Oundle

Oundle is a historic market town in Northamptonshire, England.

Understand

Great Hall, Oundle

Surrounded on three sides by the River Nene, Oundle is a market town with some beautiful stone buildings. The first written reference to Oundle was in 715, and Roman and Bronze Age materials have been found in the area.

Oundle has had a school since 1465 and is home to the independent Oundle School, a public school founded in 1556 and one of the largest boarding schools in England.

Get in

By bus

• The Stagecoach X4 stops in Oundle Market Place on its route from Peterborough to Northampton via Corby. There is about one bus per hour M-Sa and one every two hours (total 6) on Su.

By boat

The River Nene is navigable between Northampton and Peterborough, with links to the Grand Union Canal.

• 1 Oundle Marina. Chandlery, fuel and overnight berths can be reserved. (updated Oct 2021)

See

• 1 Lyveden New Bield, near Oundle, PE8 5AT, ☏ +44 1832 205158, lyveden@nationaltrust.org.uk.  
• 2 Fotheringhay Castle. Remains (motte) of a castle where Mary Queen of Scots was tried and executed. (updated Mar 2017)
• 3 Oundle Museum, The Courthouse, Mill Road, PE8 4BW. March to October: Sa Su 1-4PM. Volunteer-run museum in the old courthouse. The museum has exhibitions on the town's history, agricultural machinery in the barn and an annual temporary exhibition. free, donations welcome. (updated Feb 2023)

Do

• 1 Walk along the River Nene. There are paths along the bank of the River Nene which form part of the 70 mi (110 km) Nene Way. You could take advantage of the way the river loops around the town to create a circular walk with a short section through the town centre. (updated Oct 2021)
• 2 Oundle International Festival. A 10-day music festival and organ school, held in July. (updated Oct 2021)

Drink

• 1 Nene Valley Brewery. Brewery opened in 2012, which brews 8 beers. Onsite Tap & Kitchen pub. Ale shop open Friday 11:30AM-1PM & 2-5:30PM & Saturday noon-4PM. Most beers are gluten-free. Brewery tours are available some Saturdays at 11AM, advance reservation required. (updated Oct 2021)

Sleep

• 1 The Talbot Hotel, New St, PE8 4EA, ☏ +44 1832 273621. Eatery and coffee house. An inn was established on this site in 1552. The building includes the oak staircase from Fotheringhay Castle. (updated Oct 2021)
• 2 Lower Farm, Main St, Barnwell PE8 5PU (four miles south of Oundle), ☏ +44 1832 273220. Comfy welcoming B&B in converted farm buildings. B&B double £80. (updated Jul 2020)

Go next

Routes through Oundle

Northampton ← Wellingborough ← continues as at Thrapston ←

SW  NE

→ Peterborough