Although Northamptonshire isn’t one of England’s largest counties nor a well-known tourist destination, there is no shortage of places to stay nor things to see and do.
The county of Northamptonshire has a variety of different accommodation options to meet the needs of its visitors as regards both facilities and their budget – from upmarket hotels with a spa to cheap bed and breakfasts or boutique guest houses. Many establishments are located in picturesque settings with thatched cottages, a former coaching inn now operating as a pub, a village shop and a historic parish church with a spire or tower.
NN8 3HG, Wellingborough, 19-31 Northampton Road
This private hotel has all en suite comfortable rooms, welcoming staff and the best full English breakfast around, included in your room rate. The hotel is a 5 minute stroll from the Wellingborough town centre... read more
NN6 8BD, Northampton, Pitsford Road
In 13 acres of beautiful, peaceful grounds, Sedgebrook Hall is situated in the pretty village of Chapel Brampton. It has an indoor pool, a gym and modern en suite rooms. Sedgebrook Hall is a country... read more
NN6 7XR, Crick, M1 Jct 18
Situated a 15-minute drive to the east of Rugby in the village of Crick, Holiday Inn Rugby-Northampton offers countryside views, fitness facilities and a restaurant. The spacious rooms feature a pillow menu and en suite... read more
NN2 6AA, Northampton, 4-5 Langham Place, Barrack Road
Conveniently situated a short walk from the town centre, this hotel is minutes from the town's mainline railway station and within easy access of business and industrial estates. The Langham Hotel has a bar where... read more
NN13 7DP, Brackley, 20 Market Place
The wide, tree-lined market place in Brackley, with its Georgian and Victorian houses and shops, is the delightful setting for this 13th century coaching inn. Enjoy idyllic leisurely walks along bridleways and footpaths with two... read more
NN15 6XT, Kettering, Kettering Parkway
Set just off the A14, with close links to the M1, M6 and A1, the 4-star Kettering Park Hotel and Spa offers an award-winning restaurant, and spa and beauty treatments. Guests have free WiFi and... read more
NN4 7HW, Northampton, Eagle Drive
Ideally located in the East Midlands, this modern, non-smoking hotel in Northampton is just off junction 15 of the M1, and close to the A45. It offers a range of modern facilities in its guest... read more
NN4 5EZ, Northampton, Junction15 - M1 - Loake Close - Grange Park
Just 10 minutes’ drive from Northampton centre, the contemporary Campanile Hotel offers free parking, modern en suite bedrooms and state-of-the-art conference rooms. Wi-Fi is available. All of the bright and airy bedrooms feature satellite TV,... read more
LE16 8PY, Stoke Albany, 1 Harborough Road
This quintessential English village inn is set on the edge of the beautiful Welland Valley, just 4 miles east of Market Harborough and 4 miles west of Corby. Originally built as a coaching inn in... read more
NN14 2NB, Desborough, 79 High Street
Located in the town of Desborough just north of Kettering, The George is a family-run pub with free on-site parking and free Wi-Fi access. It also has a restaurant and a bar with a games... read more
OX17 3BE, Aynho, 1-5 Croughton Road
This fully refurbished 16th-century coaching house is 5 minutes from the M40 motorway. Each room has an individual design, free Wi-Fi broadband and a flat-screen TV. All rooms have been refurbished and are en suite.... read more
NN17 1AG, Corby, 63 Rockingham Road
The Raven Hotel offers home-cooked food, free Wi-Fi, free parking and comfortable rooms at great-value rates. The hotel offers a range of accommodation to suit the needs and budget of any traveller. Some rooms have... read more
NN17 4AP, Corby, Rockingham Leisure Park, Princewood Road
In Rockingham Leisure Park, Hampton has a fitness centre and free private parking. There is a 24-hour snack shop and rooms feature free wired internet access and an LCD TV. The modern en suite rooms... read more
NN7 3DS, Northampton, Station Road
Close to Silverstone, the A43 and junction 15 of the M1, this relaxed and informal country inn has comfortable en suite rooms, free Wi-Fi and an excellent restaurant. Situated just outside the historic village of... read more
NN1 1SR, Northampton, Marefair
