Building record 91/1/1 - Showsley Grounds Farmhouse (Former Priory Building)

Farmhouse remodelled or rebuilt in the mid 19th century and extensively remodelled in the twentieth century. It is possible that two small fragments of medieval wall are incorporated into the house which may be associated with the former priory. The priory chapel was located immeidately to the east of the house. The west end of the chapel may lie beneath the house, as well as other archaeological remains.

{1} Standing building. The present house, though much altered in the mid C19th still includes some parts of a medieval building.

{7} Showsley was known as Sewardsley until the nineteenth or twentieth century.

During alterations to the house in 1852 three graves dating from the fourteenth century were discovered under the east wing and a number of wall foundations, glass and decorated tiles were found nearby.

There is an illustration of a thatched farmhouse on the site dating 1712.

{8} Baker describes the priory as ‘long since degenerated into a common house’ although with some evidence of the former priory still visible in the kitchen. It is most likely that Baker is referring to the current farmhouse. The Victoria County History also states that “although altered in the 19th century, the house at Sewardsley appears to incorporate some remains of the Priory".

A plan of the Easton Neston Estate and village drawn up in 1844 provides the earliest depiction of the site which could be found. Although there are a number of buildings within the area of those surveyed, it appears that these all pre-date the existing structures and none of the depicted buildings survive. The map depicts the farmhouse to the east, although in a very different plan/layout than currently exists.
The 1849 Tithe map of Easton Neston depicts the same buildings and arrangements. The accompanying schedule describes plot 142 as “Farmhouse and buildings” occupied by Widow Cooke. Widow Cooke and her family are still found to be in occupation at the time of the 1851 and 1861 Census.
The First Edition Ordnance Survey Map of 1884 provides the first reliable and detailed record of the site. By this time, the farm has been completely re-modelled. This map shows the buildings which are believed to have been constructed as part of the late 1860s improvements implemented by Sir Thomas Hesketh-Fermor. New buildings have been constructed on a broadly east-west and north-south orientation, although slightly altered, these are the principal buildings which survive today.

<1> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1982, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.46/Site 8 (checked) (Series). SNN77382.

<2> 1844, Plan of Easton Neston House and Village, (unchecked) (Map). SNN74000.

<3> Baker G., 1830, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, (unchecked) (Book). SNN77328.

<4> Riden P.; Insley C., 2002, The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire, (unchecked) (Series). SNN102540.

<5> 1895, Easton Neston Estate Map, (unchecked) (Map). SNN109235.

<6> Horne B. (Editor), 2014, South Midlands Archaeology (44), p. 49 (Journal). SNN109842.

<7> ENGISH HERITAGE, English Heritage Listing File (Report). SNN111579.

<8> Fletcher T., 2013, Showsley Grounds, Easton Neston, Northamptonshire: Historic Building Recording, (checked) (Report). SNN109130.

<9> 1849, Easton Neston (With Hulcote) Tithe Map, (unchecked) (Map). SNN17813.

<10> Ordnance Survey, 1884, First Edition OS Map (Sheet 56.3), (unchecked) (Map). SNN109236.

Record last edited

Oct 20 2026 12:40PM