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BBC News
2 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Battle of Naseby site could become park as part of new plan
A council could create a new park at the site of a historic battle as part of its new strategy aimed at improving green Northamptonshire Council has suggested the park would be situated where Oliver Cromwell defeated the king's men during the Battle of Naseby in are also suggestions of creating a Brackley Country (Linear) Park, Houghton Linear Park and an Eastern Northampton council also wants to add better toilet facilities at its parks, new cafes and offer more activities such as boat hire and an alpine coaster in certain locations. Marefair Heritage Park would be the first project delivered under the will see the Chalk Lane car park turned into a green space later this suggested parks will need to go through feasibility studies to assess funding, demand and what facilities are Stansfield, Reform UK cabinet member for environment, recycling and waste, said: "Let me be clear, we may not achieve everything in this strategy."If we don't aim high, we risk achieving nothing at all."The previous Conservative administration had also created a strategy for parks in the district, which suggested the country park at Naseby. In 2026, the council also hopes to explore options to install cycling and mobility aid hires for the cabinet meeting on Wednesday the leader of the Labour group, Sally Keeble, raised concerns around a lack of prioritisation for parks in urban to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Stansfield said he agreed certain parks had been neglected and that it needed to be continued: "We're very lucky we have 153 parks in west Northamptonshire and we couldn't name every single park within the strategy."I'm very much about spreading what money we can through all our areas."With having a proper strategy, we will be able to get investment into the parks - without the strategy, it's very hard." Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Telegraph
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
In search of Britain's most important – and elusive
Naseby does not look ready for a fight. On a warm Saturday morning, this genteel Northamptonshire village is a picture of rural calm. The tower of the Grade II*-listed All Saints' Church is casting an angular shadow in the early light, and the Royal Oak pub is yet to open its door to those who would sharpen their weekend with a pint of English ale. The atmosphere would have been rather different 380 years ago. Then, in the mists of the mid-17th century, there would have been red-coated men massing on the north side of the village, a clank of weapons being checked, a stamping and snorting of horses under rein. And, perhaps too, a sense of being on the precipice of history. On June 14 1645, Naseby witnessed one of the most important battles in British history. You might even stretch this superlative to wider European and global history. In the dawn hours of that crisp summer day, Charles I was still – relatively – ensconced on the English throne. By the afternoon, he was halfway to the executioner's block, Oliver Cromwell was well on his way to power, and the country had taken a colossal leap towards fully fledged parliamentary democracy. Back in the tranquility of 2025, down at Naseby Village Hall, Richard Brinkman is more than happy to shatter the rustic peace by talking of war. So is the tour group – some 15 of us – gathered in an upper room overlooking the football pitch. Maps are spread out, diagrams of troop manoeuvres are pinned to the walls – and the small audience is all ears. 'The English Civil War was, well, very uncivil,' Brinkman says, pithily. 'It killed seven per cent of the population. To put that into context, the equivalent figure for the First World War was three per cent.' A fair few of those who went to their graves did so at Naseby. There were over 1,000 Royalist casualties on June 14 1645. And around 400 men from Parliament's freshly assembled New Model Army – which operated under the leadership of Cromwell and the experienced military campaigner Sir Thomas Fairfax – also met their maker. But the butchery was most damaging to the king's cause. By the battle's end, Charles's ability to field a proper fighting force – and any realistic chance of triumph in a conflict that had erupted from the collapse of the relationship between the crown and the Commons – had vanished. It was quite the collision; a clash of ideals, beliefs and principles, as well as swords. And it is well worth further investigation in the present. Richard Brinkman is one of several guides who devote time to the Naseby Battlefield Project (NBP) – the historical society, set up in 2007, whose tours are the best way to gain an understanding of what happened. Over the course of the morning, in a short convoy of cars (the entire