Daventry: History, Landscape and Special Paths

Daventry combines impressive evidence of the past with experiences in the landscape and a variety of options for planning your day. Borough Hill is designated as a Scheduled Monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979. The hill contains the remains of two Iron Age hillforts, two Bronze Age burial mounds, as well as a later Roman villa and an agricultural settlement. A self-guided walk explores the geology, nature and history of the site, as well as its role in the English Civil War.

History that can be discovered in different ways

Borough Hill is maintained as a country park and offers views over the surrounding area as well as a habitat for local wildlife. The southern part of the reservoir in Daventry Country Park, the surrounding land and the Grit Trap were designated as a Local Nature Reserve in 2007. Anyone interested in the landscape and local history can combine these two aspects without limiting the day to just one type of experience.

Another place to visit is Daventry Museum, which focuses on social history and includes regularly changing exhibitions and an events programme. The collections include town charters, the seal of the Prior of Daventry and BBC objects from the broadcasting station on Borough Hill. There are also archaeological finds from Borough Hill and the surrounding area, including a large fragment of a Roman mosaic from the villa. Step-free access to the museum is available at the rear entrance via Market Square and Church Walk.

Market and Neoclassical Architecture

A Chartered Market is held on Daventry High Street every Tuesday and Friday. The market has a history spanning seven centuries and provides a regular feature of the town experience. Anyone wishing to complement the historic architecture can also view the Church of the Holy Cross. Construction of the present building began on 8 April 1752 and was completed within six years. It was designed by David Hiorne of Warwick, a specialist in the Neoclassical style. Its design includes a pediment at the west end, a western tower and a tower-like pinnacle in the form of an obelisk.

Circular Routes and Activities at the Country Park

Daventry Country Park offers three circular routes with clearly specified lengths: the Reservoir Walk is 2.5 miles long, the Meadow Walk is 1.5 miles and the Woodland Walk is 1 mile. This selection allows you to plan your day around your preferred route length without assuming a particular walking time or level of difficulty. During the summer months, non-motorised water sports such as stand-up paddleboarding, canoeing, kayaking and model boating are possible there subject to a limited number of permits. Organised open-water swimming sessions are also offered on Sundays from April to October.

When looking for holiday accommodation or a holiday cottage in Daventry, you can therefore consider which combination of history, landscape, a market visit and activities on the water suits your trip. The town offers different points of interest for this: Borough Hill represents archaeological heritage and nature, the museum social history and collections, while the country park brings together paths and seasonal water activities.

Further destinations you can visit afterwards include Roade, Wellingborough, Harringworth, Hellidon, Thurning, Aynho, Collyweston and Crick.

For the overview of the wider travel area: Northamptonshire.