Northamptonshire Tourist Guide - Articles
Lyveden New Bield
Close to Brigstock Village and the Market Town of Oundle, you will find the Lyveden Estate. The Tresham Family owned the Lyveden estate since 1450 and of the original Manor house, the ‘Old Bield’, only one wing with its mullioned windows remains, its original gatehouse was removed to Fermyn Woods Hall, and its staircase to America.
Thomas Tresham who came from a well established Northamptonshire Family, was a loyal supporter of Queen Elizabeth 1, he was knighted in 1575. Born a Protestant, he converted to the Catholic faith in 1580 at a time when non conformists were targets for persecution and as a result, he spent many years in prison or confinement to his estate, he was also heavily fined, losing most of his wealth.
In 1594 Sir Thomas began building Lyveden ‘New Bield’ an enigmatic Elizabethan Lodge and moated Garden set in the grounds of the original Manor. The Lodge was designed by Sir Thomas to symbolise his Catholic faith, hence its religious design, which is reminiscent of a Greek cross, it has a strict symmetry with mullioned and transomed windows that have five faces each being five foot high with their bays starting five feet from the buildings corners. The exterior of the building is decorated by religious friezes, inscriptions and mottos. It was intended as a summer house in which Sir Thomas could entertain his many guests and perhaps view the surrounding Deer Park that had been in existence since 1328.
Sir Thomas however died in 1605 and the estate and his debts of £11,000 passed to his heir and eldest Son Francis who unfortunately later that same year became embroiled in the Gunpowder Plot with Robert Catesby and Thomas Wintour, his Cousins, he was imprisoned in the Tower of London for his actions and mysteriously died in December 1605. Due to the demise of Francis Tresham, Lyveden New Bield was never completed or used and remains exactly as it was when the Builders left following Sir Thomas’s death.
The Garden at Lyveden New Bield is thought to be one of the oldest garden layouts in the country. The original pleasure garden containing moats, terraces and prospect mounds, once connected the New Bield to the original Manor which was at the bottom of the valley; this garden has now undergone restoration and can once again be enjoyed. The Orchard has been replanted with more than 300 trees growing English Apples, Pears, Cherries and Plums, some of which are old varieties. Like the Lodge, the Garden has remained almost unaltered for 400 years.
Lyveden New Bield is surrounded by beautiful countryside and is an ideal place from which the woods and footpaths of Rockingham Forest can be explored. There is also an 8 mile walk that can be taken following a route from Brigstock Country Park to the Manor.
Visits to Oundle an ancient Market Town and Fotheringhay birthplace of Richard the third and where Mary Queen of Scots was beheaded are a must.
Other places to visit nearby:
Barnwell Country Park
Fermyn Country Park and Woods
Nassington & The Prebendal Manor
The Nene Valley Railway
Now run by The National Trust, there is a programme of events held throughout the Year for you and your Families to enjoy,
for example:-
Easter Trail & Eggs
Outdoor Theatre performances
Magical bugs and Bears – bring your Teddy and Picnic
Waking the Ghosts - Ghost Trail, mask making and stories
Find us:
A6116 near Brigstock Village
A427 via Oundle
A1 via Wansford
Picnicing is welcome in the grounds
Dogs on leads are welcome
Admission: £4, Children free (occasional charge for event)
Opening Times:
15 Mar – 2 Nov 10.30 to 5 not Mon/Tues
1 Aug - 31 Aug 10.30 to 5 every day
1 Feb – 1 Dec 11 to 4 Sat/Sun only
Bank Holiday Mons & Good Fri 10.30 to 5
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Thomas Tresham who came from a well established Northamptonshire Family, was a loyal supporter of Queen Elizabeth 1, he was knighted in 1575. Born a Protestant, he converted to the Catholic faith in 1580 at a time when non conformists were targets for persecution and as a result, he spent many years in prison or confinement to his estate, he was also heavily fined, losing most of his wealth.
In 1594 Sir Thomas began building Lyveden ‘New Bield’ an enigmatic Elizabethan Lodge and moated Garden set in the grounds of the original Manor. The Lodge was designed by Sir Thomas to symbolise his Catholic faith, hence its religious design, which is reminiscent of a Greek cross, it has a strict symmetry with mullioned and transomed windows that have five faces each being five foot high with their bays starting five feet from the buildings corners. The exterior of the building is decorated by religious friezes, inscriptions and mottos. It was intended as a summer house in which Sir Thomas could entertain his many guests and perhaps view the surrounding Deer Park that had been in existence since 1328.
Sir Thomas however died in 1605 and the estate and his debts of £11,000 passed to his heir and eldest Son Francis who unfortunately later that same year became embroiled in the Gunpowder Plot with Robert Catesby and Thomas Wintour, his Cousins, he was imprisoned in the Tower of London for his actions and mysteriously died in December 1605. Due to the demise of Francis Tresham, Lyveden New Bield was never completed or used and remains exactly as it was when the Builders left following Sir Thomas’s death.
The Garden at Lyveden New Bield is thought to be one of the oldest garden layouts in the country. The original pleasure garden containing moats, terraces and prospect mounds, once connected the New Bield to the original Manor which was at the bottom of the valley; this garden has now undergone restoration and can once again be enjoyed. The Orchard has been replanted with more than 300 trees growing English Apples, Pears, Cherries and Plums, some of which are old varieties. Like the Lodge, the Garden has remained almost unaltered for 400 years.
Lyveden New Bield is surrounded by beautiful countryside and is an ideal place from which the woods and footpaths of Rockingham Forest can be explored. There is also an 8 mile walk that can be taken following a route from Brigstock Country Park to the Manor.
Visits to Oundle an ancient Market Town and Fotheringhay birthplace of Richard the third and where Mary Queen of Scots was beheaded are a must.
Other places to visit nearby:
Barnwell Country Park
Fermyn Country Park and Woods
Nassington & The Prebendal Manor
The Nene Valley Railway
Now run by The National Trust, there is a programme of events held throughout the Year for you and your Families to enjoy,
for example:-
Easter Trail & Eggs
Outdoor Theatre performances
Magical bugs and Bears – bring your Teddy and Picnic
Waking the Ghosts - Ghost Trail, mask making and stories
Find us:
A6116 near Brigstock Village
A427 via Oundle
A1 via Wansford
Picnicing is welcome in the grounds
Dogs on leads are welcome
Admission: £4, Children free (occasional charge for event)
Opening Times:
15 Mar – 2 Nov 10.30 to 5 not Mon/Tues
1 Aug - 31 Aug 10.30 to 5 every day
1 Feb – 1 Dec 11 to 4 Sat/Sun only
Bank Holiday Mons & Good Fri 10.30 to 5
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