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Canons Ashby
A tranquil Tudor manor house set in rare terraced gardens, with the 'antient' Dryden family at its heart
near Daventry, Northamptonshire, NN11 3SD
Important notice
Canons Ashby will be closed Sunday 24th November due to high winds.
Sorry for any inconvenience caused.
Opening times for 23 November 2024
Asset Opening time House 11:00 - 15:00 Church 11:00 - 16:00 Garden 10:00 - 16:00 Park 10:00 - 16:00 Shop 10:30 - 15:30 Tea-room 10:30 - 15:30 Last entry for the house is 30 minutes before the house closure time. For example, if the house closes at 4pm, last admission will be at 3.30pm. Please allow plenty of time for your visit.
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Ticket type Gift aid Standard Adult £14.30 £13.00 Child £7.20 £6.50 Family £35.80 £32.50 One Adult Family £21.50 £19.50 Group Adult £12.35 Group Child £6.20 Become a member and discover more than 500 places
Bookshop
The Bookshop is located off the Pebble Court at the entrance to the House.
Shop
Car park
Located 200 yards from the House, Tea Room and Shop.
Tea-room
Dogs allowed
Dogs on short leads are welcome in all our outdoor spaces except for the family Wild Play Corner. Assistance dogs are welcome everywhere.
Toilet
Located opposite the entrance to the house. There are baby-changing facilities in the outer area of the ladies toilets available to all.
Mobility parking & driver assisted buggy, accessible toilet, level access to sundial terrace, Great Kitchen accessible with virtual laptop tour.
Accessible route and/or map
There is limited level access due to being an historic site with steps and stairs.
Level access/terrain
There are 4 stone steps with a handrail in to the top terrace of the garden. There is level access to the Sundial Terrace. The garden has loose gravel paths which may make it hard for wheeled transport to navigate. There are steps and grass slopes to the lower terraces. Access to the house without steps is only available to the Great Kitchen.
Accessible toilet
There is an accessible toilet in the outer area of the ladies toilets available to all (opposite the entrance to the house)
Narrow corridors
Braille (guide or menu)
Braille guides available that include an introduction to Canons Ashby. These are available upon request at visitor reception or the entrance to the house.
Seating available
Designated parking
Located 200 yards from the house. There is a regular transfer service available.
Steps/uneven terrain
Level access is only available to the sundial terrace in the formal garden. The rest of the garden is terraced and there are steps and steep slopes between different areas. There is level access to the Paddock and the Parkland, please ask at reception if you require any assistance.
Induction loop
Hearing loops are available in Visitor Reception, Shop and Tearoom and a portable loop in the house.
Transfer available
The driver assisted golf buggy is available between the car park and the House, Tea Room and Shop.
Level access to food outlet
Virtual tour
Available in the Great Kitchen, please ask upon arrival at the house
Level access to shop
Wheelchairs available
By road
from M40 junction 11, take A422 (Northampton), then at roundabout take B4525 and follow brown signs. From M1 junction 16, take A45 (Daventry) at the roundabout take first exit A5 towards Towcester, then follow brown signs. Coming with a caravan or mobile home? Please contact us beforehand to discuss your parking on canonsashby@nationaltrust.org.uk or call 01327 861900.
Parking: 200 meters from the garden and toilets. No parking on lanes and verges is permitted. The car park is locked at 5.00pm.
Sat Nav: Use NN11 3SD
On foot
on Macmillan long-distance footpath.
By train
Banbury 10 miles.
By bus
There is no direct public transport route. Bus to Woodford Halse (4 miles), between Daventry and Banbury.
By bicycle
NCN70. Please enter via the main car park and visitor reception on Eydon Road. Cyclists are welcome to use the tea room, but please access the site via the main car park and visitor reception on Eydon Road.
Planning your visit
Article
Visiting Canons Ashby with your dog
Canons Ashby is a two pawprint rated place. Dogs are welcome at Canons Ashby, whether it's a walk in the parkland with the family or lunch in the tea-garden whilst your pup companion relaxes. Find out more about bringing your four-legged friend for a visit.
Article
Group visits to Canons Ashby
Find out more about booking your group for a visit to Canons Ashby and the information you need to help you plan your trip.
Events at Canons Ashby
See all we have going on over winter to help you plan your visit
Article
Family-friendly things to do at Canons Ashby
Discover family-friendly activities and days out with the kids at Canons Ashby, including nature trails, wild play and school holiday events.
