Northamptonshire: The River Nene, Squires and Spires
Northamptonshire is a county in the East Midlands, completely landlocked. Tucked away in the heart of England, it’s known as ‘the county of squires and spires’, due to its rich mix of stately homes and ancient churches. Alongside picturesque villages and beautiful countryside.
Always follow the Countryside Code, to keep all creatures safe.
River Nene: A Historic Northamptonshire Waterway
The River Nene meanders through Northamptonshire, threading through nature reserves, villages and wetlands. The Nene Valley Way gives lovely views of open countryside and water meadows.
Call of the Kingfisher is an enchanting book by a composer, who celebrates all wild things that live on River Nene.
The river stretches for around 100 miles, making it one of the longest in England. It flows from the village of Badby, all the way out to The Wash on the east coast.
The exact way to pronounce it changes along its route—locals in Northampton say “Nen,” while those near Peterborough call it “Neen.”
The Grand Union Canal also passes through this county, with picturesque towpaths ideal for walking and cycling.
Read our post on how to protect historic canals.
Rushton Triangular Lodge: Mathematical Marvel
There are many religious buildings in Northamptonshire. Rushton Triangular Lodge, completed in 1597, is a triumph of geometry.
Sir Thomas Tresham, a Catholic landowner, designed it during a period of religious turmoil. He had a sad life. One of his 11 children died in a building collapse. And a son died of natural causes (but was beheaded afterwards, due to stand trial for the Gunpowder Plot).
Everything about the lodge has meaning. All sides are the same length. Three floors, three triangular windows on each face, and decorations grouped in threes echo the Holy Trinity – a nod to Tresham’s faith.
The Legacy of Princess Diana
In the 20th century, Althorp became famous worldwide as the childhood home of Lady Diana Spencer, who went on to marry Prince Charles and became Princess Diana. Her early life began in Northamptonshire.
Born at Park House on the Sandringham estate, she spent much of her childhood at Althorp, walking fields and exploring gardens with her siblings. After her tragic death in 1997, she was laid to rest on an island in the Round Oval lake at Althorp.
It’s a shame that her brother now runs shooting parties at Althorp, something that kind Diana did not agree with. She spent her life kissing AIDS patients and helping to ban landmines.
Though her chef fondly remembers that ‘The princess was a terrible cook, she really was. I would actually leave food for her in the fridge, like stuffed peppers’. She apparently once even called the fire brigade, after smelling gas, while cooking pasta!