theatre of action is almost five miles in breadth), we head out to chart the events of that destructive day at four key hotspots. Fairfax's View, directly north-east of Naseby, occupies the hilltop from which the wily Parliamentarian general appraised his enemy, concealing some of his much larger force behind the ridge line so as to disguise a numerical advantage that might have dissuaded the Royalists from fighting By contrast, Prince Rupert's Viewpoint lurks at the opposite end of the battlefield, gazing south-west from a position some four miles away, in the direction of Market Harborough. Rupert of the Rhine was both Charles's nephew and his foremost asset; 'the fighter jet of his era,' Brinkman says of an immensely gifted young commander (Rupert was 25 in June 1645) who had learnt his craft amid the cut and thrust of the Thirty Years' War (1618-1648), which was still raging across continental Europe. But he was also hot-headed; a character flaw that would see him charge headlong into the fray that morning – and then charge right out of it again, leading his cavalry on a mission towards the Parliamentarian rear in search of familiar foes espied, and scores he wished to settle. His impetuosity would have big consequences – leaving the royal infantry badly exposed. These poor souls would meet their fate on the slope below modern-day Naseby's postcard landmark – the Cromwell Monument, an obelisk that was unveiled at the top of the field in 1936. Here, slaughter occurred; slaughter so vicious that the war might have ended that day. Watching the carnage unfold from the other side of the field, Charles readied himself to sally forth – only to be stopped by Scottish nobleman the Earl of Carnwath, who seized the royal bridle and asked: 'Would you go upon your death, sire?'. The king escaped, and would fight on for nearly two years – but the initiative lost at Naseby was never regained. These three key locations are all signposted, and open to the public. A fourth, hidden at the back of a farm, is all but inaccessible without a tour. But when we arrive at Sulby Hedges, we are hailed, from afar, by Alan Larsen – a professional re-enactor, who blasts a pistol as he rounds the corner of the field, dressed as a Parliamentarian dragoon (mounted infantry). 'I trust I have your attention?' he enquires, as the smoke dissipates – before launching into a treatise on this out-of-the-way location's relevance. Sulby Hedges, he explains, was the spot where the two armies first engaged; a sudden exchange of fire which triggered the battle. In further demonstration, Larsen proceeds to load and shoot a musket (while maintaining his balance in the saddle). For all its significance, the Battle of Naseby can be difficult to trace in the fields where so many came to grief. A good deal of the problem is that much of the battle-site is fenced off as private land. When I meet him for a coffee, local historian Peter Burton expresses his frustration that there is not more for tourists to see. Unlike Bannockburn or Hastings, Naseby does not have a dedicated visitor centre. A suitable plot was purchased as long ago as 2009, and planning permission was granted in 2011, but the funding (roughly £300,000) could not be raised. A fall-back plan to install a museum at All Saints' Church also came to nothing. The latest suggestion is to give the area a higher profile by denoting it as a country park. Nonetheless, the sphere of action was so vast – with the remains of the royal army fleeing north towards Market Harborough, its baggage train scattering and the king's private papers seized – that it is strangely easy to trip over somewhere (or something) pertinent. The neighbouring village of Sibbertoft, three miles north of Naseby, is a case in point. Its fields were in harm's way as the New Model Army took aim at the fleeing royalists' backs. So much so that musket balls have been an ongoing threat to the machinery at Brook Meadow farm for over a century. Owner Jasper Hart proudly shows me his collection of 17th-century shrapnel and lead shot, all unearthed on his land, or prised from the tyres of his tractor. His daughter Claire, meanwhile, manages the farm's accommodation – a trio of luxury chalets built overlooking a lake where, when I check in, Northamptonshire anglers are passing the afternoon in studious contemplation. Woodpecker, the newest chalet, is a splendid place to spend a night; a viewpoint every bit as illustrative as Fairfax's or Rupert's – albeit onto the beauty of the English countryside rather than the movements of an ideological foe. When I wake the next day, a haze is hanging over the lake. Somewhere beyond the farm, I hear the crack of a rifle, and a shout. Clay-pigeon shooting it may be, but in the uneasy light, I can half believe it might be Oliver Cromwell himself, back to stride the scene of his greatest hour. Visiting there The Naseby Battlefield Project offers regular guided tours of the battle-site. Eleven tours are still in the diary for 2025 (the next on June 22, the last on December 7), priced at £25 per person. Participants require access to a car. The NBP is also hosting a 380th anniversary event today (June 14) – including a battle re-enactment (free; cars £10). Staying there
