Discover Northamptonshire

Castle Ashby, Northamptonshire
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:CastleAshby.jpg
Author: R Neil Marshman


Northamptonshire is a landlocked county in the English East Midlands. It covers 2,364 sq km (913 sq mi) and has a population of 685,000 (2011 estimate). The county town is Northampton.

Northamptonshire is bordered by Rutland to the north, Leicestershire to the northwest, Warwickshire to the west, Oxfordshire to the south, Buckinghamshire to the southeast, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire to the east, and a 19-meter (21 yard) boundary (the shortest country boundary) with Lincolnshire to the northeast.

None of the towns in Northamptonshire has city status, including the county town Northampton, which is the third largest town in the United Kingdom without city status, after Reading and Dudley.

Northamptonshire experiences a maritime climate. The summers here are cool while the winters mild. August is the warmest month here, when the average high temperature reaches 23°C (73°F) while January is the coldest, with average lows of 2°C (36°F).

Towns in Northamptonshire

Places of Interest in Northamptonshire

Swiss Lodge, Althrop Park, Northamptonshire
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Swiss_Lodge,_Althorp_Park_-_geograph.org.uk_-_389049.jpg
Author: Jonathan Billinger


Apethorpe Hall, Apethorpe, Northamptonshire
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Apethorpe1.JPG
Author: Brookie


Unlike other parts of Britain, there are quite few prehistoric artifacts to suggest human habitation in Northamptonshire. We do know that the Hallstatt culture appeared in the area around 500 BC, introduced by people from the continent. This led to the construction of a number of hill-forts in the area.

Northamptonshire was inhabited by the Catuvellaauni, a Belgic tribe, around the 1st century BC. Then in 43 AD, the Romans conquered the area. They built a Roman road that passed through the county. There was also a Roman settlement called Lactodorum on the site of present-day Towcester.

The Triangular Lodge, Rushton, Northamptonshire
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rushton_Triangular_Lodge1.jpg
Author: Kate Jewell


When the Romans pulled out of the area, Northampton became part of the Anglo-Saxon Kingdom of Mercia, which embraced Christianity in AD 654. It was conquered by the Danes in 889, and recaptured by the English in 917. Northamptonshire was first mentioned on record in 1011 as Hamtunscire.

Northamptonshire was the ancestral homeland of George Washington, the first President of the United States of America. His great-great-great-great-great grandfather, Lawrence Washington, was the mayor of Northampton for a number of times.

All Saint's Church and Manor House in Braunston, Northamptonshire
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Church_and_Manor.JPG
Author: James Thompson


The Industrial Revolution descended on Northamptonshire in the 18th century onwards. The area became a centre for the shoemaking industry. In addition, a large ironstone quarry was opened in 1850 in northern Northamptonshire while in 1930, the town of Corby became a major steel manufacturing centre. Until the industries were established, Northamptonshire used to boast the healthiest and freshest air in England.

Visiting Northamptonshire

You can reach Northamptonshire by taking a train from London Euston to Northampton. The fare is £22.80 for a one-way ticket while the return ticket costs (surprise) only £22.90. The train station is just a short walking distance from the Northampton city centre.

Map of Ceremonial Counties of England

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