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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
The windows on the south front of the house at Canons Ashby are undergoing some routine care and attention. Each day one or more rooms in the house may be affected by the works and need to be closed. Please ask at reception upon arrival for details.
Opening times for 21 May 2025
Asset Opening time House 11:30 - 16:00 Church 10:00 - 17:00 Garden 10:00 - 17:00 Park 10:00 - 17:00 Shop 10:30 - 16:30 Tea-room 10:30 - 16:30 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.
The second-hand bookshop is open 10:30 - 3:30.
On busy days, we may operate timed tickets for house entrance and these will be subject to availability.
In the second half of May the windows on the south front of the house at Canons Ashby will be undergoing some routine care and attention. Each day one or more rooms in the house may be affected by the works and need to be closed. Please ask at reception upon arrival for details, or telephone ahead if there was a particular room you were hoping to visit.
The Banbury Road via Morton Pinkney will be closed from 27 May for 2 days, please allow extra time for your journey
MTWTFSS282930123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930311OpenPartially openClosedWhole Property from 1 March 2025
Ticket type With Gift Aid Without Gift Aid Adult (18+) £15.40 £14.00 Child (5-17) under 5s free £7.70 £7.00 Family (2 Adults and up to 3 children) £38.50 £35.00 Family one adult £23.10 £21.00 Group (Adult 18+) £13.30 Group (Child 5-17) £6.65 Become a member and discover more than 500 places
- Bookshop
The Bookshop is located off the Pebble Court at the entrance to the House.
- Car park
Small car park located 200 yards from the House, Tea Room and Shop.
- Cycle parking
Cyclists are welcome to use the tearoom. Cycle racks are located adjacent to the reception building in the car park at the main entrance from Eydon Road. Usual admission prices apply.
- 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.
- Family friendly
There are lots of activities to keep the whole family entertained and help you create great memories. There are baby-changing facilities in the area outside the unisex accessible toilet and the ladies toilet. These are available to all.
Family friendly - more information- Picnic area
The Paddock has picnic tables and space to run around.
- Shop
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.
- Tea-room
The cosy Tearoom is housed in the old stables, serving hot and cold meals, drinks, sandwiches, and light snacks. Seating available inside and out.
- 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.
Accessible route and/or map - more information- Accessible toilet
There is an accessible toilet in the outer area of the ladies toilets available to all (opposite the entrance to the house)
- 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.
- Designated parking
Located 200 yards from the house. There is a regular transfer service available.
- Induction loop
Hearing loops are available in Visitor Reception, Shop and Tearoom and a portable loop in the house.
- Level access to food outlet
There is level access to the entrance of the Tearoom and two steps to enter, a ramp is available upon request.
- Level access to shop
Level access to the shop is via the plant area opposite the Tea Room.
- 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.
- Narrow corridors
- Seating 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.
- Transfer available
The driver assisted golf buggy is available between the car park and the House, Tea Room and Shop.
- Virtual tour
Available in the Great Kitchen, please ask upon arrival at the house
- 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.
- Cycling
Cycle parking is in the main visitor car park, adjacent to reception. There is a small repair kit available upon request at reception.
Canons Ashby is located in a quietly beautiful part of South Northamptonshire just off the B4525 with views across the surrounding countryside. There are roadworks on many of the approaching routes as HS2 work continue. We are 12.7 miles from Buckby Station and 12.2 miles from Banbury Station.
It is also route 50 of the National Cycle Network (NCN50).
Usual admission prices apply
Plan your route to Canons Ashby using the CycleStreets journey planner via the, Cycling more infomation, link below. (This journey planner uses OpenStreetMap data which is generally excellent but accuracy cannot be guaranteed. If you come to a footpath or other cycle-prohibited track, please don't ride on it).
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.
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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.
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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
Events at Canons Ashby
See all we have going on over spring and summer to help you plan your visit
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.
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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.
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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
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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
Guided visits to the Priory Church and Medieval Stew Ponds
Scratch your medieval history itch with a guided visit of the priory church and the restored medieval stew ponds: an area not accessible to the public without a guide. There are 20 spaces on this walk to sign up on the day.
Event
Canons Ashby Book Fair
Our books speak volumes! Come to the medieval Priory Church and browse a wide selection of books which have been donated by our supporters.
Event
Wonderful Wildflowers Trail
Explore the paddock and learn fun facts, and flower folklore! The trail will be running from late May until early September.
Event
Once upon a craft...
Join us for a book-inspired crafting session on Tuesday and Thursday of the Book Fair week!
Event
Classical recorder performance in the Priory Church
Enjoy beautiful classical recorder music in the Priory Church, performed by the Nene Consort. There’s no extra charge or formal ticketing: feel free to pop in and out as you wish or take a pew and enjoy the whole hour. Normal admission applies.
Event
Summer Solstice Foraging with Tellus Mater
Join us on the longest day of the year to forage for wild herbs, fruits, and edible treasures! Discover nature’s bounty and learn ancient foraging skills.
Event
The Tempest by Immersion Theatre
Shakespeare’s most magical play bursting with mayhem, comedy, romance, and surprises!
Event
Baroque Classics in the Garden performed by Eboracum Baroque
Fancy a serene summer treat? Come and listen to some baroque classics in the middle of Canons Ashby's gardens.
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
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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
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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.
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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
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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.