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Northampton's position in the centre of England has given it national importance ever since the Norman Conquest of 1066. It is the county town of Northamptonshire, also know as the county of 'squires and spires'.

For centuries boots and shoes were manufactured here and this industrial past is celebrated at the renowned Northampton Museum and Art Gallery.

Since the decline of the leather industry Northamptons's prosperity has mainly derived from service industries, the transport firms that now ring the town and brewing (Carlsberg's UK base is located here).

The attractive old town has a fine market square, one of the largest and most impressive in England. Although the town was seriously damaged by the Great Fire of 1675, many interesting historic buildings have survived.

The well-preserved Norman church of the Holy Sepulchre is one only four remaining round churches in England. Founded in 1100 AD by Simon de Senlis, first Earl of Northampton, the church is Northampton's oldest standing building. All Saints Church in George Row is a magnificent Grade I listed building, rebuilt in 1680 after the Great Fire.

The Welsh House and Hazelrigg House in Northampton are also handsome buildings and a social history museum in Abington Park is housed in a 15th century manor house, once the home of Shakespeare's granddaugher.

Northampton's splendid Guildhall, a gem of Victorian architecture, was designed by the celebrated architect, Edward Godwin.

Northampton also boasts many modern facilities including the pedestrianised shopping area of Abington Street and several indoor shopping precincts.

Don't miss 78 Derngate, designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh.

The town has many attractive parks, gardens and riverside walks.

Members of the royal family have visited the town on many occasions, from the time of Henry I right up to the the late Princess of Wales, whose family home was at nearby Athorp.

What to see - Northampton Tourist Attractions

  Activities

Mount Baths Leisure Centre Upper Mounts, Northampton NN1 3DN
Swimming Pool, and Turkish baths in the Art Deco Healthsuite.   Mount Baths Leisure Centre information

Danes Camp Leisure Centre Clannell Road, Hunsbury, Northampton NN4 0RX
Leisure pool with flume, raincloud and jacuzzi, fitness centre, climbing wall.   Danes Camp Leisure Centre information

  Churches

Church of the Holy Sepulchre Sheep Street, Northampton
One only four remaining round churches in England. Founded in 1100 AD by Simon de Senlis, first Earl of Northampton, the church is Northampton's oldest standing building. Church of the Holy Sepulchre information

  Gardens

The Menagerie Newport Pagnell Road, Horton near, Northampton NN7 2BX
Menagerie is a very unusual house and garden.,an outstanding 1750s rococo folly was built in the grounds- restored in 1975.The garden has formal pools with fountains and there is also a wetland and bog area.   The Menagerie information

Coton Manor Gardens Coton near, Northampton NN6 8RQ
Traditional English garden on different levels around a stone manor house dating from 1662. Features include lawns, rose garden and herbaceous borders with an extensive range of plants. Tropical house, water garden, bluebell wood.   Coton Manor Gardens information

Castle Ashby Gardens Castle Ashby, Northampton NN7 1LQ
The ancestral home of the 7th Marquess of Northampton, was built in 1574, the house is not open to the public but the 25 acres of gardens are open throughout the year. The park surrounding Castle Ashby was landscaped by 'Capability' Brown. Farmyard, plant   Castle Ashby Gardens information

Holdenby House, Northampton NN6 8DJ
Built in the 16th century by Sir Christopher Hatton just two miles from Althorp. Holdenby House provides a backdrop to the wonderful grounds.Elizabethan Garden, Silver Border, Fragrant Border and a Falconry Centre are amongst the features here.   Holdenby House information

Haddonstone Show Gardens The Forge House, Church Lane, East Haddon, Northampton NN6 8DB
North on A428, set in the walled grounds of a manor house, these beautiful gardens are laid out on different levels with shrub roses, clematis, climbers and conifers Haddonstone Show Gardens information

  Historic Houses

Althorp, Northampton NN7 4HQ
The home of the Spencer family for 500 years. The present Earl Spencer, brother of the late Princess of Wales, has converted the stable block to provide the setting for an exhibition, 'Diana: A Celebration'. Set in parkland, visitors can view the house, t   Althorp information

Canons Ashby, Northampton NN11 3SD
An ancient courtyard house that time has hardly touched. Features include the domed ceiling of the drawing room, a painted parlour with classical trompe-l'oeil, a 70 acre park and a formal garden created around 1710 with a flight of terraces.   Canons Ashby information

Cottesbrooke Hall & Gardens, Northampton NN6 8PF
A magnificent Queen Ann house set in beautiful gardens, reputed to be the original of Jane Austen's Mansfield Park.The exterior of the house is little since the early 18h century. Italianate gardens, park, formal forecourt garden.   Cottesbrooke Hall & Gardens information

Lamport Hall, Northampton NN6 9HD
Home of the Isham family from 1560 to 1976, an extended and modified Tudor house, Rooms with furniture and pictures, with possibly the oldest garden gnome in England. Gardens and park.   Lamport Hall information

78 Derngate entrance via 82 Derngate, Northampton NN1 IUH
Designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh, and previously owned by Northampton businessman Wenman Joseph Bassett-Lowke , the house is now restored, and in the adjoining house is a modern gallery.   78 Derngate information

Guildhall St Giles Square, Northampton NN1 1DE
A splendid building, built in 1864 by Edward Godwin. Guildhall information

  Museums

Northampton Museum and Art Gallery Guildhall Road, Northampton NN1 1DP
Special sections on footware and a shoe collection, together with art gallary and cermics, temporary exhibits held. Northampton Museum and Art Gallery information

