Northamptonshire

A county with a population of around 600,00 covering 914 square miles (2,367 sq km) in central England. The county seat is Northampton. As a county it is in contact with more surrounding ones than any other in England. To the north and north-west it has the counties of Lincoln, Rutland and Leicester, to the west it has Warwickshire, to the south Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire, to the east Bedfordshire and Huntingdonshire, with a small point of Cambridgeshire.

In Northamptonshire there are the popular towns of Northampton, Daventry, Corby, Rushden, Towcester and Kettering.

Geography

The landscape is very varied but is mainly undulating agricultural country, with higher hills to the extreme north along the Leicestershire border. It has a wealth of agricultural landscape and areas of woodland. The principal rivers are the Nen, the Welland, the Ouse, the Avon, the Leam and the Charwell. It still possesses some considerable remains of its ancient forests, particularly those of Rockingham in the north-west, and of Salcey & Whittlebury in the south.

 

Industry

The iron and steel industry, which flourished mainly around Corby, using local ore from the start of the 20th century, has almost completely ceased. The county's reputation for the production of boots and shoes has also significantly reduced due to foreign competition. Many industries have been re-located and encouraged in Northamptonshire since the end of the Steel making, especially around Northampton, Wellingborough and Corby. Its good links by road and rail have also encouraged many distribution companies to the area. Despite the increase in these and manufacturing industries, Northamptonshire retains its rural charm and has many beautiful picture-postcard villages with tourism a key element of the local economy.

 

History

In Celtic times it was the territory of the Coritani. The Roman roads Ermine Street and Watling Street cross the county. In Anglo-Saxon times the area was part of the kingdom of Mercia. Many settlements were created during the Danish occupation of this area.