Northampton Tourist Attractions
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Northampton, county town of Northamptonshire, is an important industrial town, noted particularly as a center for the boot and shoe industry. At the end of the 17th century the town was ravaged by a fire which destroyed many historic old buildings, including some dating from the Saxon and Norman periods. The town, which lies on the northern bank of the River Nene, possesses two important churches and one of the largest market places in England. Northampton's oldest building is the Church of The Holy Sepulchre, built in 1100.The dispute between Henry II and Thomas Becket in 1164 took place in Northampton Castle, the site of which is now occupied by a railroad station. During the Wars of the Roses (1455-1485), Lancastrian forces were defeated not far from the town in 1460 and Henry VI was taken prisoner.Northampton has several parks, the Billing Aquadrome leisure park and two indoor shopping centres.
Church of the Holy Sepulchre
Northampton has one of England's four round churches, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Sheep Street, which is modeled on the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. It originally belonged to a monastic house and was founded by Simon de Senlis, Earl of Northampton (d. 1109), who had taken part in a crusade to the Holy Land. The present nave, eight steps higher than the original one, is in Early English style, the apse is modern, the tower Perpendicular. The interior is highly impressive with its massive Norman piers; the choir, built in 1860-64 under Sir Gilbert Scott, is worth a special look.
Northhampton - Shopping and Entertainment
In the city center, the shops in the Grosvenor Centre and around the neighboring Market Square offer an excellent choice. The modern Derngate entertainments complex offers both cultural and sporting events, including the Victorian Theatre Royal.
Churches
Near the Market Square stands All Saints Church, built after the 1675 fire, with a 14th century tower which survived the fire. On the front there is a statue of Charles II wearing a toga and a full wig (1712). The Church of St Peter, in Marefair, is a typical example of the richly decorated Middle Norman style (about 1160). St Matthew's Church in Kettering Road is worth a visit for the sake of Henry Moore's "Madonna and Child" (1944) and Graham Sutherland's "Crucifixion" (1946).
Museums
The Museum and Art Gallery in Guildhall Road reflects Northampton's main industry and contains a collection of footwear from Roman times to the present day. Nearby in Bridge Street there is also a leatherwork museum (including objects from ancient times to contemporary designs).
Surroundings
Attractions in the surrounding area of Northampton include the home of Shakespeare's granddaughter and Castle Ashby.
Abington Mansion - Museum
Abington Park (1mi/2km; on the Wellingborough road out of Northampton) was once the home of Shakespeare's granddaughter, Lady Elizabeth Bernard. The mansion, which dates from the 15th century, was substantially rebuilt in 1740 and is today a museum.
Althorp House
Althorp House (6mi/10km northwest of Abington Park) is the seat of the Earl Spencer. The mansion was built in 1573, but its present appearance is owed largely to alterations carried out by Henry Holland at the end of the 18th C. In summer the house is open to the public and visitors can admire the outstanding collection of paintings, which includes works by Reynolds, van Dyck, Kneller and Gainsborough, as well as the valuable porcelain collection.
Castle Ashby Gardens
Castle Ashby (6mi/10km east of Althorp), seat of the Marquess of Northampton, is an Elizabethan house with a facade of 1635 and an interesting stone balustrade lettered with the Latin text of Psalm 127. The tapestries and paintings by European masters in the house and the park, which was designed by "Capability Brown", are all well worth seeing.The gardens have lakes, follies, a temple, a formal Italian garden with orangery, Victorian terraces and an arboretum. There is also an extensive nature trail.
Canons Ashby House
Canon's Ashby House is a National Trust property located in Daventry. The house features Elizabethan wall paintings and fine Jacobean plasterwork set in a formal garden with an Augustinian Priory Church.
Corby
Corby (pop. 52,300) was founded as a steel town in the 1930's. Corby has a large Scottish population and their heritage is a treasured aspect of life in the town. There is an annual Highland Gathering.
Kirby Hall
Kirby Hall is an English Heritage property located near Corby. The stone-built Elizabethan mansion was begun in 1570, but also has 17th century alterations.
Oundle
Oundle (pop. 3,500) is a small market town, that served as a trading place for farmers and craftsmen, with many interesting houses. Oundle also has several churches, the Stahl Theatre and a skatepark.
Kettering
Kettering (pop. 75,200) is located 50mi/80km east of Birmingham. The economoy was built on the footwear industry and now Kettering has a large commuter population. The town is working on a regeneration project to refurbish the town centre.
Boughton House
Numerous treasures that were the property of third Lord Montagu and his wives are still to be found in this 17th C house. Of particular note is the great hall with its barrel vault roof and decorative painting of 'The Marriage of Hercules and Hebe'. Other paintings and furnishings are of exceptionally high quality as Montagu spared little expense in making this lavish household.
Geddington - Eleanor Cross
One of the crosses erected by Edward I to mark the route of his wife Eleanor's body as it traveled toward Westminster Abbey.
Rushton Triangular Lodge
Built by Sir Thomas Tresham in 1597, the shape of this building symbolizes the Holy Trinity, fundamental to the Catholic beliefs which caused his imprisonment.
Wellingborough
Wellingborough (pop. 71,100) is located on the Nene River 60mi/97km northwest of London. The Castle Theatre is located on the site of Wellingborough's old Cattle Market and features a 500 seat main theatre, drama room, art gallery and studio theatre. Wellingborough is home to many major retail chains on High Street and in the main shopping centre. The local market is held twice per week.
Daventry
Daventry (pop. 61,600) is an old town with a country park and reservoir, Daventry Country Park. It is a nature reserve and popular for birdwatching and fishing.The town hosts a street market every Tuesday and Friday, and a farmer's market on the first Saturday of each month.
Nene Way Walking Trail
The 110-mile / 176-kilometer trail follows the river Nene from its source in Northamptonshire, through Wellingborough, Northampton, Peterborough and Wisbech, before heading for its final destination at the river's mouth on the Wash.
Ecton - Birthplace of Benjamin Franklin
This period village near Northampton was home to Benjamin Franklin during his youth.
Hot Air Balloon Festival
This three-day festival takes place in late August.
