Pictures of Northampton

in the county of Northamptonshire

Take a picture tour of Northampton

Northampton Pictures Northampton Hotels Submit a history of Northampton Northampton Attractions Nearby Towns Submit Pictures Northampton Map Add to favourites

About Northampton

The landscape of Northampton is dotted with reminders of its illustrious history. Despite the great fire of 1675 when much of Northampton was destroyed, it was rebuilt in such a spacious, well-planned manner leading Daniel Defoe (1661-1731) to remark "Northampton is the handsomest and best built town in this part of England", and fortunately today the town remains attractive, retaining the same pleasant atmosphere.

During the 18th-century the town founded its prosperity of the manufacture of leather goods. In the collection owned by Northampton Museum and Art Gallery are the slippers worn by Queen Victoria on the occasion of the marriage to Prince Albert, Margot Fonteyn's ballet pumps, and sandals from Roman times, thus giving credence to the town's place in history as an important centre for leather. This is also famous hunting country and the town was known for its production of riding boots and saddles.

In the town centre visitors can see superb architecture, the guildhall is singularly spectacular, and of interest is the mighty Express Lift Tower which is fondly referred to as " The Northampton Lighthouse" there are some lovely three-storey Victorian houses and All Saints Church is a wonderful example of the rebuilding and restoration work following the fire. The church dominates the centre of the town and is surrounded by a myriad of picturesque streets and narrow alleyways. The central market square remains the hub of the town, it is renowned throughout the county for it lively open-air market. The square is 750 years old, and one of the largest in the country.

The town is fortunate in its spectacular position on the River Nene, the Grand Union Canal is another of Northampton's famous waterways. A couple of centuries ago the canal was the scene of barges hauling goods, now it is narrow boats and eye catching pleasure craft attracting attention. Other leisure facilities close to the town include; Silverstone motor racing circuit, and the Santa Pod and Rockingham Speedway.



One of Northampton's historic treasures is Castle Ashby House, this was built by the Compton family in 1574 with the sole intention of it being a fitting place in which to lavishly entertain Queen Elizabeth I. Today, the family still live in their historic home, but the entertainment is for corporate events and weddings.

Within the town there are excellent shopping facilities, a good choice of pubs and restaurants, and those seeking night-life will find plenty of entertainment in the towns clubs and casino's.

Northampton is surrounded by lovely countryside where you can explore waterways, woods and historic sites. Althorp Park, home of the late Diana, Princess of Wales is within easy driving distance, this for its now legendry associations as well as being the last resting place of the late Princess is well worth seeing.

This is a town that offers huge scope, there are leisure opportunities as well as opportunities to explore the town's social and development history. It is a town of charm which will not disappoint.

Planning a visit? Please see below for other recommended towns, attractions and recommended hotels nearby.

Distances and directions below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner

Recommended attractions near Northampton

Abington Park Museum	(1.6 miles, 2.6 km, direction E)	Pictures
Billing Aquadrome	(3.4 miles, 5.4 km, direction E)	Pictures
Althorp	(5.0 miles, 8.1 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Pitsford Reservoir	(5.7 miles, 9.1 km, direction N)	Pictures
Sywell Reservoir Country Park	(5.8 miles, 9.3 km, direction NE)	Pictures
Brixworth Country Park	(6.1 miles, 9.8 km, direction N)	Pictures
Salcey Forest	(6.5 miles, 10.4 km, direction SE)	Pictures
Castle Ashby House	(7.1 miles, 11.4 km, direction E)	Pictures
Brampton Valley Way Country Park	(9.3 miles, 14.9 km, direction N)	Pictures
Coton Manor Wildlife Garden	(9.5 miles, 15.2 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Emberton Country Park	(10.6 miles, 17.0 km, direction SE)	Pictures
Irchester Country Park	(10.7 miles, 17.3 km, direction E)	Pictures
Daventry Country Park	(10.9 miles, 17.5 km, direction W)	Pictures
Kelmarsh Hall & Gardens	(11.6 miles, 18.6 km, direction N)	Pictures
Silverstone Motor Racing Circuit	(12.4 miles, 19.9 km, direction S)	Pictures

All attractions in Northampton
All attractions in Northamptonshire
Complete A to Z of attractions in England

