Northampton in West Northamptonshire sits where the River Nene sweeps through the county, and began life as a medieval market town with the remains of a Norman castle close to the centre. It became famous for leather and shoemaking in the 19th and 20th centuries, leaving a legacy of Georgian and Victorian townscapes, green spaces such as Abington Park and a still-busy market at the core.
Today the town combines light industry, logistics and public services with a growing university presence at the University of Northampton, and a lively cultural scene centred on venues like Royal & Derngate and the local museums. Good road and rail links make it easy to reach other centres and nearby attractions such as Silverstone, while ongoing regeneration projects are reshaping former industrial and waterside areas.