Northamptonshire Tourist Guide - Articles
Prebendal Manor House
Driving along the Fotheringhay to Wansford road in the beautiful gently undulating countryside of this North Eastern area of Northamptonshire, you will come upon Nassington, a typically English Village with, a Butchers, Bakers, Winesmith, a small Glass and China Shop and two general stores, one incorporating a Post Office. Mainly built with the local mellow grey limestone, some of its buildings are thatched, some ancient and others ultra modern, yet they make an aesthetic blend.
The centre of Nassington lies away from the road and it is there, you will find the beautiful Church of St Mary & All Saints and directly opposite, across the Village Green, Prebendal Manor House. The Manor and the Church sit on a promontory overlooking the Village, and the River Nene, from here you can view the surrounding Countryside for miles around.
Centuries ago Nassington would have been viewed as a strategic place in which to settle. Its close proximity to Ermine Street, the Roman Road between Lincoln and Holyhead, other minor Roman Roads in the area and the River Nene, which was at that time navigable to the Sea, would have provided many benefits to any settlers.
Archaeological excavations ongoing in and around the village since 1984 have uncovered signs of early Iron Age working, Roman occupation and artefacts from the mid to late Saxon period that give proof of their living in or near the Village.
The 13th Century, Grade 1 listed, Prebendal Manor, is not only the oldest Manor House in the County of Northamptonshire, it has also been the longest inhabited House in England, in fact, it is still occupied to date as a family home by its present owner Mrs Baile and Family, they have restored the house and grounds from the derelict state it was in when they purchased it, to what it is to-day. If you want to be transported back in time, then Prebendal is the place in which to do so, to lend authenticity to the History of the Manor and its grounds, the family and staff dress in period costume.
The name ‘Prebendal’ comes from the fact that income, derived from an estate owned by the Church, would have to be paid to the Canon, as a stipened, so, in 1123 when King Henry 1 granted the Manor to the Bishop of Lincoln a ‘prebend’ on the Estate was introduced.
The present stone Manor occupies a very historical site; excavations have found traces of timber buildings dating as far back as 850AD and evidence of the remains of one of King Canutes Royal Timber Mansions. This took the form of a very large ‘Great Hall’ that, at the time, would have provided living, eating, sleeping and entertainment quarters for the medieval community. It would also have been the Law Court of the period.
Other buildings of particular interest I the grounds, are a 15th Century Lodgings building, two Medieval Fishponds, a 16th Century Dovecote originally built to hold 1000 birds. Its size reflects the fact that in Medieval times, the Birds using it were classed as delicacies, so would have formed part of the food chain. The resulting manure was recycled as an ingredient in Gunpowder.
There is also an 18th Century Tithe Barn, this once provided storage for the grain produced on the Farm but today it acts as the Visitors centre and Museum for the Manor. Here you will find a Historical display of the Manor and Grounds, artefacts from the late Saxon and Medieval periods that were found at the site and a Tea Shop.
Facing the Manor, across the Village green, is the Church of St Mary & All Saints, where you can view remains of early wall paintings, its Saxon stonework and the remains of a Saxon Cross.
Prebendal Manor House is surrounded by beautiful gardens and grounds of about 6 acres. In them you will see ‘Turf seats’, the medieval version of a Garden Bench, there are old Roses, Herbs, wild Flowers, Vines, a variety of Topiary bushes or trees and the recreated Medieval Gardeners Hut. In 1417, Nicholas Colnet, Physician to King Henry V at Agincourt was given Prebendal Manor House by the King, he then created a medicinal garden using plants that he could use in his remedies and you will find a reconstructed medicinal garden in the Grounds to-day. Unique to Prebendal, they are the largest 13th to 15th Century recreated Gardens in England.
In another area you will find rare breeds of Pig, including the Norfolk Horn which were introduced into England by the Saxons, Sheep, Geese and Hens, all kept exactly as they would have been 1000 years ago.
There are many and varied events held at Prebendal Manor throughout the Year and should you wish to when you visit, you can test your skills at some Medieval Games.
Events:
Easter Egg hunt
Spinning, Weaving & Dying
Family Fun Afternoon
Medicinal Plants
Medieval Feast
Children’s Day
National Archaeology Day
Open:
Easter Monday 1-5pm
April - Sun only 1-5pm
May to September Weds & Sun, 1-5pm
Bank Holiday Mondays 1-5pm
Charges:-House & Gardens:
Adults £6
O.A.P £5.50
Child £3
Garden only - Adult £5, Child £3
Facilities:
Tea Shop
Toilets
Museum
Dogs: Guide Dogs only
Find Us:
A1 or A47 at Wansford – follow signs to Nassington
A605 at Fotheringhay
Of interest nearby:
Oundle
Fotheringhay
Elton
Explore Rockingham Forest
Nene Valley Railway
Barnwell Country Park near Oundle
Still water or River course fishing at Yarwell.
