Before a great fire destroyed the heart of Northampton in 1675, it was a thriving medieval town with five churches. Undaunted, it rose from the ashes and reinvented itself - after it was rebuilt, author Daniel Defoe described it as 'the handsomest and best built town in all this part of England'. Retail dominates Northampton's centre now, but look out for street names that offer clues to the town's previous industries: Sheep Street, Silver Street, and Gold Street.

Northampton's most famous former industry was shoemaking. The Central Museum and Art Gallery chart the history of the trade from its earliest beginnings to the present day - its World Famous Shoe Collection includes Roman shoes, Queen Victoria's slippers and even a pair of David Beckham's football boots.

A short distance from the town centre you can find out about another Northampton industry at the Museum of Leather, situated in the delightful Abington Park, the town's oldest and most popular green space. Other cultural attractions include The Deco, a restored 1930s cinema whose stunning auditorium now hosts drama, comedy and live music; and the Old Fishmarket, which houses three art galleries with regular exhibitions. There's also the quirky Express Lift Tower, locally called the Northampton Lighthouse or Cobbler's Needle.

Believe it or not, the tower was actually built for testing lifts at the now-closed Express Lifts Factory. If you're keen to get some shopping in before you go, the best range of stores can be found at the nearby Grosvenor Centre and Weston Favell Centre malls. But Northampton also has an attractive, historic market square that dates back to 1235. Markets are held daily Monday to Saturday.

How to find cheap train tickets to Northampton

There are a number of ways in which you can find cheap train tickets to Northampton to help you save money and explore this quiet residential town. Whether you are getting a train to Northampton for work or leisure, our Journey Planner can help you find the cheapest available tickets on the days you want to travel.

Benefit from cheap tickets to Northampton by using a Railcard. If you travel more than a few times a year, buying an eligible Railcard can allow you to save up to 1/3 off the price of your train tickets*, meaning you can spend more on things to see and do. To see out the different types of Railcards, eligibility requirements and to buy one online, check out our Railcards page.

Another way to save money on train tickets to Northampton is by purchasing an Advance ticket. In most cases, the earlier you book an Advance ticket, the cheaper travelling to Northampton could be. Advance tickets typically go on sale 12 weeks before the day of departure, so if you are off to hit the shops or have a night out with friends pencilled in the calendar, simply lookout for the “Advance ticket” type when your search for tickets using our Journey Planner, or sign up to our Ticket Alert to find out as soon as your tickets go on sale. Make sure you book these tickets as early as possible to benefit from cheap travel to Northampton.

Want more handy hints on how to save money on train tickets? Check out our cheap train tickets page.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main train station in Northampton?

The main train station in Northampton is Northampton railway station. Check out live arrivals and station facilities for Northampton railway station.

Which train companies run services to Northampton?

The primary operator of trains to Northampton is London Northwestern Railway.

How do I find cheap tickets to Northampton?

It's easy to bag cheap train tickets to Northampton. We'd recommend using a Railcard, buying your ticket in advance or travelling during Off-Peak hours if you can. Read our cheap train tickets guide to find out more.

Are trains to Northampton running?

There are frequent daily services to Northampton, although there may be fewer services on weekends and bank holidays. Check our live train times for up-to-date information on trains to Northampton.

Average savings on advance fares booked at least one week before day of travel vs Anytime fares purchased on day of travel. Subject to availability. Excludes coach.

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