Boughton House

11 April 2020

Boughton House, Gardens, kettering, Opening, Spring

The historic English home of the Duke of Buccleuch will open its doors for Easter and the late May bank holiday (11-13 April and 25 May), inviting visitors to enjoy the Duke’s magnificent collection of celebrated art.

The Collection includes works by great masters such as El Greco, Van Dyck, Batoni and Gainsborough, as well as royal French porcelain and historic 17th century tapestries and one of the finest armouries in the country.

Our August tours provide a comprehensive guide to the house, its history and the wonderful art but this spring there is a rare opportunity to enjoy the ground floor at your own pace. Knowledgeable guides positioned around the House can provide additional insights into the rich artistic and family heritage during your visit.

To make it easier to reserve your place, for the 2020 season this historic house is going digital! So you can now reserve your tickets on-line before you arrive to ensure you avoid disappointment.

“Our spring openings are designed to help visitors take in the sights of Boughton at their own pace. Our free-flow openings are always very popular as they give people the opportunity to really soak up the magic of the House. The Gardens will also be coming into bloom with the spring sunshine lighting up our wonderful water features, sculpted Landscape and beautiful woodland walk.”

Refreshments will be available in the 18th century stable block tearooms, the gift shop will be open with a selection of tempting souvenirs and presents. Proceeds from our charity book shop are in aid of Motor Neuron Disease.

Entry to the House and Gardens costs £11 per adult, £8 for children and £30 for a family (2 Adults, 2 Children). Gardens only entry is £6 for adults, £3 for children and £14 for a family (2 Adults, 2 Children). Purchasing a ticket now allows you to enjoy unlimited complementary returns to the gardens in August normal opening hours with a season pass.

30 March 2020

Boughton House, Dower House, Gardener, Griselda Kerr, kettering

Come along to Boughton House for an evening with Griselda Kerr.

Griselda has created her garden at the Dower House, Melbourne with enormous energy and enthusiasm over the last 20 years. She describes herself as ‘always thinking about plants’, and those who visited with us in June 2018 will know what an inspiration her garden is.

She will talk about how her garden evolved, the importance of giving plants the attention that will help them to flourish and the joy to be found in the changing seasons. Griselda feels that gardening should be intuitive, releasing, and invigorating, and a place where plants seem happy to have met.

Griselda has recently drawn from her years of gardening knowledge and experience to write The Apprehensive Gardener. This book was written to understand what could be done to help a plant thrive. It was designed for constant quick reference, and as a practical guide for new and more experienced gardeners on the care of more than 700 garden plants.

To book and for more details see: https://overheardwithmaryandgeorgie.co.uk/

ALL THE PROFITS FROM THIS TALK WILL BE GOING TO THE FRIENDS OF THE ALFRED EAST GALLERY, KETTERING

23 February 2020

Boughton House, Gardens, kettering, Scheme, walk

The historic gardens at Boughton House will open on Sunday 23rd February from 11am – 3pm, and visitors can enjoy a winter walk among the first blooms of the year in the Walled Garden and across the wider landscape.

It’s a great opportunity to enjoy Boughton’s stunning landscape emerging from winter, complete with the first snowdrops of the year.

David Cullum, Parks and Gardens Manager, and his team have been working to map Boughton’s many varieties of snowdrops in recent months and invite fellow gardens enthusiasts to share their findings.

30 November 2019

Boughton House, Christmas, Christmas Tree, festive, kettering

Boughton’s annual Christmas Tree sale runs from the 30th November – 15th December.

Every day from 10am – 5pm

Come and choose your perfect premium tree and browse our delightful selection of traditional tree stands, handmade wreaths, decorations, gifts, gin and much more!

21 September 2019

Boughton House, kettering, Lunaflix, Outdoor Cinema, show

LUNA FLIX returns to the beautiful grounds of Boughton House with the FIRST Northants outdoor screening of the hit fantasy musical featuring the extraordinary life and classic songs of Elton John.

Doors open at 6pm and film commences after sunset – approx 7.40pm. Bring picnic. Book early, this is sure to sell-out.

Price: Adult £14.50

14 March 2018

Events activities, Boughton House, dingley, Easter, events, Kids, museum, The Yards, Wicksteed Park

With Easter weekend fast approaching (30th March – 2nd April) and the local school holidays this year falling the two weeks afterwards, here is a list of 10 things to do in the Kettering area. Whether you’re looking for a family event or something for adults, there should be plenty of activities of interest. Click on the links in red to find out more about the events.

