Bed and Breakfast in rural location, 7 miles from the centre of Kettering

Acwellsyke, literally 'Oak Well Valley' in Old English, was first known to be developed as a Roman Villa as it has a reliable spring as its water supply. After the Norman conquest, it became Crown lands and Edward I built a hunting lodge for Queen Eleanor here. Later, in the 14th Century, Edward III rebuilt the lodge for Queen Philippa. This later lodge suffered a major fire in the 16th Century and was rebuilt as a house by Lord Cecil around 1605.

We have lived here for over 20 years and have created 2.5 acres of varied gardens with several water features. Guests are welcome to roam the gardens or just find a quiet spot by our gurgling stream. We have an orchard, hens and fruit garden, the products of which naturally find their way onto the breakfast table.

There are no Public Footpaths to Keepers Lodge but the private track serving us does connect to the village of Sudborough from where numerous footpaths and bridleways extend into rural Northamptonshire. The cycling from Keepers Lodge is varied both on road and track and it is an excellent base for a cycling holiday.

We bake our own bread (sourdough, wholemeal and fruit loaves) as well curing and smoking both bacon and salmon for you to enjoy at breakfast. Coffee is Lavazza with all sorts of teas.