Fermyn Woods Estate and The Hall

In the heart of England, set in acres of rolling parkland with its herd of English longhorns grazing on land never ploughed, FermynWoodes once formed part of a settlement by Edward I on Margaret and Isabella, the sister and the daughter of the King of France. It was made, together with Rockingham and Geddington, at the time of his marriage to Margaret in 1299.

It became part of Edward III's royal forest of Rockingham, was close to Rockingham Castle, a Royalist stronghold and to the battlefield of Naseby. The Forest Court was held at the "Bocase Stone" at the west end of the Park.

The main part of the Hall was built in the 17th and 18th Centuries and, though major wings were added in Victorian times with a library, ballroom, gallery and accommodation for 27 staff, these were demolished in the 1960's leaving the Hall in its present form. Built in warm Northamptonshire stone and lying in a magnificent parkland setting, it is listed Grade II* by English Heritage.

Within the park is a Grade II octagonal Well House and also a unique 19th century stone cattle trough and pump, reputedly designed by Pugin, but of greater historical significance is the ornamental stone arch at the entrance to the stableyard which bears the Lyveden coat of arms. This was brought in from nearby Lyveden when that estate was purchased from the Tresham family after the arrest of Francis Tresham, one of the conspirators in the Gunpowder Plot.

In the last five years the Hall, its park and gardens have been extensively and sensitively restored by Mary and David Laing. Today it is the quintessential Country House, bordered by Northamptonshire villages which have all the character, texture and welcome of the Cotswolds - without the visitors. They are delightful and largely unspoiled.

Fermyn Woods Hall at Brigstock is ideally situated for easy access from the M1, M6, M11, A1 and A14 with trains from London St Pancras to Kettering in less than an hour.