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Nassington
The centre of Nassington lies away from the road and it is there, you will find the beautiful Church of St Mary & All Saints and directly opposite, across the Village Green, Prebendal Manor House. The Manor and the Church sit on a promontory overlooking the Village, and the River Nene, from here you can view the surrounding Countryside for miles around.
Centuries ago Nassington would have been viewed as a strategic place in which to settle. Its close proximity to Ermine Street, the Roman Road between Lincoln and Holyhead, other minor Roman Roads in the area and the River Nene, which was at that time navigable to the Sea, would have provided many benefits to any settlers.
Archaeological excavations ongoing in and around the village since 1984 have uncovered signs of early Iron Age working, Roman occupation and artefacts from the mid to late Saxon period that give proof of their living in or near the Village.
The 13th Century, Grade 1 listed, Prebendal Manor, is not only the oldest Manor House in the County of Northamptonshire, it has also been the longest inhabited House in England, in fact, it is still occupied to date as a family home by its present owner Mrs Baile and Family, they have restored the house and grounds from the derelict state it was in when they purchased it, to what it is to-day. If you want to be transported back in time, then Prebendal is the place in which to do so, to lend authenticity to the History of the Manor and its grounds, the family and staff dress in period costume.
The name ‘Prebendal’ comes from the fact that income, derived from an estate owned by the Church, would have to be paid to the Canon, as a stipened, so, in 1123 when King Henry 1 granted the Manor to the Bishop of Lincoln a ‘prebend’ on the Estate was introduced.
The present stone Manor occupies a very historical site; excavations have found traces of timber buildings dating as far back as 850AD and evidence of the remains of one of King Canutes Royal Timber Mansions. This took the form of a very large ‘Great Hall’ that, at the time, would have provided living, eating, sleeping and entertainment quarters for the medieval community. It would also have been the Law Court of the period.
Other buildings of particular interest I the grounds, are a 15th Century Lodgings building, two Medieval Fishponds, a 16th Century Dovecote originally built to hold 1000 birds. Its size reflects the fact that in Medieval times, the Birds using it were classed as delicacies, so would have formed part of the food chain. The resulting manure was recycled as an ingredient in Gunpowder.
There is also an 18th Century Tithe Barn, this once provided storage for the grain produced on the Farm but today it acts as the Visitors centre and Museum for the Manor. Here you will find a Historical display of the Manor and Grounds, artefacts from the late Saxon and Medieval periods that were found at the site and a Tea Shop.
Facing the Manor, across the Village green, is the Church of St Mary & All Saints, where you can view remains of early wall paintings, its Saxon stonework and the remains of a Saxon Cross.
Prebendal Manor House is surrounded by beautiful gardens and grounds of about 6 acres. In them you will see ‘Turf seats’, the medieval version of a Garden Bench, there are old Roses, Herbs, wild Flowers, Vines, a variety of Topiary bushes or trees and the recreated Medieval Gardeners Hut. In 1417, Nicholas Colnet, Physician to King Henry V at Agincourt was given Prebendal Manor House by the King, he then created a medicinal garden using plants that he could use in his remedies and you will find a reconstructed medicinal garden in the Grounds to-day. Unique to Prebendal, they are the largest 13th to 15th Century recreated Gardens in England.
In another area you will find rare breeds of Pig, including the Norfolk Horn which were introduced into England by the Saxons, Sheep, Geese and Hens, all kept exactly as they would have been 1000 years ago.
There are many and varied events held at Prebendal Manor throughout the Year and should you wish to when you visit, you can test your skills at some Medieval Games.
Events:
Easter Egg hunt
Spinning, Weaving & Dying
Family Fun Afternoon
Medicinal Plants
Medieval Feast
Children’s Day
National Archaeology Day
Open:
Easter Monday 1-5pm
April - Sun only 1-5pm
May to September Weds & Sun, 1-5pm
Bank Holiday Mondays 1-5pm
Charges:-House & Gardens:
Adults £6
O.A.P £5.50
Child £3
Garden only - Adult £5, Child £3
Facilities:
Tea Shop
Toilets
Museum
Dogs: Guide Dogs only
Find Us:
A1 or A47 at Wansford – follow signs to Nassington
A605 at Fotheringhay
Of interest nearby:
Oundle
Fotheringhay
Elton
Explore Rockingham Forest
Nene Valley Railway
Barnwell Country Park near Oundle
Still water or River course fishing at Yarwell.
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Nassington