Page 48 - Phonebox Magazine April 2016

Exploring the Local Area
As the weather is slowly getting warmer, now is the time to put on your walking boots and explore the local parks and gardens!
Castle Ashby
In 1574, Henry Compton began work on Castle Ashby House and to this day, there are still changes happening to improve the Gardens. The brilliant ‘Grande Avenue’ to the South Stretches for three and a half miles over the main Northampton/Bedford road and into the Deer park beyond! Taking a stroll around Castle Ashby grounds, you’ll find the Orangery, which dates back to 1872, the Butterfly Gardens which also harbours the Secret Garden, and many more beautiful flowers, shrubs and plants which make Castle Ashby a unique place to visit.
Delapre Abbey
This stunning Grade II Listed Abbey is about one mile from Northampton town centre and is in the final stages of restoration and repair, which has taken place over the past couple of years. While the actual building is not yet open to the public, the gardens are very pretty and peaceful to walk around. The Abbey will officially be opening its doors to the public in the summer of this year for the first time in its 900-year history! Having been used for a variety of purposes including a Nunnery and a Country Estate to the Bouverie family from 1764 to 1946, the Abbey is a fascinating place to explore.
Willen Lake
Originally farmland, the Lake was excavated in the 1970s. Since then, it has become home to many plants, otters, bats, Kingfishers and other birds. Additionally, the Nipponzan-Myohoji Buddhist temple has, for many years, provided a nest site for bees and insects in their upturned willow root plate situated near the temple. The temple itself along with the beautiful Japanese gardens are open to the public, and the Peace Pagoda is a fantastic landmark to explore, having been the first to be built in the whole of western Europe.
Emberton Park
Close to Emberton and Olney, this park was first opened in 1965. Having now been transformed into attractive parkland spanning over 200 acres, it is a fantastic place to enjoy a sunny day. You can walk, run, cycle, fish (extra charges apply) and even camp in the park. Originally used as gravel works, the park has come a long way since then!
Stowe Gardens
The Gardens in Stowe have been designed and planned by various individuals. From 1711 to 1735, Charles Bridgeman was the garden designer and, later, William Kent took over the designing. Then, in 1741, Capability Brown was appointed as head gardener and worked there for ten years. Today, you can 48 Phonebox Magazine | April 2016
Stowe Landscape Gardens
Emberton Park
Campbell Park