Nestling by the River Nene just four miles northeast of Oundle, the tiny hamlet of FOTHERINGHAY has long been left to its own devices, but its medieval heyday is recalled by its magnificent church of St Mary and All Saints , rising mirage-like above the green riverine meadows. Begun in 1411 and a hundred and fifty years in the making, the church is a paradigm of the Perpendicular, its exterior sporting wonderful arching buttresses, its nave lit by soaring windows and the whole caboodle topped by a splendid octagonal lantern tower. The interior is a tad bleak and bare, though there are two fancily carved medieval pieces to look for - a pulpit and a fine stone font.

Fotheringhay castle witnessed two key events - the birth of Richard III in 1452 and the beheading of Mary, Queen of Scots in 1587. On the orders of Elizabeth I, Mary was executed in the castle's Great Hall with no one to stand in her defence - apart, that is, from her dog, who is said to have rushed from beneath her skirts as her head dropped off. Not long afterwards, the castle fell into disrepair and nowadays only a thistle-covered mound remains to mark its position; it's signposted - down a narrow lane on the bend of the road as you come into the village from Oundle.

Fotheringhay has an excellent pub , the Falcon , where the food is delicious and there is a good range of beers.