The county of Northamptonshire is truly in the centre of England. Before the Industrial Revolution, most of its major towns and castles were just within a one day ride of London, which is the way people thought in those days. This has left a rich repository of historical sites, museums and collections, enough probably for an easy going leisure week, although your editor-in-chief allowed himself but a hectic 48 hours.
Northamptonshire includes Fotheringhay Castle, where Mary Queen of Scots met her end; Naseby, site of the decisive battle of the English civil war; and at the other extreme, Silverstone, home of British motor racing and just about to gain a ”25m investment.
”Explore Northamptonshire” has been established to promote the county both for the tourist and in respect of its outstanding (and in places unusual) conference and meeting place facilities.
We start in fact at Silverstone, a real 21st century leisure and business venue. A former World War II airfield, the motor racing circuit was established in 1947 and has been progressively developed and now includes a large industrial site, but more importantly a modern Grand Prix complex, including hospitality suites and corporate facilities.
Charges for events vary. A half day driving experience on the track costs ”321. For the super bikes and classic car events, admission, VIP treatment, lunch and an excellent view high up over the Brooklands bend, the cost is ”117 and for a mere ”25,000 you can gain a private box for annual access and hospitality. The facilities are available on a year round basis, not just when there are circuit activities.
Just behind Silverstone, certainly within hearing distance and an easy walk, (but only for the Grand Prix) is Whittlebury Hall, a purpose-built four-star hotel which has been developed as a management training and corporate event venue. Originally built in 1999 it has been extensively expanded.
The hotel has 211 guest rooms, 32 syndicated rooms, six large meeting rooms and the splendid Brooklands Suite with space for 500. Whittlebury Hall has one of the largest and finest leisure complexes in the country including a very well laid out and spacious gym.
The spa actively promotes what it terms ”inspiration for body and mind”, including a 15-minute session of ”massage and meditation.” All day treatment packages cost from ”89. A golf course adjoins the complex.
Salcey Forest sits by the M1 south of Northampton and is not the easiest of places to find. Make for the village of Hartwell. It is in fact a Royal Forest. Admission is free with a small parking charge. At its centre is a small caf” and the usual facilities.
Essentially the forest consists of miles of walking tracks. Cyclists can use a five mile ”family friendly” route, and equestrian types are also welcome on any of the public bridle lanes and specially provided horse tracks. There is a play area for young people and also the Tree Top Way, which climbs 60ft (20m) through the trees culminating with a marvellous view across the forest and countryside.
Well worth a visit, and extremely good value at today”s prices (”2.80), is Castle Ashby (pictured top), the ancestral home of the seventh Marquis of Northampton, situated off the A428 between Northampton and Bedford. Set in a 10,000 acre estate, 150 acres of garden were laid out by Capability Brown and considered one of his finest efforts.
There is an original orangery (pictured right), actually in use, the term for an 8th century greenhouse. The huge mansion is currently in a state of limbo and an announcement regarding its future as a hotel conference centre is expected. Across the road is a fine craft village including a tea room and various country style shops.
Sulgrave Manor is the ancestral home of the (George) Washington family. It is about seven miles from junction 11 of the M40. As a conference centre it is somewhat unique; no accommodation, a very quiet setting and ideal for groups up to about 30. It is a superb example of a modest manor house in Shakespearean times.
Visitors walk into the great hall, kitchen and bed chamber amongst the furniture and architecture of the period, seeing the rooms as they looked in the time of Lawrence Washington who bought the manor from Henry VIII in 1539. Sulgrave Manor (pictured above right) was opened to the public in 1921, is held in trust, and symbolises the links between the people of the US and UK. Entry is modest at ”6.25 and a family ticket is ”17.50.
Not technically in Northamptonshire, but as close as you can get is Bletchley Park. Home of the code breakers, it was one of the most secret places in the Second World War and the work place for 8,500 people at that time. It was here that Germany”s communication system was cracked and Colossus the world”s first electronic computer developed (reconstructed Colossus pictured below).
The mansion itself is interesting, developed by Sir Herbert Samuel Leon, who made his money in the South African gold rush. Reckon on a half day visit. It is a fine venue for conferences, weddings and other events. Access is very easy. Aim for Bletchley, which also has a railway station.
