Northamptonshire Accommodation Guide
Northamptonshire is a large landlocked county in the East Midlands region of England. Often abbreviated to just ‘Northants’, Northamptonshire is famous for once containing the capital of England, for its proud rural history, for its long association with leather goods and for its large number of stately homes and historic houses.
Northamptonshire is an oft-overlooked county in terms of tourism but the county has many hidden gems which you will not want to miss! In this guide, we will exhibit some of the county’s best accommodation options and explore some of the region’s most famous attractions. There is much to see and explore.
Northamptonshire has a long and fascinating history. Settled by humans from at least the Mesolithic period (20,000 years ago or more), Northamptonshire went on to become an important Roman region with the establishment of the important settlement Lactodurum (modern-day Towcester). Northampton and Kettering also developed into important Roman garrison towns.
After the Romans left Northamptonshire, the region eventually fell into Viking hands and became subject to Danelaw. After the Danes were defeated by the Mercians in 913, Northampton became the capital of England (given Mercia’s dominant position) for close to 200 years.
Very little of ancient Northampton remains. Its once impressive castle was mostly demolished in 1662 by King Charles I as retribution for the city’s support of the parliamentarians in the English Civil War. Much of the city was later devastated by fire in 1675 although many of its historic buildings survived including The Church of the Holy Sepulchre (dating back to 1100AD) and Hazelrigg House which was built in the late 1500s.
In addition to Nottingham, the county’s principal towns include Corby, Wellingborough, Rushden, Daventry, Brackley and Desborough. Each of these impressive towns offer visitors something special from museums, galleries, fine dining restaurants and family entertainment venues. Several stately homes are located on the boundaries of these major towns.
Many of the UK’s most impressive country homes and stately homes fall within Northamptonshire. These include Boughton House, Deene Park, Apethorpe Palace, Castle Ashby House and Rockingham Castle. Here at ‘Stay In Britain’ we have an excellent selection of holiday rental properties close to each of these magnificent houses.
Stay In Britain has a large number of accommodation options in Northamptonshire. Our accommodation search engine will help you find the perfect holiday home or holiday rental. We cater for all types of accommodation from historic farmhouses and thatched cottages to barn conversions and wooden lodges.
Northamptonshire shares a land border with several other counties in the East Midlands region including Lincolnshire to the north-east, Cambridgeshire to the east, Bedfordshire to the south-east, Buckinghamshire to the south, Oxfordshire to the south-west, Warwickshire to the west and Leicestershire and Rutland to the north.
Northamptonshire / Tourist Information
- County Town: Northampton
- Land Area: 2,364 km2 (913 square miles)
- Population: 747,622 (2019)
- Population Density: 316/km2 (820/square mile)
- Average Temperature: (Summer 20°C)
- Days Of Rain: 165 days of rain / 200 dry days per year
Best Attractions In Northamptonshire
Silverstone Race Circuit: The home of motorsport in the UK, Silverstone transcends both Northamptonshire and Buckingshire leading to counter claims by both counties that they are the true home of the race circuit! Visitors of all ages will enjoy the Silverstone Interactive Museum and irrespective of the day you visit, some form of activity will be visible on the track.
Boughton House: Near to the town of Kettering, Boughton House is notable in that it remains virtually unchanged since the 17th century. Dubbed ‘The English Versailles’ due to its French inspired acrchitecture, the house contains one of the UK’s most notable private collections of artwork. The house is open for organised tours on pre-arranged dates.
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre: The oldest building in Northampton and one of the few to survive the great fire of 1675 unscathed, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre (also known as the Crusader Round) dates back to 1100 AD. It is a near identical copy of the original church in Jerusalem although only half its size – it is one of only four round churches in England.
Best Accommodation In Northamptonshire
Hill House Farm (Upper Heyford near Nether Heyford): Hill House Farm is a Cotswold style holiday home which can sleep up to 10 people across 5 bedrooms. Family groups will enjoy the ‘Party Barn’ which includes a bar area, pool table, TV lounge and darts board. This wonderful holiday property is close to Canons Ashby House, a stunning manor house owned by the National Trust.
Mandarin Lodge (Great Billing): Mandarin Lodge is notable for its stunning waterside location. This modern holiday lodge sits on the Billing Aquadrome estate and provides accommodation for 4 people across 2 bedrooms. Guests have access to the onsite swimming pool, crazy golf, boating marina, fishing areas, bars and restaurants.
More coming soon…
Stay In Britain is the ultimate guide to places to stay and things to do in Great Britain. Whether you are looking for a luxury self-catering cottage, a cheap B&B for a weekend stay, a short break in a caravan park or a business-friendly hotel in the Northamptonshire area, we have everything you need. Enjoy your stay in Britain!
