Northampton in Northamptonshire

Northampton is a Town in the county of Northamptonshire.

Northampton is a large market town and the county town of Northamptonshire in the East Midlands of England. It’s situated approximately 67 miles (108 km) north-west of London and 50 miles (80 km) south-east of Birmingham, making it one of the largest towns in the UK.

Northampton’s history can be traced back to the Bronze Age, Roman, and Anglo-Saxon periods. Notably, the town was a major center for shoemaking and other leather industries during the 19th and 20th centuries, earning a reputation for producing high-quality footwear. This rich industrial history is still evident today, with several surviving factories and an active ‘Cordwainer’ sculpture in the town center, a tribute to this heritage.

In terms of landmarks, Northampton has a lot to offer. The Guildhall, with its intricate Gothic architecture, is one of the town’s most distinctive buildings. The All Saints’ Church, rebuilt in the late 17th century after the Great Fire of Northampton, and Delapré Abbey, a former nunnery dating back to the 12th century, both hold significant historical importance.

The town also boasts the Northampton Museum and Art Gallery, home to the world’s largest collection of historic footwear. The museum tells the story of Northampton’s growth and prosperity, primarily through its shoemaking industry.

Northampton’s thriving cultural scene includes the Royal & Derngate, one of the main theatres in the UK which offers a varied program of touring productions, and the Deco, a beautiful 1930s cinema and theatre that hosts comedy, musical performances, and more.

From a sports perspective, Northampton is well represented, particularly in rugby through the Northampton Saints and in football with Northampton Town FC, nicknamed the Cobblers – another nod to the town’s shoe-making past. The Silverstone Circuit, the famous Formula 1 track, is also nearby.

The town is a hub for higher education, with the University of Northampton offering a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs to both domestic and international students. It is recognised for its commitment to social enterprise, and its new Waterside campus, which opened in 2018, is a state-of-the-art facility.

With green spaces like Abington Park and the Racecourse, Northampton also provides ample opportunity for outdoor recreation. The Grand Union Canal, running through the town, is a beautiful spot for walking and boating.

In short, Northampton is a town of contrasts, blending its rich history with modern developments, and offering a diverse range of cultural, recreational, and educational opportunities.

Northampton postcode: NN1 2

Retail in Northampton

There are great places to visit near Northampton including some great ruins, villages, castles, towns, woodlands, hiking areas, historic buildings, parks, country parks, lakes, bluebell woods, rivers and streams, gardens, disused railway lines, nature reserves, historic monuments and museums.

Don't miss Lyveden New Bield, and Overstone Hall (ruin)'s ruins if visiting the area around Northampton.

The area around Northampton features a number of interesting villages including Lilbourne, Aldwincle, Harringworth, Gretton, Great Brington, Ravensthorpe, and Earls Barton.

There are a several good castles in the Northampton area like Lilbourne Castle, and Rockingham Castle.

Kettering, Burton Latimer, Rothwell, Corby, Northampton, Kingsthorpe, and Duston are great places to visit near Northampton if you like towns.

There are a number of woodlands near Northampton including Fineshade Wood, Salcey Forest, and Coton Manor Garden.

Northampton has some unmissable hiking areas nearby like Fineshade Wood, Salcey Forest, Ravensthorpe Reservoir, and Brampton Valley Way at Northampton.

Deene Park, Kirby Hall, Welland Viaduct, Delapre Abbey, The Guildhall, National Lift Tower, and The Church of the Holy Sepulchre (Northampton) are great places to visit near Northampton if you like historic buildings.

Northampton has some unmissable parks nearby like Deene Park, Abington Park, Coton Manor Garden, and Higham Ferrers Riverside Park.

Sywell Country Park, Brixworth Country Park, Stanwick Lakes, and Irchester Country Park are great places to visit near Northampton if you like country parks.

Don't miss Sywell Reservoir, Ravensthorpe Reservoir, Sixfields Reservoir, Pitsford Water, Stanwick Lakes, and Boddington Reservoir's lakes if visiting the area around Northampton.

The area around Northampton's best bluebell woods can be found at Coton Manor Garden.

The area close to Northampton boasts some of the best rivers and streams including Northampton Marina.

Places near Northampton feature a number of interesting gardens including Cottesbrooke Hall.

Northampton is near some unmissable disused railway lines like Brampton Valley Way at Northampton,

Nature Reserves to visit near Northampton include Summer Leys Nature Reserve, Stanwick Lakes, and Nene Wetlands Nature Reserve.

Wellingborough War Memorial is one of Northampton's best, nearby historic monuments to visit in Northampton.

Rushden Museum is one of Northampton's best, nearby museums to visit in Northampton.

Northampton History

There are some historic monuments around Northampton:

Areas of Northampton

Like most towns and cities Northampton is comprised of a number of areas, once separate villages or small towns and parishes now part of Northampton.

Many of the areas of Northampton have their own character and places of interest.



Places to see near Northampton

History of Northampton

Earthworks at Hunsbury Hill, which was a settlement during the Iron Age

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Lakes near Northampton

Shopping in Northampton

Weston Favell Shopping Centre Lings, Northampton

Weston Favell Shopping Centre retail park

Riverside Retail Park Cottarville, Northampton

Riverside Retail Park retail park

Euro Superstore 111, Kettering Road

Euro Superstore supermarket

Europe Supermarket 102a, Abington Street

Europe Supermarket supermarket

Family Shopper 123, Wellingborough Road

Family Shopper supermarket

Continental Supermarket & Halal Butcher 82, Earl Street

Continental Supermarket & Halal Butcher supermarket

The Co-operative Food 12/14, Bushland Road

The Co-operative Food supermarket

Al-Hamra Supermarket 190-192, Kettering Road

Al-Hamra Supermarket supermarket

Sing Long Oriental Supermarket 25, Swan Yard

Sing Long Oriental Supermarket supermarket

Tesco Express 1-3, Coppice Drive

Tesco Express supermarket

Where to Eat in Northampton

Streets in Northampton

The Salt and Pepper Pots

Brett Gregory is an award-winning filmmaker based in Bolton whose production company, Serious Feather, is currently making a documentary about autism and poetry.

As a part of this production, Landscape Britain was asked to advise with regards to the location of specific areas of outstanding natural beauty throughout the region.

Visit www.seriousfeather.com for further information.

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