Located in the heart of England, Northamptonshire is the perfect blend of busy urban life and scenic countryside.
Northampton, the county town of Northamptonshire, is one of the largest towns in the country and has a population of around 225,000. It offers a wide variety of housing options, from Victorian and Edwardian townhouses to new apartments and modern housing developments. The surrounding area, with its historic market towns and peaceful villages, provides the classic idyllic image of the English countryside with traditional cottages and country houses constructed of the local Northamptonshire ironstone.
Living and travelling
With its central location and excellent travel links, Northampton has proved to be popular commuter town for those wanting to live in a more rural setting. It is within easy travelling distance of larger cities such as London and Birmingham and the advantages of the rest of the Midlands region are also close at hand.
Northampton Station offers direct train services to London Euston and Birmingham New Street, both of which are only an hour away. If travelling by car, Northampton provides easy access to the M1 to take you north or south and is only 60 miles from London. Northampton also offers bus services to other nearby towns and cities such as Leicester, Bedford, Milton Keynes and Peterborough, as well as within Northampton itself and to neighbouring villages. If you regularly travel abroad there are five international airports all within an hour’s commute.
Culture and lesiure
Northampton is steeped in history and is home to numerous historic landmarks like the Guildhall and the All Saints Church. Northampton's historic market square centre is one of the oldest and largest in England, dating back to 1235, and still trades almost every day offering a variety of quality local produce.
Bursting with industrial heritage, Northampton has a colourful past dating back to the Roman period. During Britain's Industrial Revolution, Northampton flourished as the centre of production for leather and shoes. Rising to fame for its expert shoemakers, Northampton is the setting of the feature film and musical Kinky Boots.
Northampton came top of an Experian poll to find the leading places to do business in England and was named the most enterprising place in Britain by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, the government department responsible for supporting economic growth in the country. So, if you're an entrepreneur looking for the perfect place to start a business, this could be the place for you.
Set in rolling countryside, there are plenty of parks and green spaces to explore in Northamptonshire. Take a stroll around Stanwick Lakes or Sywell Country Park, wander along the canal at Stoke Bruerne, explore the ancient woodland of Salcey Forest or visit the stunning gardens at Coton Manor Gardens or Haddonstone Show Gardens - Northamptonshire gives so many reasons to enjoy the great outdoors!
Catering to a diverse population, Northampton town is packed with independent venues, theatres, cinemas, bars, shops, and cafes along with the usual staple high-street brands. Events not to be missed include the Northampton Carnival, Beer Festival, and Balloon Festival. Northampton is proud to hold the prestigious Purple Flag status since 2018. Areas awarded the purple flag are recognised as offering a lively and diverse mixture of entertainment and culture, whilst also ensuring the safety and wellbeing of visitors and residents. Basically, Purple Flag status lets you know you’re in for a good night out! Northamptonshire is the home of the British Grand Prix and the world-famous Silverstone Race Circuit. There are also numerous sports venues and teams, a variety of museums, plus historical sites across the county.
There are excellent choices for education in Northamptonshire, including both state-funded and independent schools with the vast majority ranked Good or Outstanding by Ofsted. Northampton also has its own university.
Beautiful, central and cost effective
Whether you’re looking to live in a quiet village set in picturesque landscape or a vibrant and busy town, Northamptonshire has it all. And with average house prices lower than surrounding counties, you could not only find your perfect place to live, but also bag yourself a bargain at the same time.