When choosing a marina to moor your narrow boat, it is always nice to know that there are plenty of places of interest to visit in the locality. Castle Ashby, the ancestral home of the Marquess of Northampton, is certainly no exception and is definitely worth a visit or two.

Set in the heart of a 10,000-acre working estate, which borders White Mills Marina, Castle Ashby's 25 acres of extensive gardens are a must if you are visiting White Mills Marina. Not only do they feature an arboretum, lakes, and ponds but there are some truly wonderful views across parkland designed by Capability Brown.

September 2020 saw the opening of the historic Falcon Hotel which, having undergone a huge refurbishment programme, is now a fabulous boutique hotel which focuses on health and spiritual wellbeing. The new restaurant Eyas offers an interesting menu using locally sourced ingredients and is certainly worth a visit. A visit to the famous stately home would not be complete without stopping off at the menagerie, plant centre, tea rooms and gift shop, as well as the well established rural shopping yard with its range of independent shops including the very popular delicatessen.

Plus, if you’re brave enough, the Estate also offers wild water swimming in their lake. We’re told it is a really uplifting experience!