St Mary's Priory Church, Canons Ashby, Northamptonshire
Details
Accessibility
https://www.nationalchurchestrust.org/church/st-mary-canons-ashby
2025:
"The path to the Church is across well-trodden grass covered in bark chippings and across a road. There is then a hand gate. There is one step into the Church and, due to the narrow space between the entrance and the roadside, it is not possible for a temporary ramp to be safely put in place.
Level access to the main areas
Dog friendly
Accessible toilets nearby"
Brief description
https://www.nationalchurchestrust.org/church/st-mary-canons-ashby
2025:
"Sitting on top of the hill, just across the road from Canons Ashby House, this church is looked after by the National Trust, it is a fragment of the west end of the nave of the Augustinian Priory founded around 1150.
St Mary’s has a splendid facade lying adjacent to the large tower that was added in the mid 14th century. Inside, at the base of that tower, is a well laid out museum devoted to the building, which includes a model of the original monastic buildings.
Internally the church is a large barn like space giving a sense of the sheer scale of the medieval original. The nave then was 29 metres long and this was followed by an equally long chancel.
The large windows shed light on the whitewashed walls decorated around the east window with faux curtains held back by putti. This is by Elizabeth Creed around 1710. She was a cousin of the Dryden family who arrived here following the Dissolution of the monastery and who built the adjacent house. In the church their hatchments, armour and two outstanding neo classical white marble tombs, both by Rossi, can be seen.
The poet John Dryden was a cousin of the family and the remains of the archaeologist Sir Henry Dryden lie in the churchyard under a tall Celtic cross. Few churches in the county have such resonance from both Medieval and Georgian times."
Address
Canons Ashby
Northamptonshire
NN11 3SD
canonsashby@nationaltrust.org.uk
Phone
Website
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/leicestershire-northamptonshire/canons-ashby
Directions
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/leicestershire-northamptonshire/canons-ashby
2025:
"By road: from M40 junction 11, take A422 (Northampton), then at roundabout take B4525 and follow brown signs. From M1 junction 16, take A45 (Daventry) at the roundabout take first exit A5 towards Towcester, then follow brown signs. Coming with a caravan or mobile home? Please contact us beforehand to discuss your parking on canonsashby@nationaltrust.org.uk or call 01327 861900. Parking: 200 meters from the garden and toilets. No parking on lanes and verges is permitted. The car park is locked at 5.00pm. Sat Nav: Use NN11 3SD
Cycling: Cycle parking is in the main visitor car park, adjacent to reception. There is a small repair kit available upon request at reception. Canons Ashby is located in a quietly beautiful part of South Northamptonshire just off the B4525 with views across the surrounding countryside. There are roadworks on many of the approaching routes as HS2 work continue. We are 12.7 miles from Buckby Station and 12.2 miles from Banbury Station. It is also route 50 of the National Cycle Network (NCN50). Usual admission prices apply. Plan your route to Canons Ashby using the CycleStreets journey planner via the, Cycling more infomation, link below. (This journey planner uses OpenStreetMap data which is generally excellent but accuracy cannot be guaranteed. If you come to a footpath or other cycle-prohibited track, please don't ride on it). Cycling - more information."
Opening Times
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/leicestershire-northamptonshire/canons-ashby#place-opening-times
2025:
"Monday
- 10:00am-17:00pm
Tuesday
- 10:00am-17:00pm
Wednesday
- 10:00am-17:00pm
Thursday
- 10:00am-17:00pm
Friday
- 10:00am-17:00pm
Saturday
- 10:00am-17:00pm
Sunday
- 10:00am-17:00pm"
Always check with the venue directly for up-to-date information including opening times and admission charges as they may be subject to change
Transport
2025:
"By train: Banbury 10 miles.
By bus: There is no direct public transport route. Bus to Woodford Halse (4 miles), between Daventry and Banbury. "
Amenities
https://www.nationalchurchestrust.org/church/st-mary-canons-ashby
2025:
"Church:
Walkers and cyclists welcome
Space to secure your bike
Parking within 250m
On street parking at church"
Travel Information
For further travel information please see: www.traveline.info
Or call Traveline on 0871 200 22 33
(Calls cost 12p per minute plus your phone company's access charge)
Location
Nearest Venues
National Trust - Canons Ashby, Northamptonshire
120 metres*
Bartholomew Arms, Towcester, Northamptonshire
2.90 miles*
*Distances are calculated in a straight line from the current venue, please allow extra time/distance based on available paths or roads.