Travel Eye on Northampton (England)

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Overview:

In the Middle Ages Northampton's location gave it great importance. Parliaments were held at the castle, whose postern gate can still be seen at Castle Station, and the trial of Thomas á Becket was held there. Next to Becket's Park you will find a well where Becket is said to have paused in his flight from the trial.

Seeing the sights can be hungry work, but you will never be short of places to stop and 'refuel' in Northampton or the surrounding area. You can enjoy everything from a tasty snack to a banquet in everything from traditional tea rooms to romantic restaurants.

The styles of establishment are tremendously diverse. Want to eat and go? You will find fast food establishments and take-aways all over the county, but if you have time to linger over the courses there is no shortage of options.You will find atmospheric intimate restaurants, pubs that are ideal for family get togethers and stylish hotels that turn eating out into an occasion.

Locality:

Northampton is easy to find - right in the heart of the country at a crossing of major routes both north-south and east-west. Add to this excellent rail links and waterways and there is really no excuse not to visit the town. Access to Northampton couldn't be easier as it is ideally located in the East Midlands, only 1 hour from London and 1 hour from Birmingham. Birmingham International, East Midlands, Stansted and London Luton airports are all less than an hour away.

Entertainment/Facilities/Attractions/Things to do:

England`s largest town is a vibrant energetic place by day and by night. Once famous around the world as England`s `shoe town`, it is now beginning to be known as `motor city` with Silverstone Circuit, Santa Pod and Rockingham speedways close-by.

Northampton and the surrounding area have a mixture of shopping from malls and high streets to retail parks or country shopping villages. Transport is a key issue, so there are car parks plus onstreet parking, regular bus services to and from the main shopping centres and pedestrianised areas.

The Grand Prix at Silverstone is one of the country's top sporting events, but this is only one of Northamptonshire's motorsports venues. The county has some prestigious teams to follow in rugby, soccer and cricket with several players representing the country at international level. If team sports are not your first love, there is a host of other facilities from golf to squash.

Things to see and do

Abington Museum

Billing Aquadrome

Northampton Museum and Art Gallery

The Royal Theatre

Turner's Musical Merry-go-round   

Events

May:   CAMRA Nunsuch Island Real Ale Festival

June:   Northampton Music & Arts Festival

July:   British Grand Prix, Silverstone

August:   Northampton Balloon Festival

September:   Northampton Heritage Open Days

October:   St Crispin Street Funfair

November:   Northampton Christmas Lights Switch On