Recommended towns near Northampton

Stoke Bruerne, in the county of Northamptonshire (6.7 miles, 10.8 km, direction S)
Lying just south of Northampton this beautiful canal village offers a wealth of interest to any boating enthusiast or any country lover.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Lamport, in the county of Northamptonshire (8.6 miles, 13.8 km, direction N)
Tranquil Northamptonshire village set in fine countryside. Noted for splendid Lamport Hall built in the 17th-century and home of the Isham family for over 400 years.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Guilsborough, in the county of Northamptonshire (9.0 miles, 14.5 km, direction NW)
Hidden amongst leafy lanes and glorious poppy fields of the undulating Northamptonshire countryside, lies the peaceful village of Guilsborough.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Everdon, in the county of Northamptonshire (9.9 miles, 16.0 km, direction W)
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Olney, a Historic Market Town in the county of Buckinghamshire (10.4 miles, 16.7 km, direction SE)
Amongst other things the small town of Olney in Buckinghamshire is famous for its hymns - Amazing Grace was one of the so-called Olney Hymns written by the rector John Newton, and William Cowper, the poet.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Badby, in the county of Northamptonshire (12.0 miles, 19.3 km, direction W)
Badby is an attractive village spread around a hillside. It shows a confection of pretty cottages, some of which are thickly thatched with creeper climbing up to pretty dormer windows.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Newport Pagnell, a Historic Market Town in the county of Buckinghamshire (12.9 miles, 20.8 km, direction SE)
Visitors here can find plenty to interest them, the town has the worlds oldest iron-bridge still in use for motorised traffic.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Stony Stratford, a Historic Market Town in the county of Buckinghamshire (12.9 miles, 20.8 km, direction S)
The pretty market town of Stony Stratford is an ancient town built around the Roman road 'Watling Street' which runs through the...
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Rothwell, a Historic Market Town in the county of Northamptonshire (13.3 miles, 21.4 km, direction N)
Interesting market town, with a long history, its market charter was granted in 1204.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Rushton, in the county of Northamptonshire (14.7 miles, 23.7 km, direction N)
The picturesque village of Rushton set between Desborough and Rothwell is famous for the Rushton Triangular Lodge built in 1593 by Roman Catholic Sir Thomas Tresham to symbolise the Holy Trinity.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Stanford on Avon, in the county of Northamptonshire (14.9 miles, 24.0 km, direction NW)
Picturesque village straddling the banks of the River Avon.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Milton Keynes, in the county of Buckinghamshire (15.3 miles, 24.6 km, direction SE)
Of interest to visitors to the town is Milton Keynes Museum, this preserves the history of the town and its area from the early 19th century through to the present day.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Sulgrave, in the county of Northamptonshire (15.4 miles, 24.8 km, direction SW)
USA President George Washington's ancestral home in England.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Culworth, in the county of Northamptonshire (15.5 miles, 24.9 km, direction SW)
Sweet Northamptonshire village set amid delightful open countryside which centuries ago was sufficiently important to have it's own fair and market.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Buckingham, a Historic Market Town in the county of Buckinghamshire (17.1 miles, 27.4 km, direction S)
Said to have been founded by 'Bucca' leader of the first Anglo Saxon settlers during the 7th century AD, and declared the county...
Info | Pictures | Hotels

All towns in Northamptonshire
Complete A to Z of towns in England

Nearby travel help

Northampton Station	(0.4 miles, 0.6 km)
M1 Junction 15A	(2.7 miles, 4.4 km, direction SW)
M1 Junction 15	(3.4 miles, 5.5 km, direction S)
Long Buckby Station	(8.7 miles, 14.0 km, direction NW)
London Luton Airport	(33.9 miles, 54.5 km, direction SE)
Birmingham International Airport	(38.3 miles, 61.6 km, direction W)
Northampton to London	(60.5 miles, 97.4 km, direction SE)

Hotels & Accommodation in Northampton

Hotel Name	Approximate distance from Northampton center
Park Inn Northampton	(0.2 miles, 0.3 km)
Best Western Lime Trees Hotel	(0.5 miles, 0.8 km)
Coach House	(1.1 miles, 1.7 km)
Sedgebrook Hall	(1.3 miles, 2.1 km, direction SW)
Holiday Inn Northampton	(1.8 miles, 2.9 km, direction SE)
Quality Hotel Northampton	(2.8 miles, 4.5 km, direction NE)
Express By Holiday Inn Northampton	(3.9 miles, 6.3 km, direction S)
The Worlds End	(5.1 miles, 8.2 km, direction E)
Holiday Inn Northampton West M1 Junc 16	(6.1 miles, 9.8 km, direction W)
The Falcon Hotel	(6.9 miles, 11.1 km, direction E)
All hotels in Northampton