New homes in Northamptonshire

Schools & Universities in Northamptonshire

In Northamptonshire, schools determine their own catchment areas, and can adjust annually to account for capacity and intake. Moving closer to a desired school is the best way to improve your child’s chances of being accepted, as in most UK counties.  

Northamptonshire – specifically Northampton – is famous for its highly-rated schools, with a wide range of options available for nursery, primary, and secondary education. Several well regarded nurseries include Briar Hill, the Gloucester Nursery School in Delapre, and the Croyland Nursery School & Day Nursery in Wellingborough. The majority of popular primary schools in Northamptonshire are located in Northampton, with examples including the Fairfields Special School, The Arbours Academy, and Kings Heath Academy.  

Northampton Academy is a popular secondary school in Northampton. The academy is known for being non-selective, giving students an equal chance at entry while providing top tier education to pupils between 11 and 18. Its sixth form is hosted in its own building, with workspace and IT facilities for students to use.  

Our Northamptonshire new homes provide access to a wide range of further education facilities including the positively regarded Northampton College. With a  campus located next to Kingsley Park, the college is fairly central to Northampton and has its own bus stops for students to use. Courses include law, engineering, and hairdressing.  

As for university, the University of Northampton is Northamptonshire’s main avenue for adult education. The university is relatively young compared to its competitors, and makes efforts to emphasise equality and inclusivity in education. A state-of-the-art modern campus opens students up to courses such as sport sciences, sociology, law, humanities, and leatherworking.

Public transport in Northamptonshire

Northamptonshire is incredibly well-connected to its neighbouring cities, from Milton Keynes to Leicester and Warwick. A comprehensive network of A-roads connects the county to important destinations around it, while robust A- and B-roads are used to link Northampton to radial towns and villages.  

The main motorway in Northamptonshire is the M1, passing Northampton town to the east. Via the M1, you can reach Leicester in 55 minutes, Newport Pagnell in 30 minutes, and the city of London in just under 2 hours. Other major roads crossing the county include the A43 passing through Kettering, and the A508 to Market Harborough.  

Northamptonshire has six train stations within county lines, including the largest at Northampton Station. There are five train platforms at Northampton, operating services into London Euston and Birmingham in just over 1 hour, as well as Milton Keynes Central in roughly 20 minutes.  

The North Gate Bus Station is located a 14-minute walk away from Northampton Train Station. The bus station has 22 departure bays and provides transport to a wide range of towns and villages around Northampton, including Wellingborough, Newport Pagnell, and Kettering. Notable services are the 4 to Sunnyside, the 8 to Kings Heath, and the X47 to Raunds. 

Popular things to do in Northamptonshire

The Northamptonshire Uplands is a Natural Character Area located west of Northampton. The area is typically elevated between 400 and 600 feet above sea level, and consists of pleasant rolling hills and limestone scarps. The uplands are characterised by miles of countryside walking routes, perfect for families escaping to the countryside on weekends. Some new builds located in Northamptonshire’s villages are lucky enough to have direct access to these hiking trails.  

Families with young children can visit several museums and displays across Northamptonshire. These include the Silverstone Interactive Museum in Towcester, where visitors can drive in a simulation suite, use a scalextric model, and interact with various exhibits showcasing the history of British motor vehicles. The Northampton & Lamport Railway also makes for a great day out with the family, where you can ride behind historic engines along heritage tracks

Entertainment for adults is available in the form of various community clubs, golfing links, and fishing locations. The Pitsford Reservoir is the best place to fish in Northamptonshire, with yields such as brown trout, rainbow trout, pike, and perch. Notable golf clubs in the county include the Northamptonshire County Golf Club and the Staverton and Collingtree parks.  

The most popular day out for kids in Northamptonshire is at Wicksteed Park, a small theme park with 30 rides. These rides include gentle experiences for children such as a small slide and a jockey ride, as well as ‘adrenaline’ rides like bumper cars and cups and saucers. Wicksteed is located in the town of Kettering, a 30-minute drive away from Northampton.  

There are also plenty of urban things to do in Northamptonshire. These include the Rushden Lakes Leisure Complex, a shopping centre with around 40 shops, a cineworld cinema, and boating opportunities on the lakes. You can even move straight from the leisure centre into the Nene wetlands, a walking area great for birdwatching. Other town-based activities include a number of Northampton-based venues such as Tenpin Northampton, VR golf at Pin High, and escape rooms at Trapp’d and Horton’s Emporium.