Northamptonshire Tourist Guide - Articles
Northamptonshire Market Towns
Northamptonshire has one of the greatest concentrations of attractive, historic market towns, in the UK.
We recommend that visitors interested in capturing the true character of this county and exploring its fascinating history, starts with a tour of some of the Northamptonshire Market Towns including: Brackley, Daventry, Desborough, Kettering, Northampton, Rothwell, Thrapston, Towcester, Oundle and Wellingborough.
The Northamptonshire Market Towns are:
Brackley
About Brackley: situated on the northern edge of the Cotswolds, thriving historic market town; many popular attractions nearby, e.g. Silverstone Circuit , Towcester Racecourse;
Historical Interest: remains of habitation found in Brackley area dating back to Iron Age; sections of the Magna Carta allegedly drawn up at Brackley;
Places to Visit in & Around Brackley: Hospital of St James and St John, founded 1150; Sir Thomas Crewe's Almshouses, founded 1633; St James Lake (manmade lake, angling, walking, nature trails); Brackley Leisure Centre.
Daventry
About Daventry: busy modern, market town; Daventry dates back to Saxon times; Daventry’s central location makes an ideal base for exploring Northamptonshire’ many nearby attractions, e.g. Althorp, Silverstone;
Historical Interest: expanded rapidly in Elizabethan period; major coaching centre before advent of railways; prosperous silk spinning, weaving and shoe-making centre during Industrial Revolution;
Places to Visit in & Around Daventry: National Monument on Borough Hill (late Bronze Age hill fort), Canons Ashby House (home of Dryden family), Daventry Town Council Museum; Northern Valley Park, Daventry Leisure Centre, Daventry Sports Park.
Desborough
About Desborough: small market town, Desborough originated in Bronze Age; now modern commercial town;
Historical Interest: Desborough, one of first British towns to set up a Cooperative Society to protect its workforce; The Old Manor House, Gold Street (reputedly belonged to Ferdinando Poulton of Gunpowder Plot fame);
Places to Visit in & Around Desborough: Desborough Market (The Square, Thursday mornings); St Giles Church (built approximately 1225 AD); The Glass Workshop (over 800 handmade glass figures).
Kettering
About Kettering: small farming community surrounded by forests in medieval times; today, lively town of Kettering boasts numerous tourist facilities (great accommodation, restaurants, pubs, etc); plenty to see and do;
Historical Interest: Kettering first mentioned in a Charter, 956 AD; Kettering expanded rapidly during 9th century with the boot and shoe industry (many streets named after important people from Kettering’s industrial heyday);
Places to Visit in & Around Kettering: Manor House Museum (Kettering) & The Alfred East Art Gallery; Boughton House (‘England’s Versailles’); Eleanor Cross, Geddington (marks spot where body of Eleanor of Castile, wife of Edward I rested, 1290 en route to Westminster Abbey); Wicksteed Park (147 acres of parkland, lakes, rides, attractions).
Northampton
About Northampton: England’s third largest town in 12th century; Northampton is today still England’s third largest town; vibrant modern town; strategic regional business centre; excellent tourist base; Silverstone Circuit, Santa Pod, Rockingham speedways, nearby.
Historical Interest: Northampton already an important town in the Kingdom of Mercia by 8th century; Northampton once world-famous as ‘England’s Shoe Town’; Thomas a Becket’s trial conducted in Northampton Castle; Northampton granted first Charter by Richard I, 1189; Great Fire of 1675 destroyed most of Northampton's mediaeval timber buildings;
Places to Visit in & Around Northampton: Victorian Guildhall; over 750-year old Northampton Market Square (one of England’s largest open-air markets); Abington Museum; Billing Aquadrome; Northampton Museum and Art Gallery.
Rothwell
About Rothwell: ancient market town, Rothwell offers a charming blend of period architecture, listed buildings, historic monuments; up-market tourist accommodation/ facilities; specialist shopping opportunities;
Historical Interest: known in ancient times as ‘Rodewell (place of the red well’), after the red iron-coloured waters from fresh-spring waters in the area; King John issued Royal Charter, 1204 granting Rothwell a Market Charter (Mondays); important walled town during Middle Ages;
Places to Visit in & Around Rothwell: Holy Trinity (14th century parish church, longest in England, bone crypt); Rothwell weekly market (Mondays); Market House (designed by William Grumbold for Thomas Tresham, 1578).
Thrapston
About Thrapston: delightful, peaceful market town, situated at crossroads of two Roman roads; conservation area, on edge of Rockingham Forest; popular Northamptonshire tourist destination; strong US connections;
Historical Interest: granted Charter by King John, 1205; 13th century Church of St James (Mary Washington, ancestor of George Washington, buried here).
