Visiting Kirby Hall ruins

I’m always looking for somewhere new to visit for days out, and Kirby Hall was one that popped out on my list that was doable (and didn’t open just afternoons – I hate those places as I’ll never get to them). A mix of ruins and a wing you can still go into and find more about, it’s good for an hour or so for a visit.

Although just over into the next county, it’s a bit of a trek, and my sat nav was saying 2 hours. Luckily, I must have just missed the commuting delays, because it reduced to 1 ½ hours which was much more reasonable, and ended up being a little less too. The other side of Northampton, not far from Peterborough, Kirby Hall is out in the sticks, but is signposted once you get near enough. Handy with all the new road configurations and works going on that my satnav doesn’t recognise.

I wasn’t sure what to expect. With parking for up to 30 cars, it’s obviously not as popular as National Trust sites. But it’s English Heritage and I found it an interesting place to visit.

You walk a short way from the car park to the entrance along a horse chestnut avenue which looked lovely with the sun shine dappling through.

The welcome was good. I’d paid in advance for 15% discount, plus there was the government VAT removal for the summer given back to visitors, so it was under a tenner for an adult.

I was shown a map of the site, given an audio guide which was worth having, and sent on my way.

As it’s not too busy (I did go for opening time), it means there’s lots of space for everyone, and you could largely get photos without others in them.

You can see just how special the hall must have been before it fell into disrepair. Lots of nooks and crannies, and you can see some of the rooms that looked much more modern that I’d have expected even though they’re ruins.

The kitchen and serving area was interesting to see the ovens and find out more about it.

The hanging cantilever stairs were a bit creepy to see just hanging open. I imagine they would have been quite different back in the day when built.

With the audio guide there were signed occasionally where you could choose the number and find out more about that part of the site. You could find out more by pressing another number. I did find it a bit confusing – it would have been nice to just have a few more numbered signs, rather than having to remember what numbers to press and whether I was interested at that time or not.  At one point it was telling me goodbye because there’s no specific order to go in. But it worked out ok in the end.

Once you go into the porch with its beautiful engraved stonework, you’re into the museum part. This area has more exhibits and displays across a few rooms telling you more about the history and different rooms.

There were a few state rooms across a couple of floors you could go into a discover more about what they were used for (billiards, entertaining and dining were favourites). You could see replica tapestries and wallpaper, as well as seeing behind some panelling to see the old Elizabethan stone work.

There were also a few interactive areas – either displays, items like throne chair or 4 poster bed to sit on. That was on top of the trail that I saw some children doing to keep them entertained.

I loved the huge bay windows which made such beautiful shadows across the rooms. And also important to be able to see the best of the parterre gardens, although they’re looking a bit parched like everywhere in most of the UK at the moment.

The gardens are fairly limited to the parterre with statues, and a lovely fruity border along a brick wall. Odd to see physallis being grown alongside the different pear varieties. 

It’s a much larger hall than I expected when you see it from the garden. Such a shame it’s now largely ruins. And very strange to think there were farmers and commoners living and making use of it as the family had moved out, before it was sold on.

Once I’d seen everything and had my fill of the audio guide, I headed back out via the shop area.

If you’re visiting don’t expect a big flashy tourist attraction.  The toilets are nice enough, just outside the side walls. The refreshments are a freezer/cabinet. There’s some seating area to eat your ice cream, or rest, along with some outdoor games like jenga.

But I’d say make use of any trails for children, take an audio guide and wander around as there’s enough to see.

I spent just over an hour wandering round, you’d be hard pressed to spend 2 hours. But as a stop off, or a brief day out, Kirby Hall is a nice place to stop and visit.

Check out more places to visit in Northamptonshire.