Discover Corby, Northamptonshire

Corby, Northamptonshire, England: Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Corby_town_centre_-_geograph.org.uk_-_1428117.jpg
Author: Jim Smillie


Corby is a town and borough on the northern part of Northamptonshire, England. The town has a population of about 50,000 people (2012 estimate), within a borough of some 60,000 inhabitants. It is one of the fastest growing towns in England.

Human presence in the Corby area goes back to the Mesolithic and Neolithic periods, as evidenced in the discovery of artifacts from those periods. There were also human remains from the Bronze period that have been discovered. The town of Corby itself was established during Danish rule, around the 8th century.

Corby was granted a market charter in 1226 by King Henry III, allowing it to hold a weekly market and two annual fairs. In 1568 the town was granted a toll-exemption charter from Queen Elizabeth I. According to legend, she was hunting in Rockingham Forest when she got into distress - she either fell from her horse or got trapped in a bog. Upon being rescued, she granted the charter in gratitude to the villagers.

Buildings near the Corby town center: Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Near_Corby_Town_Centre_-_geograph.org.uk_-_323615.jpg
Author: Tim Heaton


Corby remained a relatively small village until 1931, when the construction of an ironstone and steel facility in the area fueled rapid development and growth. From a population of just 1,500 in 1931, it grew to 12,000 inhabitants in 1939. The decline in the steel industry sapped the town's growth in the 1960s and 70s, but when it managed to attract new industries into the area, the decline was reversed, and was once again a growing town.

Visiting Corby

Take the A1 trunk road from London until Exit 17, then continue west on the A605 road to Oundle, where you take the A427 road continuing west to reach Corby.

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