For those who live in Northamptonshire

[Iw24wImI]

We are looking to move from Surrey to, potentially, Northamptonshire.

What are the loveliest villages to live in? The nicest schools? State and/or private?

What is Northampton like as a city?

Any insider info is much appreciated xx

There was an article recently in the Northamptonshire chronicle I think about nicest postcodes to live in/bring up children.
In my opinion brackley, Silverstone, towcester and surrounding villages are the nicest.

@user1493413286

Thanks for that....Ill look for that article x

Towcester is nice if you are on the right side. Other villages to look at - Chapel and Church Brampton, Holcot, Boughton.

Northampton is not a city. It's a town, and a rather run down one at that. There are pockets of loveliness, but they are few and far between.

Can I ask why you are thinking of moving here?

South Northants has some lovely villages, particularly those towards the Warwickshire and Oxfordshire borders. Culworth, Staverton, Towcester (a town), Silverstone, Wroxton (possibly Oxfordshire)

Hello! Everyone will tell you not to move anywhere near Wellingborough 🙄 but the villages around there are nice - Orlingbury, Little Harrowden, Finedon, Isham, Little Addington... close enough to train stations too. Village primary schools are all fine, plus there is Wellingborough School for private.

Northampton is a market town and not a city (not being pedantic, just so you are aware.) The town centre is rundown and not nice at all.
Northamptonshire is a large county with lots of towns and villages. I think you need to narrow it down depending on the kind of facilities you want.
South Northamptonshire is near Milton Keynes for example which is a concrete jungle but good if you want better shopping.
Or north/east Northamptonshire has the new Rushden Lakes.
North Northamptonshire takes you nearer to Peterborough if you want a city.
There's lots of market towns of varying 'niceness' and lots of more rural villages.

Oundle is lovely

https://www.oundle.info

@MalingeringMary well we are from the East Midlands and would like to move closer to family, just so that in the future I will be able to support them better as they age. Northampton to Notts is easier than Surrey to Notts.

Also, lockdown has potentially changed our work situations from needing to be in London everyday to only once a week....for which Northampton would provide a reasonable commute.

Finally, having been on the Surrey property ladder for around 15 years...it's a shock as to how much you can get for your money in Northamptonshire. It would be life changing for us.

We like a quiet and outdoorsy life so would be looking for a rural, village location

What part of Notts do you need to get to?
Put villages around Grantham (Lincolnshire/Leicestershire/Notts border on your radar as there;s fast trains to London from there (1 hr).