Tenuta, Stoke Park, Stoke Bruerne, Towcester, Northamptonshire

Stoke Park’s story begins with its ancient deer park, acquired by Henry VIII in 1541, who is said to have hunted here with Anne Boleyn. The estate remained Crown property until 1629, when Charles I granted it to Sir Francis Crane, courtier, entrepreneur and founder of the Mortlake Tapestry Works.

Crane quickly proceeded to replace a mediaeval hunting lodge at Stoke Park with an impressive new country house, the first in England built in the Italian Palladian style, being linked by colonnades to two pavilions, one serving as a chapel and the other as a library. The design is generally attributed to Inigo Jones, a fellow courtier and celebrated architect who went to Italy and became an enthusiast for the neo-classical style pioneered in Europe by the great Venetian architect Andrea Palladio.

Stoke Park has welcomed distinguished visitors, including Charles I in 1635, while later, in 1672, the scientist Sir Isaac Newton spent an extended period at Stoke Park, writing several letters from the estate.

The fortunes of the house changed dramatically in 1886 when the principal building was destroyed by fire, although details of its design have survived in drawings from the 18th century. It was almost immediately replaced with a large neo-Jacobean building, which, in turn was largely demolished in the late 1940s following its use by the army during the Second World War.

Following years of decline and wartime occupation, the pavilions were acquired and carefully restored in the 1950s, preserving their history and Sir Francis Crane’s original vision. Today, surrounded by its historic parkland, Stoke Park remains a rare and evocative piece of England’s architectural heritage.

Stoke Park occupies an attractive and private position, set amidst beautiful parkland to the south of the picturesque village of Stoke Bruerne. The village is renowned for its attractive canal side setting and is one of the best-preserved examples of a traditional inland waterway, Towcester, is just 3 miles away and offers everyday amenities.

Regional connectivity is excellent; the A508 provides direct access to Northampton and Milton Keynes which provide a wide range of shopping and leisure facilities and offer direct rail services to London Euston, with journey times from 35 minutes. Furthermore, the A5 and M1 are easily accessible. For international travel, Birmingham, Luton, Heathrow, Stansted, and East Midlands airports are all within reach. The estate is also ideally situated for enthusiasts of sport and racing, with Towcester Racecourse and the world-renowned Silverstone Circuit nearby.

Stoke Park House

Stoke Park House comprises a traditional 19th century fourbedroom family home dating back to the 1890s.

It is approached from the north via a tarmac drive which passes through Stoke Park Wood before arriving at a large, gravelled area to the rear of the house. The house is very attractive and well-proportioned with an entrance hall with tiled floor leading through to the garden. To one side of the hallway is a bathroom and a sitting room which could also be used as a downstairs bedroom. Off the hall to the front of the house is a well-proportioned drawing room with open fire and dual aspect windows looking onto the gardens. Across the hall to the other side is a kitchen with wood burner, snug and dining area and a good sized utility room. Beyond the kitchen is the library and study which benefits from access to the garden and a boiler room completes the ground floor.

On the first floor is a wonderfully spacious upper landing, with an exceptional principal en-suite bedroom. There are three further bedrooms, two spacious family bathrooms and laundry cupboard. All of the bedrooms have superb views over the gardens and parkland beyond.

The house, which was purchased by the current owners in 1954, is a wonderful family home full of character. To the south of the house lie the gardens – a fine lawn interspersed with Catalpa trees, and surrounded by abundant herbaceous borders and rose beds, leads towards the Blisworth sandstone ashlar Grade II* listed Pavilions.

West Pavilion

This expansive room features high ceilings, a traditional stone fireplace, and floor-to-ceiling windows, offering uninterrupted views of the surrounding parkland. While historically it is understood to have been used as a ballroom and library, this pavilion has more recently been used for weddings and events.

East Pavilion

Occupied over the years by a member of the family, the east pavilion was in 2024 sensitively modernised, retaining all original features and maintaining the integrity of the building whilst restoring its fabric.

The east pavilion provides fantastic accommodation over two floors with two bedrooms, bathroom, kitchen, and a dining/ sitting room on the first floor with a traditional drawing room with large open fireplace on the ground floor – each of which has stunning views over the gardens and parkland. On the lower ground floor is a spacious former kitchen and reception room with doors to the garden. The east pavilion is understood to have been historically used as a chapel.

Gardens & Grounds

Stoke Park House and the Pavilions are surrounded by attractive historic gardens, providing a picturesque setting. Expansive, well-maintained lawns interspersed with mature specimen trees extend from the house towards an enclosed kitchen garden and traditional walled garden, featuring
established orchards and sweeping grass pathways.

Adjoining the walled garden is a traditional potting shed, which has been well maintained and benefits from a recently replaced roof. The impressive former colonnade and garden wall gracefully curve around the terraced gardens, seamlessly linking the East and West Pavilions. A late circa 19th-century limestone ashlar nine bay wall with seven round-arched ironstone niches (also Grade II listed) lies at the eastern end of the terrace. A classic balustrade, featuring a central flight of stone steps, leads to the lower terrace, where a mid-19th-century rectangular lily pond and fountain serve as a focal point against the backdrop of expansive parkland. Lawned terraces extend beyond the pool with areas of woodland located at either side providing privacy to the gardens. The gardens are very well maintained and provide a serene and magnificent setting and in recent years have also been used for many weddings and events.

