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The Manor House, Fenstanton

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Introduction

The 18th-century home of Lancelot Brown which he received by way of payment for his work for the Earl of Northampton at Castle Ashby. The gardens do not reflect Brown's work featuring only topiary hollies, lawns and hedges.

The front garden of the house is of interest, but hardly a Brown landscape. Two topiary holly bushes frame the gate and bulge over the low brick wall, behind which a privet hedge just appears. Either side of the front porch are lawns with a magnolia and jasmine to the right and a cotoneaster and jasmine to the left.
History

The majority of houses in Chequer Street are 17th-century timber framed, however the Manor House is built of brick and is now painted, with shaped gables at each end and a porch.

The house was the home of Lancelot (Capability) Brown when he obtained the manor from the Earl of Northampton in 1768. It is thought that Brown received the manor in payment for his work improving the gardens at Castle Ashby.

Brown died in 1783 and there is a monument to him and his wife Bridget in the nearby church.

Associated People
Features & Designations

Features

  • Lawn
  • Hedge
  • Topiary
Key Information

Type

Garden

Purpose

Ornamental

Principal Building

Domestic / Residential

Survival

Extant

Civil Parish

Fenstanton

References

References