Abington Park Museum

About the museum

Abington Park Museum is housed in a manor house that stands in Abington Park on the edge of Northampton. The house was built by the Bernard family, who held it between 1415 and 1669, and it later became known as Abington Abbey. Elizabeth Bernard, a granddaughter of William Shakespeare, lived here and was buried in the neighbouring church in 1670. The Thursby family took over the house in 1669, and it was remodelled in the classical Georgian style in the 1740s. It is listed Grade I.

In 1838 the house and grounds were leased to a doctor who ran a hospital for the mentally ill there. Later Lady Wantage gave the house and park to the town, and the park was opened to the public as a pleasure ground. The building was then converted into a museum, which is now run by Northampton's museum service as one of its two sites, the other being Northampton Museum and Art Gallery in the town centre.

Today the museum is free to enter. Its galleries follow the history of Abington from a medieval manor to a leafy suburb of Northampton, using portraits of former residents, objects from local businesses and material about the house's time as a home, an asylum and a museum. Some period rooms can be seen, and a separate gallery covers the Northamptonshire Regiment and the Northamptonshire Yeomanry. A programme of art exhibitions, seasonal events, craft and food fairs and family activities takes place through the year, and the house can be hired for weddings and other events.

Highlights

• Grade I listed manor house once home to Shakespeare's granddaughter
• Galleries on the history of Abington and its residents
• Northamptonshire Regiment and Yeomanry Gallery
• Period rooms including the Great Hall and Thursby Room
• Free entry in the setting of Abington Park

Permanent exhibitions

• Abington Galleries – The story of Abington from a medieval manor to a suburb of Northampton, told through its residents, the park and local businesses.
• Northamptonshire Regiment and Yeomanry Gallery – A gallery on the history of the Northamptonshire Regiment and the county's yeomanry.

Operated by

West Northamptonshire Council (Northampton Museums and Art Galleries)

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission is free and donations are welcome. Some events, workshops and monthly guided tours are ticketed.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The front entrance has level access and the ground-floor galleries can be used by wheelchair users and pushchairs, but floor levels change often in this historic building and there are no lifts. Accessible toilets are at the rear, at the end of the Abington Galleries. There is no Changing Places toilet (the nearest is at North Gate Bus Station) and no hearing enhancement system. Seating is available in several places. Assistance animals are welcome if working and wearing a tabard or harness; visitors are asked to bring the animal's Assistance Dogs UK ID book, and dog bowls and water are available at reception.

Kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

The museum lists family activities among its regular events, and the ground floor is open to pushchairs.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in Abington Park, off Park Avenue South.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

The Great Hall and the Thursby Room can be hired for civil ceremonies, civil partnerships, receptions and corporate events.

Plan your visit