Places to Visit in & Around Thrapston: outdoor activities (walking, sailing, fishing, etc).
Towcester
About Towcester: origins dating back to the Middle Stone Age, Northamptonshire’s oldest town; beautiful countryside setting; central Towcester designated conservation area; several Grade II listed buildings; prosperous commercial hub (centred around Watling Street);
Historical Interest: flourished in Roman times as garrison town built across Roman road, Watling Street; major stop-off for 18th and 19th century travellers;
Places to Visit in & Around Towcester: Towcester Racecourse; Silverstone, nearby; St Lawrence Parish Church (occupies site of Roman building, houses rare collection of ‘chained books’); 16th century Saracen’s Head (former coaching inn where Charles Dickens stayed); Towcester Farmers' Market (2nd Friday, monthly);
Oundle
About Oundle: picturesque Northamptonshire market town, encompassed three sides by River Nene; Oundle originated in Saxon times;
Historical Interest: The Talbot Inn, rebuilt 1626 using stone from neighbouring Fotheringhay Castle (where Mary Queen of Scots was beheaded, 1587); Oundle’s characteristic narrow streets and alleyways hark back to Saxon days;
Places to Visit in & Around Oundle: 13th century Oundle Church (amazing 200 ft spire); 17th century Cotterstock Hall & Gardens, associated with poet John Dryden; Latham's Hospital, North Street; Queen Victoria Hall, West Street (built 1902 to commemorate Queen Victoria’s reign); outdoor activities (walking, angling, landscape painting).
Wellingborough
About Wellingborough: situated in Nene Valley, dates back to 6th century; industrial heritage centred on iron and shoe industries; modern, thriving market town, seamless blend of ancient and modern;
Historical Interest: Wellingborough mentioned in Domesday Book as ‘Wendelburie’; town granted Market Charter, 1201; Hind Hotel, Grade II listed building, built 1600s, reputedly played host to Cromwell; Sir Francis Drake named the ‘Golden Hind’ after the Hind Hotel);
Places to Visit in & Around Wellingborough: 14th century All Hallows Church (superb mediaeval artefacts); St Mary’s Church (extolled as ‘the finest modern parish church in England’, John Betjeman); 15th century ironstone Tithe Barn; 17th century Croyland Abbey; excellent shopping facilities.
Northamptonshire Market Towns
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We recommend that visitors interested in capturing the true character of this county and exploring its fascinating history, starts with a tour of some of the Northamptonshire Market Towns including: Brackley, Daventry, Desborough, Kettering, Northampton, Rothwell, Thrapston, Towcester, Oundle and Wellingborough.
The Northamptonshire Market Towns are:
Brackley
About Brackley: situated on the northern edge of the Cotswolds, thriving historic market town; many popular attractions nearby, e.g. Silverstone Circuit , Towcester Racecourse;
Historical Interest: remains of habitation found in Brackley area dating back to Iron Age; sections of the Magna Carta allegedly drawn up at Brackley;
Places to Visit in & Around Brackley: Hospital of St James and St John, founded 1150; Sir Thomas Crewe's Almshouses, founded 1633; St James Lake (manmade lake, angling, walking, nature trails); Brackley Leisure Centre.
Daventry
About Daventry: busy modern, market town; Daventry dates back to Saxon times; Daventry’s central location makes an ideal base for exploring Northamptonshire’ many nearby attractions, e.g. Althorp, Silverstone;
Historical Interest: expanded rapidly in Elizabethan period; major coaching centre before advent of railways; prosperous silk spinning, weaving and shoe-making centre during Industrial Revolution;
Places to Visit in & Around Daventry: National Monument on Borough Hill (late Bronze Age hill fort), Canons Ashby House (home of Dryden family), Daventry Town Council Museum; Northern Valley Park, Daventry Leisure Centre, Daventry Sports Park.
Desborough
About Desborough: small market town, Desborough originated in Bronze Age; now modern commercial town;
Historical Interest: Desborough, one of first British towns to set up a Cooperative Society to protect its workforce; The Old Manor House, Gold Street (reputedly belonged to Ferdinando Poulton of Gunpowder Plot fame);
Places to Visit in & Around Desborough: Desborough Market (The Square, Thursday mornings); St Giles Church (built approximately 1225 AD); The Glass Workshop (over 800 handmade glass figures).
