CentreKettering

© UK Tourist Attractions 2008