Right in the centre of England, Northamptonshire often slips under the radar, happily letting its neighbours attract most of the attention. This suits Northamptonshire perfectly well. While others boast of mountains or seaside views, Northamptonshire quietly gets on with the business of being very English: grand country houses, handsome villages, tidy hedgerows and more than a few places where people take great pride in doing things properly.
It may not have a coastline or a national park, but it does have some of the finest stately homes in the country – and an excellent supply of good tea rooms to go with them.
Grand houses, grander gardens and plenty of corridors
If you enjoy stately homes (and frankly, who doesn’t?), Northamptonshire is something of a paradise. Althorp, childhood home of Princess Diana, sits in rolling parkland with a house that somehow manages to be both enormous and homely. The Spencer family has been here for over 500 years, and the place wears its history lightly.
Nearby, Boughton House offers sweeping symmetry and formal gardens that make you wonder how much time anyone actually spent outdoors arranging shrubbery into perfect shapes. Then there is Castle Ashby, Canons Ashby, and Deene Park, all varying levels of impressive, and all available for visitors who enjoy strolling through long corridors and quietly admiring other people’s furniture.
Market towns that have not changed much
The market towns of Northamptonshire still carry a pleasant air of steady purpose. Towcester (pronounced “Toaster” by those in the know) is one of England’s oldest towns, sitting on the old Roman Watling Street. Market Harborough (just over the border into Leicestershire but often sharing the local orbit) offers handsome streets and independent shops perfect for a quiet afternoon of browsing.
Northampton itself, once famous for its boot and shoe industry, has long since traded factory work for a more modern pace of life but still offers a handsome guildhall and several rather fine parks.
Villages, churches and hedgerows that go on forever
In between the towns, Northamptonshire spreads out gently into a countryside of fields, hedgerows and villages where stone cottages and ancient churches sit contentedly beneath wide skies. Places like Oundle, Wellingborough, and Brackley all feel pleasantly settled, their streets unchanged except for the occasional modern coffee shop sneaking in.
The countryside is made for leisurely drives, with narrow lanes curving past hedgerows that seem to have been carefully trimmed since medieval times.
Fast cars, slow canals and the occasional unexpected thrill
Though the county may feel unhurried, it does have one rather speedy claim to fame: Silverstone. The world-famous motor racing circuit sits right here in the middle of the countryside, drawing Formula One crowds every summer and allowing engines to make up for everyone else’s more leisurely pace.
Elsewhere, Northamptonshire’s canals offer a rather different form of travel. The Grand Union Canal drifts quietly through the county, its towpaths popular with walkers, cyclists and boaters who prefer their journeys at a gentler, more scenic pace.
A little bit of everything, but not too much of anything
Northamptonshire never tries to do too much. It offers a comfortable mixture of history, countryside, handsome houses and quietly prosperous towns. There are no mountains to climb, no beaches to sunbathe on, and no need for dramatic gestures. Instead, it simply invites you to slow down, admire the view, and perhaps stay for a cup of tea and a slice of something homemade.
Top 10 reasons to visit Northamptonshire
Stately homes as far as the eye can see
Althorp, Boughton House, Castle Ashby and Canons Ashby are just the beginning. Each offers grand rooms, sprawling gardens and the feeling that you are ever so slightly underdressed.
1. A brush with royalty
Althorp, childhood home of Princess Diana, is steeped in history and family stories. It remains one of the county’s most visited treasures, where grandeur meets an unexpected sense of warmth.
2. Market towns with character
Towcester, Oundle and Brackley carry the charm of centuries past. Cobbled streets, ancient buildings and weekly markets make them perfect for a wander.
3. Northampton’s hidden history
Once the beating heart of Britain’s boot and shoe trade, Northampton still wears its past proudly. The guildhall is a highlight and the town’s green spaces make for a pleasant pause.
4. Villages made of stone and story
Winding lanes reveal honey-coloured cottages, medieval churches and communities that have scarcely changed in hundreds of years. Places like Wellingborough and the smaller hamlets offer timeless English scenes.
5. Silverstone at full throttle
For contrast, nothing beats the roar of Formula One at Silverstone. It is motorsport’s temple and the one place in the county where life refuses to go slowly.
6. Canals for the leisurely minded
The Grand Union Canal drifts quietly through Northamptonshire. Towpaths invite walkers and cyclists while narrowboats provide a gentler way to see the countryside.
7. Gardens clipped to perfection
Boughton and Castle Ashby offer formal gardens where hedges are clipped within an inch of their lives. They are ideal for strolling and marvelling at the patience required to keep everything so neat.
8. Countryside that soothes rather than shouts
There are no dramatic peaks or rugged coasts here. Instead, fields, hedgerows and wide skies provide a calming backdrop that feels comfortably English.
9. Churches with centuries of stories
Scattered through the villages and towns are medieval churches that have quietly stood for hundreds of years. From intricate stone carvings to peaceful churchyards, they offer a glimpse into the county’s deep-rooted past.
10. A county of balance
Northamptonshire never overwhelms. It is a place where you can spend the morning admiring antique furniture, the afternoon watching a Grand Prix, and the evening in a cosy pub.