Telegraph
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Britain's best historical reenactments – and how to visit them
There is something endlessly fascinating about key battles that shape a country's destiny: Hastings, Naseby and the Battle of Britain to name just a few. While the masses will happily immerse themselves in these historical events through museums and exhibitions, real enthusiasts – and there are more than you think – love nothing better than to take part in re-enactments of these titanic clashes, while dressing in the costumes and living the lifestyle of the relevant time. Such is their passion that they like to share it with others. There are multiple historical re-enactment events in the UK and many are open to visitors. You cannot simply turn up and take part – being a re-enactor takes a great deal of training – but you can go and watch and get a sense of what it might have been like. You might even get to throw the odd axe or two. The following 10 events give a flavour. Forward, march! England Battle of Hastings East Sussex The most famous of all battles fought on English soil, the showdown in October 1066 between Anglo-Saxon King Harold and William, the Norman conqueror, is commemorated with a re-enactment involving some 300 warriors on the Sussex field where the fighting took place. In addition to witnessing the action, visitors can wander around the Anglo-Saxon and Norman camps, watch weapon makers and log choppers and get a sense (and smell) of what they would have eaten. Children can try their hands at archery or sword fighting. The details October 11-12, £24 (adult); £7.50 (English Heritage members) Where to stay The Gallivant in Rye (01797 225057) has double rooms from £245, including breakfast. Tewkesbury Medieval Festival Gloucestershire Ever since 1983, the market town of Tewkesbury has hosted a commemoration of the Battle of Tewkesbury (May 1471), one of several key turning points in the War of the Roses between the houses of York and Lancaster. In addition to a reenactment of the battle itself (won by the Yorkists), participants set up authentic medieval-era encampments complete with banners, tents, board games and bottles of mead. Fancy trying on a suit or armour? This is the place. The details July 12 to 13, free, Where to stay Tewkesbury Park Hotel (01684 295405) has double rooms from £140 including breakfast. Battle of Naseby Northamptonshire In the mid-17th century, England was convulsed in another bloody civil war. This one – between the royalist forces led by King Charles and the parliamentarians of Oliver Cromwell – saw many ups and downs before the decisive defeat of the monarchists at Naseby in 1645. This event, staged by the Sealed Knot – the oldest re-enactment society in the UK – involves cannon and musket fire as hundreds of infantrymen, artillery and cavalry troops go head-to-head. There are weapon displays and fascinating glimpses into the way people lived in the 17th century. The details May 25 to 26, £10 (adult); £20 (family), Where to stay Rushton Hall (01536 713001) has double rooms from £120, including breakfast. Detling Military Odyssey Kent Not sure which era of battle to immerse yourself in? The Detling Military Odyssey spans warfare through the ages – from the ancient Romans to the World Wars of the 20th century via medieval jousters, Viking warriors and the armies of the Duke of Wellington. This event – staged over the August Bank Holiday on the former RAF airfield at Detling – sees thousands of re-enactors taking up arms and sharing their passion for their period with visitors. There are model displays and, for collectors, a vast array of uniforms and military memorabilia. The details August 23 to 25, £16 (adult); £7 (children 5-15), Where to stay Leeds Castle (01622 765400) has double rooms from £180, including breakfast. Victory Show Leicestershire The Second World War is vividly brought to life in this three-day extravaganza involving reenactors from more than 100 societies and displays of tanks, infantry, aircraft and pyrotechnics. Held at the 100-acre site at Foxlands Farm in Cosby, it was originally intended as a one-off but is now in its 20th year. Visitors are able to stroll through a huge army encampment, attend educational talks and should they be in the mood, attend a 1940s-themed dinner dance. The details August 29 to 31, £25 (adult); £15 (children 5-15), Where to stay Winstanley House near Leicester (0116 366 5642) has double rooms from £79, including breakfast. Napoleonic Living History Camp West Sussex The battles of the Napoleonic era were largely fought on the