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Canons Ashby - worth a visit
As you know I love to explore our history - on-line, by canal and by visits to National Trust properties and other sites. So we couldn't resist a visit to an Elizabethan Manor House near Daventry. You may know Daventry as a town on the way to Crick for the Boat Show!
 Canons Ashby (NT)
The house is far more impressive than it looks from this view above. It was the home of the Drydens - Erasmus Dryden was the 1st Baronet, whose father inherited the house in 1551. Originally it was a farm house but successive generations developed it through the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. It remains largely as it was in 1710.
 Pebble Courtyard, created by Sir Erasmus, by adding two new wings
The poet John Dryden (now you know why the name is familiar!) was the grandson of Sir Erasmus. He was brought up nearby but apparently visited the house to court his cousin.
Inside the house there are many of the original furnishing and fittings of the Dryden family. I will show you a few, but there are more photos here - clickety click.
There are some very impressive fire places and this anti-poaching gun is by the large fireplace in the Great Hall. It was pegged in the ground and activated by a hidden trip wire and would have caused serious injury to any daring raider.
 Anti-poaching gun
In the Drawing Room upstairs, the fireplace is the centre piece, with the family coat of arms above which draws the eye to the amazing plasterwork domed ceiling commissioned by Sir Erasmus.
 Drawing Room
The Painted Parlour has trompe d'oeil decoration and also houses a 17th century Chamber Organ which still works. When we were there one of the visiting children was allowed to play it.
 Painted Parlour
In Spensers Room are some original biblical paintings from the time of the Puritans in the 15th century. These have been carefully preserved beside a blocked up door of the same period.
Throughout the rooms there are tempting views of the formal gardens from the leaded windows and as the rain had stopped we decided to explore before our tea and cake!
 House from gardens
Canons Ashby has 70 acres of land and beside the formal gardens there is extensive parkland, an orchard and paddock. It is also known for the topiary in the gardens.
 Topiary Avenue
The Green Court at the side of the house is very attractive with a Baroque gateway to the parkland, an avenue of topiary, herbaceous borders and a statue as a focal point. The photo below reminds me of a certain sketch from the Frost Report featuring John Cleese and the two Ronnies!
 The two Johns in Green Court
Visitors can wander around the garden, play croquet on the lawn under a lovely cedar tree and then sample the delights of the plant sale, shop and tea room.
 Tea garden with St Mary's Church beyond
We enjoyed our refreshments and then set off to view the church - but that is another interesting blog!
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