Delapré Abbey invites you to have a fun-filled October with a variety of new tours, Halloween activities and more.
It’s the final month to visit Delapré Abbey’s exhibition Joan Wake the pioneer: her passion and her legacy. Discover all about Joan Wake, her life and how she campaigned to save Delapré Abbey from demolition in 1954. At the beginning of September, Courteenhall lent a painting of Joan Wake to Delapré Abbey for the remainder of the exhibition.
Johnny Wake, Managing Partner, Courteenhall Estate said: “Myself and those at Courteenhall are honoured to lend Delapré Abbey a painting of my late great great aunt, Joan Wake, for their exhibition on her. Without her, Northamptonshire would not have the full knowledge of its rich history. We have Joan Wake to thank for Delapré Abbey still being here today amongst other things, and we are immensely proud of her.”
As part of the October programme, Robert Vaughan is returning after popular demand to deliver another one of his Underground Northampton talks. Enjoy a host of new tours about the nuns who lived at the Abbey with a Medieval Tour and those who still roam the halls today with the Unusual Happenings tour. On Friday 14th October, 7:30pm-11pm, Delapré Abbey is celebrating Oktoberfest with live music, steins, Bavarian food and more.
For Halloween, the Delapré Spooktacular is making a return on Sunday 30th October. Make sure to watch out for fearsome creatures and ghostly apparitions from the Abbey’s past as you follow the pumpkin themed trail through the house before collecting a trick or treat goodie bag. In the lead up to Halloween, pumpkin carving will take place in the Walled Garden. Pumpkins and carving tools are provided, just bring along your spookiest ideas.
Classics on the Lawn and the heritage tours that were due to take place on the 10th and 11th September have been rescheduled for Sunday 16th October 2022, 11am-3pm. All tickets and passes sold for the event and the tours will be honoured for the new date. The Abbey will be open its doors for free on this day for all to explore inside (usual price £8 per adult).
Richard Clinton, Chief Executive, Delapré Abbey Preservation Trust said: “All of us here at Delapré Abbey are looking forward to bringing the county a fun-filled programme of events this October. Our wonderful volunteers are presenting a variety of new tours this month for the public to enjoy. We are looking forward to partnering with Northampton Heritage Transport Group for Classics on the Lawn which thanks to our incredible team, will be able to take place this month allowing the public to have a taste of automobile history on the Abbey’s grounds.”
Delapré Abbey first opened its doors to the public in 2018 to showcase its turbulent 900-year history to visitors of all ages. The Urban Country House has had many lives as a Cluniac nunnery and a stately home before becoming the home of the Northamptonshire Records Society and now as a place to enjoy a day out with the family.
To see the full programme of events and book tickets visit delapreabbey.org.
