A War Memorial on the village green, St Mary's Church on a ridge and an Iron Age hillfort give Whittlebury several historical landmarks. Whittlebury Park adds golf and spa facilities. You can therefore focus your stay on architectural history, the archaeological past or leisure activities.
Church, Chapel and War Memorial
St Mary's Church spans several periods: the church and the lower part of the tower were built around 1200; the 13th-century tower houses a peal of five bells. The dates therefore range from the church built around 1200 to the tower from the following century. St Mary's stands on a prominent ridge in the north-western part of the parish of Whittlebury.
A different period is represented by the Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, built in 1763. South Northamptonshire Council classifies it as a building of historical and/or architectural significance. The Whittlebury War Memorial dates from 1920, is listed as a Grade II building and stands on the village green. These details provide different points of reference: the year gives the date, Grade II the listing status and the village green the location.
Hillfort and landscape
The large oval enclosure near Whittlebury is identified as an Iron Age hillfort and appears to have been used into the Saxon period. Early medieval pottery from the enclosure suggests that the hillfort was reused as a burh. This site therefore brings together an Iron Age classification, a later use stated with appropriate caution, and an interpretation based on pottery.
The landscape features also offer different clues: St Mary's Church stands on a prominent ridge in the north-western part of the parish, while the hillfort is on a small, flat plateau with good views in every direction. Those interested in local history can distinguish the buildings and archaeological traces not only by period, but also by their respective landscape settings.
The timeline runs from the Iron Age hillfort through the church of around 1200 and the 13th-century tower to the Chapel of 1763 and the Memorial of 1920. The dates of the buildings can be distinguished from the archaeological interpretations of the hillfort: use into the Saxon period seems possible, and the pottery suggests it was reused as a burh.
Golf and spa at Whittlebury Park
Whittlebury Park Golf Club offers 36 holes across four individual 9-hole loops. Its golf course winds through historic oak parkland and the remains of Whittlewood Forest. The Toptracer Driving Range also offers interactive golf activities for all skill levels. You can choose between the course, with its loops and landscape features, and the interactive activities at the driving range.
For wellness, visitors to the Day Spa at Whittlebury Park can use the pool, a wide selection of classes and the state-of-the-art facilities by Artis by Technogym. Spa and leisure facilities also include Heat & Ice Experiences. Alongside golf, these specific spa and leisure options are available when planning a stay.
Discover more destinations: Kilsby, Kettering, Easton On The Hill, Aynho, Oundle, Wollaston, Ashby Saint Ledgers, Potterspury.
For the main travel overview: Northamptonshire.
