Kirby Hall
Corby, Northamptonshire
A great Elizabethan mansion caught between house and ruin, with formal gardens and open lawns where your dog is welcome, and peacocks to keep them interested.
Kirby Hall is one of England's greatest Elizabethan and 17th century houses, and it is unusual because it is neither fully restored nor fully collapsed. Founded in 1570, it fell into ruin and was rescued after 1930, so you walk through a building where some rooms are roofed and furnished while others stand open to the sky with their fine stonework intact.
As you take in the Great Hall, the elaborate carved porch and the displays tracing the house's rise and fall, your dog gets the outdoors, which is generous here: formal gardens, wide lawns and open Northamptonshire farmland around, with the restored 17th century Great Garden and its cut work parterre being brought back to its original planting. Peacocks wander the grounds, which some dogs find extremely interesting.
Dogs on leads are welcome outside, in the ruined areas, gardens and grounds, which covers most of what makes Kirby worth visiting. Free parking for 30 cars sits 100 metres from the entrance, though the surface may be difficult for wheelchair users. There is a café, shop, toilets, exhibition and picnic seating.
At a Glance
- Dog Access
- On-lead in the grounds
- Dogs on leads are welcome outside - in the ruined areas, gardens and grounds only.
- Site Type
- House & Palace
- Entry
- £11.90 adult
- £5.95 child · £29.75 family
- Members
- Free for English Heritage members
- Facilities
- Café / restaurant, Exhibition, Gardens, Parking, Picnic seating, Shop, Toilets, Wheelchair access
- Telephone
- 01536 203230
- Parking
- Free parking for 30 cars 100m from site entrance. The surface of the car park may be difficult for wheelchair users. Disabled visitors can be set down just outside the entrance.
English Heritage Membership
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Planning Your Visit
- Monday
- Closed
- Tuesday
- Closed
- Wednesday
- 10:00 - 17:00
- Thursday
- 10:00 - 17:00
- Friday
- 10:00 - 17:00
- Saturday
- 10:00 - 17:00
- Sunday
- 10:00 - 17:00
Opening times and prices were checked on 26 August 2026 and are subject to change, and some sites close for events or over winter. Confirm on the English Heritage site page before you travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kirby Hall dog friendly?
Yes, dogs on leads are welcome at Kirby Hall in the gardens, grounds, ruined areas and open sections of the house — which covers most of what makes the place worth visiting. The formal gardens, wide lawns and surrounding Northamptonshire farmland give dogs plenty to explore, and the resident peacocks add an extra layer of excitement for many.
Are dogs allowed at Kirby Hall year round?
The listing doesn't specify seasonal restrictions, so dogs appear to be welcome whenever the site is open. It's always worth checking with the venue directly before you visit, particularly around special events or seasonal closures.
What should I know before visiting Kirby Hall with my dog?
Dogs must be kept on leads throughout the site. Worth knowing: peacocks roam freely around the grounds, which some dogs find very distracting, so it's good to be prepared for that. Free parking for around 30 cars is available 100 metres from the entrance, and on site you'll find a café, toilets, picnic seating and a shop for your own comfort during the visit.
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