Overview: Every once in a while, the Brave Plymothian finds themselves in a county far away from Devon. This Plymouth Planner details one’s itinerary on such a day, taking you on a tour of the quirky town of Oundle, Northamptonshire.
Expected Cost: Around £13. This planner does not include transit costs, because it is a little odd for a Plymothian to Foundle (find themselves in Oundle). Therefore, on this Plan one can expect to pay £2 for postcards at the museum, £7 or so for lunch at the café, £.80 for sending their postcard(s), and around £4 for a local brew.
Solo Savvy?: This is an excellent adventure for the solo traveller. The museum guides are two jolly old men. Even if they made a move, you would have plenty of time to react.
Expected Duration: Two hours, depending on your question volume and the guides’ naptimes.
Requirements: Other than the actual nature of Foundle (finding oneself in Oundle), this Planner requires very little. As usual, rain jacket recommended.
The Plan: It’s suggested to begin one’s Toundle (Tour of Oundle) by walking in to the city from the outskirts. It is recommended to cross in via Oundle Wharf. Pause for a moment at the bridge. Across the river and hidden from view is the massive Roman archaeological dig that you will learn about later on your museum tour.
Walk into town via Station Road, past cute doorways that make Hobbits feel tall. You will meander to a group of imposing stone buildings on your right. If you Foundle on a weekday during the school term, you may see students in their long pin-striped culottes. This is the very modern school uniform for 1,100 students who attend Oundle School, of which only 250 are local. According to your (eventual) museum guides, Oundle School owns 45% of the land in Oundle. The school consistently places in top ranks for testing standards and is, according to one former biology teacher, “One of the best schools in the UK.” After passing Oundle School, round a corner into the main city centre. Market Place, the thoroughfare, is divided by a building erected in the center of the streets (the tree in the middle of the river). On the right are charity shops and banks; on the left are traditional sweet shops, grocers, and other store fronts. Pick your side and continue past. You will return to this location later.
The museum is located in the old courthouse at the end of Market Place. When you reach the fork in the road, cross the street and enter the museum on your left. Don’t worry if there is a sign on the door that says it’s closed; it’s probably open and a lady named Terry simply forgot to take down the sign.
The museum entrance is the first door on your left. If you’re lucky, two gentlemen named Keith and Ioan will be there. They are the museum guides. If it’s been a slow day, Ioan will probably exclaim, “We have a visitor? Wonderful!” The Brave Plymothian must ask for a personal tour led by Keith and colored by Ioan. The front room of the museum is the former courtroom. Keith will use the scaled version of the previous layout to explain how the room has changed. Before that he will explain that Oundle was first a trading hub for Romans, who had a massive Christian burial ground nearby (the famed archaeological dig you saw across the river). Ioan will pepper Keith’s explanations with descriptions of what the town was like 63 years ago. That’s when he moved there for a one-year Biology teaching gig at Oundle School that extended to his retirement. Be sure to ask Ioan his perspective on teaching Biology as the human genome was being discovered (“marvellous”). At some point, you may end up sprawled on the ground with Keith, examining the map of Oundle painted below your feet. You will be impressed by the technical details added to the museum, like interactive videos. Apparently, some members of the Museum Board are willing IT contributors.
But wait: there’s more! After touring the front room, Keith will bring you to the superb, fantastic, confounding, “Cabinets of Curiosities.” This is where local Oundle-ites donate their special collections for public viewing. Other than the prerequisite Elvis paraphernalia, there exists a collection of egg cups, teddy bears, impressive Victorian clothing, custom machinery, and more. Keith may look forlornly at the collections; you see, the owner of everything Elvis lives near Keith and keeps the good stuff at his house. Apparently, you can’t even trust the courthouse security these days…
When you can’t possibly handle any more stimulation, sign your name in the guestbook and buy a postcard or two at the desk. A £1 donation is sufficient. Wish the boys farewell and head back toward Beans Coffee Stop on New Street. You probably noticed the cheery exterior and big windows when you walked past earlier; it’s now on your left. Order a tuna salad (the greens and homemade dressing are excellent). Pull up a seat in the window and pen your postcards as you watch townspeople stroll by. When you’ve finished your meal and rested your tired noggin, exit Beans to the left. Next to the café is a little shop; at the back of the shop is the Post Office (you will see the red sign hanging above the shop entrance).
This is one of the best post offices in all of England. You will be called “sir” and “darling” from the moment you walk in. There will probably be two tellers who may argue for the honour to serve you. You will wonder how UK customer service was ever considered lacking. You will wish you had a million heavy, awkward, expensive packages to send, and may be tempted to purchase something ridiculous just to spend more time at the incredible institution.
Now that your long day of touring and errand-running is complete, it’s time for a brew. You’re going to the Ship Inn, a local pub where many a Coundle (Couple from Oundle) have met their soulmate. Exit the post office, go back toward the museum, and it’s through the well-labelled alleyway on your left. Order a beer from the local brwery, Nene Valley. If it’s sunny, pull up a seat outside in the courtyard; if it’s rainy, you will find plenty of friends at the dark bar. Pull out the “History of our Landscape” brochure picked up at the museum. It was written by Ioan himself. Read it just to make sure you didn’t miss any important details on today’s tour. See if you can taste the history of Oundle in the hops (or is that just the flavour or Roman bones from the local river…?)
That’s the end of this edition of the Plymouth Planner, Foundle! Stay tuned for next week’s Plan: Heavenly Hobbies.
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