Courteenhall Estate

Courteenhall Estate Courteenhall is a beautiful, private estate, based in South Northamptonshire, managing a diverse range of land, environmental and property interests

Three Cheers for Volunteers! 🤩Each week, we are joined in the kitchen garden by Pat & Cheryl, two local volunteers who s...
16/07/2025

Three Cheers for Volunteers! 🤩

Each week, we are joined in the kitchen garden by Pat & Cheryl, two local volunteers who share a passion for gardening 🪴

They give up their free time to plant, w**d, water and even team up newleaflinfo to introduce children to the farm to fork concept.

Pat & Cheryl enjoy being part of a team when they come to volunteer, they love learning new things and despite the challenges that each year brings 🌧️☀️🐛, they feel a great sense of pride when a crop is harvested 🌽🍅!

Volunteering is both invaluable and rewarding for all involved.

Thank you ladies, we know where to come if we need a kind smile and a cuppa ☕️ ❤️

We are in LOVE 😍 with this artwork of one of our young bulls, Dave. 🐄 Created by the very talented .by.layla from a phot...
15/07/2025

We are in LOVE 😍 with this artwork of one of our young bulls, Dave. 🐄 Created by the very talented .by.layla from a photograph, living his best life in his favourite sunny spot. ☀️

14/07/2025

Sunday 6 July saw host the 21st Pink Lady tractor run in aid of Cancer Research UK and used to fund work in breast cancer. 🚜🚜🚜

200 vintage and modern decorated tractors took part in the 20-mile event which saw the halfway picnic in the Parkland at Gawdy Hall. 🍰

Participants included Gawdy Hall’s Emily and Hermione Mayhew, daughters of Estate Manager Mark Mayhew.

“Gawdy Hall is delighted to be a small part in supporting this amazing annual event and witness the many creatively decorated tractors come through Harleston and onto the Estate.” said Mark Mayhew

“The rain didn’t seem to dampen their spirits and those driving vintage tractors without cabs grabbed the chance for a quick outfit change into drier clothes over lunch before heading off through the Estate and finishing the route”.

Organiser Annie Chapman and her husband John Chapman have raised over £1.2Million for Cancer Research UK and were appointed MBE’s in the Kings Birthday Honours list for their services to fundraising in June.

Credit to for the brilliant footage.

Exciting news from our sister Estate, gawdyhall_estate. 🤩Turtle Doves have been spotted; their unique call was picked up...
08/07/2025

Exciting news from our sister Estate, gawdyhall_estate. 🤩

Turtle Doves have been spotted; their unique call was picked up during Estate Manager Mark’s morning walk. 🌳

The team have long been working on conservation projects, improving habitats and supplemental feeding with their hard work paying dividends in the form of these beautiful birds! 🐦

Turtle Doves fly 5000km to winter in Sub-Sharan Africa and return to the UK in Spring.

They are extremely rare, with only 2000 mating pairs in the UK, according to the last population survey carried out.

They have a red list conservation status and the rspb is working with farmers to provide them with the food and habitats they need to raise a brood. 🐣

Courteenhall Farms is the first land manager in Northamptonshire, and one of only five nationally, to receive Wildlife F...
07/07/2025

Courteenhall Farms is the first land manager in Northamptonshire, and one of only five nationally, to receive Wildlife Farms & Estates England and Wales Level Two accreditation.
Courteenhall was presented with the prestigious award at Groundswell, the annual regenerative agriculture festival in Hertfordshire, by Mark Tufnell, the Chair of the Royal Agricultural Society of England.

WFE accreditation is a gold standard label of excellence in championing the enhancement of wildlife and biodiversity through independent assessment.
The Level Two award is made to farms and estates that provide evidence of holistic and sustainable environmental, economic and social land management practices and who recognise the multifunctional role of rural business and land use.
Tom Leicester, The Earl of Leicester and Chairman of WFE, said “Courteenhall Farms has embraced the start of its environmental journey with ambition and pace.

“With every corner of the land assessed through a biodiversity lens, and meaningful collaboration with neighbouring estates via the Tove Valley Cluster Group, their efforts already extend well beyond estate boundaries with continuous hedgerows.

“From native cattle grazing and woodland regeneration to rewetting parkland and restoring historic ponds to mitigate flooding and drought, Courteenhall’s integrated approach blends ecological enhancement with productive land use.

“Removal of insecticide and innovative changes to farming methods to boost soil health are to be applauded, while plans to create local business hubs, a farm shop, and café reflect a commitment to place-based sustainability.

“Courteenhall embodies a strong sense of place, with the value of nature deeply woven into its ethos and shared widely through its work with schools, natural history groups, charities, and government-led schemes.

“Led by Johnny Wake, with the support of his team, the estate’s growing momentum is rooted in knowledge, passion, and a genuine sense of connection to nature. With robust ecological monitoring in place, we’re excited to watch their Level 2 accredited journey unfold.”

⭐️Meet the Team⭐️Jack Rawson is our Graduate Surveyor and part time Master Chef 👨‍🍳Jack joined us in Spring 2024 - he en...
03/07/2025

⭐️Meet the Team⭐️

Jack Rawson is our Graduate Surveyor and part time Master Chef 👨‍🍳

Jack joined us in Spring 2024 - he entertains us daily by singing every time he walks through the Office, bumping his head on the wooden beams (he's 6ft 2) and with his enthusiasm and never faltering positive vibes! 😀

When he is not hard at work on the Estate, you can find him enjoying Rugby 🏉and country pursuits 🌳

Today he made a delicious Key Lime Pie for Thursday elevenses, a tradition that sees the whole team come together for a catch up and cake, 🍰 each week made by a different member of the team.

