PUMPED UP POLICE

Heritage Open Days is back from the 12th - 21st September and promises to be bigger and better than ever! What to expect Heritage Open Days is a fantastic opportunity to explore some of Northamptonshire’s unique historic buildings and sites. Many of these sites are usually restricted access or charge for entry – but for the event they will be open and free of charge, allowing you to find out about the area’s vibrant culture and heritage like never before! Heritage Buses Northampton’s beloved heritage double-decker buses are back, running from George Row on 20th and 21st September - a perfect way to explore the town in vintage style. Keep an eye on this page for route and timetable updates, and look out for printed schedules at Northampton Museum and library soon. The classic buses will also be returning to Daventry on 13th September, after being such a crowd-pleaser last year. Don’t miss your chance to hop on and enjoy the ride! Why not make a day of it in Wellingborough on 13th and 14th September? Catch a ride on the vintage buses on your way to the Celebrate Wellingborough festivities! Click here to view Saturday's timetable for Northampton. Click here to view Sunday's timetable for Northampton.

Visit the Central Library in Abington Street or the Museum & Art Gallery in Guildhall Road to collect a Northampton architectural heritage trail map of the Market Square and take a self-guided walk around the heart of the town, taking in some of Northampton’s important heritage buildings.

The Deco Theatre, Northampton’s hidden gem, is host to a wide variety of shows, the Christmas pantomime, and many training events. Over recent years the theatre has thoroughly re-established itself and continues to grow from strength to strength. The Building first opened on Saturday 2 May 1936 in a blaze of publicity as “the Savoy”, described as “Northampton’s only super Cinema” and reported to be “the last word in comfort”. It was part of the ABC group, designed by their prolific house architect WR Glen and built in under nine months on the site of the original Technical College. It was constructed in the International Modernistic style and is arguably the best remaining example of Glen’s work, with all the main features still in place and sympathetically renovated. The Savoy was very popular and originally held almost 2000 people in the 696 seat circle and 1200 seat stalls. It was designed both as a cinema and theatre complete with an orchestra pit. It hosted shows and concerts as well as films. In the 1950s it was renamed the ‘ABC’ in line with the group’s national branding policy and was the local venue of choice for the touring bands of the...

Architecture students from Northampton College have been reimagining Northampton, taking an existing heritage asset and suggesting how it could be transformed with heart and, of course, imagination! The students’ work will be on display in the café at Northampton Museum & Art Gallery for the duration of the festival, linking to exhibitions featuring the county town elsewhere in the museum. Friday 12th Sept – Sat 20th Sept: 10am-5pm. Sunday 21st Sept: 12pm-5pm.

The Great Fire of Northampton in 1675 destroyed much of the town centre – a walking trail will take participants around the centre of the town to see some of the affected buildings and how the town was rebuilt, while learning more about this year’s 350th anniversary commemoration. Trail leaflets will be available from Northampton Museum & Art Gallery, Northampton Central Library, and the Discover Northamptonshire Tourism Hub at Rushden Lakes.

For Heritage Open Days, Delapré Abbey will be open for free entry on Sunday 14th, Wednesday 17th, Thursday 18th and Sunday 21st September, from 11am, last entries at 3pm. The house closes at 4pm. Learn about how the house started as a nunnery and later became home to two families with interesting stories. This event is free but pre-booking is advised.