OundleOundleOundle is a delightful town of much architectural beauty, dating from Saxon times. The needle spire of the 13th Century church (built over a Saxon one) dominates the atmosphere; other treasures in the church include beautifully carved screens, a fine 15th Century lecturn and perpendicular font. The central marketplace (there has been a weekly market in Oundle since Saxon times; it is held on Thursdays) is surrounded by wonderful 17th and 18th Century stone shops and cottages with Collyweston slate roofs - a splendid mix of medieval, Tudor Elizabethan, Queen Anne and Norman styles.
Oundle is well-known because it is the site of the famous Oundle school, one of the most respected of the prep schools in England, ranked among Eton and Harrow. It was founded in 1556 from a earlier guild school by William Laxton, a local boy who eventually became Lord Mayor of London. The school buildings dating from the 16th Century onward are at the heart and soul of the town.
There are four pubs in the town: The Ship (our favorite, 17th Century), The Rose & Crown, The Angel, and The Talbot (there is also The George, further out on Glapthorn Road, not in the center of town). All are very old, and provide food as well, in varying degrees of sophistication and pretensions, although be forewarned that they all stop serving food between 2pm until dinner, although you can keep happily drinking beer. There is also a good Italian restaurant on West Street (they do pizza too), an Indian restaurant (Onkar, also on West Street), a Chinese restaurant opposite the Talbot, as well as the Fish & Chips Shop, a Tea Shop that serves food all afternoon, and Chinese and Indian "takeaways" (take-outs). The Talbot also has a restaurant. (In Woodnewton, 5 miles away, is an excellent gourmet restaurant in The White Swan on Main Street; give our best to pubowner Ann, and Peter behind the bar. And even better is the Black Horse Pub in Elton, with wonderful food and an absolutely lovely pub.)
Oundle is located next to the River Nene and at nearby Oundle Marina is a popular boating center.
Oundle also has a Town Museum, a tiny yet still interesting stop depicting brewery life in Oundle, children's toys, town history, and history of building with stone. Open weekend afternoons 2-5pm. It is located right across the street from our house on Benefield Road. Oundle's population is 4,107 - oops, we've moved there, so it's now 4,109.