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NORTHAMPTON
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Northampton
Northampton is a large market town and a local government district in central England on the River Nene, and the county town of Northamptonshire, in the English East Midlands region.
The district has a population of 194,800, whilst the Urban Area has a population of 189,474. By this measurement, it is the 21st largest settlement in England and is the UK's third largest town without official city status, after Reading and Dudley. It is situated 67 miles (108 km) north of London.
Traditionally Northampton has been a major centre of shoemaking and other leather related industries. Shoemaking has virtually ceased, though the back streets of the town still show the pattern of small shoe factories surrounded by terraced houses for the outworkers. Northampton's main industries now include distribution and finance, and major employers include Barclaycard, Panasonic, Coca Cola & Schweppes Beverages Ltd, and Carlsberg.
Northampton is the most populous district in England not to be a unitary authority, a status it failed to obtain in the 1990s local government reform.
It is also one of the most populous urban districts not to be a London Borough, metropolitan borough or city; on this basis the council claims that it is the largest town in England. Various other boroughs could claim the title, sometimes taking into account areas outside their civic boundaries, or outlying areas not usually considered part of the town.
Northampton's population has increased greatly since the 1960s, largely due to planned expansion under the New Towns Commission in the early-1960s. Other factors are the rail link and the busy M1 motorway that both lead direct to London. Northampton is within 70 miles of central London, and by train it takes approximately 1 hour to journey between the two. This transport link to the South East has proved attractive, with already high house prices in and around London rising rapidly since the 1990s causing many people to move increasingly further away from the area in order to commute from more reasonably-priced housing. Most of Northampton's housing expansion has taken place to the east of the town with developments such as Canterbury Court, and on the western outskirts at Upton and to the south adjacent to an improved junction on the M1 at Grange Park, a development of some 1,500 houses actually in South Northants Council area.
History
Early history
Remains have been found in the Northampton area dating back to the Iron Age. It is believed that farming settlement began in the Northampton area in around the 7th century. By the 8th century it had become an administrative centre for the kingdom of Mercia.
The pre-Norman town was known as Hamtun and was quite small, occupying only some 60 acres.
Medieval Northampton
The town became significant in the 11th century, when the Normans built town walls and a large castle under the stewardship of the Norman earl, Simon de Senlis. The original defence line of the walls is preserved in today's street pattern (Bridge St, The Drapery, Bearward St & Scarletwell Street).
The town grew rapidly after the...
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Hotels in Northampton
| | The Langham Hotel  |
Score 7.9 from 30 reviews | | 4-5 Langham Place, Barrack Road |  |
| Conveniently situated a short walk from the town centre, our hotel is minutes from the town's mainline railway station and within easy access of business and industrial estates.
A family-run business established for over 35 years, we pride ourselves in being able to provide first class service within a warm and friendly atmosphere for business and leisure guests alike.
... more | | |
| | Forster Court Hotel |
Score 7.9 from 37 reviews | | Forster Street, Off Eyre Square | |
| By Road:
Approaching on the Dublin / Limerick Road follow signs for 'Galway City East' to get to Galway City. Then follow signs for 'City Centre' to bring you directly onto Forster Street or the adjacent Eyre Square.
By Train or Bus:
Exit the station at Eyre Square and turn right into Forster Street. ... more | | |
 | The G Hotel  |
Score 0 from 0 reviews | | Old Dublin Road | |
| The g's design director is renowned milliner, Philip Treacy, a native of Galway, and his special touch is evident everywhere from the bespoke concierge wall to the artwork in every room. The emphasis is on luxury and glamour, underlining the g’s commitment to a truly unique hotel experience.
The dark and intimate reception area sets the tone, with black glass walls acting as a frame for a tank of Connemara-bred seahorses and bespoke concierge wall, designed by Philip Treacy. Covered in white Venetian plaster and reminiscent of a seashell, this is a hint of the surprises to come.
The public areas of the g on the ground floor extends to over 18,000 square-foot, with 3 individually styled and themed lounges and a restaurant, all linked by a raspberry carpeted corridor. The impression is of walking through a particularly glamorous dolls house, with golden doorways framing the entrance to each room.
From the exquisite Grand Salon to the distinctively pink Pink Salon and more masculine Blue Lounge, the g offers a stunning environment in which to meet and relax.
The g hotel, Galway’s only truly world-class hotel, offers six impressive occasion suites for meetings or private entertaining:
- Event suite with private break-out area catering for up to 100 people
- The Boardroom designed to facilitate meetings of up to 20 people and boasts the Sky Lounge for relaxing between sessions
- 4 smaller event rooms for syndicate style meetings
The g also offers exclusive use of theatres 1 and 7 in the award-winning and adjoining Eye Cinema complex, catering for groups from 40 to 150.
All event suites offer the latest technology, coupled with unobtrusive service, and create a unique and sophisticated environment.
Working closely with architects and designers Douglas Wallace, the spa’s design reflects a relaxed timelessness of contemporary elegance. Stone, wood, linen and glass are used in complementary new ways with subtle, warm colours. Mood enhancing lighting is used to calm and comfort, creating a sense of spiritual retreat.
