Northampton Tourist
Information & Travel Guide by Jamie Watters
Northampton Featured Hotels
Northampton
is a large market town and the county town of Northamptonshire. It is in
the East Midlands region of England, situated 108 km north of London on
the River Nene.
During
the 11th century the Normans built town walls and a large market grew
under the stewardship of the Norman Earl Senlis. Later Northampton grew
rapidly at the time of the Normans with the population reaching 1500
residents.
The
town underwent rapid growth when new houses were built in housing estates
at the beginning of the 20th century and by 1961 the population had
increased to 100,000. Northampton Development Corporation was set up to
increase the size of the town, targeting a population of 230,000 which
was estimated to happen in 1981. But somehow the actual growth was much
slower than they had planned for perhaps because of the emergence of its
neighbor the new town of Milton Keynes.
Northampton
is famous for Rugby, Cricket and Football. The league football club
Northampton Town, also called as the Cobblers due to the town's long
association with shoe making. Northampton Town plays at their new stadium
at Sixfields Stadium on the edge of the town. This stadium has both an
athletics track as well as a football ground which are both adjacent to
each other. Northampton is today better known for its Rugby, Northampton's
team is known as the "Saints." Probably their greatest moment
was when they won the Heineken Cup in 2000 at Twickenham Stadium, beating
their opponent Munster 9 - 8.
 One of the main
tourist attractions is "Cottesbrooke Hall and Gardens" This is
a fine stately home that was built in 1702 with the "Arts and crafts
garden" which was added in 1930. The garden is known as the pattern
for Jane Austen's Mansfield Park. Althorp pronounced as "All -
Thorp" is the country estate of the Spencer Family. Princess Diana
grew up there and her brother the Earl Spencer now lives their and
manages the estate.
The
house was made originally of red brick and but later in the 18th century
many modifications were made when Henry Holland was paid a huge
commission for the task. Kelmarsh hall is an 18th century house which is
built in a beautiful set of Romantic gardens. It is wonderful place to be
when the garden is open to the public. Because of Kelmarsh's extensive
parkland which is very attractive it is used for attractive outdoor
events and shows.
Northampton
is located near junctions 15, 15a, 16 of the M1 motorway. The 2 highways
A45 and A43 go through the towns. The A45 goes through East Birmingham
bypassing Coventry and Rugby. The A14 runs all the way to the port of
Felixstowe.
In
addition to great road connections Northampton has direct rail
connections to London (Euston) and Birmingham. You can also get
connecting trains to Liverpool, Manchester, North Wales, Crewe, Glasgow
and the Lake District all on the West Coast Mainline.
I hope
you enjoyed reading this tourist information and travel guide to
Northampton. Please look out for the next instalment which will reveal
some more interesting facts about my city.
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