Discover Northborough: Architecture and History

Northborough combines a historic village setting with buildings and traces from very different eras. The historic centre in the Northborough Conservation Area, Northborough Manor House and the Church of St Andrew give a trip a clear focus on architecture and local history. This perspective is complemented by archaeological finds dating back to prehistoric times, as well as the possibility of an evening walk along the paths and riverbanks. In this way, individual buildings, a long history of settlement and an evening stroll sit side by side.

Village Character and Building Materials

The Northborough Conservation Area encompasses the village’s historic centre. Its buildings include examples made of Barnack Ragstone; the roofs include Collyweston slate and thatch. Both building materials and specific roof types are therefore part of the area’s character. If you are interested in architecture, you can pay attention to these different materials rather than classifying the houses solely by their date of construction. This description thus connects the scale of the entire historic centre with individual architectural details.

Northborough Manor House and the Church of St Andrew

Northborough Manor House was built by the de-la-Mare family between 1330 and 1340. A hall and a gatehouse have survived. The gatehouse also contains the original spiral staircase, which is protected as a Scheduled Ancient Monument. The house’s history can therefore be traced through more than its date: the hall, the gatehouse and the protected staircase offer different architectural points of reference.

The Church of St Andrew also connects architectural history with its local setting. Its large south chapel was built approximately between 1330 and 1350; Mrs Oliver Cromwell is buried beneath it. The churchyard is on the other side of the lane, opposite the church. This makes it possible to distinguish clearly between the chapel’s location within the church, the burial beneath it and the churchyard’s position opposite. In chronological terms, the chapel’s construction period is close to that of the manor house: 1330 to 1340 for the house, and approximately 1330 to 1350 for the chapel. The periods overlap but refer to two different buildings.

Clare House and the History of Settlement

Clare House tells another chapter in the area’s history: the cottage dates from the 18th century, and the poet John Clare lived there for ten years. Alongside the medieval buildings, this connection offers a biographical perspective on Northborough. The building’s age and the period of residence provide different points of reference: one places the cottage in an architectural context, while the other connects it with the poet’s life.

Northborough’s history of settlement extends further back than its historic houses. Across the village, there is evidence of settlements from the Neolithic, Bronze Age, Iron Age and Roman periods. Excavations in Northborough uncovered a flint tool, pottery and animal bones thousands of years old. The sequence of periods spans a long timescale; the different types of finds complement the architectural history with material traces of earlier settlement.

An Evening Walk

The paths and riverbanks in Northborough are suitable for an evening walk. Alongside the historic buildings and long history of settlement, this offers an activity to round off the day. The walk provides a different focus from the individual buildings: it is about paths and riverbanks, not another building. If you would like to combine local history with time outdoors when planning your trip, you can include this walk alongside the historic sites.

Discover more destinations: Ufford, Peterborough, Helpston, Barnack, Wansford.

Return to the main travel overview: Peterborough.