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Holdenby, All Saints

Stunning medieval church in Holdenby

The name Holdenby dates back to the time of Scandinavian settlements and derives from the personal name ‘Halfdan’ (or Haldane) and the word ‘by’ meaning farm. The place is mentioned in the Domesday book of 1086 and is first recorded as having a rector in 1222.

Today there is scarcely any sign of houses near the church, the village having been removed when Holdenby House Sir Christopher Hatton’s great mansion was completed in 1583; the church now lies remote and isolated beside fields and a pond, beyond the gardens of Holdenby House. After the Civil War, the mansion was largely demolished and the present house dates mostly from 1873 – 88.

The church is a fine building of local ironstone, it is largely fourteenth century but the chancel was rebuilt in 1845 and Sir George Gilbert Scott restored the church in 1867.

Inside, there is much of interest: an unusual series of seven painted texts, probably Elizabethan; memorials from the thirteenth century onwards, including an incised alabaster slab dedicated to William Holdenby (who died in 1490) and his wife; chancel stalls; an impressive sixteenth-century screen brought from Holdenby House around 1700.

Please refer to the Glossary for any terms in the text that you are unfamiliar with.

Contact & Opening Times

Holdenby Road, Northampton, Northamptonshire, NN6 8DJ


http://[email protected]|
[email protected]|

Opening Times

 

The church is open at weekends from 11am until 3pm during Winter months. From April to September, the church is open daily.

 

The church lies close to a Country House which offers a restaurant and is open to the public. For opening times, please look at the Historic Houses section of our website under Holdenby.

 

 

Contact Details

 

Should you find the church locked, please contact the key holder on 01604 770074 or email [email protected] to gain access.

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Click the pins on the map to see other attractions nearby

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