Northants, Leics &amp; Rutland


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why">WHY?</h2>



<p>Locations don&#8217;t get much better than <a href="https://althorpestate.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Althorp House</a> and The Bringtons (that&#8217;s Great and Little) skirt the perimeter of Lady Di&#8217;s childhood home, so it&#8217;s safe to say that the surrounding landscape is rolling, unspoilt and rather picturesque. There are honey coloured thatched houses a-plenty but there&#8217;s no shortage of buzzing village life and easy access to great eateries and entertainment.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">EAT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northants/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/09/ALTHORP-COACHING-INN-001-813x1000.jpeg" alt="The Althorp Coaching Inn, Great Brington" class="wp-image-42241" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Althorp Coaching Inn</figcaption></figure>



<p>These villages may be rural but there&#8217;s a decent supply of gastropub dining options close to hand. Stylish but unpretentious, with cosy log fires and flagstone floors, <a href="https://www.althorpcoachinginn.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Althorp Coaching Inn</a> in Great Brington (above) is a non-negotiable for the foodie set, with seasonal local produce centre stage. There&#8217;s also the <a href="https://thesaracensatbrington.co.uk/">Saracen&#8217;s Head</a> in Little Brington, which serves decent food and has a fantastic outdoor dining space. <a href="https://thebramptonhalt.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Brampton Halt</a>, a former station master&#8217;s house and now a bustling country pub, is just up the road in Chapel Brampton and has beautiful lakeside views. They serve breakfast too, extra brownie points. </p>



<p>The <a href="https://www.chefandbrewer.com/pubs/northamptonshire/spencer-arms" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Spencer Arms</a> in Chapel Brampton is cheerful and family friendly and the <a href="https://www.thefoxandhoundsharlestone.co.uk/#/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fox and Hounds</a> in Lower Harlestone is a stylish spot, perfect for date nights and Sunday lunch. The <a href="https://redlioneasthaddon.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Red Lion</a> in nearby East Haddon, is super friendly and has some great walks nearby. Just down the road is the newly installed <a href="https://www.hotelchocolat.com/uk/chocolate-shops/northampton.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hotel Chocolat</a> HQ, where you&#8217;ll find a factory shop and café that serves quite the most chocolatey treats on the planet. Even my sugar addled kids can&#8217;t finish one of their hot chocolates. Impressive. </p>



<p>Head into the centre of Northampton and you&#8217;ll find <a href="https://www.palarestaurant.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pala</a> restaurant, where wood fired pizza, chicchetti and cocktails are the order of the day, <a href="https://www.orenphobargrill.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oren Pho</a> Vietnamese, <a href="https://www.cowpigchicken.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Smoke Pit</a> for burgers and ribs, <a href="https://nuovo-restaurant.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nuovo </a>for small plates and <a href="https://www.tomhewercatering.com/hibiscus" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hibiscus</a> for Fine dining tasting menus among many others. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">SHOP</h2>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="838" height="1110" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2023/10/Not-Another-Jungle-plant-shop-Northants.jpg" alt="Not Another Jungle plant shop Northants" class="wp-image-51839" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2023/10/Not-Another-Jungle-plant-shop-Northants.jpg 838w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2023/10/Not-Another-Jungle-plant-shop-Northants-226x300.jpg 226w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2023/10/Not-Another-Jungle-plant-shop-Northants-773x1024.jpg 773w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2023/10/Not-Another-Jungle-plant-shop-Northants-768x1017.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 838px) 100vw, 838px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Not Another Jungle</figcaption></figure></div>


<p>Right next door to Althorp Coaching Inn at Great Brington is the <a href="https://bringtonspo.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">village shop and Post Office</a>, where you can stock up on essentials and local, seasonal produce. <a href="https://www.smithsfarmshop.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Smiths Farm Shop</a> in Chapel Brampton will be your saviour if you decide to move out this way, much of the produce is grown right here on the family farm. You&#8217;re also a hop, skip and jump from Sixfields in Northampton, where there&#8217;s a Sainbury&#8217;s, an M&amp;S Food and plenty of large chains and it&#8217;s half an hour to the centre of Northampton, where you&#8217;ll also find <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CxX65IFNAak/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Not Another Jungle</a> a houseplant lovers heaven, <a href="https://www.abraxascookshop.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Abraxas Cookshop</a>, the wonderful deli <a href="https://www.instagram.com/stgilescheese/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">St Giles Cheese</a>, and designer boutique <a href="https://32theguild.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">32 The Guild</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-amp-wellbeing">HEALTH &amp; WELLBEING</h2>



<p><a href="https://northantsleicsrutland.muddystilettos.co.uk/lifestyle/wellbeing-lifestyle/review-empowerment-training-centre-northampton/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Empowerment Training Centre</a> in nearby Northampton is our go-to for fun and uplifting fitness with a super supportive vibe. Family-friendly <a href="https://northantsleicsrutland.muddystilettos.co.uk/lifestyle/wellbeing-lifestyle/6-reasons-to-make-soo-yoga-your-go-to-studio/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Soo Yoga</a> is just a 15 min hop, with state of the art studios offering everything from hatha and vinyasa to restorative yoga, meditation, wheel yoga, pregnancy and mother/baby yoga and even anti-gravity yoga (if you’ve never tried this you have to give it a go, it’s the most fun you can have with clothes on). There&#8217;s also an on-site creche and free parking.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-community">COMMUNITY</h2>



