Northamptonshire Tourist Guide - Articles
Brackley
Situated on a hillside position in South Eastern Northamptonshire and on the northern edge of the Cotswolds is the ancient Market Town of Brackley . The Towns history can be traced back to the Iron Age from artefacts found when sites at Mill Lane and Castle Lane were excavated. There is also some indication of a Roman Villa being in the area of the Parish Church.
The very first small Village settlement, to the east of the Parish Church, was built on a clearing owned by Bracca, circa 550 to 650AD. He came to the area from Halse, a settlement only a short distance away. The village, once built, was named Brachelai, the pronunciation of which has changed over the centuries to become the Brackley that we know today.
Brackley was in a good strategic position to the highways of the day and expanded alongside on the intersecting trade routes from Oxford to Northampton, London to Birmingham and of course the North and as trade increased the town prospered and because of its importance, a Castle was built at the southern end of the Town for its protection. Brackley Castle was to be where King John and the Barons signed the Magna Carta in 1215, however, this event did not actually take place until after a further Year of hard fighting and it was then at Runnymead that King John was forced to sign. Today, very little evidence of there being a Castle here survives.
Brackleys wide tree lined town centre is about a mile long and has two distinct areas, the upper town and the lower town these are clearly divided by the National Trusts Brackley Park and the Towns two largest schools Maudlin College and Winchester House. In the 12th century, Brackley was granted leave to hold a Market in the Town
And there continues to be a general Market every Friday morning and a farmers Market, every third Saturday in the Month, where local produce can be bought. These are both held in the spacious Market place around the 18th century town hall..
For many years, Brackley was an important area for wool and wool fairs were also held in the old Market place.
Most shopping needs are catered for within Brackley and it boasts a number of small individual shops that take pride in giving a personal service. There is an Art Gallery and Picture Framers, the specialist Old Hall Bookshop where you can browse through a collection of centuries old antiquarian and second hand books as well as new, and a large antique cellar where you can view and choose from the collections of more than 140 independent antique dealers. Every day needs are catered for by specialist Greengrocers, Butchers, Bakers, Florists, Chemists, Newsagents and Wine Merchants. There are also two Supermarkets.
Brackley has one large Hotel, The Crown, a number of good Restaurants and takeaways, there are also several coffee and tea shops and as within any Market Town there are a number of Public Houses and Inns offering a variety of menus and various accommodation. In the 18th century, due to its position on the coaching route from London, Brackley boasted 28 Inns, to-day only 8 survive.
Buildings worthy of note within Brackley are the Town Hall built in 1707, Magdalen College School founded in 1548 for pupils to escape the plague affecting Oxford. The buildings used for the College school were previously those of the Hospital of St John and St James that was originally founded in 1150. The Almshouses founded in 1633 to re-provide accommodation for the poor, which until its closure, had been provided at the Hospital of St John and St James. The Parish Church of St Peter that boasts a beautiful 13TH century tower and an 11th century Norman doorway. There are also many beautiful Georgian and Victorian houses and shops dispersed around the Market square.
New Industries have been attracted to Brackley in more recent years and the town now hosts the main operations centre of the Honda F1 Racing Team and The Spyker F1 Team uses a wind tunnel located in Brackley. Bronnley the supplier of Soaps, whose products are bestowed with Royal Honours for the excellence of their products, are also located here.
Brackley has a thriving Community spirit and offers a wide range of sporting and recreational activities to suit all ages and abilities. Go Fishing at St James Lake, a 3 acre man made Lake which is stocked with most species of fresh water Fish, day tickets are available and there are around fifty two designated fishing pegs. The Lake is situated on the southern edge of the Town, and is set in a park of about 5 acres which is ideal for anyone wishing to enjoy the scenery and the wildlife that abounds. For anyone interested in wildfowl, there are Grebes, Coots, Moorhen, Canadian Geese and Kingfishers to see. Walking, Cycling and Boating are all activities that are well catered for throughout Northamptonshire.
Golfers can play a round or two at the Whittlebury Golf Club nearby and other sporting activities held within Brackley are, Rugby, Tennis, Football, Martial Arts training and at the Brackley Leisure Centre, Swimming, Gym and other Health orientated activities are provided. For anyone interested in Music and Dance, there is the Brackley and District Band, The Brackley Morris Men and a Brackley Music Festival is held annually in July.
For the Visitor, Brackley is in an ideal position from which to explore this area of Northamptonshire and the many attractions that it has. Silverstone is only six miles away and where you can book a drive around the Grand Prix circuit or if you are lucky, your trip may coincide with the Great race itself or even the National Championships that are held here every Year. At Towcester, you could go to the races or why not visit the Waterways Museum at Stoke Bruerne a beautiful spot to visit. Should you wish to do something really different, then go to Catanger Llamas near Weston and try Llama trekking across the Northamptonshire Countryside
There are also two country houses to visit closeby, the lovely Sulgrave Manor from where George Washingtons ancestors emigrated to America or Canons Ashby which has outstanding grounds and Gardens. If you want to venture a little further afield, you could spend a day shopping in Milton Keynes or visit Banbury to see its Cross and of course you are right on the doorstep to the lovely Cotswold scenery and beautiful tranquil villages.