Spa details:
- 8 treatment rooms
- 4 beauty suites
- Separate male and female changing rooms
- Crystal steam room
- Lifestyle shower
- Rain shower
- Rock sauna
- Ice fountain
- Tepidariums – heated loungers
- Vitality pool with soothing and therapeutic views of the water wall feature
- Relaxation room overlooking the Zen Garden
- Fitness centre
As a resident at the g, the use of the fitness centre is included in your room rate and for that extra bit of indulgence you may relax in the Thermal suite in ESPA for an additional cost. ... more | | |
| | O'Connors' Warwick Hotel |
Score 7.5 from 2 reviews | | Lower Salthill | |
| All of our rooms are modern, bright and comfortable. ... more | | |
 | Burren Walking Lodge  |
Score 8.075 from 12 reviews | | Burren walking Lodge | |
| By Sea:
A 20-minute journey by ferry will take you from Tarbert in North Kerry across the Shannon Estuary to Killimer in County Clare. This will save you 137 km going from terminal to terminal. The ferry leaves Killimer every hour on the hour and Tarbert every hour on the half-hour. No reservations are necessary. ... more | | |
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| | | More hotels in Northampton |
| City Sightseeing Hop On Hop Off Tour of Oxford |
24 hours |
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With great views from the top of the bus, strategically placed stops and an interesting commentary, this truly is the best way to see the sights of Oxford.
You can hop on and off as many times as you like aboard this open-top double-decker bus. There are 20 stops and the entire route takes approximately 60 minutes. The bus departs every 10 - 15 minutes from each stop. Tickets are valid for 24 hours from first use.
Home to the oldest University in Britain, Oxford is an architectural marvel. You'll get fantastic views of its honey colored buildings as well as tantalizing glimpses of the hushed courtyards of its many colleges. Travel by the Ashmolean, the Sheldonian, the historic Carfax junction - all this and more on the hop on hop off tour of Oxford.
Click here for more information and Booking Details
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| Buckingham Palace and London Afternoon Tea (Optional) |
Varies |
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Skip the general admission queues for Fast Track Entry to Buckingham Palace - London's most famous attraction.
Buckingham Palace has served as the official London residence of Britain's sovereigns since 1837, and today is the Queen's official residence. Although in use for the many official events and receptions held by the Queen, areas of Buckingham Palace are opened for a limited time only during the summer.
Lavishly furnished with treasures from the Royal Collection, within the State Rooms you can see paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens, Vermeer, Canaletto and Claude; sculpture by Canova and Chantrey; exquisite examples of Sevres porcelain; and some of the finest English and French furniture in the world.
Complimentary audio tour (available in English, French, German, Spanish, Italian and Japanese) provides an introduction to centuries of royal history, including interviews with royal household staff about the working palace and the magnificent works of art. There is also a family audio guide (English only) and accompanying activity trail, suitable for children 7 - 11 years.
The Palace's 39-acre garden is an oasis for wildlife, and visitors can enjoy a garden walk that offers superb views of the Garden Front of the Palace and the 19th-century lake.
As part of the 2007 opening of Buckingham Palace, a special exhibition will recreate the excitement of the royal wedding on 20 November 1947, which seized the public's imagination in the dark days after the 2nd World War. See Princess Elizabeth's magnificent wedding dress, dresses worn by other members of the wedding party, and jewelry worn shown in a dazzling display of diamonds, rubies, sapphires, emeralds and pearls.
Finish your royal day with an optional afternoon tea at The Selfridge Lounge in The Selfridge Hotel, in the heart of London. Afternoon tea includes finger sandwiches and scones with clotted cream and preserves.
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9.5 - 10 hours |
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Home to the Royal Family for 900 years, Windsor Castle is the largest and oldest occupied Castle in the world. Its proud, strong walls dominate the delightful town that has grown around the castle over the years. Generations of Kings and Queens have conducted their business here and enjoyed its grounds. Get a sense of British history breathing through the walls of the Castle, first founded by William the Conqueror. You will see the lavish State Apartments containing priceless furniture, and St George's Chapel, home to the 14th Century Order of the Royal Garter. Continue to Salisbury Cathedral the spire is the tallest in England, 404 feet (123 meters). Controversial in its time for its vaulting grandeur, the Cathedral stands tall and proud, its pale luminous stone set off against the lush greenery surrounding it. Once you step inside you will be awed by the Cathedral's graceful, elegant proportions. In the Chapter House you can see one of only 4 surviving copies of the document that came to be known as the Magna Carta, which codified some of the basic principles of the English legal system. Look upon this 790 year old document and you are looking the past in the face. Sealed under duress by King John in 1215, the Magna Carta in these surroundings is truly a piece of history brought to life. Going even further back into the mists of time you arrive at Stonehenge, a collection of stones dragged 5,000 years ago to this lonely windy plain near Salisbury. Who built it? Why? These questions have haunted the minds of centuries of scholars, but what is known is that Stonehenge must have had some astronomical function. Set in a landscape dotted with prehistoric mounds and carvings, Stonehenge continues to enthrall the imagination and captivate the heart of every visitor. You will have the opportunity to walk around these magical stones, built so many centuries ago, and to explore the theories of how this extraordinary monument came t
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