Northampton nestles quietly in the centre of England, the county town of Northamptonshire. The medieval town grew around the castle, which was built after the Norman Conquest. Northampton thrived during the medieval period but as the town supported Oliver Cromwell and the Roundheads during the English Civil War, much of it was destroyed by Charles II during the Restoration. During the seventeenth century, Northampton, like London, also suffered a ‘great fire’, which further decimated the town. However, Northampton was already established as a centre for leather production and shoemaking, ensuring the town’s success and growth during the Industrial Revolution. In the 1960s Northampton was designated a ‘new town’ and a vast modern expansion followed. Its townscape today ranges from the fragments of the Norman castle and the National Lift Tower that dominates the skyline to historic churches, beautiful examples of industrial buildings, civic masterpieces, cosy pubs and nationally important properties such as the house designed by Rennie Mackintosh on Derngate.Northampton in 50 Buildings explores the history of this fascinating East Midlands town through a selection of its most interesting buildings and structures, showing the changes that have taken place in Northampton over the years. The book will appeal to all those who live in Northampton or who have an interest in the town.
