Canons Ashby House

Canons Ashby House is a Tudor and Elizabethan manor in Northamptonshire. The building sits within formal gardens featuring flower borders, fruit trees, and paved terraces enclosed by walls dating from the 1700s.

The Dryden family built the house in 1550 and expanded it during the 1590s, adding a north wing that enclosed the Pebble Courtyard. Later modifications to the layout and grounds shaped much of what remains visible today.

The interior shows wall paintings from the Elizabethan period and plasterwork from the Jacobean era, preserving how the house looked in the early 1700s. These decorations give visitors a direct sense of how wealthy families decorated their homes.

The National Trust manages the main house while the Landmark Trust operates the tower section and offers accommodation for visitors wanting to stay longer. Plan to spend time in different areas since various sections may have varying access times.

During World War II, 20th Century Fox moved its London offices to this manor house, with staff living in nearby villages. This unexpected wartime use as a film studio outpost shows how the property served a surprising role during the conflict.

Location: Canons Ashby

Operator: National Trust;Landmark Trust

Address: Daventry NN11 3SD

Website: https://nationaltrust.org.uk/canons-ashby

GPS coordinates: 52.15100,-1.15818

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:40