Ibis Northampton Centre is conveniently located in Northampton Town Centre, just 5 minutes’ walk from the train station, and less than 10 miles from the M1 motorway. The hotel offers 151 comfortably appointed rooms with... read more
NN4 0XW, Northampton, 100 Watering Lane, Collingtree
Just off the M1, this family friendly Hilton hotel has a gym and is 10 minutes from Northampton town centre. Hilton Northampton has a good selection of room types including family rooms for up to... read more
PE8 4EA, Oundle, New St
Said to be haunted by the ghost of Mary Queen of Scots, this Elizabethan hotel has historic features and an on-site restaurant. The Talbot offers en suite bedrooms, WiFi access and free parking. Each en... read more
NN8 1BY, Wellingborough, Sheep Street
The Hind Hotel is a Grade II listed 17th-century coaching inn in the centre of Wellingborough. The hotel has free wifi to all areas and is just one mile from Wellingborough Rail Station, but please... read more
NN4 7YF, Northampton, Bedford Rd
With a riverside setting, the friendly Holiday Inn Northampton is free for the under 12s. It has free parking, a brasserie, a bar and a mini-gym. The rooms are comfortable and nicely decorated and feature... read more
NN1 2TA, Northampton, Silver Street
Northampton Town Centre Hotel by Accor is situated in Northampton town centre, just 5 minutes’ walk from the rail and bus stations. It offers 146 rooms and a bar/grill. All of the modern rooms at... read more
NN11 0SG, Daventry, Sedgemoor Way
Situated by Drayton Water in Daventry, Mercure Daventry Court Hotel & Spa offers accommodation with free WiFi access throughout and on-site private parking facilities free of charge. Rooms at Mercure Daventry Court Hotel feature contemporary... read more
NN7 4LP, Northampton, High Street
Just 2.5 miles from the M1, the Holiday Inn Northampton West is set in attractive gardens in the village of Flore. The hotel offers a modern fitness centre, a restaurant, bar and free parking on... read more
NN12 6BX, Towcester, 219 Watling Street West
This 400 year-old inn featured in The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens. It features a historic bar and restaurant, and classic rooms with leather headboards. Silverstone is just 10 minutes’ drive away. Traditionally furnished, the... read more
NN11 6GG, Daventry, Hellidon
Set within 220 acres of countryside, Hellidon Lakes Golf & Spa Hotel offers a haven of peace and tranquility, with stunning views of the lakes, free WiFi, a 27-hole golf course and a four-lane bowling... read more
MK11 1AH, Stony Stratford, 72-74 High Street
Situated on the High Street in the charming market town of Stony Stratford, this historic 15th-century coaching inn offers bright, airy accommodation with free Wi-Fi and tasty food. Each spacious room has a TV and... read more
NN1 1PF, Northampton, Bridge Street
Originally built as a coaching inn in the 1890’s, the Plough Hotel offers Freeview TV and sports channels plus free WiFi in its bar area.The hotel includes free car parking for residents The Plough Hotel... read more
PE8 6QB, Nassington, 54 Station Rd, Nassington
This traditional countryside pub, inn and restaurant sits beside the River Nene in Nassington, only minutes from the A1(M) and 15 minutes from Peterborough and Oundle. Queens Head Inn is renowned for good beer, excellent... read more
NN6 7UZ, Crick, Watford Gap Motorway Service Area, M1 Southbound
Days Inn Watford Gap is located just off the M1 motorway southbound at Watford Gap Services, close to Junction 17 of the M45. A Roadchef restaurant and Costa Coffee outlet are on site. Rooms at... read more
NN14 1UD, Kettering, Weekley Wood Avenue
Holiday Inn Express Kettering, an IHG Hotel Corby offers good-value, contemporary accommodation with inclusive breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. There is good access to the A14 and Kettering Rail Station is a short drive... read more
NN74PX, Weedon Bec, High Street
Cross Roads By Good Night Inns is conveniently located on the outskirts of the historic town of Weedon, set back in its own rustic surroundings. It offers a restaurant, free WiFi and free private parking.... read more
As the county seat, Northampton is a popular choice for tourists because it offers all the facilities of a large city including a wide variety of evening entertainment from the Royal and Derngate theatre complex to pubs and clubs. For visitors who wish to avoid crowds, Northamptonshire also has attractive market towns like Wellingborough and Rushden.
