Visit Castle Ashby, Northamptonshire

Castle Ashby Gardens 

At the heart of any visit are the Castle Ashby Gardens — 35 acres of historic gardens set around a 17th-century house, the ancestral home of the Marquess of Northampton. You'll find romantic Italian gardens, an arboretum, glasshouses including the Orangery, and a menagerie home to meerkats, marmosets, pygmy goats and a Falabella pony called Tommy. There's a tearoom serving breakfast, lunch and cake, plus a children's play area, so it's an easy few hours out for the whole family.

The gardens are dog friendly: well-behaved dogs are welcome on leads around the grounds and can go off-lead in the arboretum, though not in the menagerie. They open five days a week, Thursday to Monday, with the tearoom running March to December. Admission applies, so check the latest times and prices on the Castle Ashby Gardens website before you set off. 

Dog-Friendly Walks Around Castle Ashby

Castle Ashby is brilliant walking country. The best-known route is the Castle Ashby Circular, a 6.5-mile (10.5km) loop that starts from the free car park behind the Rural Shopping Yard and takes in rolling countryside, woodland, a stretch of the River Nene and a couple of pretty village churches. It's listed as Walk 1 on Northamptonshire Walks and takes around two to three hours at an easy pace, with red kites and herons to spot along the way. It can get muddy in winter, so come prepared with proper boots.

It makes for a proper dog-friendly day out, and you finish right back at the shopping yard for a well-earned coffee.

The Falcon at Castle Ashby

Also on the Castle Ashby estate is The Falcon, a 1594 coaching inn restored as a country wellness retreat. Guests staying on a retreat can enjoy yoga, sound baths, holistic treatments, guided walks and the in-house restaurant. The retreat and its restaurant are for staying guests rather than casual visitors, so it's best to book directly through the Falcon if you'd like to experience it.

What is open to everyone is wild swimming. The Falcon runs supervised open water swimming sessions in a spring-fed lake designed by Capability Brown, just a few minutes away — a 500-metre loop fringed with water lilies and overlooked by Castle Ashby House. Sessions run year-round with lifeguards on hand; you book ahead, and a tow float is required. It's become one of the most popular things to do around Castle Ashby for swimmers from across Northamptonshire.

Floristry Workshops at Castle Ashby 

For something more hands-on, Liv Scott Flowers runs regular floristry workshops at the shopping yard — from hand-tied bouquets to seasonal living and dried-flower wreaths, with festive wreath evenings in the run-up to Christmas.

They're small, relaxed sessions with all materials provided, and you take your finished piece home. A lovely way to spend an afternoon, on your own or with friends. Check Liv's website for upcoming dates and to book. 

Seasonal Events at Castle Ashby

There's usually something on through the year. The Gardens run seasonal events around Easter and Halloween, and the village hosts its summer fete and dog show — a real local highlight, and one The Gun Cupboard Country Store is proud to sponsor the show classes for. Dates change year to year, so check the Gardens' and village listings closer to the time. 

Shopping at The Rural Shopping Yard

The Castle Ashby Rural Shopping Yard is a cluster of independent shops set in converted farm buildings, well worth a browse whether you're out walking, visiting the gardens, or making a special trip. 

Anchoring the yard is The Gun Cupboard Country Store, an independent country clothing and shooting specialist — and rather more besides. Alongside country staples from Barbour, Ariat, Le Chameau and Aigle, there's an extensive range of country casuals and ladies' wear, from cost-effective everyday brands to cashmere-mix jumpers by Made in Italy and Barbour's summer pieces.

There's plenty for the dogs, too: Barbour dog coats, beds and harnesses for everyday walks, through to training equipment for working dogs. And for the field, a full shooting range including Beretta, Verney Carron, Bisley, Jack Pyke and Percussion. Whatever you're after — a waxed jacket, kit for the dog, walking boots or gear for a day's shooting — it's all under one roof, with knowledgeable staff and, more often than not, a friendly welcome from Archie the shop dog. 

You'll also find Terrigena Furniture in the yard, a long-established specialist in solid oak furniture and bespoke British sofas, with a showroom spread across two floors of a converted 17th-century barn. 

Planning Your Visit

Castle Ashby sits in the countryside a short drive from Northampton, Olney, Bedford, Wellingborough and Milton Keynes. There's free parking behind the Rural Shopping Yard — the postcode NN7 1LF will get you close — and the gardens have their own parking for ticket holders. Allow a half-day if you'd like to combine a walk, the gardens and a browse around the shops.

Meet Archie

No visit to the Rural Shopping Yard is complete without saying hello to Archie, the shop dog at The Gun Cupboard Country Store. He's a firm favourite with the regulars and a big part of who we are — and yes, he heartily approves of well-behaved visiting dogs. Give him a fuss when you're in.