Delapre Abbey has a fascinating history dating back over 900 years. Originally founded as one of only two Cluniac Nunneries in Britain, the building is set within extensive parklands on the southern edge of Northampton. To the South West of the abbey, within its grounds, stands one of the three remaining Eleanor Crosses, erected by Edward I. The Abbey also bore witness to the Battle of Northampton within its grounds in 1460.
After the dissolution in 1536, the building passed into the hands of first the Tate, and then the Bouverie families, who developed and remodelled the building into the impressive country house we know today. Following its requisition in 1940, the house was saved from demolition by the client, who used the building as the County Records Office, until 1992 since then the building has stood empty.
The current project is the fulmination of plans which have been 20 years in the making to give the Abbey an economically sustainable future. It offers office & events facilities, with exhibition and learning spaces to celebrate its history
The HLF funded £6.3m project includes
- repair the external envelope of the building
- state of the art M&E services
- access improvements
- new build Conservatory
- historic interiors
