Our View
Canons Ashby was first built by the Dryden family during the Elizabethan period, using stone from the Augustinian priory which previously occupied the site. The private church is all that remains of the priory. The interior is welcoming and atmospheric, with Jacobean wall paintings, plasterwork and tapestries. The house was updated in the 18th century, with the south facing rooms remodelled again in the 19th century, when Sir Henry Dryden 'The Antiquarian' recorded much of the history of the estate and the surrounding area. The gardens are based on the original 19th century designs, full elegant lines and full of colour and life in the warmer months.
Facilities – at a glance
Refreshments
Suitable for all child ages
Features
- Suitable for children of all ages
- Parking onsite
- Cafe
- Facilities: Braille/large print guide, wheelchair available, car park buggy, virtual tour
- Accessible toilets
- Opening Times: Open 10 Feb-Dec, daily. Closed 22-26 Dec. Opening hours and house openings change seasonally. Please check website before travelling
Also in the area
About the area
Discover Northamptonshire
Northamptonshire is a mainly rural county of gentle beauty, with farmland, forest and great country estates. Rivers, canals and meadows are all part of the tranquil scene, providing a haven for wildlife.
This is a great area for walking, touring and exploring villages of stone and thatch. There are also some impressive Saxon churches at Brixworth and Earls Barton. Northampton is the county town, and along with Kettering, has long been associated with the production of footwear. Kettering was the second largest town until it was overtaken by the rapid development of Corby as a major centre of the steel industry.
Jane Austen’s Mansfield Park is set in Northamptonshire, although it seems that Austen never actually visited the county. Other famous connections include the poet John Dryden (1631-1700) who was born in the tiny village of Aldwincle; King Richard III (1452-1485) born at Fotheringhay Castle; and American revolutionaries George Washington (1732-1799), whose family came from Sulgrave Manor, and Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) whose father was born in another tiny Northamptonshire village called Ecton.
Nearby stays
Places to Stay
Dining nearby
Restaurants and Pubs
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