Northamptonshire is a historic county in the East Midlands of England, featuring walkable town centers, rich heritage sites, accessible rail connections, and vibrant cultural and sporting attractions.
Kirby Hall is a significant Elizabethan country house near Gretton, Northamptonshire, known for its semi-ruined state with intact Great Hall and state rooms, and recently restored elaborate gardens. It offers a blend of historic architecture and outdoor garden exploration.
The Jewry Wall in Leicester is a significant 2nd-century Roman masonry ruin forming part of a public baths complex, complemented by the Jewry Wall Museum displaying Roman and Iron Age artefacts, offering visitors a mix of outdoor ruins and indoor museum experiences.
The Triangular Lodge near Rushton, Northamptonshire is an Elizabethan folly noted for its unique triangular structure and rich religious symbolism reflecting the Holy Trinity, built by Sir Thomas Tresham in the late 16th century. Managed by English Heritage, the building features ornamental windows, carved inscriptions, and allegorical decorations.
Deddington Castle is a large earthwork site of an 11th-century motte-and-bailey castle in Oxfordshire, featuring visible ramparts and mounds, now serving as a public park and nature walk managed by English Heritage and the local parish council.
Lyddington Bede House is a Grade I listed historic medieval bishop's palace turned almshouse in Rutland, England, featuring well-preserved interiors and gardens, open to the public under English Heritage.
Tropical Birdland is a bird-focused visitor attraction in Desford, Leicestershire, featuring many bird species including parrots, hornbills, and owls, with some birds flying outdoors during visiting hours.
Wrest Park is a Grade I listed country estate in Bedfordshire featuring a historic English country house with early Rococo Revival interiors and extensive formal gardens with notable landscaping by Capability Brown. Visitors can explore both indoor historic interiors and outdoor formal gardens, with the estate also serving as a filming location for various productions.
Woburn Safari Park in Bedfordshire offers a 360-acre drive-through safari experience with a wide range of animals including lions, elephants, and rhinos. It includes a Foot Safari area with smaller animals and interactive exhibits, as well as leisure amenities such as a family restaurant and play zones, making it suitable for visitors of all ages.
Flitwick is a historic market town in Bedfordshire with a walkable town centre, serving commuters via a railway station and offering local public transport. It features historic landmarks, leisure facilities, and a vibrant local market with food and shopping options.
Canons Ashby House is a Grade I listed Elizabethan manor house located in Northamptonshire, featuring notable Jacobean plasterwork, historic family interiors, formal gardens, and the remains of a medieval priory church. It combines rich history with architectural and artistic heritage.
16 Oct (next Friday)
A guided after-hours tour of Canons Ashby mansion led by the House and Collections Officer and an experienced House Guide. Attendees will see spaces and objects not usually open to visitors and hear about conservation work, followed by a cream tea.
Willington Dovecote & Stables is a National Trust property in Bedfordshire featuring historic 16th-century stables and a large stone dovecote with nesting boxes for over 1500 pigeons, both Grade I listed.
Lyveden New Bield is an unfinished Elizabethan summer house in Northamptonshire, owned by the National Trust, featuring historic religious symbolism and set within extensive restored Elizabethan gardens including a labyrinth and orchard.
Wicksteed Park in Kettering, Northamptonshire, is a Grade II listed amusement park with 27 rides including coasters, a historic narrow-gauge railway, playgrounds, and outdoor leisure facilities. Established in 1921, it offers family-friendly attractions and hosts regular community events.
7 Oct–22 Nov (another 44 days)
An exhibition at Lyveden explores the Tresham family through letters discovered concealed within the walls of Rushton Hall, revealing details of their relationships, lives and historical context.
Houghton House is a ruined Jacobean mansion in Bedfordshire, owned by English Heritage and open for free public access during daylight hours. Visitors can explore the outdoor remains of this historic Grade I listed building situated on elevated land with scenic countryside views.
Stowe Gardens in Buckinghamshire are a prestigious English landscape garden featuring extensive parkland, architectural monuments, classical temples, and historical structures designed by prominent 18th-century architects and gardeners. Managed by the National Trust, the gardens offer a significant outdoor visitor experience with preserved landscapes and classical architecture, a visitor centre, and a rich heritage of garden design.
15 Oct (next Thursday)
Michael Bevington gives a lecture on Sir John Vanbrugh’s work at Stowe, including archaeological evidence for his buildings and his contribution to the landscape vision developed with Lord Cobham and Charles Bridgeman. The 60-minute talk is followed by audience questions.