Brackley has had a varied and long History and is undoubtedly a charming town to visit. It wholeheartedly embraces the twenty first century yet has managed to retain the old world charm within its beautiful Market Square.
The very first small Village settlement, to the east of the Parish Church, was built on a clearing owned by Bracca, circa 550 to 650AD. He came to the area from Halse, a settlement only a short distance away. The village, once built, was named Brachelai, the pronunciation of which has changed over the centuries to become the Brackley that we know today.
Brackley was in a good strategic position to the highways of the day and expanded alongside on the intersecting trade routes from Oxford to Northampton, London to Birmingham and of course the North and as trade increased the town prospered and because of its importance, a Castle was built at the southern end of the Town for its protection. Brackley Castle was to be where King John and the Barons signed the Magna Carta in 1215, however, this event did not actually take place until after a further Year of hard fighting and it was then at Runnymead that King John was forced to sign. Today, very little evidence of there being a Castle here survives.
Brackleys wide tree lined town centre is about a mile long and has two distinct areas, the upper town and the lower town these are clearly divided by the National Trusts Brackley Park and the Towns two largest schools Maudlin College and Winchester House. In the 12th century, Brackley was granted leave to hold a Market in the Town
And there continues to be a general Market every Friday morning and a farmers Market, every third Saturday in the Month, where local produce can be bought. These are both held in the spacious Market place around the 18th century town hall..
For many years, Brackley was an important area for wool and wool fairs were also held in the old Market place.
Most shopping needs are catered for within Brackley and it boasts a number of small individual shops that take pride in giving a personal service. There is an Art Gallery and Picture Framers, the specialist Old Hall Bookshop where you can browse through a collection of centuries old antiquarian and second hand books as well as new, and a large antique cellar where you can view and choose from the collections of more than 140 independent antique dealers. Every day needs are catered for by specialist Greengrocers, Butchers, Bakers, Florists, Chemists, Newsagents and Wine Merchants. There are also two Supermarkets.
Brackley has one large Hotel, The Crown, a number of good Restaurants and takeaways, there are also several coffee and tea shops and as within any Market Town there are a number of Public Houses and Inns offering a variety of menus and various accommodation. In the 18th century, due to its position on the coaching route from London, Brackley boasted 28 Inns, to-day only 8 survive.
Buildings worthy of note within Brackley are the Town Hall built in 1707, Magdalen College School founded in 1548 for pupils to escape the plague affecting Oxford. The buildings used for the College school were previously those of the Hospital of St John and St James that was originally founded in 1150. The Almshouses founded in 1633 to re-provide accommodation for the poor, which until its closure, had been provided at the Hospital of St John and St James. The Parish Church of St Peter that boasts a beautiful 13TH century tower and an 11th century Norman doorway. There are also many beautiful Georgian and Victorian houses and shops dispersed around the Market square.
New Industries have been attracted to Brackley in more recent years and the town now hosts the main operations centre of the Honda F1 Racing Team and The Spyker F1 Team uses a wind tunnel located in Brackley. Bronnley the supplier of Soaps, whose products are bestowed with Royal Honours for the excellence of their products, are also located here.
Brackley has a thriving Community spirit and offers a wide range of sporting and recreational activities to suit all ages and abilities. Go Fishing at St James Lake, a 3 acre man made Lake which is stocked with most species of fresh water Fish, day tickets are available and there are around fifty two designated fishing pegs. The Lake is situated on the southern edge of the Town, and is set in a park of about 5 acres which is ideal for anyone wishing to enjoy the scenery and the wildlife that abounds. For anyone interested in wildfowl, there are Grebes, Coots, Moorhen, Canadian Geese and Kingfishers to see. Walking, Cycling and Boating are all activities that are well catered for throughout Northamptonshire.
Golfers can play a round or two at the Whittlebury Golf Club nearby and other sporting activities held within Brackley are, Rugby, Tennis, Football, Martial Arts training and at the Brackley Leisure Centre, Swimming, Gym and other Health orientated activities are provided. For anyone interested in Music and Dance, there is the Brackley and District Band, The Brackley Morris Men and a Brackley Music Festival is held annually in July.
For the Visitor, Brackley is in an ideal position from which to explore this area of Northamptonshire and the many attractions that it has. Silverstone is only six miles away and where you can book a drive around the Grand Prix circuit or if you are lucky, your trip may coincide with the Great race itself or even the National Championships that are held here every Year. At Towcester, you could go to the races or why not visit the Waterways Museum at Stoke Bruerne a beautiful spot to visit. Should you wish to do something really different, then go to Catanger Llamas near Weston and try Llama trekking across the Northamptonshire Countryside
There are also two country houses to visit closeby, the lovely Sulgrave Manor from where George Washingtons ancestors emigrated to America or Canons Ashby which has outstanding grounds and Gardens. If you want to venture a little further afield, you could spend a day shopping in Milton Keynes or visit Banbury to see its Cross and of course you are right on the doorstep to the lovely Cotswold scenery and beautiful tranquil villages.
Brackley has had a varied and long History and is undoubtedly a charming town to visit. It wholeheartedly embraces the twenty first century yet has managed to retain the old world charm within its beautiful Market Square.