Car Hire Northampton - Mini guide to Northampton

Located in the heart of England, Northampton is a lovely old market town where shopping and sightseeing go hand in hand with enjoying the array of summer events hosted by the town.

Without a doubt the most impressive building in the town is the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the town’s oldest building (12th C) and the best preserved Norman round church in the country. Also of note is All Saint’s Church which features an imposing tower, a portico by Inigo Jones and fine plaster work ceilings. However, it’s the town’s summer events that are a major draw for visitors. These include the dazzling Hot Air Balloon Festival, the fascinating Northampton Country Fair, and the exciting British Grand Prix at nearby Silverstone Racetrack.

The compact centre of the town is dominated by the historic Market Square, one of the largest in England, with open air stalls selling a dazzling variety of goods. Adjacent to the Square are the pedestrianised shopping streets and indoor precincts of Abington Street. For something more leisurely, the town has several beautiful parks, gardens and riverside walks, including Abington Park which features scenic walks, lakes and aviaries.

Northampton also boasts a wide range of entertainment options, including plays and concerts at the Royal Theatre, an old world fairground experience at Turner's Musical Merry-Go-Round, and a wide range of leisure activities at the Billing Aquadrome, a 270 acre holiday home, camping and leisure park. In addition, the town boasts many cinemas, nightclubs, discos, pubs and fine restaurants.

It’s well worth hiring a car and exploring the countryside around the town. Northamptonshire is littered with stately homes and castles, including the renowned Althorp, once home to and now the resting place of Diana, Princess of Wales. Rockingham Castle in nearby Corby, the best-preserved Norman castle in the country, is also worth a visit, as are the stunning landscaped gardens of Stowe.

With the international airports at Luton, Stanstead, Birmingham and East Midlands all less than an hour away, Northampton is easily accessible from destinations world- wide.