Boughton House & Garden, Kettering

Itinerary

The House

Discover a house resplendent in the decorative arts, retaining vividly fresh tapestries, silver, Sèvres porcelain, 16th century carpets, renowned French and English furniture and painting masterpieces, whilst also conserving its unique historic character.

Boughton House as it stands today is largely the work of Ralph Montagu, later 1st Duke of Montagu, who inherited what was then a simpler Tudor building, in 1683. Montagu, an ambassador to France, was keen to bring French beauty and style to an English landscape and expanded his home using contemporary French architectural influences and the resulting masterpiece is often referred to as ‘The English Versailles’.

What was once a simple Tudor manor, with a Great Hall at its heart, was now a palatial residence on the scale of the most splendid in the country.

Our tour will take us through many of the major ground floor rooms such as the Great Hall, sharing the rich history and art of Boughton. Continuing the tour we ascend the grand entrance staircase to the High Pavilion and State Apartments created for the visit of William III. For comfort and ease of listening there is a limit of 22 people per tour.

The Gardens

Garden highlights include the Rose Garden and ancient lily pond, Walled Garden, 18th Century decorative lake, and Orpheus, an inverted pyramid designed by renowned landscape artist Kim Wilkie. For full details of the garden and estate see a map of Boughton here.

The Gardens date back to the 1st Duke of Montagu, but it was his son John, the second Duke, that was passionate about the landscape and made grand changes to the gardens. His new landscape covered 100 acres, with bold water features, splendid vistas and tree-lined avenues, all laid out to impress the eye.

When Boughton was no longer a family home nature reclaimed the terraces, the waterways silted up and the landscaped woodlands were adapted to sporting use. For more than 200 years the huge formal gardens were almost lost.

Garden Restoration

The passion of recent generations fired a major restoration programme in the garden and parkland. Avenues of trees have been replanted, including a mile of limes, and the spellbinding series of waterways have been restored. The man-made Mount has been uncovered, freeing up commanding views of the revitalised landscape.

The Walled Garden, with its newly created sensory garden and colourful herbaceous border is an inspiring place to spend some time. The peace and beauty of the Rose Garden and the ancient lily pond are not to be missed. The restored 18th century Grand Etang, a reflecting pool for the house, boasts a spectacular fountain that rises over 75ft.

Travel arrangements

Departing Ellesmere at 08.00 and Shrewsbury 09.00. Arriving back in Shrewsbury at 17.30 and Ellesmere at 18.15.

All timings are provisional and will be confirmed 7-days before travel and are dependent upon traffic on the day.

We have an ‘All Weather Policy’ which means the tour will go ahead come rain or shine unless the Met Office announces it is unsafe to travel.

Booking your place

The tour price is £103 per person

Non-refundable deposit £30 per person payable on booking. Full payment is due 10 weeks before departure.

Includes return coach travel and entry into Boughton House & Garden, tea, coffee & biscuits on arrival, house tour and lunch, free time in the garden.

Accessibility & Mobility Information: For information on accessibility and mobility in the house and estate please click here.

Boughton House & Garden, Kettering

Tour Information

Located in the heart of England, home to the Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry, this remarkable house is a blend of the intimate and grand, drawing its inspiration from the Palace of Versailles.

Included in the Tour

All inclusive, private visit with house tour