Glapthorn Manor, Lincolnshire

Oundle 2.2 miles. Glapthorn Manor is a Grade 2 listed, stone Manor house. It was reputedly built by Oliver Cromwell's Uncle, Thomas Cromwell and was called Cromwells Manor for a time. It became the Dowager house for the Brudenell family from Deene before being bought by the current family who have owned it for over 100 years. Glapthorn Manor is situated in the picturesque village of Glapthorn in Northamptonshire, close to the beautiful towns of Oundle, Stamford and the villages of Rutland. With a grand interior hosting exposed beamed ceilings, an impressive open-fireplace dating back to the late 1500’s and hard wooden floors, this seven-bedroom home welcomes a family gathering of 16. Approach by a lengthy driveway and admire the lovely ground before leaving your vehicle in a private parking space. Enter the hallway, where you can hang your jackets in the cloakroom, ready for an outdoor adventure. The farm-house style kitchen offers everything you need for your stay, with an AGA cooker, electric oven, induction hob and a dishwasher to save on the cleaning up. Savour mealtimes in the formal dining room as you recount the highlights of the day; afterwards gather in the sitting room and unwind on a plush sofa. Walking through the property, you can escape the crowd with a quiet read in the snug and from here patio doors lead outside to the expansive garden. The enclosed garden enjoys a gin bar to make the most of the summer months, a hot tub to watch the sky grow dark and furniture to relax in your setting. As day draws to night, head inside and venture to the first floor, which offers a super-king-size with an en-suite, two king-size with en-suites, an additional king-size and a twin bedroom with a Smart TV. Another set of stairs lead to the second floor, where you will find a family bedroom with two doubles and a twin bedroom, both with vaulted ceilings. Awaken tired eyes with either a shower or a warm bubble-bath before planning for the day ahead. A short walk or drive will lead you to the market town of Oundle sitting on the bank of the River Nene in Northamptonshire, home to a flurry of bars, restaurants and boutique shops and on the second Saturday of each month an enticing Farmer’s Market. The Talbot Hotel is a wonderful place to absorb some local history over a meal or drink; Mary Queen of Scots spent her last night before her execution at the nearby Fotheringhay Castle. The popular riverside setting at the Tap and Kitchen has an eclectic atmosphere and is popular with beer drinkers who can test the range of Nene Valley Brewery beers on tap. While the surrounding villages offer some superb settings and menu options, some of which can be reached by way of a scenic walk or cycle. Or, if you're looking for a great cup of coffee or a hearty breakfast, Oundle has plenty of cafes to choose from. For the sporting enthusiasts Oundle has it’s own golf course (one of several in the locality), canoeing and paddle boarding on the river as well as a large sports facility including hire of racket courts. The wonderful local scenery can be explored on horseback from the Equestrian Centre just half a mile outside the village of Glapthorn. For those who enjoy a slightly slower pace of life, visit Oundle Museum, Barnwell Country Park or the Stahl Theatre. The Georgian Town of Stamford is a twenty-minute drive away, enjoy a stroll through the charming streets and visit Burghley House and Gardens, throughout the year various events and concerts are held here, the feature being the International 5* Burghley Horse Trials every September. The picturesque Deene Park House and Gardens is a 10-minute drive away; continue on to Rutland Water for a range of watersports, cycle hire and during the Summer an inflatable aqua park or visit the Nene Valley Railway at Wansford. For the children, embark on an adventure to Hamerton Zoo Park or Sacrewell Farm to see your favourite animals, go bowling in Peterborough, visit Planet Bounce in Corby or head a little further afield to visit Wicksteed Park in Kettering. After all the activity, or, if you can escape an action-packed outing, treat yourself to a spa day a short drive away at Rushton Hall and tie in a visit to the nearby home of Warners Gin at Harrington. The historical city of Peterborough is home to many attractions including the Peterborough Cathedral with a superb West Front, the Peterborough Museum and Art Gallery and Ferry Meadows. Further afield, go Boating on the River Ouse from Huntingdon, visit the historic town of Cambridge for some retail therapy or punting on the River Cam, a fun, family day out can be had horseracing at Newmarket, Huntingdon or Leicester, all of which are within easy reach. For a special getaway for the whole family, choose Glapthorn Manor