Apethorpe Palace

Among England's finest country houses, big and stately Apethorpe Palace was begun in the late 15th century. It contains one of the country's most complete Jacobean interiors.

Apethorpe Palace is truly one of England's great country houses. It was begun in the late 15th century and once played host to Queen Elizabeth I, King James I and King Charles I.  In total 13 royal visits were recorded between 1565 and 1636. After years of neglect and decay, the Jacobean mansion fell into total disrepair until 2004 when English Heritage stepped in and saved it.

Visitors now have a unique opportunity to discover its past and see the specialist conservation and repair works when it opens for guided tours this summer. Explore the grand rooms and interiors in the company of one of our knowledgeable guides. 

Archaeology

The English Heritage repair programme has offered a rare chance to study Apethorpe Hall: not just the house, but also its gardens, and the surrounding landscape.

To make the most of this opportunity, an Apethorpe Hall Project Team was created. The Team brought together archaeologists, architectural historians and other specialists who work for English Heritage, but also drew on the skills and knowledge of independent experts outside the organisation. This has encouraged a multi-disciplinary approach which has cut across the boundaries of our normal fields of study, encouraging a fertile exchange of ideas.

As a result, many new discoveries and insights were made, all of which help to inform the conservation and repair of the site.