Northampton – Forests, Festivals and Formula 1 | United Kingdom

Northampton and the surrounding county may not immediately jump to mind when considering the top tourist locations in the UK.  However, this sometimes overlooked south Midlands county lies in the heart of England.  Not only does it feature a county town with a long history stretching back over eight hundred years, but the surrounding county is typically English and very attractive.  Formed by a patchwork of fields, villages and historic castles and stately homes, Northampton is a small and attractive area to take a break.  Located within easy access of major motorways and situated on the West Coast mainline, the city and county are also home to modern day attractions including the famous Silverstone Motor Racing track which hosts British Formula 1 Racing.  The location makes the city ideal for short breaks from most parts of England and is also a major business centre which has everything to keep any business traveller entertained.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Chris Nyborg

Evening Entertainment

Northampton offers just about every type of accommodation you could ask for – apart from the poor quality variety.  Options include, in the city and county, high class hotels, apartments, self catering cottages and guesthouses.  All will can offer long or short term accommodation and the latter is particularly well catered for in and around the city.  Northampton is a good base to choose for your accommodation as it offers quality properties at a range of prices and on variable terms.   There is plenty of nightlife, including restaurants and bars to keep you entertained during the evening.  For those visiting attractions in other parts of the county Northampton provides an accessible base to explore the wider area.

Daytime Exploration

The countryside surrounding Northampton is typically English, but not without its wild places.  Salcey Forest, only seven miles from the city, offers the chance to explore that countryside on foot, by horse, bicycle or, if you don’t mind heights, on the “Tree Top Way”.  This overhead walkway gives you a bird’s eye view of the forest and even for those with a limited head for heights is an enjoyable experience.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Heather Rai

Estate Life

Althorp is one of Britain’s finest stately homes.  The late Princess of Wales grew up in the house and her grave is located on an island in the park’s lake.  Diana’s family, the Spencers, are one of Britain’s great aristocratic clans and have lived at Althorp for generations.  The house is open to the public and gives a fascinating insight into the lives of the rich and privileged over the last few centuries.  Today the elegant stately home also hosts a range of events including a literary festival each June.  Other events include a Falconry Festival, the obligatory visit by the Olympic flame and a “picnic prom” which features the rather odd accompaniment of Spitfires.  Events are planned throughout the summer and there is entertainment to suit most tastes.

Fast Paced Attractions

If you like your attractions with a bit more oomph, Silverstone could be for you.  Hosting the Formula 1 British Grand Prix in July this year is only the start of it.  A wide range of driving experiences are available at the track to give you a taste of the high-octane thrills of this world class course, it’s worth booking these driving experiences in advance and most come in at exceptionally reasonable prices.   Tickets are available for a range of events at the site and a new family ticket has been introduced this year.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Oh Barcelona

Quick Get-aways

One visit to Northampton and the surrounding area may not be enough.  The range of activities and the diversity of experiences make this county a brilliant place for short breaks and it’s a very good location for family holidays.  Well located close to major Midland cities as well as within easy reach of London it offers the chance to get away from it all, without travelling too far!

Northampton has a long history and makes an excellent short or long break destination.  From country cottages to an apartment Northampton also features a range of high quality accommodation options.

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Tags: accessible base, attractive area, business traveller, catering cottages, evening entertainment, formula 1, heart of england, motorways, northampton, nyborg, quality properties, seven miles, short breaks, short term accommodation, south midlands, tourist locations, variable terms, variety options, west coast mainline, wild places

Category: Cities, Cities