Earlier Houses: There was a 15th century house here that both Henry VIII and James I visited. Elements of this house were incorporated into the current house.

Built / Designed For: Thomas Wentworth-Watson, as a dower house.

Collections: In 2015 the Victoria & Albert Museum purchased the four large circa 1529 bronze angels made by Benedetto da Rovezzano to stand at the corners of the grand tomb that Cardinal Wolsey was planning for himself. Wolsey, of course, died in disgrace and his elaborate tomb was never built (he was buried at Leicester Abbey in an unknown grave). The elements of the tomb were seized by Henry VIII, who intended to use them for his own memorial, which was also never constructed. The various bits and pieces were dispersed and the bronze angels ended up (unrecognized) as decorative statues on the gate piers at Harrowden Hall (they were only properly identified in 2008). The black marble sarcophagus made by Benedetto to receive Wolsey's earthly remains was eventually presented by George III as part of the memorial to Lord Nelson in the vault of St. Paul's Cathedral, where it remains today.

Country Life: XXIV, 910, 1908. CLVI, 1086, 1190, 1974.

House Listed: Grade I

Park Listed: Grade II*

Past Seat / Home of: SEATED AT EARLIER HOUSE: Sir William Vaux, 15th century. Nicholas Knollys, 17th century. SEATED AT CURRENT HOUSE: Thomas Wentworth-Watson, early 18th century; Thomas Wentworth, 6th Lord Rockingham and 1st Marquess of Rockingham, mid-18th century.

Current Ownership Type: Club

Primary Current Ownership Use: Country Club / Golf Club

Ownership Details: Today Wellingborough Golf Club

House Open to Public: No

Phone: 01933-677-234

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.wellingboroughgolfclub.com

Historic Houses Member: No