| | | Northampton is the main county town and once rivalled London as a seat of power and influence. |
Dating back over 800 years, it was almost totally re-built following a fire in
the 1600s. |
| The influence of the Victorians on the town can be seen in buildings like the Guildhall. |
| The show industry thrived here and footwear fans can see a bewildering rnage of shoes and boots at the Central Museum and Art Gallery ,which has recently opened a new permanent exhibition called Followers of Fashion. |
One of the most fun events is the annual Northampton Balloon Festival, where
you can watch hundreds of colourful and strangely shaped balloons heading for the skies. |
| Just north of Northampton is one of Britain's best known stately homes - Althorp. Owned by the Earl of Spencer, part of the estate has been turned into a tribute to his sister, Diana, Princess of Wales, following her tragic death in 1997. |
| Visitors flock from all over the world to learn about Diana as a girl growing up at the Northamptonshire home. Her final resting place is on an island in a lake within the grounds, well away from public view. |
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