Grafton Farms

In the 19th Century, after the inclosure of much of this area of Northamptonshire and the mergers, tradings and acquisitions which accompanied and followed it, the Dukes of Grafton launched an extensive programme of farm building. The farm buildings were well designed and had a distinctive style. Most have survived to the present day, and despite later additions and modifications their origins are unmistakable.

Shutlanger Grove and the Grafton farms

Shutlanger Grove Farm - design plan

Shutlanger Grove farm was one of the new generation of farms built by the Dukes of Grafton in the mid-1800s. Their justification for doing so was that the investment in a higher standard of farm, while desirable in its own right, would also be reflected in higher chargeable rents. The farmhouses have a distinctive style - sometimes with a classical gable front in the case of the stone-built ones (see the illustration of Foscote House below) and often with roofs pitched low relative to the general proportions, a feature which gives the buildings a very substantial appearance. In addition, the new generation of farms were planned with extensive outbuildings.

Shutlanger Grove Farm - front elevation

The overall design of Shutlanger Grove

As outlined in the Brief History of Shutlanger, Shutlanger Grove farm became one of the most famous farms in the district in the late 1800s for the quality of its land, the excellence of its livestock, and the management of its tenant C.H.B. Franklin. Though the farm fell on hard times in the Depression years after the First World War, its fortunes were revived by Reg Davy, whose story is told in the Northampton County & Independent magazine article reprinted in this section of the CD.

Reg Davy outside Shutlanger Grove Farm - August 2004

Other Grafton Farms

As mentioned above, the Dukes of Grafton left their architectural mark on the district. The following are plans and photos of some of the former Grafton Estate farms.

Plans for farms from the same period as Shutlanger Grove, and in a very similar style and layout. The one on the left is for Stoke Plain.

Foscote House, near Abthorpe	Seawell Farm, Blakesley

Part of Elm Farm, Heathencote - modernised by the 4th Duke