East Midlands Tourism

Northampton is a vibrant, eight hundred year old county town, nestling in a curve of the river Nene.

 

The splendid Guildhall is a gem of Victorian Gothic architecture and its fascinating open air market, one of the largest in the country, has provided a focus for shoppers for centuries. A superb range of retail outlets, from major high street names to small, speciality shops, are easily accessible from the historic Market Square, one of England's finest, which dates back to 1235.

 

The large market square hosts the following markets:
Monday - fruit and vegetable
Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday - full market
Thursday - antiques and bric-a-brac
3rd Thursday of every month - farmer's market

 

Once the heart of the boot and shoe industry; Northampton still boasts many high quality shoe shops, and a wide range of factory shoe outlets remain as testimony to this surviving craft. The Northampton Museum & Art Gallery has long been popular for its spectacular collection of fine footwear; one of the largest in the world.

 

After months of restoration, the eagerly awaited 78 Derngate opened its doors in 2004, becoming instantly popular with visitors worldwide. A seemingly typical early 19th century terrace and yet, behind its unassuming brick facade lies testament to the work of Britain's most revered architect; designer and artist, Charles Rennie Mackintosh.

 

The town has a thriving arts scene and numerous festivals; a month long celebration of Music and Arts throughout June, with events and performances daily; the World famous Annual Balloon Festival in August, in its 15th year and now the second largest in Europe, and the delightful and increasingly popular St Crispin Street Fair, held every year in October.

 

Originally built in the 1930’s, the Fishmarket Gallery is situated in the heart of Northampton’s town centre. Once a bustling and vibrant part of market town life, the closure of the building in 2006 was not the end of the story for this inspiring space.

 

The old market hall is now home to several independent retail outlets, artists’ studios and a café bar alongside two independent gallery spaces.  The Fishmarket Gallery offers visitors a truly unique cultural experience.