After being closed to the public for so long, the team at Kelmarsh Hall and Gardens were so excited to finally be able to open to the public again. With so many new things to showcase, it was wonderful for the team to welcome back their hall stewards and garden volunteers. Kelmarsh were so pleased to have been able to welcome over 11,000 visitors to view the house and Grade II listed gardens.

Alongside maintaining the beautiful gardens and plant sales, the gardens team have been busy this year creating the new ‘Rogues Gallery’ down in the walled garden, displaying the different weeds found around the gardens. The summer season welcomed many families and little explorers for the famous fairy walk in the woodlands. Events such as a picnic with The Bubble Fairy and Storytelling in the gardens proved to be very popular and are hoped to make a return in the open season of 2023.

One of the most talked about changes to the Hall was the chance to view former resident Nancy Lancaster’s bedroom upstairs. Kelmarsh collaborated with London’s interior design company, Oka, to redesign the room and showcase how Nancy would have her bedroom today, seeing an amazing transformation.

There was also tremendous feedback received on the ‘Coalmarsh’, a new exhibition located in the coal cellar, below stairs. The exhibition was curated by the research and archive volunteers of Kelmarsh Hall and Gardens, featuring the history of coal and the link that the Lancaster family had to the coal industry. The project won the Best Volunteer Project from the Northamptonshire Heritage Forum Awards 2022. There were also other items linking to the Lancaster’s family ownership of the Bestwood Colliery and a wonderful model train of the Kelmarsh Station and the Bestwood Colliery by Corby Model Railway.

The season flew by and although Kelmarsh Hall and Gardens are now closed to the public, the team are still working hard on maintaining the Hall, Gardens and Estate. Visitors will still be welcome to Kelmarsh throughout the year for weddings, private parties and corporate events. Kelmarsh Hall and Gardens is an exclusive use venue with fine rooms perfect for any occasion. The events team at Kelmarsh are always on hand and do their upmost to deliver memorable weddings and events. Event brochures can be downloaded by emailing events@kelmarsh.com. Season tickets for 2023 are now available to purchase by emailing enquiries@kelmarsh.com.