North West Oxfordshire & Northamptonshire Area Guide

Why live in Oxfordshire & Northamptonshire

One of Britain's best-kept secrets, Northamptonshire is essentially a rural county and yet is most notably renowned for its influence on the boot and shoe industry. Following extensive redevelopment and regeneration, it is now an up-and-coming area of historic market towns, charming villages and high-quality pubs and restaurants.

Oxfordshire needs little introduction, with its famous university city and its ‘dreaming spires,’ which have inspired writers and film makers for generations. The picturesque Cotswolds are easily accessible from here.

There are excellent transport links with London and the rest of the country from both counties.

History of Oxfordshire & Northamptonshire

Northamptonshire has a rich and fascinating heritage, and played a pivotal role in many major historical events.Charles I was defeated at Naseby, while Mary Queen of Scots was beheaded at Fotheringhay castle. Northampton and Geddington can also boast to having an original ‘Eleanor Cross,’ erected by Edward I to mark the journey of Queen Eleanor’s embalmed body to London.

Oxfordshire has a similarly impressive historic and agricultural heritage. Its world-famous university was founded in 1096, while Alfred the Great was born in Wantage.

Property types

There are a wide variety of properties available, from thatched cottages, Georgian houses and Victorian terraced properties to brand-new developments.

Where to go out in Oxfordshire & Northamptonshire

Oxford Playhouse
Tel: 01865 305 305

Chipping Norton Theatre
Tel: 01608 642 350

The Randolph Restaurant
Oxford
Tel: 01865 256410

Getting to North West Oxfordshire & Northamptonshire

Rail

Rugby and Northampton – fast trains (1 hour) to London Euston
Market Harborough to London St Pancras (1 hour), which will get you to the capital in around an hour. There are also frequent services to Luton Airport, which take 1hr 45 minutes.

Birmingham Station is just a 50 minute journey from Northampton.

From Oxfordshire, rail passengers can reach London Paddington and Birmingham in around an hour, while Chiltern Trains operate services into London Marylebone from Banbury, Bicester North, and Haddenham and Thame Parkway.

Road Network

Northamptonshire is served by the M1, M5, M6, M25 and M40. The A14 links the county to the east coast.

The M40 links Oxfordshire with London, Birmingham and the North.

Airports

London Luton, Birmingham, Stanstead and East Midlands airports are all within a two hour drive of both counties.

Places of Interest

Christ Church Cathedral
Oxford
United Kingdom

Upton House
Upton, Banbury
Warwickshire, OX15
United Kingdom
01295 670266‎

Sulgrave Manor
Manor Road, Sulgrave
Banbury OX17
United Kingdom
01295 760205‎

Castle Ashby Gardens
Castle Ashby Road
Northhampton
United Kingdom

Rockingham Castle
Rockingham Castle Est
Rockingham, Market Harborough
Leicestershire, LE16 8TH
United Kingdom
01536 770240‎

Daventry Country Park
Northern Way, Daventry
Northamptonshire, NN11 2JB
United Kingdom
01327 876094‎

Ashmolean Museum of Art & Archaeology
Ashmolean Museum
Beaumont Street
Oxford, UK
OX1 2PH
Tel: (01865) 278000

Grafham Water
Perry
Huntingdon
Cambridgeshire PE28 0BX
0845 634 6022

Althorp Park
The Stables
Althorp
Northampton
NN7 4HQ
01604 770107

Towcester Racecourse
Tel: 01327 353414

Silverstone Motor Racing Circuit
Tel: 01327 857271

Cherwell Edge Golf Club
Tel: 01295 711591

Tadmarton Heath Golf Club
Tel: 01608 737 278

Oxfordshire & Northamptonshire Local authorities

Northamptonshire County Council
County Hall
Northampton
NN1 1DN
Tel: 01604 236236

Daventry District Council
Lodge Rd
Daventry
Northamptonshire
NN11 4FP
Tel: 01327 871100

Oxfordshire County Council
Bicester
OX26 2LU
Tel: 01869 323525

Cherwell District Council
Bodicote House
White Post Rd
Bodicote, Banbury, OX15 4AA
Tel : 01295 252535

Schools in North West Oxfordshire & Northamptonshire
Bloxham School- Secondary Bloxham, Banbury Oxfordshire OX15 4PE United Kingdom 01295 720 222	Tudor Hall - Secondary Wykham Park Banbury OX16 9UR 01295 263 434	Maidwell Hall - Secondary 01604 686 234
Oundle School - Secondary Oundle Peterborough PE8 4GH United Kingdom 01832 277120	Northampton High School - Secondary Newport Pagnell Road, Hardingstone, Northampton NN4 6UU. 01604 765765