Cheap Accommodation in Northamptonshire
Kettering is its second largest town, and its location off the A14 makes it a convenient base for sightseeing trips while Daventry to the west is another ideal place for visitors who wish to be based outside the city.
Northamptonshire has been nicknamed the ‘county of spires and squires‘ for good reason. You are never far from the tranquillity of the rural landscape, and you will find many villages with B&Bs or boutique hotels. These villages are perfect for people who want to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and feel like they’re taking a step back in time.
At the high-end of the price range, the Fawsley Hall Hotel & Spa is a county house hotel near Daventry which dates back to the 7th century with later Tudor, Georgian and Victorian additions. Set in 2000 acres of gardens designed by Capability Brown in the 1760s, this luxurious award-winning hotel is the ideal rural retreat for those who want peace and quiet and to be pampered in the spa.
For visitors on a budget, chains such as Holiday Inn and Travelodge are also present with hotels conveniently located near motorways and secondary roads notably outside Northampton, Corby and Kettering. Both chains offer a number of cheap discount deals at different times of the year so it’s worth visiting their websites to see what is on offer before booking hotels.
For visitors who dislike the anonymity of large chain hotels, bed and breakfast establishments are a cheap and friendlier alternative. They can be found in all Northamptonshire cities, market towns and villages. Lists of bed and breakfasts in each locality are available at local tourist information offices. They are much cheaper than many parts of the UK with prices starting at £40 a night (£60 for a double.)
The Hillview Guest House is a family-run B&B located only a mile from the centre of Northampton and with spectacular views of Abington Park opposite. The Clock Tower B&B is near Daventry and is convenient for out-of-town visitors because it is only 20 minutes from the M1/M40. Rural retreats like the Redlands Bed Farm (on a working goat farm) or the Lower Farm B&B allow guests to enjoy the benefits of the countryside.
Northamptonshire has a range of attractions to suit tourists of all ages and whatever their interests. They include stately homes, nature reserves, parks and gardens, ancient churches, museums, theme parks and sporting facilities for participation (such as golf) and for spectators including horse-racing at Towcester and motor-racing at Silverstone. Online booking is advisable for many of the attractions as they offer cheap tickets or discounts on entrance fees.
One of the best-known stately homes is Althorpe Park, the seat of the Spencers since the 16th century and the family home of Princess Diana. Tickets aren’t cheap, however. They cost £18.50 for adults and £11 for children aged 5-16. Another spectacular stately home, Broughton Park, has a rich collection of antiques, paintings, tapestries and carpets and is the reason it has been called the ‘English Versailles’. Open 12-5 every day, entrance to the home and 150-acre gardens is £10 (adults) or £8 for children.
The history of Northamptonshire has been shaped by its central location on main north-south routes – by road and waterway. This can best be illustrated by visiting Towcester Museum (open Tues-Sat, 10am-4pm, adults: £3.50, children: £2). Its interactive exhibits trace the role that the Roman road, Watling Street, played in the town’s 5000-year history.
To see the impact of the Grand Union Canal on the area, visitors should go to the Canal Museum in the village of Stoke Bruerne. The history of the waterways is shown through a collection of memorabilia, films and recorded stories. Open daily 10am-5pm, visitors can also take trips on a canal narrow-boat (in summer only), go pond dipping and take a woodland stroll to Blisworth Tunnel and meet the blacksmith. Admission to the museum is £4.75 for adults and £3.10 for children.