There are so many interesting facts about Northamptonshire you don’t know believe us.
What is Northamptonshire Famous For? Where is Northamptonshire? What secrets does Northamptonshire hold? Let’s spill the beans, shall we?
In this article, we will answer all your burning Northamptonshire questions. “Where in the UK is Northampton”? “What is Northampton famous for?”, What are the counties surrounding Northampton?” or even “Why is it called Northants?”. Let us answer these and other questions you might have about this little-known county.
Are you ready for some interesting facts about Northamptonshire?
Where in the UK is Northampton
Northamptonshire is a county in the East Midlands of England that has a population of about three-quarters of a million. It’s a county that most never really visit other than to pass through which is a real shame.
Northamptonshire has a lot to offer. It’s a county full of history, countryside and little market towns. It’s known as the county of Spires and Squires due to the number of churches and land owners that live here. This county has played an important role in history with many royal connections and we feel it’s a county that deserves more attention.
There are so many things to do in Northamptonshire It’s a lovely county for walking, relaxing, and visiting old buildings like Kirby Hall and Lyveden New Build.
So we thought we would have a little fun and unlock some of Northamptonshire’s secrets. Here are some interesting facts about Northamptonshire that you perhaps didn’t know.
15 interesting facts About Northamptonshire
Northamptonshire Is Landlocked
Northamptonshire covers an area of over 900 square miles and is landlocked between eight other counties; Warwickshire, Leicestershire, Rutland Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, and Lincolnshire. It also has the shortest border between any counties in the country, the border between Northamptonshire from Lincolnshire, which is only 60 feet long! So if you were wondering what counties surround Northamptonshire, now you know.
This is one of the interesting facts about Northampton that most don’t think about.
Northamptonshire Is The Furthest Place From The Sea In The U.K.
It is in the middle of England and is one of the furthest places from the sea in the U.K., the nearest coastline being some 90 miles away. Yes, people who live in the Northampton area live a long way from the sea.
Northamptonshire Has No Cities
It is a county that has no cities within it, which is quite unusual. This is certainly to me Sarah one of the most interesting facts about Northamptonshire and one I think needs to change.
Northamptonshire Is The County Of Spires And Squires
The county is also known by a few other names such as The County of Spires and Squires, as it has such a large number of stately homes and ancient churches.
Northampton Was Once The Capital Of England
Why is Northamptonshire called the Rose of The Shires? Yes, Northamptonshire is also known as the Rose of the Shires because of its central position in England and its historical importance as a result.
In fact, Northampton was once the capital of England. Northampton was once the administrative seat for the southern part of the U.K and it was one of the principal seats of medieval government.
This is one of the facts about Northamptonshire that we feel surprises most people.
And as to why Northamptonshire is sometimes called Northants it’s just an abbreviation, simple.
It’s The Home of Silverstone
It is home to the world-famous Silverstone circuit, where the British Grand Prix is held, and the county also houses the main offices of Mercedes Engineering.
Princess Diana Grew Up In Northamptonshire
Althorp House, Northamptonshire is the ancestral seat of Princess Diana, where her family has lived for over 500 years. Her brother Earl Spencer still lives and manages the estate today.
This is one of the facts about Northamptonshire that most people know and are most interested in.
It’s Known For Shoes
Wondering what Northampton is famous for? Well, it’s shoes. Northamptonshire is the historical centre of British shoemaking, the industry going back more than 900 years, and the film Kinky Boots was set in Northampton. Dr. Martens started their life in Wollaston, Northamptonshire, and some of these vintage boots are still made here today.
Yes, one of the most interesting facts about Northamptonshire is that it was the capital of the shoe making industry.
NORTHAMPTON HAS ONE OF THE LARGEST MARKET SQUARES IN ENGLAND
Northampton town is also home to the largest and oldest market square in England. The square is believed to date from 1235. Henry III forbade the selling of goods in the churchyard of All Saints and ordered that the Market be moved to a space north of the churchyard. This is the current site of the market square today.
This was one of the facts about Northamptonshire we didn’t know.
MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS WAS EXECUTED HERE
For the historians, among you, Mary Queen of Scots was executed in this county. On the 8th of February 1588, Mary was executed in the great hall of Fotheringhay Castle. The castle no longer exists but the site is still there. It is also believed that part of her is buried here.
When we tell people about this I find this is one of the facts about Northamptonshire that most find most intriguing.
THE GUNPOWDER PLOT WAS PLANNED HERE
The Triangular Lodge in Northamptonshire was designed by Sir Thomas Tresham, the father of one of the gunpowder plotters. It is believed a lot of the gunpowder plot was planned in this county.
Yes, yet another one of the interesting facts about Northamptonshire most don’t know.
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE HAS A ROUND CHURCH
The county also has an Anglo-Saxon church, All Saints’ Church in Brixworth, and one of only four round churches in the U.K. The Church of the Holy Sepulcher has a round older building that dates from 1100AD the rest of the church was built onto this at a later date.
Some Significant Battles Took Place here.
Northamptonshire contains the site of one of the most important battles of the English Civil War, The Battle of Naseby, which took place on Saturday 14 June 1645. The site today is just a field but you can stand on this important battleground.
There was also a significant battle here during the War of The Roses. The Battle of Northampton was fought on 10 July 1460 near the River Nene, Northamptonshire.
Northamptonshire Has Many Royal Connections
Richard 3rd was born in Northamptonshire, and the trial of Sir Thomas Beckett took place here. Perhaps the most historic but little-known thing about the county is that Elizabeth Woodville, or the White Queen as she became known, met King Edward IV under a tree in the county, known as the Queen’s Oak in Potterspury.
Their meeting really changed history and ushered in the Tudor era. Elizabeth Woodville was the grandmother of Henry VIII and really founded the Tudor dynasty. She was a pivotal individual in the turmoil of 15th-century England.
We found this one of the most fascinating facts about Northamptonshire. We even went looking for the tree but couldn’t find it.
Radar Was First Demonstrated in Northamptonshire
In a commercial van containing top-secret equipped radar was first demonstrated in the U.K. This van was parked in a field near Daventry. There is a plaque that marks the location.
This was one of the facts about Northamptonshire that we found really interesting.
As you can see when it comes to interesting facts in Northamptonshire there are a lot to choose from.
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