19 Iconic Buildings to Explore in Northamptonshire

78 Derngate is the only house in England designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh, and is hailed as a multi-award-winning attraction. Its interior was extensively remodelled in 1916 and 1917 by the architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh for businessman Wenman Joseph Bassett-Lowke as his first marital home. Mackintosh's designs for the house are considered to be one of the first examples of the Art Deco style to be seen in Britain.

Althorp is a Grade I listed stately home and estate in the civil parish of Althorp, in West Northamptonshire, England of about 13,000 acres. By road, it is about 6 miles northwest of the county town of Northampton and about 75 miles northwest of central London, situated between the villages of Great Brington and Harlestone. It has been held by the prominent aristocratic Spencer family for more than 500 years and has been owned by Charles Spencer, 9th Earl Spencer since 1992.

Barnwell Castle is a strongly fortified manorial residence built during the period of the Second Baron’s War (1264-1267), which was at the forefront of medieval military architecture in Britain; It is quadrilateral in shape with cylinder towers on the northeast, northwest and southwest corners. On the southeast corner is a twin-towered gatehouse. It has been designated by English Heritage as a Grade I listed building, and is a Scheduled Ancient Monument.

Boughton House in Northamptonshire is one of Britain's great stately homes, offering a unique and memorable experience for all visitors. The House itself contains an outstanding collection of fine art and is seen by many as a flagship of Britain’s national heritage. Outside you can explore 150 acres of stunning gardens, landscapes, tree-lined avenues and serene waterways. When it’s time for a refreshing cup of tea, head over to the Stables Café and Gift Shop.

Castle Ashby is the ancestral home of the 7th Marquess of Northampton. This majestc castle was set in the heart of a 10,000-acre estate, the 35 acres of extensive gardens are a combination of several styles including the romantic Italian Gardens, the unique Orangery and impressive Arboretum. It is a leading example of the Elizabethan prodigy house, with a Palladian section closing the front courtyard added in the 18th century.

Cottesbrooke is a wonderful Queen Anne house dating from 1702, set in delightful award winning gardens in rural Northamptonshire. The Hall is a near-perfect example of Queen Anne architecture located in a large parkland setting with wide views across the local countryside. It is home to the Woolavington Collection, one of the most extensive collections of sporting paintings in the world.

A seventeenth-century house with a large park and a garden, on the site of a nunnery. There is a rock garden, haha, lake, woods, sculptures, and walled garden. It was founded as a nunnery about the year 1145 devoted to the congregation of the major Abbey of Cluny in Burgundy, France.The Abbey's expansive sloping grounds are a nationally protected Wars of the Roses battlefield, as a one-time site of the advance of the Yorkists during the Battle of Northampton

A majestic and beautiful house which shows the glory of the ancient Engand, which was built by William Fermor, 1st Baron Leominster, in the Baroque style to the design of the architect Nicholas Hawksmoor. It is thought to be the only mansion which was solely the work of Hawksmoor. From about 1700, after the completion of Easton Neston, Hawksmoor worked with Sir John Vanbrugh on many buildings, including Castle Howard and Blenheim Palace, and often provided technical knowledge to the less quali

Fotheringhay Castle was a motte-and-bailey fortification raised in the early twelfth century by the Earl of Northampton. It was subsequently owned by various Scottish Princes before being incorporated into the Dukedom of York. In 1587 the castle was chosen to host the trial and execution of Mary, Queen of Scots. The castle was dismantled in the 1630s and most of the masonry was removed, leaving only the earthworks. The site is protected as a Scheduled Monument and is open to the public.

Kirby Hall is one of England’s greatest Elizabethan and 17th-century houses, once owned by Sir Christopher Hatton, Lord Chancellor to Queen Elizabeth I. While you explore, be sure to take in the incredibly rich decoration throughout the Hall, as well as the breathtaking view of the garden from the windows of the staterooms. It is a leading and early example of the Elizabethan prodigy house. Construction on the building began in 1570, based on the designs in French architectural pattern books and

A beautiful eighteenth century house with a park and nineteenth-century garden, on the site of a seventeenth-century house and garden. There is an 'Italian garden', made by Sir Charles Isham, with a large rockery. The Hall contains an outstanding collection of books paintings and furniture. The building includes The High Room with a magnificent ceiling by William Smith.

The National Lift Tower is a 127m Research and Development facility located in Northampton, England. Originally built to test lifts, the scope of work undertaken at the tower has increased considerably in recent years. The height of the building and it's unique features have made it an invaluable resource for a variety of projects. The height of the building and it's unique features make it an invaluable resource.

The National Trust's Canons Ashby is an Elizabethan manor house and 18th century gardens located in Northamptonshire. It was built by John Dryden, great-grandfather of the Poet Laureate of the same name. The house and gardens have survived largely unaltered since 1710 and are presented as they were during the time of Sir Henry Dryden, a Victorian antiquary, passionate about the past.

The National Trust's Lyveden New Bield, Northamptonshire, is an incomplete Elizabethan lodge and moated garden. It is a wonderful survivor of the Elizabethan age and a rare example of late Tudor landscape design. There are tranquil moats, viewing terraces and an Elizabethan orchard to explore, as well as an enigmatic garden lodge covered in religious symbols. The exterior of the building is decorated by friezes of a religious nature. The metopes contain the emblems and motifs found also at the

Rockingham Castle is one of the oldest castles in Northamptonshire. William the Conqueror first recognized the strategic importance of the site of Rockingham castle. The castle was in royal hands for over 450 years and was essentially a very regal hunting lodge until the reign of Edward III. It was set in 18 acres of gardens. One of the most prominent garden features is the so-called 'Elephant Hedge', a 400-year-old circular yew hedge that cuts through the 17th-century formal terraced garden.

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. Not only is the Lodge three-sided, but each side is divided into three. Tresham revered the number three, representing the Holy Trinity, which is evident in the layout of the Lodge. Comprised of three floors, including the basement, three sides each 33 feet long, and three windows on each side fo

Thenford House, Thenford, Northamptonshire, England is an 18th century country house built for Michael Wodhull, the bibliophile and translator. Wodhull's architect is unknown. The style is Palladian although with earlier Carolean echoes which led Pevsner to describe it as "decidedly conservative for its date". Construction took place between 1761 and 1765. Since the 1970s, the house has been the country home of Michael Heseltine who has constructed a notable arboretum in the grounds. Thenford Ho

West Lodge Farm is an award-winning farm park where children and adults of all ages can have hands-on experiences of farm and country life. There are so many opportunities to explore the whole farm; the livestock, the walks and nature trails, the fields, the streams, and the machinery. There is also a wide range of themed events throughout the year.