Northamptonshire Home Search

Northamptonshire stretches from Banbury in the south to Peterborough in the North East and is one of the driest counties in England. Historically, famous for its Royal hunting lodges and large aristocratic estates, there still remains hectares of rolling countryside and forests, dotted with limestone villages and attractive market towns such as Oundle, Towcester and Thrapston.

During the 1800s Northamptonshire became known as the shoe and leather capital of the UK and although this industry has diminished somewhat, Church’s shoes are still handmade in Northampton and the town’s football team is nicknamed the Cobblers.

An advanced automotive industry has grown round the Formula One race track at Silverstone in recent years with a number of F1 teams such as Force India and Mercedes Grand Prix basing themselves in the area.

Northampton plays host to a number of large employers such as Barclaycard, Avon, Carlsberg and Nationwide. Those needing daily access to the town tend to search in the south with popular choices being villages such as Yardley Hastings, Castle Ashby, Great Houghton and Gayton, as well as the more modern properties close to Collingtree Golf Course.

Alternatively, many choose to search in the north of the town in attractive villages such as Chapel Brampton, Spratton, Pitsford, East Haddon and Great Brington close to Althorp House where Princess Diana spent her childhood. No mention of Northampton can go without a reference to the Northampton Saints Rugby team. There is an active and enthusiastic following with many local families purchasing season tickets to support their local team and fan the fierce rivalry with the nearby Leicester Tigers.

Wellingborough, Kettering and Corby have in the past lacked investment, however with government money backing major development plans coupled with access to excellent rail links to London and the nearby A14, these towns offer excellent hunting grounds for property investors. The countryside surrounding these centres is very attractive and provides a feast of picturesque villages for home searchers.

The dramatic Welland Valley, in parts like a set from the Lord of the Rings cuts across the north of Corby and is flanked by popular villages such Rockingham, Medbourne and Hollaton. A Sunday walk up to Nevill Holt with its fabulous views over the Welland Valley and dramatic sculpture in the grounds of the hall is a must for everyone in vicinity. The area around Pitsford Reservoir is also a popular location with the occasional house overlooking the water coming on the market.

Oundle in the north east of the county is a bustling and attractive market town. The famous Oundle School is scattered throughout and students can be seen daily walking around the streets with the girls in their distinctive long culottes. People looking for a rural location in the vicinity of Oundle consider villages such as Wadenhoe, Aldwinckle, Tansor, Fotheringhay and Wansford with its old coaching inn, The Haycock Hotel.

Northamptonshire is a developing county. Little known gems still exist but would-be buyers need to be informed in their choice of location. Please contact Garrington today if you feel our knowledge of Northamptonshire can benefit you with your property search.