Clare Country
A countryside of rolling fields, ancient hedgerows, and story-rich villages — forever linked to the life and work of John Clare, the “Northamptonshire Peasant Poet.”
Clare Country is a landscape of lyrical beauty and deep-rooted history — where literature, craft, and countryside life are inseparable. Centred on Helpston, birthplace of John Clare, it embraces the villages of Etton, Maxey, Northborough, Peakirk, and Glinton — the “poet’s country” whose fields, streams, and skylines shaped his words. Here, the rhythms of farming, the songs of the seasons, and the voices of working people remain part of the landscape Clare loved and recorded. His legacy continues to define the spirit of this region, inspiring walkers, writers, and those who find poetry in the everyday.
Beyond Clare’s heartland, the land rises into the limestone belt and Welland Valley, where the honey-coloured stone of Barnack, Bainton, Ufford, Southorpe, Thornhaugh, and Wittering once built cathedrals and colleges across England. This is the “stone that built England” — a heritage of skill and endurance reflected in the cottages, churches, and field walls that still shape these villages today. From meadows and wildlife reserves to conservation trails and literary festivals, Clare Country remains a place for slow exploration — a living landscape of craftsmanship, creativity, and quiet belonging.
Geographical Layout:
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- The Heartland of John Clare (Helpston, Etton, Maxey, Northborough, Glinton and Peakirk)
- The Welland Valley (Barnack, Bainton, Ufford, Southorpe, Pilsgate, Wittering and Thornhaugh)
- The Burghley Estate and Stamford Fringe
- Countryside paths and John Clare Countryside trails linking to Nene Reaches (Castor, Ailsworth and Upton)
Cultural Anchors & Symbols:
- John Clare Cottage & Garden
- John Clare Festival and literary sites
- Burghley House
- Medieval churches and village greens
- Nature Reserves and conservation areas
- The Welland Valley Limestone Heritage Area
Clare Country Walks
Salter's Way
An Amble Around the River
John Clare Cottage
Visit the home of poet John Clare in Helpston — the “peasant poet” who gave voice to rural England. The cottage, gardens and museum celebrate his life, work and enduring love of nature.
Exotic Pet Refuge
Meet meerkats, monkeys, reptiles, and more at this dedicated animal rescue centre, open on select days to support its vital conservation work.
Barnack Hills & Holes NNR
Wander among wildflowers and rolling grassy humps in this former medieval quarry, now one of Britain’s richest wildlife habitats.
St Botolph’s Church, Helpston
St Botolph’s Church, Helpston, is a beautiful medieval parish church entwined with the life and poetry of John Clare. It remains a place of peace, reflection, and literary pilgrimage within Peterborough’s tranquil Clare Country landscape.
Burghley House
Burghley House is one of England’s grandest Elizabethan estates, blending majestic architecture, art, and parkland. Discover opulent staterooms, explore centuries of family history, wander the sculpture gardens and Capability Brown landscapes, and enjoy a full calendar of seasonal events, exhibitions, and country fairs.
