Car Rental Northampton

Parking in Northampton

• There are several parking lots in the center of Northampton and around the popular shopping spots.
• Most of the council-owned parking lots are free to use on Sundays and will charge around £1 per hour on Monday-Saturday.
• Multi-storey lots will charge £5 for all-day parking on Saturday, but otherwise cost the same as surface and short stay lots.

Traffic in Northampton

Like most UK cities, Northampton experiences peak road traffic between 8:00AM and 9:30AM and again between 4:30PM and 7:00PM.

East Midlands Airport to Northampton

• Exit the airport and head south on the A453 towards the M1.
• Merge onto the M1 at junction 23A using the A42/M1 slip road.
• Stay on the M1 for 45 miles.
• At junction 16, take the A4500 exit to Northampton.
• Follow the A4500 and A428 into the center of Northampton.

Roads and freeways

• Northampton is closely linked to the M1, meaning it’s easy to reach several major East Midlands cities from the center.
• The main roads leading to and from Northampton from the motorway are the A4500 and A45.
• The A508 provides easy transport between Northampton and the popular area of
  Market Harborough.

Driving rules and regulations

When driving in and around Northampton, you must drive on the left-hand side of the road, driving a right-side driving vehicle.

All passengers must wear a seatbelt at all times and children under 12 years-old or shorter than 135cm must use a car seat.

The legal speed limit will vary, depending on the type of road you’re on. Most changes in limits will be signposted and displayed in miles per hour (mph). Generally, residential roads and streets have a speed limit of 30mph. Motorways and dual carriageways will typically have a limit of 70mph. While single carriageway roads are 60mph maximum.

What to see and do in Northampton

Althorn House

This beautiful country house is part of the Spencer estate and was once the home of Princess Diana. Follow in her footsteps as you stroll through 500 acres of stunning gardens and woodland. Or step inside and admire the 90 rooms filled with fine furniture, paintings and sculptures.

Shopping at the Grosvenor

With a range of popular high-street shops and fabulous local and international cuisine available at several restaurants and cafés, Grosvenor Shopping Centre makes a great retail therapy day. It’s based in the center of Northampton and is easily accessible by car too.

Abington Park

Explore the lakes, aviaries and museums around the beautiful Abington Park, the oldest park in the city. You’ll also find the ruins of the former village of Abington, giving you the chance to experience a taste of the park’s rich history.

Nene Whitewater Center

Try your hand at white water rafting at the UK’s first artificial white-water course. Attend a guided session if you’re a beginner or go it alone if you’re a seasoned veteran of the waters. It’s a great opportunity for adventure seekers to enjoy high-octane thrills during a visit.

Delapré Abbey

This stunning country house and former monastery is surrounded by beautiful trees and lush greenery. Roam the grounds or take the weight off your feet with a visit to the onsite café – the ideal place to pause and enjoy a hot coffee and tasty pastry.

Northampton’s best hotels

Northampton Marriot Hotel

In a relaxed, leafy location just off the A45, the Northampton Marriot is perfect for those who want to be close to the city center.

The Hopping Hare

This charming and cozy boarding pub offers a fantastic dining experience and contemporary setting for your stay in Northampton.

Overstone Park Resort

The luxurious pool and hot tub facilities are the perfect place to relax after a day of exploring the city.

Northampton’s best places to eat

The Dining Room

A great spot for a charming home-cooked lunch or afternoon tea, based in the Grade II listed 78 Derngate building.

Nouvo

Tuck into tasty Italian small plates known as cicchetti in a cozy but modern restaurant.

Clary’s

Enjoy a sleek night out at Asper’s Casino and dine out in the casino restaurant, Clary’s, whose traditional Sunday Roasts are famed throughout the city.

Lazeez

For delicious curries and Indian specialties with great service and a bustling atmosphere, Lazeez Indian Restaurant is the place to go.

Best day trips from Northampton

Bletchley Park

Step back in time with a visit to the Victorian estate of Bletchley Park and learn about its past as a top-secret code breaking facility. It’s only a 40-minute drive from the center of Northampton, along the A45, A508 and A5.

Market Harborough

Travel north along the A508 for 40 minutes to enjoy the markets and shopping delights of Market Harborough’s rich independent retailers.

Oxford

This historic city of Oxford is just over an hour away from the center of Northampton. Take a day to explore the castle, high-street shops and world-famous university.