What’s going for it? You could set a period drama in Oundle. Something starring Penelope Wilton or Mark Rylance. With bodices, doublets and candle-snuffers. Something for a Sunday night on the sofa, after a supper of buttery toasted muffins. That’s Oundle. Comforting cosiness in three dimensions. I’m sure all sorts of evil has gone on in this old, old town on the Nene. It’s smothered in history which I imagine having soaked into its golden stone like butter into the muffins. Fotheringhay Castle lies just outside, where Richard III was born (boo, hiss), and where Elizabeth I imprisoned and executed Mary Queen of Scots. Though its stumpy foundations provide little to flesh out that evocative story. Such harrowing history has evaporated, and all we are left with to judge the town are its bones. Such beautiful bones though: coloured like a sunset, and formed into Georgian town houses, 17th-century cottages and medieval gables. It’s like an Oxbridge in miniature, its university: the eponymous private school, whose buildings are folded so thoroughly into Oundle’s fabric you are never quite sure if the town is hosting the school, or vice versa.
The case against There’s a spirited cultural life, with a lit fest and the World Conker Championships, but it’s small, so some might find their attention flags.
Well connected? No train: the nearest stations are Peterborough, with lots of trains an hour to London King’s Cross (under an hour on a fast one) and York (75 mins); and Corby, hourly to Kettering (10 mins), Bedford (50 mins), Luton (65 mins) and London St Pancras (90 mins). Driving: half an hour to Peterborough, 15 mins to the A1, 20 mins to Corby, 45 minutes to Northampton.
Schools Primary: Oundle CofE is “outstanding”, says Ofsted. Secondary: Prince William School “requires improvement”.
Hang out at… The Ship has ales aplenty, but The Falcon in Fotheringhay is the local scene-stealer.
Where to buy The centre is a delight, with pretty lanes between North and West Streets, and East and South Roads: think cottages and town houses from all eras since the 15th century, in beautiful stone. It gets more humdrum beyond, but you’ll find hefty detacheds on Benefield Road and Glapthorn Road. Large detacheds or town houses, £350,000-£800,000. Detacheds, £180,000-£350,000. Semis, £140,000-£270,000. Terraces and cottages, £125,000-£200,000. Rentals: one-bed, £650-£700pcm; three-bed, £800-£1,200pcm.
Bargain of the week Teeny but cute as a button, this period one-bed cottage down a lane is on for £125,000 with southams.com.
From the streets
Jennie Grove “My coffee shop of the moment is Brewbabu, with board games and delicious food. There are plenty of country walks, and Barnwell Country Park is great for picnics in the summer.”
Oliver Winbolt “Nene Valley Brewery has a restaurant and a shop which doubles as a Friday-night club house for beer enthusiasts.”
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