Hardingstone offers several ways to explore history and landscape: St Edmund’s preserves earlier building phases, the Hardingstone Eleanor Cross represents monumental medieval architecture, and the Battle of Northampton is associated with a registered battlefield. There are also views over the Nene Valley Way, as well as footpaths into the open countryside and along the Nene. Depending on your interests, you can focus on church architecture, historical events or exploring the landscape on foot.
St Edmund’s: Building History and Visiting Hours
St Edmund’s is generally open daily from 9:00 to 16:30. On Wednesday mornings during term time, the church is used for “Toddler Praise”; visitors are welcome. As opening hours may change, check the times before your visit. The lower part of the tower of the Church of St Edmund dates from the early 13th century; aisles and the chancel were added in the 14th century. The building thus reveals a sequence over time: the older tower was followed by the additions of aisles and the chancel. Inside, there is also a wall monument to Bartholomew Clarke by Rysbrack. The building history and the monument are two distinct aspects of the church: a sequence of structural changes and a single commemorative feature identified by name.
The Historic Village Centre and Views
Many buildings in the historic centre of the Hardingstone Conservation Area date from the 18th century and are mostly made of local brown stone. This gives the village centre a different architectural character from the medieval parts of St Edmund’s: numerous buildings from a later period and a local building material shape its appearance. From the Nene Valley Way, the Conservation Area offers views of Delapre Wood and Northampton town centre. The architectural history of the historic village centre and the views of two named destinations thus stand side by side as distinct aspects of Hardingstone.
The Battle of Northampton and Its Battlefield
The Battle of Northampton was one of the decisive engagements of the Wars of the Roses. It ended with the defeat of the Lancastrian army and the capture of King Henry VI. The registered battlefield extends from a low, wooded ridge north of Hardingstone village about 1.5 km to the north. The outcome explains the battle’s historical significance; the location and approximate extent also give the registered area a tangible connection to the landscape.
The Hardingstone Eleanor Cross
The Hardingstone Eleanor Cross was erected by John of Battle between 1291 and 1292. The monument is octagonal and has three tiers, and stands on steps; the present steps are replacements. This makes it possible to distinguish the monument’s plan, structure and steps as specific features. Of the twelve Eleanor Crosses, those at Geddington, Hardingstone and Waltham Cross remain more or less intact; the other nine have been lost apart from a few fragments. Looking at the three surviving crosses places Hardingstone within a larger group of medieval monuments and also shows how their states of preservation differ.
Footpaths into the Countryside
Footpaths lead from Hardingstone into the open countryside and along the Nene. They allow visitors to explore the surrounding landscape on foot. This is a distinct focus alongside the buildings and battlefield: here, the landscape itself takes centre stage. You can therefore decide whether to focus your trip more on church architecture and history, or to give greater attention to the footpaths and open countryside.
Discover more destinations: Maidwell, Whittlebury, Byfield, Staverton, Church Stowe, Ashby Saint Ledgers, Hartwell, Collyweston.
For the wider travel overview: Northamptonshire.
