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Northamptonshires local attractions

Clicking on the sublinks to the left will give you an insight to some of Northamptons top attractions, activities and locations including the famous Balloon festival held every year on the Racecourse.

Northamptonshire has a strong connection with motor racing and is home to the British Formula One Grand Prix as well as hosting an International Dragstrip and an Oval Speedway track.

And to ensure every visitor knows where Northampton is, visible for miles around is Northamptons local landmark. Taller than Salisbury Cathedral, this architectural piece of heritage became affectionately known as the Northampton Lighthouse.

Just as unique is 78 Derngate, a house remodelled in 1916-17 by renowned Scottish architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh for Northampton businessman Wenman Joseph Bassett-Lowke.

Northampton hosts two museums, both with free entry. Abington Museum is a 15th Century manor house now home to Northamptonshire’s military history, a 19th Century fashion gallery and the story of Northampton life ‘from the cradle to the grave’.

Did you know?
The Northampton Museum and Art Gallery in Guildhall Road houses the largest collection of footwear in the world, other collections include decorative arts, Italian 15th – 18th century paintings and British art, Northamptons history from Stone Age to the present date.

You can walk for miles on footpaths, or ride along ancient byways and bridle paths in the quiet, unspoiled countryside. Long-distance footpaths such as the Knightley Way, Grafton Way, Midshires and Jurassic Way and my local walk, the Nene Valley way, are sign-posted across the county. There are also nature trails and walks in many of our forests and woods.

The county also boasts some of the most picturesque villages in England. Waterways and lakes are an endless source of attraction to wildlife enthusiasts, photographers, anglers, and walkers. Walk along the towpath of the Grand Union canal to the Blisworth Tunnel and you will meet up with the longest navigable tunnel in England. Practically wherever you go in Northampton and the region, you will discover a long and fascinating heritage.