English Heritage sites near Abthorpe Parish
DEDDINGTON CASTLE
15 miles from Abthorpe Parish
Extensive earthworks marking the site of an 11th century motte and bailey castle.
CHICHELE COLLEGE
23 miles from Abthorpe Parish
The gatehouse, chapel and other remains of a communal residence for priests serving the parish church, founded by locally-born Archbishop Chichele before 1425. Regularly used for events, and art and heritage exhibitions.
HOUGHTON HOUSE
24 miles from Abthorpe Parish
Houghton House today is the shell of a 17th century mansion commanding magnificent views, reputedly the inspiration for the ‘House Beautiful’ in John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress.
ROLLRIGHT STONES
24 miles from Abthorpe Parish
Traditionally a monarch and his courtiers petrified by a witch, the Rollright Stones consist of three groups: the King's Men stone circle; the Whispering Knights burial chamber; and the single King Stone. They span nearly 2,000 years of Neolithic and Bronze Age development.
RUSHTON TRIANGULAR LODGE
25 miles from Abthorpe Parish
This delightful triangular building was designed by Sir Thomas Tresham (father of one of the Gunpowder Plotters) and constructed between 1593 and 1597.
NORTH LEIGH ROMAN VILLA
25 miles from Abthorpe Parish
The remains of a large, well built Roman courtyard villa. The most important feature is a nearly complete mosaic tile floor, patterned in reds and browns.
Churches in Abthorpe Parish
St John the Baptist
The Green
Abthorpe
Towcester
(01327) 858101
http://www.whittlewoodparishes.org.uk
Although it is likely that there has been a church on this site since Norman times or maybe even earlier, the current church building dates from 1870 and replaces an old building with parts dating from before the 14th century.
The church here was originally a Chapel-of-Ease attached to Towcester and the building was for many years very basic and in poor repair. The vicars from Towcester did not support the village or the church very well and in 1737, following pressure from the parishioners, Abthorpe was made a separate parish. Financial provisions for the future support of the incumbent were provided by the Leeson Trustees, a village charity established in the mid 17th century, together with other significant bequests.
In the surge of church restoration and re-building in Victorian times it was decided to rebuild the church and this has resulted in the church that you see today.
There is a complete History and Guide for sale at the rear of the church.
Pubs in Abthorpe Parish
New Inn
Silver Street, Abthorpe, NN12 8QR
(01327) 857306
newinnabthorpe.uk/