Harlaxton: Gardens, Manor House and Village History

Harlaxton offers several specific themes to explore on a trip: the gardens of Harlaxton Manor, the architecture of the manor house, and the church and older buildings in the village. These highlights differ in age and design. If you are looking for a hotel in Harlaxton, consider whether gardens, the history of the manor house or the village’s architectural history should shape your trip.

Gardens and paths at Harlaxton Manor

The gardens of Harlaxton Manor include an Italian Garden with a pair of garden pergolas, as well as French-style terraces. The formal gardens reflect the period in which they were created. A walled kitchen garden dates from around 1832 to 1844 and is listed Grade II*.

The ornamental canal is also precisely located: it lies 100 m southwest of Harlaxton Manor. A footpath from Harlaxton leads to the manor house’s main entrance drive and joins it there. As path conditions can change, check the current condition of the path before planning a walk.

Harlaxton Manor and its history

Harlaxton Manor was built in 1830 by Anthony Salvin for Gregory Gregory. The manor house was built in the Elizabethan Revival style with Baroque elements. Elizabethan Revival refers to a revival of Elizabethan architectural forms; the Baroque elements point to a further design tradition. This distinction helps with architectural classification: the Revival style identifies the main direction, while the Baroque features should be considered additional elements in the overall appearance of the manor house.

The original moat lies in gardens on the site of the original manor house on Rectory Lane, south of the church. A stone gate dating from the late 16th century survives on the site of the original Harlaxton Manor. These traces add older elements from the original site to the history of the manor house.

Village architecture and church

Older buildings in Harlaxton feature distinctive chimneys, round pillars, and prominent porches and canopies. Thirty-six buildings in the village are listed Grade II. The village’s architecture can be explored both through these features and through the listed buildings.

In the Church of Saint Mary and Saint Peter, the north arcade of the nave dates from the late 12th century. The same church contains a chest tomb for Daniel de Ligne from 1682, covered with a marble slab. These two dates—a medieval building period and a much later tomb—also give the church a historical dimension.

Near the village shop stands a column on a two-tier base, known as the obelisk. It may be the remains of a market cross.

Discover more destinations: Langworth, North Kyme, Wilsford, Kirton, Redbourne, Doncaster, Winteringham, Branston

For the broader travel overview: Lincolnshire.