Stables

Adjoining Stoke Park House are attractive stone stables featuring the former coach entrance with timber gates and three internal stables with traditional partitions, stone floor and adjoining store/tack room. The building is currently utilised for storage purposes, however, with the correct permissions could be used for alternative uses.

The Coach House

A detached circa 18th-century, Grade II listed former Coach House is located to the north of the main house and provides useful ancillary accommodation. The Coach House comprises a large kitchen with sash windows, utility room/store, a reception room with a log burner on the ground floor. There is a principal bedroom with en-suite and two further double bedrooms and a family bathroom on the first floor. Outside is a garage, lawned gardens and private parking.

The Coach House is currently occupied subject to an Assured Periodic Tenancy (APT) agreement.

Parkland

The parkland at Stoke Park extends to approximately 86 acres (35 hectares) of established grassland, forming part of a historic landscape. Stoke Park is designated as a Grade II Registered Park and Garden with origins as a medieval deer park dating back to the 13th-century. The landscape was further developed during the 18th-century and retains much of its historic character, with mature deciduous and coniferous trees interspersed with areas of traditional grassland.

The gently undulating parkland enjoys sweeping views across the surrounding countryside, with established trees enhancing its attractive setting. The River Tove forms the southern boundary, providing an appealing natural feature.

An avenue of mature trees is understood to partly follow the route of the former driveway to the south-east of the parkland. A planning application submitted in 2016 and granted in 2017 (S/2017?0988/FUL) allowed for the reinstatement of the former driveway (please note this planning application has now
lapsed) which would allow for access to be taken from the A508 Northampton Road.

Part of the land is subject to a Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) Agreement, which commenced on 1 June 2024 and expires on 31 May 2027. Further details are available from the Vendor’s Agent.

Woodland

The woodland at Stoke Park extends to approximately 20 acres (8.41 hectares) and comprises areas of established deciduous woodland interspersed throughout the parkland. Nestled away in part of the woodland is an attractive amenity lake. The principal areas of woodland are situated along the eastern boundary of the parkland, with a further block to the east of the walled garden.

Additional belts and pockets of woodland extend throughout the parkland and along the southern boundary adjoining the River Tove.

Farm building

A traditional red brick and stone building is located towards the southwestern boundary of Stoke Park and provides useful storage and livestock accommodation.

General:

Method of sale: Stoke Park House is offered for sale as a whole by private treaty.

Tenure: The property is sold freehold and subject to the leases, licences and agreements outlined below. Further details are available from the vendor’s agent.

Wayleaves, easements and rights of way: The property is being sold subject to and with the benefit of all rights including: rights of way, whether public or private, light, support, drainage, water and electricity supplies and other rights and obligations, easements and quasi-easements and restrictive covenants and all existing and proposed wayleaves for masts, pylons, stays, cables, drains, water and gas and other pipes whether referred to in these particulars or not.

Schemes: The land at Stoke Park is included within the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) which commenced on 1st June 2024 and is due to terminate on 31st May 2027. There are ongoing Heritage and Woodland Management schemes in place at Stoke Park.

Property Information: Please refer to the property information table in the brochure.

Designations: Stoke Park is set in a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ). There are a number of heritage listings at Stoke Park as follows: Stoke Park Pavilions (Grade II*), Gardens and grounds (Grade II), Coach House (Grade II). Stoke Park (and surrounding landscape) is included on Historic England’s National Heritage List for England. Further details are available from the Vendor’s agent.

Sporting, timber and mineral rights: All sporting, timber and mineral rights are included in the freehold sale, in so far as they are owned.

Mobile coverage and broadband: Information can be found here: [hidden information]

Planning: Planning permission (application no: S/2017/0988/FUL) was granted in 2017 ‘To re-instate the old driveway at Stoke Park Pavilions’. The driveway would be taken from the A508, through an existing gateway, along the 19th Century Lime Avenue. Further details are available from the Vendor’s agent.
Prospective purchasers are advised that they should make their own enquiries of the local planning authority.

Covenants and/or restrictions: There are restrictions / covenants listed on the Land Registry Title deed, details of which will be made available by the vendor’s solicitors on request.

Local authority: West Northamptonshire Council ([hidden information])

VAT: Any guide price quoted or discussed is exclusive of VAT. In the event that a sale of the property, or any part of it, or any right attached to it, becomes a chargeable supply for the purposes of VAT, such tax will be payable in addition. We understand part of the land may be elected for Tax. Further details are available from the Vendor’s Agent.

Health and safety: Given the potential hazards of a working estate we ask you to be as vigilant as possible when making your inspection for your own personal safety, particularly around the farm buildings and machinery.

Solicitors: HCR Legal LLP, Lancaster House, Nunn Mills Road, Northamptonshire NN1 5GE (01604 463372)

Viewing: Strictly by confirmed appointment with the vendor’s agents, Strutt & Parker in London [hidden information], or Oxford [hidden information]