Northampton Travel Guide, United Kingdom

Northampton, UK - Overview: Town giving the feel of a city

Northampton is located in the East Midlands region of England and on the River Nene. It is the town of Northamptonshire and considered as the 21st largest settlement in England. With an urban population of 189,474 and a district population of 200,100, Northampton is the third largest town of U.K without having an official city status. It is also the most populous district of England only after Reading and Dudley.

Administration in Northampton

The town of Northampton is administered by the Northamptonshire County Council and Northampton Borough Council.  The population of the town has increased greatly after it was expanded with plan under the New Towns Commission in 1960.

Well-connected transport network

Northampton is well connected by road as it is near junctions 15, 16 and 15a of the North Yorkshire motorway. A partially completed ring road connects the ton with A45 and A43. The railway station of Northampton is located on the Northampton loop, which is of the West Coast Main Line providing regular services to Birmingham and London. There are the Virgin Trains, which also provide rail services to the town connecting it with London and the north.  The town also has quick access to the Luton Airport, the East Midlands Airport and the Birmingham International Airport.

Parks in Northampton

There are many formal parks situated in town. Famous parks include Abington Park and the Racecourse, which hosts the balloon festival in summer. Apart from these, there is Delapre Park, Bradlaugh Fields, Billing Aqaudrome leisure Park and the Becket’s Park for visitors to enjoy. Billing Aquadrome Leisure Park has a caravan site, bar, marina, converted watermill, riverside restaurant and a funfair located on the eastern skirts of the town. There are many smaller parks such as the Victoria Park and the Thomtons Park.

Northampton’s Centre of Attraction

Northampton has a Governor Centre, which is the main shopping centre. It was built in 1970. The town also boasts the largest market square of Britain, which dates from 1235. You can also find Weston Favell Centre built outside the Governor Centre containing many town retail and leisure parks.

The town also has two commercial cinema halls namely the Vue, which is located in Sol Central and Cineworld (Virgin Cinemas) of Sixfields. A subsidized Forum Cinema is also located for the common people at the Lings Forum showing subtitled and art-house films. Apart from these cinemas, Northampton also has music venues: The Black Cat Jazz Bar and The Soundhaus.

Although Northampton is yet to receive a city status, it’s going to offer you every facilities usually found in a city!