Northborough Manor House

Northborough Manor House stands in the quiet village of Northborough in Cambridgeshire. Built between 1333 and 1336 by Roger Northburgh, Bishop of Lichfield, it is a medieval fortified manor house with Grade I listing. Only the gatehouse and hall remain from the original structure. The gatehouse features a large gateway that provided strong defence despite lacking a drawbridge or portcullis. The hall reflects 14th-century design with regular bay windows for better light and once held wall paintings. Later extensions in the 16th and 17th centuries added to its character. Historians recognise it as one of the finest fortified manors in Cambridgeshire. Anthony Emery, a noted expert, described it as such in his work on medieval houses. The manor passed through several owners, including James Claypole in 1565 and Lord Fitzwilliam in 1681. Oliver Cromwell is said to have visited during the 17th century. In the 1970s it was bought by garden writer Roy Genders, who restored parts of the property. Visitors today can explore the surviving medieval sections by appointment. The gatehouse is available for holiday lets, offering a rare chance to stay in a historic fortified building. The hall and gatehouse show clear signs of their 14th-century origins, with the gateway still dominating the approach. The surrounding village adds to the peaceful setting, making it a quiet place to experience medieval architecture. The manor remains a well-preserved example of its kind in eastern England.