We didn’t see these interior scenes on our walks as the Abbey was closed. We won’t see them when it is reopened either as these were all taken on an open day 17th/18th March 2012. The Friends of Delapre Abbey were attempting some preservation but before funding was secured for a full restoration. Most were taken by my friend Graham.
Entrance hall complete with welcoming flourescent strip lights doubtless tastefully added by the Northamptonshire Record Society who were apparently keener on preserving records than heritage.
Entrance hall complete with welcoming flourescent strip lights doubtless tastefully added by the Northamptonshire Record Society who were apparently keener on preserving records than heritage.
Interior stairway. I suspect some decorative paintings on the ceilings were damaged and a spare tin of red paint was on hand.
Interior stairway. I suspect some decorative paintings on the ceilings were damaged and a spare tin of red paint was on hand.
A stained glass window carrying the Bouverie family coat of arms.
A stained glass window carrying the Bouverie family coat of arms.
Decorative details from different ceilings. Complete with strip lighting again.
Decorative details from different ceilings. Complete with strip lighting again.
Decorated wall which looks like it probably housed pictures.
Decorated wall which looks like it probably housed pictures.
No attempt was made to preserve the decor when somebody whacked in a load of strip lights, fire alarms and the like.
No attempt was made to preserve the decor when somebody whacked in a load of strip lights, fire alarms and the like.
Another decorative ceiling tastefully adorned with strip light and alarm.
Another decorative ceiling tastefully adorned with strip light and alarm.
A passageway. I imagine the radiator dates back to when the Abbey was used as a records office.
A passageway. I imagine the radiator dates back to when the Abbey was used as a records office.
A ancient doorway painted a tasteful pink presumably by the council as they had a spare tin to hand.
A ancient doorway painted a tasteful pink presumably by the council as they had a spare tin to hand.
Apparently the nuns used this alcove to store their candles while they were in the chapel.
Apparently the nuns used this alcove to store their candles while they were in the chapel.
An open rusty safe on breeze blocks.
An open rusty safe on breeze blocks.
Huge hearth in the old kitchen.
Huge hearth in the old kitchen.
Yes an oversized boot. Probably dates back to when the Abbey was rented to the shoemaker John Cooper circa 1914.
Yes an oversized boot. Probably dates back to when the Abbey was rented to the shoemaker John Cooper circa 1914.
Entering the grounds past the library wing there is a big expanse of grass with a solitary seat on the rear edge which is where this sideshow starts out. The more formal gardens are closed during lockdown but the informal gardens which once had some TLC from the Friends of Delapré Abbey are open and unfortunately looking rather neglected. There was a tearoom run by the Friends selling tea coffee cakes and the like with tables in the formal garden which was rather good. Unfortunately that went and was replaced by a posher cafeteria housed in the white portion of the Abbey you can see in the first slide plus the restored sandstone section to its right. We tried it once when it first opened but the service was poor, the food not very good and the prices rather high. It may have improved since but I doubt we will try it again.
View of the rear of the Abbey from a handy bench.
View of the rear of the Abbey from a handy bench.
I believe that the new white building is primarirly the cafeteria and older sandstone section is used for a restaurant.
I believe that the new white building is primarirly the cafeteria and older sandstone section is used for a restaurant.
The walled garden photographed through the locked wraught iron gate.
The walled garden photographed through the locked wraught iron gate.
A better view of these lilac bushes.
A better view of these lilac bushes.
This thush was hopping around on the golf course just behind the bench at the south of the Abbey grounds.
This thush was hopping around on the golf course just behind the bench at the south of the Abbey grounds.
A whitethroat spotted in the no mans land between the Abbey grounds and the northern end of the golf course
A whitethroat spotted in the no mans land between the Abbey grounds and the northern end of the golf course
Entering the gardens from the south end away from the Abbey takes you past plenty of bluebells.
Entering the gardens from the south end away from the Abbey takes you past plenty of bluebells.
A shady path leads along the eastern side of the grounds north towards the Abbey. Lots more bluebells.
A shady path leads along the eastern side of the grounds north towards the Abbey. Lots more bluebells.
There are quite a few of rhodedenron bushes in the grounds.
There are quite a few of rhodedenron bushes in the grounds.
Most of rhodedendron bushes are in the northern end of the grounds
Most of rhodedendron bushes are in the northern end of the grounds
Getting closer to the Abbey end there was someone taking advantage of a bench in the gardens.
Getting closer to the Abbey end there was someone taking advantage of a bench in the gardens.
These rhodedendrons are in a very sunny spot close to the north east exit point of the garden
These rhodedendrons are in a very sunny spot close to the north east exit point of the garden
