Delapre Abbey

Delapre Abbey is a Grade II* listed historic house in Northamptonshire, and a member of Historic Houses. Read about its history, architecture and gardens, plus how to visit and what's nearby.

About Delapre Abbey

Delapré Abbey began life around 1145 as a Cluniac nunnery beside the River Nene, just south of Northampton.

The building visitors see today is a neo-classical mansion built around the remains of that monastery, set within gardens on the edge of the town.

Its parkland was the site of the Battle of Northampton in 1460, a decisive clash in the Wars of the Roses, and the battlefield is now officially registered.

The house is open to the public alongside a café, gardens and a 19th-century stable yard.

History of Delapre Abbey

The abbey was founded around 1145 as a house of nuns affiliated to the great Cluniac abbey in Burgundy, and it stood on land near the Nene for nearly four centuries as a religious community. After the dissolution of the monasteries it passed into private ownership and was gradually rebuilt as a country house, eventually taking the neo-classical form seen today. The property came into public stewardship in the mid-20th century and is now managed in partnership with the Delapré Abbey Preservation Trust.

Architecture of Delapre Abbey

The mansion is built in the neo-classical style but incorporates fabric from the medieval monastery beneath its later remodelling, and it holds Grade II* listed status.

Worth knowing

The abbey's grounds saw the Battle of Northampton in 1460, one of the turning points of the Wars of the Roses, and the site is a registered battlefield.

Gardens & grounds at Delapre Abbey

The grounds include a walled garden and parkland, with an Orangery café now operating alongside the historic gardens.

Facilities

Parking Café Toilets Shop Restaurant Cycle parking

Plan your visit to Delapre Abbey

Official site Google Maps Waze

Nearest station: Northampton Rail Station (1.1 miles)

Admission

Free entry to Historic Houses members (show valid membership card)

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Places to visit near Delapre Abbey

St Peter's Church, Northampton

church 1.0 miles

View St Peter's Church, Northampton on heritage map

St Michael's Church, Upton

church 2.7 miles

View St Michael's Church, Upton on heritage map

St Peter and St Paul's Church, Preston Deanery

church 2.8 miles

View St Peter and St Paul's Church, Preston Deanery on heritage map

Courteenhall

historic house 3.7 miles

Visit Courteenhall View Courteenhall on heritage map

Holdenby House

historic house 5.2 miles

View Holdenby House on heritage map

Historic places nearby

Within 5 miles of Delapre Abbey there are 4 historic properties, including 3 churchs, across Churches Conservation Trust and Historic Houses sites.

3 Churches Conservation Trust

1 Historic Houses

3 Church

1 Historic house

See these 4 sites on the heritage map

Within 10 miles of Delapre Abbey there are 12 historic properties, including 7 historic houses and 5 churchs, across Historic Houses and Churches Conservation Trust sites.

7 Historic Houses

5 Churches Conservation Trust

7 Historic house

5 Church

See these 12 sites on the heritage map

Within 20 miles of Delapre Abbey there are 27 historic properties, including 15 historic houses and 9 churchs, across Historic Houses, Churches Conservation Trust and National Trust sites.

13 Historic Houses

9 Churches Conservation Trust

3 National Trust

2 English Heritage

15 Historic house

9 Church

1 Monument

1 Archaeological site

1 Garden