Celebrating 80 Years of Public Ownership
80 Years. Endless stories. One shared Abbey.
In 1946, Delapré Abbey entered a new chapter. Going from a beloved family home to facing threats of demolition, the Abbey relied on the power and passion of the public to remain a key asset of the local community. Over the last 80 years, it has been saved from loss, shaped by the people, and transformed into a space where history, culture, and connection can come together.
80 Years of Stories
The last Bouverie owner, William Uthwatt Bouverie, sold Delapré Abbey with 586 acres of land to the Northampton Corporation (later known as the Northampton Borough Council) in 1946 for £56,000, equivalent to over £2m in 2026.
Following the War Office’s departure in 1948 and the site falling into disuse following The County War Agricultural Committee’s departure in 1953, the Abbey came under threat of demolition in 1954 thanks to post-war austerity with a vote to demolish the house and all of its outbuildings.
Partly occupied by The Estates Committee of the Corporation as offices for four years until 1957, the site was at severe risk until a campaign was begun by Joan Wake and the Northamptonshire Record Society, to save the Abbey.
After succeeding in raising £20,000 in funds (about £410,000 in today’s values) to make necessary repairs to the building, 1959 saw the opening of the Northamptonshire Record Office at Delapré Abbey, with a 99 year lease granted by Northampton Corporation to Northamptonshire County Council. The establishment of the Record Office at Delapré secured the Abbey’s safety until 1992, during which time much work was done, including the installation of heating and ventilation systems, the demolition of the glass conservatory, and the strengthening of various floors.
Following the Northamptonshire Record Office’s relocation to its more purpose-built accommodation at Wootton Hall, the Abbey was once again empty, with various plans put out for its future. In 2001, The Friends of Delapré Abbey was formed to campaign against the selling of the Abbey for development and safeguard the area for public access. Much work was done to restore the Stable Block and convert it into use as a tea room, as well as developing the Walled Garden.
2006 saw the foundation of the Delapré Abbey Preservation Trust (DAPT), established to help Northampton Borough Council formulate ideas and plans for the future of the site. This culminated in a substantial bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund in 2013 which was granted £3.6 million towards restoration of the Abbey.
With ongoing works taking place across the site and grounds since March 2015, the house reopened itself to visitors on the 16th March 2018, allowing for this much-loved building to be fully accessible for everyone to enjoy.
Today, Delapré Abbey stands not just as a historic building, but as a living, evolving part of the community it serves. Join us as we celebrate this milestone year and the people who continue to shape its story.