Thank you for a year of smiles and great bakes! 🤩

26/06/2025

It’s Insect week and today, we are joined by Courteenhall’s Head Groundsman, Darron Wilks to talk about leaf-cutting bees.
Leaf-cutters are a species of solitary bee that usually nest in tunnels and can often be seen flying in and out of walls. However, when walls are re pointed and repaired, the bees are unable to create tunnels between the stones or bricks in which to lay their eggs so they are forced to search for another nest.
Leaf-cutting bees are excellent pollinators and a valuable part of garden wildlife. Darron’s bee hotel has been enormously successful in attracting these bees and we will now replicate this across the Estate to help preserve and grow the population.

It's Wednesday and here at Courteenhall, we are celebrating , an initiative encouraging businesses to promote wellbeing...
25/06/2025

It's Wednesday and here at Courteenhall, we are celebrating , an initiative encouraging businesses to promote wellbeing amongst team members.

Our Estate Office is dog friendly and our furry friends enjoy coming to work, where they get hang out with their pals, chase balls and swim in the lake in the summer months. 🐕

Working in an office can sometimes mean spending all day sitting at a desk. At Courteenhall, we encourage everyone to talk a walk outside, every day, no matter the weather! ⛅

Getting outside in the fresh air, surrounded by nature and dogs living their best lives - Wellbeing at it's purest! 🌳

Make sure you take some time out today ❤️

🌿 A Bird’s-Eye View of the Walled Gardens 🌿Here’s a stunning view from above, of our historic walled gardens — the heart...
24/06/2025

🌿 A Bird’s-Eye View of the Walled Gardens 🌿

Here’s a stunning view from above, of our historic walled gardens — the heart of where we grow seasonal vegetables, orchard fruits, and now a range of native plants destined for our next chapter: The Knot, our farm shop and restaurant, opening Spring next year.

These gardens are more than just productive – they reflect our commitment to regenerative farming. By planting wildflowers, herbs, and pollinator-friendly species, we’re restoring soil health, supporting biodiversity, and creating a natural balance. No wonder native birds, bees, and butterflies are settling in – the whole estate is alive with activity.

As we prepare to open The Knot, our goal is simple: to serve food that’s deeply connected to this land – grown sustainably, harvested with care, and shared with purpose, all while supporting local producers.

🌼 Gardening Tip 🐞
Looking for a natural way to protect your veg patch? Plant a line of marigolds! Their bold scent helps deter aphids, whiteflies, and nematodes – making them excellent companions for tomatoes, lettuces, and more. A small step that makes a big difference.

There’s much more to come from The Knot – from apprenticeships and local supplier opportunities to events in 2026. Stay tuned right here as the journey unfolds. It all starts at Courteenhall. 🌱

✂️ Shearing Complete at our Sister Estate! ✂️Yesterday we finished shearing 400 of our Gawdy Hall Ewes and 6 Tups – Huge...
24/06/2025

✂️ Shearing Complete at our Sister Estate! ✂️

Yesterday we finished shearing 400 of our Gawdy Hall Ewes and 6 Tups – Huge thanks to our shearers for their hard work and skill – the flock is looking fresh and feeling a lot more comfortable now.

You might wonder why we shear sheep❓

🐑 Shearing is essential for their health and welfare. Most sheep breeds don’t naturally shed their wool. If left unshorn, the fleece becomes heavy, dirty, and a magnet for pests.

🌞 It helps them stay cool especially in this heat we’ve been having, and carrying a thick fleece through the heat can be stressful for sheep. Shearing keeps them cool and reduces heat stress.

🧼 Cleaner, healthier sheep. A shorn fleece means less chance of mud, faeces, or debris building up – especially important for lambing ewes or older animals.

💈 Wool is a natural, sustainable product and a valuable resource – biodegradable, renewable, and used in everything from clothing to insulation.

Our flock is now back out in the field - lighter, cooler, and ready for the summer months ahead!

We had a fantastic day welcoming children from Beccles Primary Academy, Suffolk, to our sister estate, Gawdy Hall in Har...
23/06/2025

We had a fantastic day welcoming children from Beccles Primary Academy, Suffolk, to our sister estate, Gawdy Hall in Harleston, Norfolk! 🌿🐝🐑

Organised by the amazing team at The Country Trust, the visit gave the children a hands-on chance to learn all about nature, farming, and where their food comes from. They explored the crops we grow, met our busy beehives and learned how important every type of bee – from Queen to Drone and Worker – is to pollination. 🐝

One of the highlights? Getting to stroke a lamb! 🐑💚
A brilliant day of discovery, connection, and countryside fun.

Address

Roade

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

01604659222

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The Estate

The Wake family have been in South Northamptonshire since the thirteenth century, and at Courteenhall since 1672. Four generations of the family live and work on the Estate now.

The original manor house was built in 1572 but was pulled down and replaced with the current Hall in 1792 by Sir William Wake, the tenth baronet. The Hall is a beautiful Georgian house which has changed little in appearance, retaining almost all of its original features. It is home to the Wake family but doubles up as an exclusive venue for hosting a variety of events as well as filming and photoshoots.

As well as the Hall, there are a large number of characterful period buildings around the Estate, many of which are available as residential properties to rent.

Over the last few generations the Estate has gradually built up its farming business to farm progressively, efficiently and environmentally both for itself and on a contractual basis for other local farmers.