Kettering
About Kettering: small farming community surrounded by forests in medieval times; today, lively town of Kettering boasts numerous tourist facilities (great accommodation, restaurants, pubs, etc); plenty to see and do;
Historical Interest: Kettering first mentioned in a Charter, 956 AD; Kettering expanded rapidly during 9th century with the boot and shoe industry (many streets named after important people from Kettering’s industrial heyday);
Places to Visit in & Around Kettering: Manor House Museum (Kettering) & The Alfred East Art Gallery; Boughton House (‘England’s Versailles’); Eleanor Cross, Geddington (marks spot where body of Eleanor of Castile, wife of Edward I rested, 1290 en route to Westminster Abbey); Wicksteed Park (147 acres of parkland, lakes, rides, attractions).
Northampton
About Northampton: England’s third largest town in 12th century; Northampton is today still England’s third largest town; vibrant modern town; strategic regional business centre; excellent tourist base; Silverstone Circuit, Santa Pod, Rockingham speedways, nearby.
Historical Interest: Northampton already an important town in the Kingdom of Mercia by 8th century; Northampton once world-famous as ‘England’s Shoe Town’; Thomas a Becket’s trial conducted in Northampton Castle; Northampton granted first Charter by Richard I, 1189; Great Fire of 1675 destroyed most of Northampton's mediaeval timber buildings;
Places to Visit in & Around Northampton: Victorian Guildhall; over 750-year old Northampton Market Square (one of England’s largest open-air markets); Abington Museum; Billing Aquadrome; Northampton Museum and Art Gallery.
Rothwell
About Rothwell: ancient market town, Rothwell offers a charming blend of period architecture, listed buildings, historic monuments; up-market tourist accommodation/ facilities; specialist shopping opportunities;
Historical Interest: known in ancient times as ‘Rodewell (place of the red well’), after the red iron-coloured waters from fresh-spring waters in the area; King John issued Royal Charter, 1204 granting Rothwell a Market Charter (Mondays); important walled town during Middle Ages;
Places to Visit in & Around Rothwell: Holy Trinity (14th century parish church, longest in England, bone crypt); Rothwell weekly market (Mondays); Market House (designed by William Grumbold for Thomas Tresham, 1578).
Thrapston
About Thrapston: delightful, peaceful market town, situated at crossroads of two Roman roads; conservation area, on edge of Rockingham Forest; popular Northamptonshire tourist destination; strong US connections;
Historical Interest: granted Charter by King John, 1205; 13th century Church of St James (Mary Washington, ancestor of George Washington, buried here).
Places to Visit in & Around Thrapston: outdoor activities (walking, sailing, fishing, etc).
Towcester
About Towcester: origins dating back to the Middle Stone Age, Northamptonshire’s oldest town; beautiful countryside setting; central Towcester designated conservation area; several Grade II listed buildings; prosperous commercial hub (centred around Watling Street);
Historical Interest: flourished in Roman times as garrison town built across Roman road, Watling Street; major stop-off for 18th and 19th century travellers;
Places to Visit in & Around Towcester: Towcester Racecourse; Silverstone, nearby; St Lawrence Parish Church (occupies site of Roman building, houses rare collection of ‘chained books’); 16th century Saracen’s Head (former coaching inn where Charles Dickens stayed); Towcester Farmers' Market (2nd Friday, monthly);
Oundle
About Oundle: picturesque Northamptonshire market town, encompassed three sides by River Nene; Oundle originated in Saxon times;
Historical Interest: The Talbot Inn, rebuilt 1626 using stone from neighbouring Fotheringhay Castle (where Mary Queen of Scots was beheaded, 1587); Oundle’s characteristic narrow streets and alleyways hark back to Saxon days;
Places to Visit in & Around Oundle: 13th century Oundle Church (amazing 200 ft spire); 17th century Cotterstock Hall & Gardens, associated with poet John Dryden; Latham's Hospital, North Street; Queen Victoria Hall, West Street (built 1902 to commemorate Queen Victoria’s reign); outdoor activities (walking, angling, landscape painting).
Wellingborough
About Wellingborough: situated in Nene Valley, dates back to 6th century; industrial heritage centred on iron and shoe industries; modern, thriving market town, seamless blend of ancient and modern;
Historical Interest: Wellingborough mentioned in Domesday Book as ‘Wendelburie’; town granted Market Charter, 1201; Hind Hotel, Grade II listed building, built 1600s, reputedly played host to Cromwell; Sir Francis Drake named the ‘Golden Hind’ after the Hind Hotel);
Places to Visit in & Around Wellingborough: 14th century All Hallows Church (superb mediaeval artefacts); St Mary’s Church (extolled as ‘the finest modern parish church in England’, John Betjeman); 15th century ironstone Tithe Barn; 17th century Croyland Abbey; excellent shopping facilities.
Northamptonshire Market Towns
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