Proud heritage and history

‘Drayton House, where Saltburn was filmed, is just one aristocratic property in a county that boasts 55...’ Sarah Baxter for the Daily Telegraph

Historic houses

West Northamptonshire is home to some of the most spectacular and significant historic houses in England.  

Canons Ashby, owned by the National Trust, is a stunning Tudor manor house with a tearoom, a bookshop and a lovely village to explore around it.  

Sulgrave Manor was US President George Washington’s ancestral home and now invites visitors in to see their credited museum and learn about the history of the manor.  

Althorp House is one of the oldest houses in Northamptonshire and eventually became the childhood home of Princess Diana.

Discover more of what delightful history the county has to offer with Discover Northamptonshire.

Landmarks and historic sites

West Northamptonshire has witnessed the Battle of Naseby, the hatching of the Gunpowder Plot, the Battle of Northampton and the creation of the Grand Union Canal. There are strong connections all over the county to fascinating historical figures. Scientist Francis Crick, Oliver Cromwell, and famed Hollywood actor Errol Flynn all left their mark on the area.

If you are keen to take in some rich history and explore iconic landmarks, you can start building your itinerary via the Discover Northamptonshire website.

There is a proud heritage just waiting to be discovered. You can use our library services to research family history and general heritage information. You can also access the Historic Environment Record (HER) to gather details on archaeological digs, historical sites and landscapes. If you are interested in having your archaeological finds or antiquities identified and recorded, you can use the Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS).

Shoe industry

Northampton is famed for its shoemaking: 50 million of the 70 million shoes made for the Great British forces in WW2 were made in the area and the town is home to some of the world’s most renowned shoe manufacturers. These include Church’s, Crockett & Jones, Jeffery West, Trickers (where the film Kinky Boots was shot), and Edward Green.

Shoemakers in our local area have almost 900 years of experience with King John being Northampton town's first royal patron, buying a pair of boots in 1213. Dr Martens became the staple of British workman’s boots in Northampton in 1901. You can explore the largest collection of shoe heritage in the world at Northampton Museum and Art Gallery.

The shoe industry isn’t just historical however, Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig as James Bond wore Northampton made shoes. Pierce Brosnan wore a pair of Church's Diplomat shoes in Goldeneye (1995). Daniel Craig also wore Crockett & Jones shoes in the films Skyfall, Spectre and No Time to Die.

Throughout West Northamptonshire you can find yourself quality and brand shoes made locally. See our Exciting Things To Do page for more information on shopping in the county.

Last updated 20 September 2024