Museums

At Abington Abbey asylum patients were encouraged to take exercise in the grounds of the house. It was thought that the fresh air would help their treatment.

Patients were taken out in carriages to enjot the air. The Victoria was an elegant french carriage, possibly based on a phaeton made for King George IV. This type of carriage would have been used in the 1870s for gentlemen to travel to sporting events and for rides in the countryside. The Victoria got its name when one was imported to England by Edward VII, the Prince of Wales in 1869. This royal connection made it very popular amongst wealthy families. It was usually drawn by one or two horses and was used by ladies for riding in parks, especially with a stylish coachman. The carriage belonged to R. B. Loder Esq of Maidwell Hall in Northampton. He was also Northampton Hospital’s Management Committee President in 1923.

A place to breathe

In this section of the exhibition discover the importance of the park environment. For many visitors today, a walk in the park is the most popular way to relax and enjoy free time. We share stories that reveal how important the park is to its residents. We collected stories to support the redisplay at Abington Park Museum in 2017.

Listen to Abington stories