Harrington: Church, Aviation History and Landscape

Harrington brings together the history of a listed church and a former airfield with earthworks in a landscape shaped by pasture. There is also a local connection to food and drink: the botanicals for Warner's Distillery spirits are grown at the historic family estate of Falls Farm in Harrington, and the Tollemache Arms serves classic pub dishes. This combination gives your search for a holiday rental in Harrington a practical starting point: which of the village's stories and landscape themes would you like to shape your stay?

Church architecture and a 1545 tomb

St Peter & St Paul is a Grade II* listed building. Its architectural history spans several phases: the church dates back to the early 14th century, while the narrow aisles were added about a century later. This makes it possible to view its early origins and a later extension as distinct chapters in the building's history.

Inside is a chest tomb of limestone, with brass figures, coats of arms and an inscription commemorating Laurence Saunders, dating from 1545. The tomb adds a specific memorial to the building's history: here, material, figurative design and inscription take centre stage alongside the development of the church building. If you would like to visit the interior, check visitor access in advance.

Harrington Aviation Museum and the former airfield

Harrington Aviation Museum is housed in the Group Operations Building on the administrative site of the former Station 179 airfield in Harrington. It covers the airfield's history and the secret missions of the 801st (Provisional) / 492nd Bomb Group during the Second World War. These missions carried agents and supplies to resistance groups in occupied Europe.

The exhibitions also cover the Special Operations Executive, Thor atomic missiles and the Royal Observer Corps. Taken together, these subjects connect the history of the airfield with covert operations and other military history topics. The museum offers a different perspective on Harrington's past from the church: here, aviation and wartime history take centre stage, while the church focuses on the development of a listed building and a historic tomb.

Earthworks, pasture and the Harrington Circular

At The Falls, well-defined earthworks from formal gardens lie beneath permanent pasture. They extend downhill between Harrington's main street and the site of Harrington Manor. The shape of the land gives the garden features a distinct connection to the landscape: rather than a building, it is the traces of formal design in the pasture that take centre stage.

Further down the slope, west of The Falls, are the earthworks of a large complex of ponds. The garden and pond complex are two distinct landscape features, each described in terms of specific earthworks. The Harrington Circular offers a different focus: the route runs mostly away from surfaced roads and includes some climbs. Its surfaces can vary depending on the season. If you plan to include the circular walk in your day, you can take these features into account when choosing when to go.

Local spirits and pub food

Warner's Distillery spirits are made with botanicals grown at the historic family estate of Falls Farm in Harrington. This ties production to a specific place and its agricultural surroundings. The Tollemache Arms, locally known as “the Tolly”, is a historic pub in the heart of Harrington village and serves classic pub dishes. The two features complement one another without describing the same experience: the distillery is about ingredients and production, while the pub offers a place to stop for traditional food. If you would like to eat there, check booking information before your trip.

Harrington as a place to look for a holiday rental

When deciding whether Harrington is the right place for a holiday, it helps to compare the different highlights: the museum focuses on the former airfield and its Second World War missions, while the church and earthworks tell the story of the area's architecture and landscape. The Harrington Circular adds a route with mostly unsurfaced sections and climbs. When choosing a holiday rental, you can first consider whether this combination of history, landscape and local food suits your planned holiday days.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Easton On The Hill, Upton, Rushden, Ringstead, Aynho, West Haddon, Wollaston, Oundle.

For the main travel overview: Northamptonshire.