continent – but many involved British forces. The Napoleonic Association – an umbrella organisation for re-enactment societies on both the Allied and French sides – stages several events annually in the UK and Europe. The redcoats of King George square off against the bluecoats of the Grande Armée during a weekend of the summer festival at Stansted Park. Expect musket fire, marching drills and esprit de corps in the encampments. The details July 19 to 20, £12 (adult); £34 (family), Where to stay Millstream Hotel in Bosham (01243 573234) has double rooms from £162 including breakfast. American War of Independence Weekend Leicestershire The American War of Independence may have been fought thousands of miles away, but British troops were involved – and plenty of reenactors on this side of the Atlantic like to provide a flavour of the war that led to the creation of the United States of America. This year's commemoration – on the site of the old Moira iron works blast furnace – will involve participants from the Redcoats & Revolutionaries and a host of like-minded associations. A special focus will be the 250th anniversary of the 1775 skirmishes of Lexington/Concord and the British retreat to Boston. Tea anyone? The details July 5-6, donations requested, Where to stay Hoar Cross Hall in Burton-on-Trent (01283 477900) has double rooms from £321, including breakfast. Duxford Battle of Britain 85 Airshow Cambridgeshire Within living memory (just), the Battle of Britain was the term given to the fight between the RAF and the Luftwaffe for supremacy in the skies above Britain between July and October 1940. This year marks the 85th anniversary of that momentous battle, which will be commemorated at Duxford with a series of spectacular flying displays involving Spitfires, Hurricanes and other aircraft from the period – including the Duxford Big Wing formation. Visitors can wander around the Imperial War Museum's Duxford hangars and aircraft collection. There will also be music, dancing and plenty of people in 1940s attire. The details Sept 6 to 7 £49.50 (adult); free for children up to 15 Where to stay The Fellows House in Cambridge (01223 949499) has double rooms from £169, including breakfast. Scotland Largs Viking Festival The Vikings are coming! So ran the cry along the western coast of Scotland as King Haakon of Norway approached with 160 longships and thousands of fearsome warriors in 1263. The same cry has been heard every year since 1980 as residents of this Ayrshire town on the Firth of Clyde commemorate the Battle of Largs (won by the Scottish). In addition to the battle itself (staged on September 6 as part of a Festival of Fire), visitors may observe Glasgow Sword Breakers, Glima wrestling (a Nordic variation), archery displays and even turn their hands to some axe throwing. The details Aug 30 to Sept 7; Entrance to village, £10 (adult); £20 (families) Where to stay Pipers' Tryst Hotel in Glasgow (01413 535551) has double rooms from £120, including breakfast. Wales Plantagenets at Castell Harlech If a knight in shining armour is what you seek, look no further than this event staged by the Plantagenet Medieval Society in the grounds of the magnificent Castell Harlech in Gwynedd. This is less a re-enactment of an actual battle than a display of the skills, techniques – and chivalric code – deployed in the Hundred Years' War between England and France between 1337 and 1453. There are displays of how to shoot a long bow and joust, while the Ladies of the Court demonstrate medieval dances – all against a backdrop of the Irish Sea and the peaks of Eryri (Snowdonia, Wales' largest National Park.). The details May 25 to 27; Entrance to Castell Harlech £9.50 (adult); £30.40 (family) Where to stay Portmeirion Hotel has double rooms from £244 including breakfast. Northern Ireland Magnus Barelegs Festival This bi-annual event staged bi-annually near Downpatrick in County Down commemorates the bloody fighting that took place in the early 12th century between indigenous Celtic tribes and Viking invaders under the leadership of the Norwegian king Magnus III Olafsson - better known as Magnus Barefoot. Quite possibly tricked by the self-proclaimed High King of Ireland, Muirchertach Ua Briain, Magnus came to a sticky end involving an axe when he was ambushed in a field close to Downpatrick and this weekend-long gathering in the Delamont Country Park aims to give visitors a sense of what those ancient battles would have entailed. In addition to re-enactments, there's a Viking School of Battle, a medieval market, and a boat-burning funeral pyre, while a star turn in the park is the miniature railway with Thomas the Tank Engine lookalike. Don't miss the nearby Mourne Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty The details August 2026; £15 (adult, 2024 price); £40 (family) Where to stay Slieve Donald Hotel (028 4372 1066) has double rooms from £189 including breakfast.