<p>The Bringtons have a strong community vibe with a number of village clubs and societies (gardening club, history society) plus an annual village show and the Althorp Coaching in is a fantastic source of feel good community vibes, with live music, wine and cheese nights and a monthly pub quiz. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">NEARBY ATTRACTIONS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northants/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/05/HOLDENBY-HOUSE-LBB-05.jpg" alt="Holdenby House northamptonshire northants lake stately home charles i falconry" class="wp-image-32935" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Holdenby House</figcaption></figure>



<p>We&#8217;ve already mentioned Althorp House, but nearby <a href="https://www.holdenby.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Holdenby House</a> packs a pretty good punch too, with stunning gardens and a falconry and wildlife centre. <a href="https://www.nlr.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Northampton and Lamport Railway</a> is a steam and heritage diesel railway line, with the station next door to The Brampton Halt and a line that runs alongside the Brampton Valley Way, a 14-mile linear park from Northampton to Market Harborough along the old railway line. The BVW is great for walking or cycling through the countryside. </p>



<p><a href="https://www.bramptonstables.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brampton Stables</a> is a winner if you or your kids are horse lovers, there&#8217;s also a popular café here that serves hot drinks panini, cakes and the like. There&#8217;s <a href="https://www.tenpin.co.uk/our-locations/northampton/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tenpin</a> bowling at Sixfields, the <a href="https://www.ntfc.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cobblers</a> football ground and the Northampton Saints rugby ground at <a href="https://www.franklinsgardens.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Franklin&#8217;s Gardens</a>, as well as <a href="https://www.westnorthants.gov.uk/local-parks/upton-country-park" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Upton Country Park</a> and <a href="https://www.dustonmill.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Duston Mill</a>, which is an cool industrial event space with regular street food pop-ups. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">CULTURE</h2>



<p>There&#8217;s no shortage of history and heritage among the abundant stately homes nearby but, on top of all those, <a href="https://www.northamptonmuseums.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Northampton Museum and Art Gallery</a> is an absolute must visit. How could you not? It houses the world&#8217;s biggest shoe collection. Just across the road is the <a href="https://www.royalandderngate.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Royal and Derngate</a> for top tier theatre and comedy, as well as <a href="https://www.northamptonfilmhouse.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Northampton Filmhouse</a> for arthouse and old school films. Northampton&#8217;s <a href="https://www.theoldsavoy.co.uk/events/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Deco Theatre</a> also shows a good selection of stage plays, comedy, music and ballet and there&#8217;s a Cineworld at Sixfields for all your blockbuster needs. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-average-house-prices">AVERAGE HOUSE PRICES</h2>



<p>Average prices are pretty steep at £497,250 in Great Brington and a rather whopping £1.27m in sought-after Little Brington, making the overall average for these villages £883,625. Detached homes are selling for £1.25m, whilst terraced homes average £333,750. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">HOT PROPERTY</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="563" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/12/BPTL-LITTLE-BRINGTON.jpg" alt="Property for sale Little Brington Northamptonshire" class="wp-image-53559" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/12/BPTL-LITTLE-BRINGTON.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/12/BPTL-LITTLE-BRINGTON-300x169.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/12/BPTL-LITTLE-BRINGTON-768x432.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">An historic location with all the modern conveniences, this two storey house is converted from a former Althorp Estate Grain Barn. <a href="https://richardgreener.co.uk/detail/32912248" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">On the market for £1.875m</a>.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">NURSERIES</h2>



<p>There&#8217;s a clutch of nearby nurseries including <a href="https://www.theoldstationnursery.co.uk/nurseries/harpole/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Harpole Day Nursery</a>, less than ten minutes away, which takes children from 0 &#8211; 5 yrs old in a small, village setting. <a href="https://www.climbinghighnurseries.co.uk/floredaynursery" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Flore Day Nursery</a>, set in a former doctors&#8217; surgery is also just under 10 mins drive and accepts children from 3 mths &#8211; 5 yrs. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">SCHOOLS</h2>



<p>Brington Primary, rated Good by Ofsted, is the closest primary school and currently has places available. Nearby East Haddon Primary is rated Outstanding. For secondary places, The Bringtons are in catchment for Guilsborough Academy, which has a Good Ofsted rating and has benefitted in some major investment, with over £2m spent on new buildings and facilities. </p>



<p>For independent schools, <a href="https://northants.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/muddy-best-schools-guide-3-quinton-house-school/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Quinton House</a> is a co-ed day school for ages 3 –18 yrs, in a Grade I listed, 31-acre setting just 15 mins away;<a href="https://northants.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/spratton-hall/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Spratton Hall</a> is a co-ed day prep school for children aged 4 – 13 yrs, based in 50 acres, also 15 mins drive; <a href="https://northants.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/northampton-high-school/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Northampton High School</a> is an all-through girls&#8217; day school in a modern, purpose built setting is just 20 mins away; and <a href="https://bosworthschool.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bosworth Independent School</a> is a town centre co-ed day and boarding school in Northampton for ages 11 – 18 yrs. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">BEST KEPT SECRET</h2>



<p>It&#8217;s not a secret so much as a claim to fame, but Princess Diana is, of course, buried just outside the Bringtons, on a small island in The Oval Lakes within the grounds of <a href="https://althorpestate.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Althorp House</a>. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">COMMUTE</h2>



<p>You&#8217;re less than 10 min drive to the M1 Junction 16 if you&#8217;re zooming north or south by car. In terms of rail travel, Northampton train station is 20 mins away, where daily parking is £8.20 and an annual season ticket to Euston will set you back £6,700. A fast train into Euston takes 50 mins. The same line goes up to Birmingham, Manchester and as far as Glasgow and Edinburgh, so it&#8217;s well connected. </p>



<p><em>View the full <a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live">Top 300 Best Places to Live</a>.</em></p>


The Bringtons

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