Northamptonshire tourism

Northamptonshire

This county has excellent transport links from all over the country. It is often described as the Rose of the Shires. Its rural areas are characterised by many pretty villages with thatched cottages, churches and country lanes. But this is also a very modern county, offering shops, restaurants, pubs as well as the Formula One Grand Prix in Silverstone.

Country Parks

This county has some award-winning country parks which each have their own individual character. They offer trails, easy parking, friendly staff and some great picnic spots. You can glide, swing and climb through the trees at Irchester Country Park on the Jungle Parc UK high ropes adventure course. In Sywell Country Park, you can explore the Edwardian reservoir features on the waterworks heritage trail. In Fermyn Woods Country Park are some majestic red kites. After watching them, you can enjoy some homemade cake in the Skylark Café.

Family fun

There are a number of large attractions in Northamptonshire which can be enjoyed by all the family. Enjoy motor racing at the famous Silverstone track. At Rockingham Castle, you can enjoy the atmosphere and learn about the history of roundheads and cavaliers. Wickstead Park is a major county venue for visitors. It is set in 148 acres of parkland with forty rides and attractions.

Rural Kettering, Northamptonshire

The countryside in this county here is very beautiful, offering country parks, canals and miles of walks. If you’re a cyclist there’s plenty for you here too. Miles of cycle paths follow the landscape of the Brampton Way. There are many stately homes and ancestral seats here too, including the home of the Spencer family in Althorp.

History of Northampton

Northampton started as a Saxon village called Hamm tun, which means the village beside the well-watered meadow. Later it went on to be called North Hamm tun, most likely to distinguish it from Southampton.

Northampton suffered a considerable fire in 1516 when many of its houses were ruined. Fire was a continual hazard because many of the buildings were made of wood and had thatched roofs. Like all towns during the Tudor time, Northampton also suffered outbreaks of plague. However, the town continued to grow in size and prosperity.

The rapid growth in population during the later 1800s reached a plateau after 1900. Northampton grew only gradually in the 1920s and 1930s. However, the first council houses were constructed in the 1920s. The first electric streetlights were turned on in 1892 and the early 20th century saw electric streetlights replace gas ones.

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