Stately Homes To Visit

Exploring the beautiful grounds, stately homes and historic stories surrounding Brook Meadow is a great activity to do on a rainy day. Be sure to visit these while you're staying with us.

Kirby Hall

A beautiful romantic ruin worth visiting just 35 minutes away. 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. 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.

Lamport HAll

A Tudor founder, blind book collector, wayward 17th century grand tourist, eccentric Victorian, Hollywood actor, commanding wives and dedicated daughters – Lamport is full of characters. As home to the Isham family for over four centuries, the fortunes, interests and trials of each generation have left their mark. The Hall’s fine rooms, including the High Room of 1655 and 18th century library, are filled with a wealth of outstanding furniture, books, china and paintings collected by the Isham family. 

​Lamport Hall can be reached by car in 17 minutes. 

HoldenBy Palace

Holdenby Palace was built in 1583 by Sir Christopher Hatton, Lord Chancellor and favourite of Elizabeth I. It was the largest and most magnificent house in England, built around two courtyards with 123 huge glass windows. In 1709 it was bought by the Duke of Marlborough, since when it has descended the female line to the Lowther family. The Lowther family dates from 940AD and has produced more Members of Parliament than any other family in England. The present owners are James & Karen Lowther. You can reach Holdenby Palace in just 20 minutes by car.

Althorp House

Althorp is a Grade I listed stately home belonging to the Spencer family since 1508 and is set over 13,000 acres of beautiful greenery. In 1486 Sir John Spencer grazed his sheep on the Althorp land and in 1508 he bought the land. The history is rich and home to the resting place of Princess Diana so be sure to visit Althorp House to explore the extensive history.

You can reach Althorp House by car in just under 30 minutes by car. It is worth travelling the half hour to reach these gorgeous 13,000 acres of land.

Cottesbrooke Hall

Cottesbrooke is a wonderful Queen Anne house dating from 1702, set in delightful award winning gardens in rural Northamptonshire. The Hall is the loved family home of the Macdonald-Buchanan family and lived in every day. Expect to see some exceptional family portraits to make your experience truly unique. The contents of Cottesbrooke Hall include much excellent 18th century English as well as French furniture. Fine English, continental and Chinese porcelain is displayed, particularly in the Dining Room, Drawing Room, Library and China Corridor.  The chief distinction of the house, however, is the superb collection of Sporting Art evident throughout and known as the Woolavington Collection.

Cottesbrooke Estate can be reached within 20 minutes of Brook Meadow by car.

Kelmarsh Estate

Kelmarsh Hall and Gardens is an elegant Palladian style country house with a prevailing history of the 20th century. Built in the 1730s, Kelmarsh hall was the beloved home to three families across two hundred and fifty years. Surrounding the hall are historic gardens, restored to evoke their early 20th century designs, with a unique walled garden at the heart. 

​Kelmarsh hall is just an 11 minute drive from Brook Meadow.