Sulgrave Manor
Tudor manor house in Northamptonshire built by ancestors of George Washington, with period rooms, a garden and exhibitions on the Washington story.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Sulgrave Manor is a Tudor house in the Northamptonshire village of Sulgrave. It was built around the middle of the 16th century by Lawrence Washington, an ancestor of George Washington, the first president of the United States. The family sold the property in the mid-1600s, and John Washington, great-grandfather of George, emigrated to Virginia in 1656.
Over the following centuries the house declined into a farmhouse and by the early 1900s it was in poor condition. In 1911 Theodore Roosevelt proposed a memorial to a hundred years of peace between Britain and the United States, and the manor was bought in 1914 as part of that idea. Reginald Blomfield restored the house from 1920, rebuilt the west wing and laid out the garden.
Today the Grade I listed manor is run by the Sulgrave Manor Trust, with support from donors in both countries. Visitors enter the house on short introductory talks and see furnished rooms such as the Great Hall and Kitchen, a brewhouse, the garden and an exhibition about George Washington.
Highlights
- Tudor manor house linked to the ancestors of George Washington
- Furnished Great Hall and Kitchen
- Garden designed by Reginald Blomfield
- Exhibition about George Washington
- Short introductory talks at each house entry
- Operated by
- Sulgrave Manor Trust
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £10 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | £5free up to age 4 · Children aged 5 to 15; under 5s are free. |
| Visitors with disabilities | –companion free · Carers and companions are free; a valid carers card must be shown. |
| Families | £25Up to two adults and three children. |
| Season ticket (single) | £35Free entry to house and garden during normal opening hours March to September; not valid for special events. |
| Season ticket (joint, 2 people) | £40 |
| Season ticket (guest: holder plus one guest) | £40 |
| Season ticket (family) | £45 |
Prices shown are without Gift Aid; with Gift Aid the adult ticket is 11 pounds, child 5.50 pounds and family 27.50 pounds. Historic Houses members show their membership card on arrival and do not need to book. Season ticket holders get discounts on special event tickets.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- 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 shop, Courtyard Hall and toilets are fully accessible. The Great Hall and Kitchen can be entered without steps. The garden has an accessible route, mostly gravel with some grass and paving, and the grounds are uneven in places. The free car park is about 150 metres from reception on a gravel path; staff can arrange closer access through a side entrance. Free carer tickets are available (select the companion ticket when booking online and bring ID). Guide and assistance dogs are welcome throughout. Baby changing facilities are available.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 4 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | £25 · Up to two adults and three children. |
- Stroller-friendly: not available
- Baby changing facilities
Child and family tickets are available and under 5s are free. Pushchairs are not permitted in the house.
Getting there & parking
By car
Free parking · 150 m to the entrance
Free car park about 150 metres from Visitor Reception along a gravel path.
Staff can arrange closer access through a side entrance on request on arrival.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
Shop on site; fully accessible.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
The manor offers venue hire; details on the venue hire page of the website.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Each house entry begins with a short introductory talk. Private tours, group visits and school visits are offered. Large bags and rucksacks are not allowed in the manor and pushchairs cannot be taken into the house. |