Article
Access at Canons Ashby
Here you'll find information about access across the different areas of Canons Ashby and how to make the most of your visit.
Highlights
House
A tranquil Tudor manor house showcasing a mix of historic architecture, with the 'antient' Dryden family at its heart.
Church
St Mary’s church, the only remaining part of a 13th-century priory. Visible long history, as the Dryden family church.
Edward's Garden
Eighteenth-century terraced garden including flowers, fruit, vegetables and paddock. Surrounded by wider parkland with evidence of medieval farming.
Stables Tea-room
Housed in the old stables, serving hot and cold meals, drinks, sandwiches, and light snacks. Seating available inside and out.
Shopping
Housed in the old Victorian Coach House, choose from seasonal gifts and local ranges, including books, edible treats and children's pocket money toys. Outside in spring & summer there are a range of plants.
Things to see and do
Article
Christmas at Canons Ashby
For Christmas 2024, we invite you to experience a magical Christmas visit with festive decorations inspired by Arthurian wizards, knights and dragons. The festive decorations are drawn from the pages of Arthurian legend, which sparked the imaginations of Dryden family writers hundreds of years ago.
Article
Visiting Canons Ashby house
Explore the historic house at Canons Ashby with grand rooms, stunning tapestries and plasterwork which contrasts with the servants' quarters. Find out more about what you can see.
Article
Visiting the garden at Canons Ashby
The garden provides plenty of space for the family to have a great day out and enjoy the fresh air. You can also stretch your legs with one of the walks in the wider grounds.
Article
Family-friendly things to do at Canons Ashby
Discover family-friendly activities and days out with the kids at Canons Ashby, including nature trails, wild play and school holiday events.
Top trails
Trail
Canons Ashby parkland walk
Enjoy this short walk around the parkland and discover the fascinating history of Canons Ashby, set in the South Northamptonshire countryside.
Eating and shopping
Article
Eating and shopping at Canons Ashby
Grab a bite to eat in the tea-room, and find a souvenir to remember your visit in the Coach House shop. Head to the old brewhouse where you will now find a second-hand bookshop.
Places to stay
Lyveden Cottage
Mystery, beauty, and the peace of forgotten places surround this cottage in the Northamptonshire countryside.
1 Home Farm Drive
With its own private garden, this former stable on the Upton estate has an Art Deco-inspired interior.
Upcoming events
Event
Merlin's Magical Trail
Join together this festive season to help Merlin find everything he needs for his winter spells!
Event
A Christmas Quest
Experience a magical Christmas visit at Canons Ashby with festive decorations inspired by Arthurian wizards, knights, dragons and the wonderful myths that surround them. Running from 28 November - 24 December.
Event
Sold Out- Christmas Carols in the Courtyard with Eboracum Baroque
Singers from Eboracum Baroque are delighted to return to Canons Ashby for a festive concert of music through the ages in the atmospheric courtyard.
Event
Festive Handbell Ringing in the Church
Enjoy the festive sounds of the Launton Handbell ringers in the beautiful acoustics of the Priory Church.
Event
A Knight Before Christmas
Join us for a special after-hours tour around the festive house as a fascinating Christmas treat. The Arthurian decorations, full of knights, wizards and dragons, are sure to be even more atmospheric in the evening.
About Canons Ashby
Built by the Drydens using the remains of a medieval priory, the house and gardens have survived largely unaltered since 1710 and are presented as they were during the Victorian era.
The warm, welcoming house features grand rooms, stunning tapestries and Jacobean plasterwork, contrasting with the domestic detail of the servants' quarters.
Stroll in the historic parkland and catch glimpses of early medieval landscapes, while a wander through the priory church reveals the story of the canons of Canons Ashby.
History
Article
History of Canons Ashby
Canons Ashby was home to the Dryden family for over 400 years and has a rich history. Discover how the house developed and about the people that made the house we see today.
Our work
Article
Our work caring for nature at Canons Ashby
Find out more about the work the team are doing to improve biodiversity at Canons Ashby, including a recent project to restore the medieval stew ponds.
Article
Our work in the house at Canons Ashby
Caring for Canons Ashby goes on all year round, much of it behind the scenes. Find out more about the work being done to protect and restore this centuries-old family home.
Support us
Article
Volunteer opportunities at Canons Ashby
Find out more about volunteering opportunities at Canons Ashby and how you can join the team to play your part in looking after this historic family home.
Art and collections
Canons Ashby's objects and collections
Explore the objects and works of art we care for at Canons Ashby on the National Trust Collections website.