Ashby Manor House

Ashby Manor House stands in the south Northamptonshire countryside, where rolling lawns, formal parterre gardens, and tree-lined avenues stretch from the house to the ponds and terraces beyond. Layers of history are visible in every corner, from the Norman gatehouse to the Tudor wings and the Lutyens redesigns of the early 20th century. Light filters through grand windows and bounces off the white-panelled interiors, connecting the house to its grounds. Fountain-edged terraces, the statue garden, and the canal create varied outdoor spaces that feel private yet expansive, giving your wedding the intimacy of a home and the quiet grandeur of a historic estate.

For the history-lovers amongst you, you might like to know that from 1375 to 1611 it was the home of the Catesby family. In 1605, Robert Catesby and his fellow conspirators, including Guy Fawkes, gathered in the Manor’s gatehouse. There, they conspired to assassinate King James I and his courtiers by blowing up the Houses of Parliament in one of England’s most notorious acts of treason, the Gunpowder Plot.

At Ashby Manor House, there is a ceremony space for every vision. Couples may exchange vows in the 1,000-year-old Norman church of St Leodegarius, then slip through a hidden gate to the statue garden for drinks among sculpted greenery. For smaller gatherings of up to 60 guests, the Lutyens Hall offers a light-filled indoor option, its vaulted ceiling and elegant proportions creating a calm, refined backdrop. Alternatively, the raised terrace overlooking the formal parterre and fountain gives an open-air choice framed by gardens. Each space feels considered and connected, allowing your ceremony to reflect both history and your own style.

Celebrations move effortlessly between the house and gardens. Intimate parties may sip champagne in the Music Room before dining in the south-facing Lutyens Hall, then dance under soaring ceilings in the Stone Hall. Larger weddings can spill out to a marquee beside the ponds and bridge, or enjoy drinks and mingling in the statue garden. Terraces, courtyards, and indoor spaces flow naturally, letting guests wander, toast, and gather at their own pace. As evening falls, lights shift, shadows lengthen across lawns, and the day transitions into a relaxed, celebratory rhythm.

The Manor itself accommodates 20 guests across well-proportioned bedrooms, including master suites suitable for the wedding party. The adjacent Ipswich wing and nearby Gatehouse Cottage provide further options for families or close friends, while the Olde Coach House pub offers additional rooms within a short stroll.

Dining at Ashby Manor House is designed to complement the flow of the day. Local and specialist chefs provide menus ranging from sharing platters to multi-course dinners, with drinks timed to match each moment. Guests may enjoy champagne in the statue garden, casual pre-dinner canapés, or formal meals with views across the gardens and canal. Every choice-menus, timing, and service is guided by thoughtfulness and quality.

Set in south Northamptonshire, on the border with Warwickshire and Oxfordshire, Ashby Manor House is surrounded by countryside, historic towns, and stately homes. Althorp, Princess Diana’s ancestral home, is within easy reach, while nearby villages and market towns offer cafés, walks, and local character. The Olde Coach House pub, just five minutes away, provides additional accommodation and a relaxed setting for pre- or post-wedding gatherings, extending the celebration naturally into the weekend.

Ashby Manor House combines a rural, private feel with straightforward access.

• By road: London (1h 50), Birmingham (50 mins), Stratford-upon-Avon (45 mins), Silverstone (25 mins).
• By train: Rugby station is 48 minutes from London Euston, with a 15-minute taxi to the Manor.
• Airports: Birmingham and East Midlands (45 mins), London Luton (1h), Heathrow (1h 30).