The house and gardens at Canons Ashby in Northamptonshire (Image: National Trust Images/Mike Selby) A stunning Tudor manor house with intricate gardens and beautiful parkland has a fascinating history as it was once a priory run by Augustinian Priests. Although its historic priory isn't as obvious now, it was one of the first to fall during King Henry VIII's famous reformation. Located in Daventry, Northamptonshire, Canons Ashby is roughly a one hour and 45 minute drive from Cambridge.
Described as a "tranquil Tudor manor house", the Elizabethan manor of Canons Ashby is built from the remains of a medieval Augustinian priory. The National Trust said: "It was one of the first priories to be suppressed in 1536, having gained a questionable reputation." Read more: Six beaches near Cambridgeshire you can visit on the Coastliner and Coasthopper buses Read more: 26 of the best things to see and do in and around Cambridge The Augustinian Priory was a small one, with a congregation of only 13 people.
National Trust explains that "The Augustinians were ordained priests, who worked amongst the lay community with pastoral care part of their ethos." The beautiful gardens at Canon Ashby where there used to be an Augustinian Priory (Image: National Trust Images/John Miller) Overtime, this priory developed a "dubious reputation" and so was one of the first to be supressed in 1536. "Sir Francis Bryan, a childhood friend of Henry VIII, reduced the church to its current size – approximately .
