Daventry can be explored from several perspectives: archaeological traces on Borough Hill, social history and architecture in the town, and nature and activities at Daventry Country Park. The topics you focus on can also shape your plans for your stay. Cultural discoveries and seasonal outdoor activities offer different experiences without requiring a fixed itinerary for the day.
Archaeological traces on Borough Hill
Borough Hill is designated as a Scheduled Monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979. Its remains include two Iron Age hillforts and two Bronze Age burial mounds. There is also a later Roman villa and an agricultural settlement. The different sites and structures span several historical periods, making Borough Hill a special point of interest for anyone interested in archaeology.
Borough Hill is maintained as a country park and offers views of the surrounding area as well as habitat for local wildlife. A self-guided walk across the hill explores its geology, nature and history, including its history during the English Civil War. The museum provides the walk as a download. This lets you explore several aspects of the site rather than focusing solely on its archaeological remains.
The museum and Daventry’s collection
Daventry Museum is dedicated to social history. Changing exhibitions and an events programme provide different reasons to explore the town and its surroundings. The collection includes Town Charters and BBC objects from the broadcasting station on Borough Hill. Other items include the seal of the Prior of Daventry, objects relating to social history, and archaeological finds from Borough Hill and the surrounding area.
These finds include a large fragment of a Roman mosaic from the villa. Along with the BBC objects, it connects the museum’s collection with the themes of Borough Hill, while neither is limited to the same historical period. The step-free entrance to the museum is at the rear, via Market Square and Church Walk.
Architecture and market history
Construction of the present Church of the Holy Cross began on 8 April 1752 and was completed within six years. The church was designed by David Hiorne of Warwick, a specialist in the classical style. Distinctive design features include the pediment at the west end, the west tower and a turret-like spire in the form of an obelisk. These details give the story of the building a tangible architectural form.
The market is also part of Daventry’s history, which stretches back seven centuries. Today, the chartered market is held on Daventry High Street on Tuesdays and Fridays. Market history and church architecture thus offer different ways to explore the town’s past: one through a long market tradition, the other through a particular building and its classical design.
Walks and seasonal activities
Daventry Country Park has three circular walks of different lengths: the Reservoir Walk at 2.5 miles, the Meadow Walk at 1.5 miles and the Woodland Walk at 1 mile. These distances make it easy to compare the routes. A Local Nature Reserve was designated in 2007 in the southern part of the reservoir, on the surrounding land and at the Grit Trap. Plants and wild birds are among the things to look out for there.
Water sports also vary by season. Organised open-water swimming sessions take place on Sundays from April to October. During the summer months, non-motorised activities such as stand-up paddleboarding, canoeing, kayaking and model boating are also available; the number of permits is limited. If one of these activities is important to your travel dates, check the schedule or permit availability in advance.
Discover more destinations: Helmdon, Warkworth, East Haddon, Rushden, Towcester, Maidford, Hardingstone, Ashby Saint Ledgers
For the broader travel overview: Northamptonshire.