Abington Museum Abington Park, Northampton NN1 5LW
in a 15th century manor house, local exhibits with the history of the Northamptonshire Regiment and fashion and leathercraft galleries. Cafe in the park. Abington Museum information

  Out & About

Hunsbury Hill Country Park Hunsbury Hill Road, Danes Camp Way, Northampton
off A43 Towcester Road. 80 acres of park with nature reserve, picnic and barbeque areas, playing fields, children's activity area, playground, and view point. Hunsbury Hill Country Park information

Brixworth Country Park, Northampton
A508, 5 miles north of Northampton, this country park overlooks Pitsford Water. Bikes can be hired here and there are trails around the reservoir. Brixworth Country Park information

Sywell Country Park, Northampton
Off the A4500, woodland, meadows, a small wildlife display, a play area and walks around the lake (the Edwardian reservoir and waterworks opened in 1906). Fishing is also permitted here. Sywell Country Park information

  Railway

Northampton & Lamport Railway Pitsford Road, Chapel Brampton, Northampton NN6 8BA
Operated by volunteers since 1995, steam and diesel locomotives run on a stretch of the former Northampton to Market Harborough branch line through picturesque Brampton Valley.   Northampton & Lamport Railway information

Where to stay in Northampton

Call our Hotel Telephone Reservations Line: 0870 4786316

Hotels

Hilton Northampton Hotel 100 Watering Lane, Collingtree Northampton NN4 0XW MAP
This Hilton hotel with gym and swimming pool is just off the M1 and 10 minutes south of Northampton town centre. There is a café, relaxed bar and all-day restaurant. Hilton Northampton Hotel is about 12 miles from Silverstone Race Circuit. Luton Airport...
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Northampton Marriott Hotel Eagle Drive Northampton NN4 7HW MAP
Ideally located for business events in the East Midlands, this modern hotel in Northampton is just off junction 15 of the M1, and close to the A45. Following a GBP 2 million refurbishment programme, the Northampton Marriott Hotel offers a range of modern...
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Sedgebrook Hall Chapel Brampton near Northampton NN6 8BD MAP
Sedgebrook Hall is a 4 star style of property in Chapel Brampton, one of the most picturesque villages in the area. Very near to Althorpe House it has 102 en-suite bedrooms, indoor pool, gym (over 18s only!), sauna, tennis courts and snooker room.. ...
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Westone Manor Hotel Ashley Way, Weston Favell Northampton NN3 3EA MAP
Easily accessible from the A43, A45 and M1, this traditional hotel set in private grounds is only a few minutes’ drive from Northampton, and is convenient for Silverstone. The hotel is only a few minutes’ drive from major business parks, including B...
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Holiday Inn Rugby-Northampton M1 Jct18 Northampton NN6 7XR MAP
Ideally located off junction 18 of the M11, this spacious, elegant and modern hotel is set in its own grounds on the outskirts of Rugby. The Holiday Inn Rugby/Northampton has 2 rooms equipped for customers with special mobility needs. With a lounge and ...
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Holiday Inn Northampton West M1 Junc 16 High Street Northampton NN7 4LP MAP
Within easy access of the M1 yet in a peaceful village location, this hotel provides value-for-money accommodation for business and leisure guests alike. As well as being approximately 5 miles from Northampton and Daventry town centres, there are many a...
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Plough Hotel Bridge Street Northampton NN1 1PF MAP
Plough Hotel offers free parking and spacious rooms a few minutes' walk from Northampton town centre and 0.5 miles from Northampton Train Station. The Plough has a cafe bar with free Wi-Fi and plasma TVs showing sports, and it serves food and drinks ever...
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Guest Houses, Bed and Breakfasts, Inns and other Hotels

Overstone Park Resort Hotel with FREE GOLF (MON-THUR) Billing Lane Near Northampton NN6 0AS MAP
Set in 165 acres of beautiful Victorian Parkland, Overstone Park Hotel is a unique and unusual resort, themed on a "Scandanavian Style" village. Just minutes from J15 of the M1 or the A1/A14 links, the resort is ideal for business guests.. ...
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The Walnut Tree Inn 21 Station Road Blisworth near Northampton NN7 3DS MAP
Relaxed and informal country inn with confortable ensuite rooms and an excellent restaurant serving freshly prepared food. A lively bar and regular live music. Close to Silverstone and Junction 15.. ...
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Church Farm Lodge 4* Bed & Breakfast

Church Farm Lodge Harrington Northampton NN6 9NT MAP
Tucked away in tranquil countryside, Church Farm Lodge offers 4-star luxury accommodation in 3 large, converted barns. There is free Wi-Fi and ample parking. Church Farm Lodge has good road links and is just 2 miles off the A14, and only 10 minutes’ fr...
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The Langham Hotel 4-5 Langham Place, Barrack Road Northampton NN2 6AA MAP
Conveniently situated a short walk from the town centre, our hotel is minutes from the town's mainline railway station and within easy access of business and industrial estates. A family-run business established for over 35 years, we pride ourselves in ...
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Around The Northampton Area

Tourist Information on Nearby Towns To Visit - straight line distance:
Towcester (8.48 miles) Wellingborough (9.63 miles) Olney (10.09 miles) Daventry (11.22 miles) Harrold (12.36 miles) Kettering (13.13 miles) Milton Keynes (15.38 miles) Market Harborough (16.69 miles) Buckingham (16.71 miles) Brackley (17.87 miles) Corby (19.21 miles)