Northampton Removals

Moving to Northampton?

Northampton is a large market town in the county of Northamptonshire, in the East Midlands. The town lies on the River Nene. It is the UK’s third largest town without city status.

The area has been inhabited since the Iron Age, but didn’t really become a site of importance until the 11th Century when Normans built town walls and a rather splendid castle. During the 12th Century the castle was often a place where the King held Court. The castle does indeed have a rich and colourful history. The first Battle of Northampton took place here, in 1264, when the army of King Henry III overthrew the supporters of Simon de Montfort. In 1460 the second Battle of Northampton took place, this time in the grounds of Delapre Abbey (a nunnery just to the south of Northampton). This was a key and decisive battle in the War of the Roses, which saw King Henry VI being captured in the town by the Yorkists.

1516 and 1675 both saw the town being destroyed by fire! It was very well rebuilt, thoughtfully planned, making the town very spacious, with wide streets, and handsomely built in brick and stone.

In the 18th Century Northampton became a renowned centre in the manufacture of leather and footwear, enhanced by the demand for footwear during the Napoleonic Wars.

In 1968 Northampton was designated to be a New Town. The Northampton Development Corporation (NDC) was created, its goal being to almost double the size of the town.

More major expansion is being planned; a project that aims to increase the population to around 300,000 by 2018.

The town is also home to a number of respected theatres, art galleries, museums, music venues and parks. One of many parks is the Billing Aquadome; located here is a caravan site, funfair, bar, riverside restaurant, and also hosts the annual Northampton Balloon Festival, a spectacular hot-air balloon event, and well worth a visit.

Northampton is a town with a full and rich history, but also a full and rich future!