About Chester House Estate

The Chester House Estate is a nationally significant heritage site, being one of the few places in the country which can demonstrate over 10,000 years of human activity.

North Northamptonshire Council (formally Northamptonshire County Council) purchased the site in 2004 and secured grant funding through working with the National Lottery Heritage Fund to develop a sustainable visitor destination with access for the public to learn about the history and heritage, as well as becoming the location to house countywide archaeological finds. The Chester House Estate is overseen by North Northamptonshire Council who have a clear vision on the future of the site.

The Chester House Estate is a nationally significant heritage site, being one of the few places in the country which can demonstrate over 10,000 years of human activity. The unique selling point of The Chester House Estate is summed up in the words "10,000 years of Northamptonshire’s heritage brought to life".

We wish to make The Chester House Estate somewhere that people want to come; a place that through education, learning and enjoyment adds value to their lives, and helps them to appreciate Northamptonshire's outstanding heritage. We will deliver a quality, unique and sustainable educational offering. We will champion accessible education for all ages and communities, our mission is to give the opportunity to engage with The Chester House Estate’s past, present and future.

The operation of the site will be supported by an innovative approach to income generation. The aim is to develop the whole as a multi-use site making maximum use of spaces for different purposes and audiences and thereby generating optimum levels of income.

Our Vision

Connecting the people of Northamptonshire to their 10,000 year story

Having the community at the heart of all we do

Delivering a pioneering and diverse education programme, accessible for all ages

Offering a free to enter estate, for everyone

Being financially sustainable with an innovative commercial offering

Establishing, promoting and growing local business, produce and tourism

Caring for and preserving our natural and historical landscape

Improving the wellbeing of local residents

Preserving the publicly accessible archaeological archives

Find Us

Where to find us

The Chester House Estate is situated just off the eastbound A45 between Wellingborough and Rushden. If you are arriving by car you don't have to book a car park. We have two entrances to site, please read below and book before visiting.

Parking at the Chester House Estate

We have two car parks at the Chester House Estate:

Claudius Way (Main Visitor Car Park)

Claudius Way is our main visitor car park and can be accessed through the Prologis Park Wellingborough. Please use postcode NN8 2DH to find this entrance. Our main visitor car park at Claudius Way is a 5 to 10 minute walk to the main building complex through our beautiful historic and natural landscape. There is a hard standing footpath in place which is push chair friendly. Please note there are no toilets at the Claudius Way Car Park with the nearest toilets located in our courtyard within the main building complex (5-10min walk).

Lime Avenue, A45 Entrance (Blue Badge Holders, Conferencing Guests and Wedding Guests Only)

Lime Avenue straight off the A45 is only accessible to Blue Badge Holders, Conferencing Guests and Wedding Guests. All tickets for this entrance must be pre booked in advance. Please use postcode NN29 7EZ to find this entrance.