How many people on here are from Northamptonshire?

[Ihavenofriends]

Does anyone on here live in Northamptonshire? What are your opinions of the four towns (Corby, Kettering, Wellingborough and Northampton) and the rural areas?

Who knew there were so many in the Noorth Beds villages. Interested to hear about Esquires in Bedford as BILs band play gigs there

We’re in one of the towns mentioned. Moved here a few years ago to get away from shitty Bedford. Only thing I don’t like is the snobbery from those in posh villages when they realise where we live! My kids go to the popular secondary mentioned in north Beds, we have a huge house and lovely neighbours. I love it here and have no plans to leave - our quality of life is vastly better than it would be over the border!

Also when did Esquires get cool?? I too associate it with underage shenanigans!! Was still like it when I left Bedford in about 2012!

Yep! South Northants here, lovely area... I did live in Northampton for a few years- grim. Grew up in Daventry, it was alright. 💁

I know nothing about Northamptonshire but I dropped my son off at Northampton university last week and then went into town for a meal. It looked very run down but my word what a fabulous array of restaurants.

We ate at Pazienzia, it was amazing!

Sorry not much help really.

I'm in a village on the beds/northants border and I love it!

Life is what you make it. Each place has a mix of people, yes maybe cheaper housing than some places but more expensive than others! I live in a very small East Northants town, it’s lovely, and great for road links. I agree about public transport though, that’s scandalous.

I’m in Earls Barton! Shopping I’ll go MK or Rushden Lakes and try to avoid the towns although do spend a lot of time in Daventry but I think it’s alright, all high streets are dying! Very far from any seaside though!

Earls Barton is the most pretentious small town I’ve ever lived in. It’s only the outsiders though. If hunning and pseudo-mumTrepreneuring is your bag you’ll fit right in. If one of the women don’t like you, you’ll be flagged to the regional Queen Bee and ‘sent to Coventry’. It’s quite sinister. I believe the primary school is also in Ofsted special measures at present. Catchment for the nearest secondary school has failed with Barton kids being sent to secondary in the next nearest town Wellingborough instead of Wollaston depending which end of Barton they live at.

The native locals are great though.

Wellingborough has a public school and a population with significant disposable income. Because of it’s excellent transport links however, they don’t spend their money in the town, so the shopping experience is dire.
It also has more public green spaces than any town I’ve seen outside of London with rivers and lakes and a valley.

Northampton student town has a fantastic Cultural Quarter with lots of free spaces and great nightlife.

Kettering and Corby I don’t know.
I’ve lived in a lot of places. I have no sentiment for Wellingborough or Northampton they’ll never be my ‘home town’, but they compare well if you like quiet market towns with character.