Come and join us for our exciting Mini Makers children's craft or art activity at Northamptonshire Central Library! Children aged 11 and under and their carers are very welcome to join us for an afternoon of fun, crafts and arts! This is a drop-in session. There is a charge of £1 per child.
Explore the history of gladiatorial fights in Britain. The events of the amphitheatre – its wild beasts and enslaved fighters – are one of the most enduring aspects of Roman culture that still capture the public imagination today. This touring exhibition brings together some of the country's most important objects to tell the story of Britain's entertainment venues and the people who died to the roar of the crowd. It will reveal the violence of the arena, and the importance of spectacle within Roman culture. Highlights include the Colchester Vase loaned by Colchester Museums, which records an actual battle between two real gladiators, and the Hawkedon Helmet, the only confirmed piece of gladiatorial armour from Roman Britain. These iconic loans will be supported by a selection of other items that reveal the popularity of gladiators throughout Roman society. This tour is in partnership with Colchester and Ipswich Museums and is inspired by the recent exhibition at Colchester Castle, Gladiators: A Day at the Roman Games which featured British Museum loans. It will explore Roman spectacle in the local region, following in the footsteps of the gladiators who fought in the amphitheatres of Britain.
For centuries, landscape was considered an unworthy subject for serious artistic exploration. Northampton Museum & Art Gallery Until Sunday 4 October When landscape did appear in paintings, it was often relegated to the background—merely a setting for religious or historical scenes. This perception began to shift in the 17th century with the work of Nicolas Poussin and Claude Lorrain. These pioneering artists crafted idealised rural vistas to illustrate the myths of Ancient Greece and Rome, imbuing natural elements with metaphorical meaning. Through their romantic and structured visions of the countryside, landscape painting began to gain recognition as a meaningful art form. It was not until the 19th century, however, that landscape truly came into its own. Artists such as J.M.W. Turner and John Constable redefined the genre, capturing the drama, emotion, and grandeur of the natural world. Their work affirmed landscape as a powerful subject in its own right—one that continues to inspire artists to this day. Drawing from the museum collections, this exhibition explores the evolution of landscape painting, where nature takes centre stage.
We are very pleased to be hosting this exhibition across all our galleries here at 78 Derngate. Simon James is a multi-disciplinary artist who explores themes of nature and the urban environment in mostly abstract or semi-abstract forms and takes inspiration from his surroundings in the cities of Asia and Europe or, more recently, the English countryside. James trained in Fine Art and Printmaking at London’s Royal Academy and Royal College of Art and he now works across the spectrum from painting and drawing to video and photographic works, having adopted the expressive potential of digital media while working as a designer and independent artist in Asia. Having held solo shows in London, Berlin, Singapore, Shanghai and Tokyo, whilst also designing for TV, publishing and the music industry, Simon was also a university lecturer in multimedia and photography. www.simonjames.com
With inspiration, ingenuity, humour and skill, creative recycling artist Val Hunt has created a fascinating selection of large and small sculptural pieces which are both appealing and informative Saturday 28 June - Sunday 10 August 2025 Animals, exotic birds, fish, dinosaurs and species of flora, all on the edge or now extinct, have been made from a selection of throwaway material especially Val’s favourite medium, drinks can metal. This exhibition presents a subtle message about recycling and preservation, raising awareness of why the creatures on show are endangered or extinct. Find out why species are disappearing from this planet at an alarming rate.
Business Networking Brunch – Let's Talk Marketing! Join us for our second vibrant networking event, where great minds meet over coffee! Business Networking Brunch – Let's Talk Marketing! Join us for our second vibrant networking event, where great minds meet over coffee, cake, and conversation. Whether you're a start-up founder, freelancer, creative, or small business owner, this is your space to connect, collaborate, and grow. ? What to Expect Fresh coffee, delicious food, and homemade cake ? An inspiring guest speaker Finance and accounting Open discussion: How do YOU market your business? Space to share ideas, swap contacts, and build relationships ? Why You Should Come Build your local network Gain insights into accounting and cost effective strategies. Exchange tips and experiences in a relaxed setting Leave feeling motivated and supported in your business journey ? Special Guest Speaker: We'll be joined by a marketing expert sharing practical tools, stories, and fresh ideas to help you amplify your brand and reach the right audience.
Fancy a game of D&D? Or maybe you would to try something a little different? Try our Gaming Club hosted at Northampton Central Library in our Young Adults Area. This event is suitable for people aged 14+
Summer Open Days - June- September Every Saturday at 2 p.m. for 2 hours Please note that this event will not be taking place between 28 Jun 2025 and 5 Jul 2025 Church Of The Holy Sepulchre Sheep Street/Church Lane Northampton, NN1 3NL, United Kingdom Our Medieval Round Church has been welcoming visitors since 1100 AD and in 2024 she is set to fling open her doors again. On Saturdays afternoons from 2pm-4pm from June to September, visitors can learn all about this fascinating church and the historic treasures she contains. (Please note there is no Open Day on 28th June) If only these walls could talk, I wonder what they would say? For the moment we will let our historians do the talking. The Holy Sepulchre is the oldest building in Northampton, surviving the great fire, one of only four medieval round churches in the U.K., and has the longest aisle in Northampton. Historic battles have taken place here, famous people have been married here and royalty has visited. The stained glass is beautiful, the Soldier’s Chapel delightful and the stories even more intriguing. Join our volunteers and historians every Saturday from June to September to find out more. DATES: Every Saturday...
Join us for a creative night of drinking and painting in the heart of Northampton! No previous painting experience necessary! Get your creative juices flowing and your brush strokes going! What's included ??Approx. 2 hour step-by-step painting session led by our experienced artist and assistants. ??All painting materials needed to complete your masterpiece. ?? Acrylic paint on high-quality stretched canvas. ?? Photos taken throughout the session & posted on our Facebook page. ?? Heaps of fun exploring your creative side. ??A one-of-a-kind masterpiece to take home. ??and best of all - we clean up! Please arrive 15 mins before your event start time to get settled . Drinks are not included but can be purchased from the bar. BYO is not permitted as our events are held at licensed venues.
Ages 18+ We return to Delapré Abbey on 19th July for our biggest show to date, now with 4 stages of DJs & Live Music! ?? Your Summertime Live Northampton line up is headlined by Ministry of Sound Ibiza Anthems with Ellie Sax, plus performances from Sigma, Nathan Dawe, Switch Disco, SoSolid Crew and over 20 other artists across 4 stages! Expect an unforgettable day out with live roaming entertainers, shisha bar, festival fashion, glitter stalls, funfair amusements, an epic food village and the all new woodland stage. You do not want to miss this one... TICKETS ALWAYS SELL OUT IN ADVANCE, EARLY BOOKING IS RECOMMENDED Early entry (pre 3pm): Our most cost effective ticket! Ticket must be scanned for entry before 3pm. General admission: Price goes up in phases as time goes on. Book early to pay less! VIP Garden: Q-jump entry, VIP Garden access with premium bar and posh loos!