Activities for families

1. Easter Egg Hunt

Head to Kettering town centre for an egg-cellent egg and word hunt over the Easter school holidays. Pick up a map and word search from the Manor House Museum for 50p and follow the clues to find the 15 Easter eggs that have been hidden in various locations in the town centre. Each egg has a word that is hidden in the word search on your map. When you’ve finished, return your map and collect a delicious sweet treat from ‘The Shop’ on Gold Street. One lucky participant will win Easter surprises thanks to the participating stores. Tuesday 3rd – Saturday 14th April, 10am – 4pm

2. Wicky’s Easter Trail

Wicky Bear has been very mischievous and he has hidden some huge Easter shapes in the Park and he wants all the boys and girls to help him find them! Entry is £3 per child and every entry receives an Easter gift. Collect your map from a Wicksteed Park Ticket Office. Every Day from 29 March to 15 April.

3. Lego Play Day

Head to Kettering Museum & Art Gallery and let your imagination run wild at our Lego Play Day. Come along and make your own creations and see if your model is a winner! Lego provided. Friday 6^th April, 11am – 3pm.

4. West Lodge Easter Eggstravaganza

Throughout the Easter school holidays West Lodge Rural Centre have lots of fun activities for you to enjoy. On Easter Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday you can take part in the Easter Quiz, follow clues around the farm which will lead you to the Easter Bunny in his Easter garden and receive an Easter egg, paint an egg, take part in the egg and spoon race and egg painting competition. Friday 30th March – Monday 2nd April.

5. An Alice in Wonderland Easter at The Yards!

Head to The Yards for a world of fun at their Alice in Wonderland themed Easter Event! Easter Egg Hunts charged at £1 per child are at 12:15 and 13:00 starting from Alice’s tea party. Food and drinks will be available to buy as well as crafts for the children to do. They‘re hosting most of the fun inside The Exchange this year due to the weather forecast being a bit chillllyyy. But there will still be games and croquet outside in our courtyards AND Dandelion are holding a scavenger hunt (with prize) and a colouring competition! You might think we’re mad but it doesn’t stop there…We also have a raffle you can enter on the day to win a prize from The Yards!! Saturday 31st March, 11am – 3pm.

6. Easter Craft Fun @ Manor House Museum

If you’re looking for some Easter arts and crafts activities then treat the kids to craft fun workshops at The Manor House Museum. Booking is essential as the museum’s arts and crafts activities are very popular and often sell out. Children – £3, Kettering Leisure Pass Holders – £2, Young Friends of Kettering Museum and Art Gallery – FREE! To book, please call the museum on 01536 534 219 or email museumandgallery@kettering.gov.uk. Tuesday 3^rd to Friday 6^th April and Tuesday 10^th to Friday 13^th April at 10.15am and 11.45am, lasting 1 hour.

7. Easter Holiday Craft Activities @ Wicksteed Park

Head to Wicksteed Park for some fun Easter themed craft activities in the Learning Space aka big grey portacabin including making your own Easter puppets, Easter basket and make your very own pompom bunny…cute! Activities will be available on . All children must be accompanied by an adult, please book through Reception. Tuesday 3rd & 10th April plus Thursday 5th & 12th April, 10-11.30am and 1-2.30pm.

Events for adults

8. Boughton House Gardens Open

Boughton House opens its house and gardens over the Easter weekend with exclusive public opening for a look inside the private home of the Duke and Duchess of Buccleuch and Queensberry. Inside you can see the impressive Buccleuch art collection containing treasures from across the decorative arts spectrum. Saturday 31st March – Monday 2nd April, 1-5pm.

9. Dingley Races

The first Point to Point fixture of 2018 takes place over the Easter weekend in the village of Dingley. The races offer a wonderful day out for sports fans, families (including well behaved dogs!) and lovers of the great outdoors. Saturday 31st March, 11am – 7pm.

10. Free Parking!

Don’t forget there is FREE PARKING in all Council car parks throughout the whole Easter weekend from Friday 30th March to Monday 2nd April!

Want to find out more about local events? Have a look at our Events Calendar.

