Harrington brings together several themes for a stay: the building history of St Peter & St Paul church, the history of the former airfield and visible traces of historic gardens. There is also a circular walking route, a local pub and a special detail about spirit production. You can shape your visit around the themes that interest you most.
Church and Village History
St Peter & St Paul is a Grade II* listed building dating back to the early 14th century. The narrow aisles were added about a century later. A notable feature inside is the limestone chest tomb for Laurence Saunders, dating from 1545. It is decorated with brass figures, coats of arms and an inscription. The different building dates and the tomb provide specific points of reference for appreciating the church’s development and furnishings. If you would like to visit the interior, check visiting arrangements in advance.
The History of the Airfield
The Harrington Aviation Museum is housed in the Group Operations Building on the administrative site of the former Station 179 airfield. Its focus is the history of the airfield, including the secret missions of the 801st (Provisional) / 492nd Bomb Group during the Second World War. These missions delivered agents and supplies to resistance groups in occupied Europe. The museum also features exhibitions on the Special Operations Executive, Thor nuclear missiles and the Royal Observer Corps. These topics extend beyond local airfield history to cover various aspects of wartime and military history. The museum therefore offers a different focus from the medieval building phases and tomb in the village church. Check current visiting arrangements before planning a visit.
Historic Traces in the Landscape
At The Falls, clearly visible earthworks of formal gardens lie beneath permanent pasture. They extend downhill between Harrington’s main street and the site of Harrington Manor. Further down the slope, west of The Falls, are the earthworks of a large pond complex. The two descriptions distinguish the garden layout from the pond complex; together, they offer a glimpse of other historic traces in the landscape without needing to combine them into a specific route.
There are pedestrian access points to The Falls from both corners of High Street. Check whether access is currently available before your visit. For exercise in the area, the Harrington Circular is another option: the circular route runs mostly away from paved roads and includes some climbs. As path surfaces can change seasonally, take conditions into account when planning your visit. The described character of the walk, with its climbs and changing surfaces, helps you plan it as a separate activity; no walking time or distance is specified.
Pub and Local Production
The historic pub The Tollemache Arms, locally also known as “the Tolly”, is in the heart of the village and serves classic pub dishes. If you would like to eat there, check booking information before travelling. At Warner’s Distillery, spirits are made with botanicals grown on the historic family estate of Falls Farm in Harrington. A visit to Harrington can therefore focus on village history, landscape and a range of cultural and historical themes. Which of these matters most to you will depend on whether you are more interested in architecture, the history of the Second World War or historic traces in the landscape.
Discover more destinations: Hackleton, Hellidon, Warkworth, Harringworth, Helmdon, Castle Ashby, Kettering, Syresham.
For the wider travel overview: Northamptonshire.
