This month I’m visiting one of the most enigmatic places in Northamptonshire. The never completed pleasure house of a man who met his death in 1605 encumbered by massive debts. I’m visiting Sir Thomas Tresham’s Lyveden New Bield.

Sir Thomas was clever, well educated, and well connected. He was part of the Roman Catholic elite at a time when this was politically difficult and against the spiritual direction of Queen Elizabeth I. Whilst not actually forbidden, there were massive financial penalties to pay for not following proscribed Protestant practices. These Tresham was willing to pay in order to maintain his Catholic beliefs and practices.

Tresham celebrated his beliefs architecturally. His folly known as the Triangular Lodge near Rushton is justifiably famous for its religious symbolism, and was completed during his lifetime. Inspired by his folly, Tresham set about a grand design in the grounds of his Lyveden Manor home. This included a massive landscaping project, and the construction of a garden lodge designed both for pleasure and for spiritual inspiration, with symbolic decoration well understood 400 years ago. These beautifully executed designs look mysterious to our 21st century eyes, and indeed there are symbols where the meaning still remains obscured.

The landscaping included seven terraces up from the ‘Olde Bield’ Manor House, a moated orchard, a mile-long labyrinth to be planted with red roses and raspberries, spiral mounts, canals, all leading to the beautiful cruciform lodge.

The lodge was designed with a great hall, parlour and bedrooms positioned upstairs to enjoy the glorious views. Servants rooms below included a buttery and kitchen equipped with a roasting fireplace and bread oven. Outside decorative friezes and motifs refer to the passion of Christ and the Virgin Mary.

Sadly for Sir Thomas, he did not live to see his dream fully realised. He was under a great deal of pressure politically and financially, and as it became more difficult to practice his faith he became a broken man, dying in 1605, weeks before the failed Gunpowder plot. At least he was not around to see his hot headed son Francis arrested and die in prison for his part in the conspiracy later the same year.

So Lyveden ‘New Bield‘ was abandoned unfinished and without a roof, standing neglected for hundreds of years. Its importance as a rare untouched Elizabethan garden survival was recognised by the National Trust in 1922 who have cared for it ever since. Today it remains a stunningly beautiful place to visit, full of wildlife of every kind enjoying the tranquility. Volunteers offer a warm welcome to visitors and an excellent audio guide to lead history hunters around the lodge and gardens. However deck chairs tempt those who just want to relax and enjoy the natural beauty, perhaps with a picnic. The moats are full of amphibians, waterfowl, and aquatic plants, with pond dipping a regular activity in the school holidays. The rural setting enhances the recently re-planted orchards, and the charming tea room delivers the quintessential cream tea experience that the National Trust does so well.

Sir Thomas Tresham may not have lived to enjoy his ‘New Bield’ at Lyveden over 400 years ago, but his pleasure garden is a wonderful place for us to visit today. Perfect for a winter walk for all ages.

For more information please visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lyveden