20 November 2017

Christmas in Kettering, Events Boughton House, Christmas, events, kettering, Kids, Lighthouse Theatre, Mawsley, Mrs Puddifoots, snow white, The BIG Switch On, The Yards, West Lodge Farm, Wicksteed Park

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and what better way to celebrate Christmas than taking your little ones to a host of festive, family-friendly events within the Borough of Kettering! Here’s a list of things to do in November and December:

Click on the titles to find out more, or to book your tickets.

Christmas in Kettering Events #ChristmasinKettering Lights Xmas James Acaster

The Market Place: The BIG Switch On

There’s plenty of festive entertainment in store at Kettering’s annual BIG Switch On event, hosted by Connect FM.

Standup comedian, James Acaster will be switching on the town’s lights, and the night will feature the cast of the Lighthouse Theatre’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, live music, real reindeer, numerous entertainment acts, market stalls and more! The perfect festive family outing.

Thursday 30^th November, 5pm until 7:30pm.

The Market Place: Big Screen Movie Night

Come along to the Market Place and view The Muppet Christmas Carol on the big screen!

Bring the whole family for this Christmassy, outdoor cinema experience.

Thursday 21^st December, 5pm onwards.

The Yards: Santa’s Grotto

Santa Claus is comin’ to The Yards! Don’t miss your chance to see the big guy before the big day.

Book your 30 minute slot on a Thursday, Saturday or Sunday, and take a picture, receive a toy and tell Santa why you’re on the nice list!

From Thursday 30^th November until Sunday 24^th December, 2pm until 5pm.

The Yards: Light Show

Don’t miss a spectacular light show, hosted by The Yards, to celebrate the festive season!

The show will commence in front of the Exchange, and you can browse various Christmas stalls, listen to the choir and have a go on the selfie mirror!

Thursday 30^th November, 8pm onwards.

Mrs Puddifoots Magical Gifts & Events: A Wizarding Feast for Christmas

Calling all Harry Potter fanatics! Come along to Glebe Farm & Tea Room to celebrate Christmas, Hogwarts style.

Enjoy a traditional three-course feast, Butterbeer, Divination Readings, Quizzes, Quidditch Pong, the Potions Table and more!

Friday 24^th November, 7:30pm onwards.

West lodge Farm Park: The Christmas Experience

Don’t miss the highly anticipated Christmas Experience at West lodge Farm Park, where magical memories are made for the whole family.

Visit Father Christmas in his workshop, receive a gift before the big day, walk through the elves village, make some magical reindeer food, take a donkey selfie and even star in the live Nativity Play! Plus all the usual farm fun.

From Sunday 26^th November until Sunday 24^th December.

Boughton House: Boughton at Christmas

Just the thing to get you into the spirit of Christmas! Bring the whole family along to Boughton House for a fun, festive day out.

Select your prime Nordmann Fir Christmas tree, pick up firewood for the hearth and shop the collection of gifts and decorations on offer in the stable block gift shop at the estate.

From Saturday 2^nd until Sunday 17^th December.

The Lighthouse Theatre: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Come along to view the fairest panto of them all at the Lighthouse Theatre! Enjoy live music, colourful sets, beautiful costumes and plenty of comedy, fun and laughter.

Will Snow White escape the Wicked Queen’s clutches? Can Dame Dolly get her man? Can Herbie the Huntsman work out if he is a goodie or a baddie? Can Prince Simon of Sofaria ensure a happy ending? Find out this Christmas season.

From Friday 8^th until Sunday 31^st December.

Wicksteed Park: Festive Train Ride

Don’t miss your chance to take a gentle, festive train ride around Wicksteed Park’s lake this Christmas!

Santa will wave you off from the park’s decorated station after giving you an early Christmas present! Tickets: £4 per person, which are available on the day at the Railway Ticket Office.

From Saturday 9^th until Sunday 10^th, and Saturday 16^th until Saturday 23^rd December, 12pm until 3:40pm.

Wicksteed Park: Wicky’s Christmas Jumper Party

Join Wicky Bear and his crew for his fabulous Christmas jumper party at his home of Wicksteed Park!

There will be plenty of entertainment throughout the event, and babies under 12 months go *FREE!*

Saturday 23^rd December, 11:30am until 2pm.

The Centre at Mawsley: Children’s Christmas Party

Save the date and come along to the Centre at Mawsley’s Children’s Christmas Party extravaganza!

Entertainment will be provided by Just Party. Perfect for the little ones.

Friday 15^th December, 5:30pm until 8:30pm.