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Northamptonshire & Warwickshire
TOUR A - Ancient Forests, wonderful gardens and historic buildings
Rockingham Forest is a former royal hunting forest in the county of Northamptonshire, A lovely landscape with ancient woodland since at least 1600 AD, parkland, and open grassland and is home to Fermyn Wood Country Park, which is also free to visit with 3 circular trails to follow or follow the river Nene and link up with the Nene Way Footpath. You can also explore Short and Southwick Woods (ancient woodland that is covered in bluebells during the spring.
Oundle, famous for its public school is on the edge of the forest and is a vibrant and lovely market town well worth a visit.
Deene Park,the seat of the Brudenell family since 1514, is a country manor located 5 miles northwest of Oundle. The hall itself is a Grade I listed building dating back to the 14th century which has been modified several times since then to create the current structure and so have the gardens...... hence the formal gardens on the south side of this beautiful historic house give way to a vista of parkland and lakes linked by a canal which at its narrowest junction the canal is spanned by a fine stone bridge reminiscent of pictures in fairy tale books.
Still in Rockingham Forest is Kirby Hall, an impressive remains of one of England's greatest Elizabethan mansions looked after by English Heritage. Includes redecorated state rooms and magnificent gardens
Boughton House is part of an estate of 11,000 acres, it is one of the seats of the Duke of Buccleuch, and famed for its beauty, its collections, and the fact it has survived virtually unchanged since the 17th century. While possessing a medieval core, its exterior evokes an opulent French chateau, causing it to be termed The English Versailles.
Replanting hundreds of avenue trees and restoring the spellbinding series of waterways, lakes and reflecting pools created when the River Ise was first canalised. The man-made Mount has been uncovered, freeing up commanding views of the revitalised landscape and the new 21st century garden. Treat your nose in the Walled Garden with its herbaceous border, flowerbeds and newly created Sensory Garden and the peace and beauty of the Rose Garden and the ancient Lily Pond are well worth seeking out.
If you love a folly why not crack the Elizabethan visual codes of Rushton Triangular Lodge, a unique and delightful little folly where everything comes in threes to symbolise the Holy Trinity.
Located in the attractive Northamptonshire market town of Higham Ferrers, Chichele College is a rare surviving example of a chantry college. It was founded in 1422 by the locally born Henry Chichele, Archbishop of Canterbury. Such colleges, common in England in the 14th and 15th centuries, were groups of priests who shared a communal life that was less strictly controlled than that of a monastery.
The gatehouse, chapel and other remains of the college buildings survive, and the chapel is now regularly used for events, and art and heritage exhibitions.
Too much to do in one day but all close enough to maximise your time in this relatively unknown County.
TOUR B - Rolling Hills, Stunning Althorp House, immaculate gardens of Cottesbroke Hall and your favourite farm
Nestled in rolling rural Northamptonshire, Pitsford Water offers something for everyone. A lovely blend of woodland, meadow and grassland, there are stunning views over the water, making it a great setting for walking, cycling, fishing, sailing, water sports and bird watching. You can pedal along the traffic-free 7-mile lap of Pitsford reservoir!
Cottesbrooke Hall and Gardens is a historic Queen Anne house from the early 1700s and is located in Cottesbrooke village in an attractive rural setting. The award winning gardens are worth the visit itself! The grounds were landscaped during 18th century and features lakes, formal gardens, wild gardens and a number of specimen trees.
Access to the hall is by guided tours which last around 45 minutes. Highlights inside are a collection of paintings including family portraits and a fine collection of sporting pictures plus collections of period French and English furniture and a collection porcelain.
Ashby Manor House is one of the most intriguing and historic houses in England. From 1375 to 1611 it was the home of the Catesby family. In 1605 Robert Catesby and his fellow conspirators, including Guy Fawkes, gathered in the Manor’s gatehouse. There they conspired to assassinate King James I and his courtiers by blowing up the Houses of Parliament in one of England’s most notorious acts of treason, the Gunpowder Plot.
Althorp House has been owned by the Spencer family since it was build nearly 500 years ago. A large part of the house is open to the public, plus the gardens with the oval lake and Summerhouse, which is a memorial to Diana, Princess of Wales. The imposing stables are the home of the 'Diana: a celebration' exhibition, which occupies 6 rooms.
There is also a cafe with hot and cold snacks, a picnic area and free parking.
Mini Meadows Farm is a lovely place to take the youngsters?
Althorp House is half a day's visit so bear this in mind when choosing your preferred places.
PLEASE SEE VARIOUS HIDDEN PURSUITS TO ASSIST IN THE PLANNING OF YOUR PERFECT JOURNEY AROUND THIS HISTORIC REGION
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