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.
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.
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.
Buckingham Chantry Chapel is a historic 15th-century chapel in Buckingham, noted for its Norman doorway and status as the oldest building in town. Owned by the National Trust, it is currently open to the public as a second-hand bookshop, offering visitors insight into medieval ecclesiastical architecture and local heritage.
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.
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.
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.