Northants, Leics &amp; Rutland


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why">WHY?</h2>



<p>Brimming with old world charm and character, Oundle is assuredly the posh bit of Northamptonshire, set as it is in a perfectly picturesque rural bubble. Thankfully, the culture and foodie scene is bang up to date and, whilst you could live here and forget the rest of the world even exists, you can also get to London, Cambridge and Peterborough in a jiffy. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eat">EAT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/10/Tap-and-Kitchen.jpg" alt="tap and kitchen bistro bar oundle wharf" class="wp-image-51664" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/10/Tap-and-Kitchen.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/10/Tap-and-Kitchen-300x225.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/10/Tap-and-Kitchen-768x576.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Tap &amp; KItchen</figcaption></figure>



<p><a aria-label="Tap and Kitchen (opens in a new tab)" href="http://www.tapandkitchen.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tap &amp; Kitchen</a> is a lively waterside restaurant at Oundle Wharf, also dishing up BBQ grills and zingy salads with an emphasis on locally sourced ingredients. <a href="https://talbothotel.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Talbot Hotel</a> does fab roasts, coffee and afternoon teas. <a aria-label="The Falcon Inn (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.thefalcon-inn.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Falcon Inn</a> in nearby Fotheringhay, offers a gastronomic flair that sets the bar high for other local hostelries, but they seem to be stepping up to the challenge. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shop">SHOP</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1242" height="1812" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/10/438164729_360145130381105_8221735609097881119_n.jpg" alt="BLUE BAMBOO PLANT SOP OUNDLE NORTHANTS" class="wp-image-51830" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/10/438164729_360145130381105_8221735609097881119_n.jpg 1242w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/10/438164729_360145130381105_8221735609097881119_n-206x300.jpg 206w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/10/438164729_360145130381105_8221735609097881119_n-702x1024.jpg 702w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/10/438164729_360145130381105_8221735609097881119_n-768x1120.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/10/438164729_360145130381105_8221735609097881119_n-1053x1536.jpg 1053w" sizes="(max-width: 1242px) 100vw, 1242px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Blue Bamboo</figcaption></figure>



<p>Oundle is bursting with boutiques and independent shops. We love the <a href="https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/theoundlebookshop" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oundle Bookshop</a>, which is set in a beautiful porticoed Georgian building on the market square. Head to <a aria-label="The Barn (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.thebarngardencentre.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Barn</a> garden centre for everything green fingered, the <a aria-label="Dolby Gallery (opens in a new tab)" href="http://www.dolby-gallery.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dolby Gallery</a> sells ceramics, paintings, prints and handmade jewellery and furniture, <a href="https://blue-bamboo.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Blue Bamboo</a> sells tropical and rare houseplants and <a aria-label="The Rounded House (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.theroundedhouse.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Rounded House</a> is a treasure trove of exquisite homewares and fashion. Oh, and don&#8217;t miss the absolutely wonderful <a href="https://www.hambletonbakery.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hambleton Bakery</a> at Oundle Wharf too. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-amp-wellbeing">HEALTH &amp; WELLBEING</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.restoreoundle.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Restore</a> offers yoga classes, workshops, nutritional therapy and yoga supper clubs and Oundle Wellbeing Walking Group meets every Tuesday. We love <a href="https://www.thebeautyroomoundle.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Hair and Beauty Room</a> for massages, facials, nails and brows; and the very snazzy<a href="https://www.rushtonhall.com/spa-leisure-club/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Stableyard Spa at Rushton Hall</a> is just 25 mins drive. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-community">COMMUNITY</h2>



<p>Oundle boasts several fantastic festivals that take place through the year including the Vintage Festival in May, <a href="https://www.ofmd.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oundle Festival of Music and Drama</a>, <a href="https://www.oundlefringe.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oundle Fringe</a> and the Food Festival in July and there&#8217;s a farmers&#8217; market that takes place every Thursday </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nearby-attractions">NEARBY ATTRACTIONS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northants/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2020/07/Fotheringhay-church-from-castle.jpg" alt="Fotheringhay Church from castle near Oundle " class="wp-image-22670" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Fotheringhay Church</figcaption></figure>



<p>Fotheringhay Castle, birthplace of Richard III and the place Mary Queen of Scots met her untimely demise, is now little more than a hillock but nevertheless worth a trip for a bit of geekery. Barnwell Country Park is great for nature trails and has lovely outdoor play area.  <a href="https://deenepark.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Deene Park</a> and <a href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/kirby-hall/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kirby Hall</a> are both within a fifteen minute drive. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-culture">CULTURE</h2>



<p><a href="https://creativeoundle.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oundle</a> hosts tons of fab music and theatre and a buzzing food festival. <a aria-label="oundle museum (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.oundlemuseum.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oundle Museum</a> in the former courthouse, is great for curious kids and hosts regular music events, whilst the <a href="https://stahltheatre.savoysystems.co.uk/StahlTheatre.dll/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stahl Theatre</a>, which is connected to the school, is a hotbed of theatrical brilliance. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-average-house-prices">AVERAGE HOUSE PRICES</h2>



<p>Quite far north in the county, so plenty of bargains to snap up, but you&#8217;ll pay significantly more for character properties. Detached homes go for 545,042, semis £276,233 and terraced houses around £311,188. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hot-property">HOT PROPERTY</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/07/oundle-bptl.png" alt="Stone cottage for sale in Oundle" class="wp-image-48887" style="aspect-ratio:1.3333333333333333;width:640px;height:auto" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/07/oundle-bptl.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/07/oundle-bptl-300x225.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/07/oundle-bptl-768x576.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">In a picturesque rural setting, this 3-bed stone cottage has a a garden office and a third of an acre of land. <a href="https://www.newtonfallowell.co.uk/stamford-estate-agents/property/barnwell-road-P1714-223/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">On the market for £650,000</a>.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nurseries">NURSERIES</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.firstforchildcare.com/small-wonders" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Small Wonders Nursery</a>, part of the First For Childcare umbrella group, has a fairly central location in town, taking babies from 12wks – 5 yrs. <a href="http://oundlecommunitypreschool.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oundle Community Pre-School</a> takes children from 2 – 4 yrs, offering lots of indoor and outdoor space.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-schools">SCHOOLS</h2>



<p>For primary, Oundle C of E Primary is Ofsted rated Outstanding, while Laxton Junior School is a very smart independent option and forms part of the larger <a href="https://www.oundleschool.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oundle School</a>, which is a big presence in town. Prince William School is also a very good state secondary. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-kept-secret">BEST KEPT SECRET</h2>



<p>Muddy girl crush<a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" Caroline Criado-Perez OBE (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.instagram.com/ccriadoperez/" target="_blank"> Caroline Criado-Perez OBE</a> went to school here. Surely no greater recommendation?</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-commute">COMMUTE</h2>



<p>The nearest train station is Peterborough which goes into Kings Cross, so a 20 min drive to the station is followed by the 74 mile train journey to Kings Cross taking 49 mins. A season ticket costs £8,208. The drive to central London takes about 2hrs.</p>



<p><em>View the full <a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Top 300 Places to Live</a>.</em></p>


Oundle

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