Grounds and Gardens

Knuston Hall sits at the centre of forty acres of beautiful, undulating parkland in East Northamptonshire, rising from the lake past the main house through a small wood towards Knuston Old Farm on the hill.

The upper and lower lawns offer a welcome opportunity for a short break during a busy day, with longer walks taking guests up the box hedge pathway towards the beehives and pet cemetery in the distance.

A large red brick wall still remains to this day, seemingly proud of its long standing position between the grand gardens of past generations of residents and the old kitchen gardens beyond.

Pleasantly situated between the upper lawn and the box hedge pathway is The Pagoda or 'Dragon Pavilion' which represent the combincation of two established traditions here at Knuston Hall of Thatching and Chinese Brush Painting. After a great deal of hard work by local college students, the unusual structure was opened in May 1989.

The Thatching School is a striking feature for guests arriving in the courtyard car park, with its experimental thatched timber rooves undergoing extended periods of 'decay' to aid the learning of the many young thatchers studying their two year NVQ course here at Knuston. The courses are run as a partnership between Knuston Hall and Herefordshire College of Technology 'Rural Crafts' Department. Knuston's Thatching School is understood to be the only 'official' thatching school in Europe.... and possibly in the world?

The grounds surrounding the hall are an essential part of the overall ambience experienced by guests, whether viewing them from a meeting room, a bedroom window or whilst out and about during some free time.

Whether in winter, spring, summer or autumn; whether at dawn, noon or dusk; come rain or shine, Knuston Hall's grounds offer guests a wonderful range of wildlife, plantlife, views and moods to add to thw whole experience of their visit.