Situated on the River Nene, 60 miles north of London and 50 miles south of Birmingham, it is one of the largest towns in England. It’s also the hometown of stars such as comedian Alan Carr, musician Tim Minchin and Dr Who star Matt Smith.
It is also known as the men’s shoe-making capital of the world, with a strong industrial heritage of shoes and leather goods.
The late Princess Diana’s childhood home of Althorp is close by, but the town of Northampton is hoping to undergo a radical transformation after receiving a £50 million boost from the council to improve its public facilities over the next 15 years.
In the Middle Ages, the town rose to national significance with the establishment of Northampton Castle, an occasional royal residence that regularly hosted the Parliament of England in the 1300s.
The town largely supported the Parliamentary Roundheads during the English Civil War, prompting Charles II to order the destruction of the town walls and most of the castle.
The Great Fire of Northampton in 1675 also destroyed much of the historic town. Northampton was soon rebuilt and grew rapidly with the industrial development of the 18th century.
The town continued to expand with the arrival of the Grand Union Canal and the railways in the 19th century, becoming a centre for footwear and leather manufacture.
Growth was limited following the World Wars until it was designated a New Town in 1968, accelerating development, which has continued into the 21st century.
However, Northampton unsuccessfully applied for city status four times: in 1992, 2000, 2002, and 2022, and was turned down each time.
Nevertheless, the council is determined to revive the town’s fortunes and attempt to return them to their former glory.
Conservative cabinet member for local economy, culture and leisure, Dan Lister, said: “Northampton is undergoing a period of transformational change, and this masterplan will set out the next phase of regeneration projects.”
“Combining new investment with our existing schemes, the town is benefitting from improved public spaces and leisure facilities.
“As part of the public engagement, we want to hear from the people who know Northampton best—its residents and businesses—to ensure the projects meet the needs of the local community.”
Outdoor attractions near Northampton include Billing Aquadrome, Althorp House and Northampton Castle. Museums include Sywell Aviation Museum, Silverstone Museum and The National Museum of Computing.
The town is surrounded by beautiful countryside with plenty of lovely walks. The county itself is known as ‘The Rose of The Shires’ and the ‘County of Squires and Spires’.
The website Love Northampton writes: “At its height in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, the town was an occasional royal residence and hosted Parliament and the Royal Treasury.
“There’s nowhere quite like Northampton. This is the town that offers a perfect combination of bustling urban life and peaceful countryside.” For more information,visit northamptonshiresurprise.com