Looking across the canal and stone bridge from the south east, Deene Park's crenellated walls and lofty chimneys sit in majestic chaos against the lush Northamptonshire countryside. Little is known of the builders, or when exactly the numerous additions and alterations were made to the house, but it did evolve over six centuries from a quadrangular medieval manor house to a Georgian country mansion.

Prior to the Norman Conquest in 1066, and for some considerable time afterwards, Deene Park was part of the substantial estates of Westminster Abbey. In 1215 the house was let to Sir Ivo de Deene for an annual rent of £18 plus a commitment to provide hospitality for the Abbott and his entourage once a year as required. Remarkably, although it is not known how often it was actually taken up, this arrangement remained in place until 1970.

Both the Colet and Lytton families were known to have leased the property, before it was finally acquired by Sir Robert Brudenell in 1514. Since that time Deene Park has remained in the Brudenell family, and is still in their ownership today. Privileged with an unexpected royal visit in 1566, Deene Park played host to Queen Elizabeth when her plans to stay at Burghley House were thwarted as a result of one of Sir William Cecil's daughters contracting smallpox.

Since mediaeval times, the central courtyard has been the core of the house, and nothing has changed to the present day. Across the courtyard, from the north entrance arch, is the ornate Italianate porch that leads to the great hall in the Tudor half of the south range. Built in 1572, the magnificent Hammerbeam roof, wooden wall panelling and fireplace all date from this time. An impressive stained glass window showing the arms of the family was installed early in the 17th century by Sir Thomas Burdenell, 1st Earl of Cardigan. His wife, Mary, was the daughter of Sir Thomas Tresham, the builder of nearby Lyveden and Rushton Triangular Lodge.

Like the south, the east range is one of the older parts of the house, and features a particularly striking Tudor bay window. Many alterations are known to have been made to this wing during the 18th century, including the demolition of a curved gabled chapel which was located within a raised, stone balustrade terrace. The original windows are also known to have been replaced with Georgian sashes, but these were in turn replaced by replica Jacobean stone mullions during Victorian times.

Other notable rooms in the older parts of the house include the Tapestry Room, with a magnificent plaster ceiling dating from the turn of the 17th century, and the Tower Room displaying equally fine plasterwork. A rare example of an early Tudor room is that named 'King Henry VII's Room' (apparently to mark the occasion of a visit by the king during the tenure of Sir Henry Colet, according to the 1st Lord Cardigan), where linen-fold panelling and an original stone fireplace have survived. Lady Cardigan's Room, and the turret that was converted into her bathroom, mark the end of the 16th century Tudor south range.

Rooms in the western half of the south range were added during the late 18th - early 19th century, following the demolition of the old service wing c1746. These rooms contain many fine pieces of furniture, as well as books, ornaments and a large selection of paintings.

The gardens are mainly laid to lawn but, in 1990, an impressive parterre running along the south range of Deene Park was designed by David Hicks. Beyond the parterre, the south gardens are stepped down to the canal, which runs under a lovely old stone bridge constructed from the 17th century balusters that once formed the raised east front terrace. At the end of the Long Border stands an octagonal stone summer house, erected by the 7th Earl at some time during the 19th century.