The Historic Houses &
Heritage of Northamptonshire

Day 1

We depart by private executive coach from our designated pick up points. En route to our hotel we visit the National Trust’s Waddesdon Manor in Oxfordshire, a French Renaissance-style chateau built for Ferdinand de Rothschild in the 19th century to display his vast collection of works of art, including French Royal furniture, Sèvres porcelain and works by Gainsborough and Reynolds. We then visit All Saints Church in Brixworth, one of the most important Romanesque churches in Europe. The church dates from the late 8th century and was significantly enlarged in the 13th century, including the addition of a south aisle, porch and chancel. We continue to the 4* Delta Hotel by Marriott on the outskirts of Northampton for a four night stay on a half board basis.

Day 2

This morning we visit the National Trust’s Ascott property. This ‘Old English’ halftimbered manor house, transformed by the Rothschilds towards the end of the 19th century, houses an exceptional collection of paintings, fine furniture and superb oriental porcelain. The extensive gardens are an attractive mix of formal and natural, with specimen trees, shrubs and beautiful herbaceous borders. On arrival in Northampton this afternoon we visit 78 Derngate, famously re-modelled by Charles Rennie Mackintosh in 1916 for his client, Northampton model engineer, W.J Bassett-Lowke. 78 Derngate was the architect's final major commission, and it is the only place in the world where Mackintosh's mature architectural and interior style can be seen in their original setting.

Day 3

The English Heritage’s Kirby Hall is our destination this morning. Once owned by Sir Christopher Hatton, Lord Chancellor to Queen Elizabeth I, this is one of England’s greatest Elizabethan and 17th century houses. Although this vast mansion is partly roofless, the walls show the exceptionally rich decoration that proclaims that its successive owners were always at the forefront of new ideas about architecture and design. The Great Hall and state rooms remain intact, refitted and redecorated to authentic 17th and 18th century specifications. This afternoon we visit Rockingham Castle for a guided tour. Built by William the Conqueror, the Castle was a royal residence for 450 years. In the 16th century Henry VIII granted it to Edward Watson and for 450 years it has remained a family home. The predominantly Tudor building, within Norman walls, has architecture, furniture and works of art from practically every century, including a fine collection of 20th century paintings.

Day 4

We visit The Canal Museum at Stoke Bruerne this morning. Situated in a historic corn mill, the museum is a treasure trove of stories, films, collections and displays that contemplate the history of Britain’s canals. During our visit, we enjoy a scenic short 25 minute boat trip along the Grand Union Canal. Due to the size of the boat, our group will be split in half this morning. Group 1 will embark on the canal boat trip, followed by a visit to the museum. Group 2 will visit the museum first, and then embark on the canal boat trip. This afternoon we visit the National Trust’s Canons Ashby House that has survived more or less unaltered since 1710. The atmospheric interior contains wall paintings and Jacobean plasterwork, and the formal gardens offer colourful herbaceous borders and an orchard featuring fruit trees from the 16th century.

Day 5

After checking out of our hotel and before returning home we enjoy a guided tour at Bletchley Park near Milton Keynes, the historic site of secret codebreaking activities during World War II and birthplace of the modern computer. Bletchley Park is home to the most comprehensive public display of Enigma machines in the world, including the rare 'Abwehr G312', a captured German machine used to encode messages. Other exhibitions include Hitler's "Unbreakable" Cipher Machine, the world's only fully operational Bombe rebuild, The Life and Works of Alan Turing Gallery and a Home Front exhibition, as well as an outstanding Churchill collection and numerous artefacts and documents which tell tales of spies and strategic deception. We then return back to our original pick up points.

We stay four nights at the 4* Delta Hotel by Marriott (https://www.marriott.com/en-gb/hotels/lonnd-delta-hotels-northampton/overview/) on the outskirts of Northampton. Facilities at the hotel include a restaurant and a bar. All rooms are en suite and feature a hairdryer, television, telephone, tea & coffee making facilities, and an in room safe. A set 3 course dinner without drinks is included in our hotel on the first evening. A choice 3 course dinner without drinks is included in our hotel on the remaining three nights of our tour.

Single room supplement £99

Insurance (including Covid cover) £36

Entrance fees to National Trust properties (free to NT members)

Gratuities

All excursion travel & guided tours included