Though Delapre has seen many changes in its long history, it still remains one of the most beautiful public gardens in Northamptonshire. With it's 500 acres of parkland and 8 acres of more formal gardens, containing many fine examples of trees and shrubs, which lend their beauty to the pleasant walks around the grounds, the gardens have something to see at any time of the year. The enclosed garden contains within its 18th Century walls many fine horticultural features including herb and herbaceous borders, providing interest and knowledge to the keen gardener.

This attractive area of 8 acres with open parkland of about 500 acres adjoining the Gardens boasts the following ornamental features: - Delapre Abbey Walled Garden Rock and Water Gardens Ha-Ha Wall Tree Sculptures Delapre Woods A Lake

In 1542 the Tate family purchased the Delapre Estate, and it is from this date that work on the gardens commenced. Zouch Tate is recorded as having laid out an Elizabethan style garden, which is thought to have been where the enclosed garden can now be found. The driveway was also landscaped. The Tates lived at Delapre until 1764, when the Bouverie family purchased the Estate. The main garden shows the style and influence of Capability Brown.

Tate's Elizabethan garden was transformed into a walled garden of fruit and vegetables, while orchards were planted in other areas. In earlier days the Nunnery would have had a similarly enclosed fruit garden - thus marking a return to its original use. Today's new walled garden is in fact situated on the site of the nun's burial ground and evidence of medieaval and ancient tombstones were discovered during its construction.

During the 19th Century, other features were added, such as the rock and water gardens. In the enclosed garden conservatories were built for peaches and grapes and these buildings still remain. A Ha-Ha wall was also constructed to prevent cattle from grazing on the ornamental trees and shrubs, bearing in mind that this form of barrier would not spoil the effect of the open landscape views.

During the 1950’s when the Northamptonshire Records Office was installed small hedges and flowerbeds were removed from the main drive and the enclosed garden was laid out more or less as it is today. Adjoining the Gardens and forming a large part of the 550 acres estate is the area known as the Middle Park extending to Delapre Woods. For many years this pleasant meadowland was used for grazing cattle. However, in 1976 this was opened as The Delapre Golf Complex, comprising an 18-hole course and a 9-hole Pitch and Putt course, a 9-hole par 3 course and a 25-bay driving range.

At the southern end of the Delapre estate lie Delapre Woods. These were originally cleared and planted when the gardens were laid out. Some fine oak, sweet chestnut and beech remain from this planting. Further clearances and planting of beech, oak and conifers have produced a mixed wood with many beautiful walks, together with fine views of the Abbey and town centre.

In 1977 two sculptures were introduced to the wall garden. The work of Walter Ritchie, they were gifted to Northampton after being displayed at an exhibition of brickwork sculptures at the Building Centre, London. The large brick panels depict episodes in the adventurous life of the mythical lady, Sarah Wellington-Gore, entitled "The Lady with Kittens" and "The Lovers".

Another statue was introduced in 1978. This was the "Woman and the Fish", by Frank (sometimes known as Frande) Dobson, one of the country's most respected sculptors. This was given to Northampton after The Festival of Britain in 1951 and stood in the Memorial Gardens in the town centre. But there it was totally vandalised only being repaired and transferred to its present position as a fountain in the small formal pond after a successful appeal for funds to meet the costs of restoration.

This most elegant estate is not only soaked in local history, in which it has played an important part, but it also boasts a legendary ghost. Delapre's permanent resident seems to be that of a nun, known as the Blue/Grey Lady because of the colour of her habit, (the habits of Cluniac Nuns were blue). She is said to walk the Abbey and Grounds in the vicinity of the old nunnery. Through the ages, there have been many sightings of the Blue/Grey Lady, most frequently on the main staircase . Have you seen her? The Friends would love to hear your story. It is also thought there was, (and probably still is), an underground passage linking the nunnery to a friary based in the centre of Northampton by way of Bridge Street. Also next time you are walking around the gardens, look out for the hidden Pet Cemetery where some the beloved pets of the house from the Victorian era lie peacefully sleeping.