Northamptonshire is home to some of the most beautiful countryside and also some of the most impressive stately homes.
The grand houses are steeped in history and boast impressive architecture, extensive gardens and breathtaking views.
Northamptonshire has some lovely places to visit, which are growing in popularity as Covid restrictions eased last year.
There’s the charming and unusual listed landmarks around Northampton you probably didn’t know about, the prettiest, quirkiest and most interesting places to stay in Northants, or the 10 hidden places to visit in Northants to see the to enjoy the most amazing views.
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1. Beckworth Commercial Center
The Beckworth Emporium is a modern garden and food trade center with a food hall, vegetable market, nursery and restaurant.
The Horticultural and Fresh Food departments of the Beckworth Emporium are now open Monday to Saturday from 8.30am to 5.30pm and Sunday from 10am to 4pm.
Beckworth Emporium
(Image: Beckworth Emporium)
Cash will not be accepted and customers are limited to two people per household and no under 16s (strollers are allowed) until the new procedures are tested.
The restaurant and restrooms are closed and the restaurant space is being used to expand the gardening and gift areas.
Address: 120-140 Glebe Road, Northampton NN6 0DL
2. Boughton House & Gardens
Boughton House
(Image: Northamptonshire Surprise)
Boughton House & Gardens is one of Britain’s finest and best preserved manor houses. Famous for its internationally renowned art collection, it has been home to the ancestors of the Buccleuch family since 1528.
Over the centuries, the house has transformed from a Tudor mansion into a French-style palace, earning it the title of ‘The English Versailles’.
The house is rich in decorative arts, from 16th-century carpets, tapestries and furniture to masterpieces of painting by El Greco, Van Dyck and Gainsborough.
Visitors can also enjoy the large country park, landscaped gardens, forests and daring water features.
During the public season there is the Boughton House Tearoom on the Stable Block next to the main house.
Address: Geddington Rd, Kettering NN14 1BJ
3. Ashby Castle
Garden at Ashby Castle
(Image: Northamptonshire Surprise)
Castle Ashby is the ancestral home of the 7th Marquess of Northampton.
At the heart of a 10,000 hectare estate are numerous gardens of different styles, including the romantic Italian garden, the butterfly garden and the secluded Secret Garden.
There is a stunning 4 acre walled garden that can host public and private events such as outdoor cinemas, food and drink festivals, music concerts and marquee weddings.
The Castle Ashby experience also includes a menagerie which is home to a variety of animals including a family of meerkats, a giant tortoise, a miniature pony and an assortment of birds.
The gardens and menagerie are still closed to general admission, but they are now open to existing season ticket holders. The menagerie is also open.
Address: Castle Ashby, Northampton
4. Cottesbrooke Hall
Cottesbrooke Hall
(Image: Northamptonshire Surprise)
Cottesbrooke is an impressive Queen Anne home that dates back to 1702.
It has a collection of 18th-century English and French furniture. Fine English, Continental and Chinese china are on display, particularly in the dining room, drawing room, library and china corridor. It is also home to The Woolavington sports arts collection.
The formal and ‘wild’ gardens surrounding and adjoining the house were mainly developed in the 20th century, but developments continue to this day.
The hall and gardens are open until September.
Address: Cottesbrooke Hall, Northampton, NN6 8PF
5. Lamport Hall
Lamport Hall
(Image: Northamptonshire Surprise)
Lamport Hall welcomed visitors back to its gardens when it reopened in July.
Derived from a Tudor manor house, the hall was architecturally edited by John Webb, Smith of Warwick and William Burn, but is best known for its classical facade.
The beautiful rooms of the hall, including the 1655 High Room and the 18th-century Library, are filled with a wealth of outstanding furniture, books, china and paintings collected by the Isham family, who lived there for over four centuries .
Ten acres of tranquil gardens and parkland provide a beautiful backdrop to this hidden gem, which is also home to the original garden gnome.
Address: Lamport Hall, Lamport, Northamptonshire, NN6 9HD (NN6 9EZ for sat nav)
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6. Thenford Arboretum
Thenford Arboretum
(Image: Northamptonshire Surprise)
The walled Victorian garden has a geometric pattern of shallow water, immaculate lawns and a central fountain.
In addition to a sculpture garden with various ‘rooms’ surrounded by hedges, a formal stream garden cascades to a stone bridge.
The arboretum covers around 70 hectares and features an 18th-century walled garden, extensive ponds and lakes, and over 3,500 different species of trees and shrubs.
Address: Thenford Arboretum, Thenford, Northamptonshire, OX17 2BX
7. Cotton Manor Garden
The bluebells are in bloom at Coton Manor
(Image: Cotton Manor)
The beautifully manicured ten acres of gardens were originally laid out in 1925 by the current owner’s grandparents.
Behind the garden is a bluebell forest and wildflower meadow. The Stableyard Cafe serves drinks and light lunches, which can be enjoyed in the outdoor seating area.
The extensive nursery has over a thousand species of plants, many of which are unusual and propagated from the garden.
The garden, kindergarten and café are open every day except Mondays from 12.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m.
Address: Coton Manor, Coton, Northampton, NN6 8RQ
8. East Carlton Country Park
East Carlton Country Park
(Image: East Carlton Country Park)
East Carlton Country Park used to be the deer park surrounding the hall. The current hall, built in 1870, is Italianate in style with French pavilion roofs. Unfortunately, the hall is not open to the public, but can be visited from the park.
The Heritage Center in the converted Coach House and Stables houses an exhibition on the history of Corby and the development of the iron and steel industry in the town.
On the first floor of the old carriage house there are several craft shops where you can watch the individual craftsmen at work.
There are hiking trails throughout the park through fine old growth forest and grasslands. You can see a varied habitat and a wide variety of wildlife throughout the year
Address: Church Lane, East Carlton, Northamptonshire LE16 8YF.
9. Kirby Hall
Kirby Hall
(Image: English Heritage)
Kirby Hall is one of the largest 17th-century Elizabethan houses in England and was once owned by Sir Christopher Hatton, Lord Chancellor to Queen Elizabeth I.
Although the huge mansion is partly roofless, the walls show the extraordinarily rich decoration and advanced architecture and design.
The Great Hall remains intact, having been remodeled and redecorated to authentic 17th and 18th century specifications.
The gardens are open to visitors as usual while observing social distancing, but visitors must book in advance and arrive during the allotted timeslot.
Address: Kirby Lane, Deene, Gretton, Corby NN17 3EN
10. Canons Ashby
Canons Ashby
(Image: Canon’s Ashby)
The home of the Dryden family since the 16th century, this is one of Northamptonshire’s oldest and most romantic mansions.
The house is owned by the National Trust and has large rooms with Elizabethan murals and Jacobean plasterwork.
Set in parkland with formal gardens and terraces, a medieval church and The Old Brewhouse tea room.
The house and garden have remained largely unchanged since 1710.
Address: Canons Ashby, near Daventry, Northamptonshire, NN11 3SD
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