Northampton has become a popular commuter town thanks to its excellent travel links to London and Birmingham. But there’s more to this East Midlands area than solid connections. Located on the River Nene, Northampton is one of the UK’s biggest towns and was even named by Experian as a great place to start a business.
Whether you’re thinking of moving to Northampton to start a new business venture or admire its fascinating heritage, you might want to know what it’s like living here. In this guide, we’re exploring Northampton, finding out everything from its history to homes and beyond.
A brief history of Northampton
You’ll need to go back to the bronze age to find the first evidence of settlement in Northampton. It was also a place of interest during the Roman and Anglo-Saxons times. However, it wasn’t until the Middle Ages that the town rose to national significance after the emergence of Northampton Castle, which was the occasional residence of the Parliament of England.
Where is Northampton?
Northampton is located in the East Midlands region of England, lying on the River Nene. It’s located around 60 miles northwest of London and 50 miles southeast of Birmingham. It’s also the county town of Northamptonshire.
Moving to Northampton
Northampton offers a good mix of homes and caters to a range of tastes, whether you’re looking for modern apartments or period detached properties. Expect to find everything from coveted warehouses to homes from the Twenties and Thirties.
Buying in Northampton
The average house value in Northampton is £286,220, with paid prices a bit lower at £279,360. Expect to pay around £397,191 for a detached home, £209,526 for a terraced house and £139,061 for an apartment.
Northampton property prices are around £25,000 higher than the UK national average of £251,000. Over the last 12 months, house prices have increased by three per cent and by 13 per cent in the last five years.
There’s a varied selection of estate and letting agents in Northampton, with chain and independent options available to help you find a home.
Renting in Northampton
One-bedroom homes rent for an average of £650 per month in Northampton, with two-bedroom properties fetching in the region of £890 per month. For larger homes, expect to pay an average of £1,050 per month.
Cost of living
If you’re moving to Northampton, you can expect to pay slightly more than the UK national average when it comes to everyday living. A meal for one person is around £16, which is £4 more expensive than the UK average. A cappuccino is about £3.00, and one litre of milk is £1.00p.
Utility bills are in line with the nationwide average: electricity, heating, cooling, water and waste disposal cost an average of £155. Broadband is about £31 per month.
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Life in Northampton
With plenty of history and culture, Northampton is a town with loads going for it. There are historical landmarks to visit, markets to browse and shops and restaurants to discover in the heart of the town.
Open spaces
There are a whopping 170 parks in Northampton, so you’ll never be short of green spaces to explore. Abingdon Park is the oldest in the town, while Bradlaugh Field is popular with walkers, runners and cyclists.
Transport links
Northampton’s train line is on the West Coast Main Line Loop and offers regular services to London’s Euston station and Birmingham. It’s also close to three junctions of the M1, giving motorists easy access in and out of town.
Shopping
Head to Northampton’s Market Square, which is one of the biggest and oldest in Britain. It dates back to 1235 and has been converted into a pedestrian zone and major shopping area.
Eateries
There’s an array of places to grab a bite in Northampton, whether you’re looking for an upmarket restaurant or quaint cafe. Nuovo Restaurant is a popular spot with Italian cuisine, while The Fox & Hounds is a stylish gastropub that could just be your next local.
Nightlife
Everyone heads to NB’s, which features a range of DJs playing music from all eras. There’s also regular live sports broadcasts, and don’t forget to try NB’s famous fishbowl cocktails. Stereo Bar and Club is another popular nightclub in the town.
Art & culture
Discover the Victorian Cabinet of Curiosities at Abington Park Museum, or watch a show at Royal and Derngate, a local theatre with everything from musicals to plays. Finally, checkout the Northampton Museum & Art Gallery with its nine-metre-high glazed atrium extension.
Things to do
Visit Delapre Abbey, which is a hidden treasure located just a mile from the town centre. It hosts the occasional events, has beautiful grounds to wander and features more than 900 years of history.
What’s not to like?
It’s hard to find fault with Northampton, thanks to its great travel links and amenities. However, it’s lacking in the nightlife department when compared to other major towns and cities. So if you’re a party lover, you may exhaust all the bars and clubs rather quickly.
Who lives there?
Northampton has a population of just over 215,000 and a median age of 40.
Typical broadband speeds
The average broadband speed is 45mbps in Northampton, which is only marginally slower than the UK national average of 67mbps.
Crime rates
Crime rates in Northampton average 7,754 per year and are lower than the national average of 10,000.
Moving to Northampton?
Phil Spencer’s property report provides in-depth information on any property in this town in Northamptonshire, so you can get to know the area before you move there. This includes property details, area insights and much more. Get yours today!
Last Updated: May 19th, 2022
