The area in and around Corby, Kettering, and Wellingborough is a stunning part of the secret shire of Northamptonshire. Brimming with history and surrounded by spectacular countryside, you can get a lot for your money house-wise, whilst benefitting from a truly wonderful setting. With homes in appealing village locations going for a snip of the price of the home counties but still enjoying a similar commuting time into the capital… what’s not to love?
Well supported by the train network, Kettering, Corby, and Wellingborough all have their own stations, which makes for rich choice of the beautiful surrounding villages if you plan to commute. Put simply, London (St Pancras is just one hour), Leicester, Nottingham, and Sheffield are all within an easy train ride. And if it’s Birmingham New Street you need, a short drive to Northampton will have you there in just an hour too.
However, if it’s the road network you use, anyone needing to hop onto the M1 to head north or south will find the access incredibly quick and simple. The A1 is also nearby, as is the M6 for routes to Coventry and Birmingham. Plus you also have the A14 to head across to the east of the country if that’s where your travels need to take you.
And for those wanting to hop on a plane from time to time, via the motorway network both Luton and East Midlands airports are just under an hour away, and Birmingham not much further.
Corby, Kettering, and Wellingborough have quite an industrial past and individually ooze a sense of history for those seeking to live in established market-style towns. However, if you’re keen to find a more chocolate box village setting, you will have plenty to choose from in the area.
Starting with locations just north of Corby, you’ll be nudging up into the Rutland area and can discover little gems such as Seaton, Lyddington, Kings Cliffe, and Duddington, with glorious Rockingham Forest close by. However, you’ll also discover Medbourne and Slawston if you take a more north westerly approach.
On the eastern side of the trio of towns, you’ll find delightful little villages such as Barnwell, Deene, and Southwick, then Geddington, Rushton and Islip. And we have to mention Barton Seagrove and Caldecotte too. Aldewincle and Brigstock are mentioned in the Domesday Book, as are quite a few of the villages in the area, to be honest. And nestling in a wooded hollow off the busy A6116 between Thrapston and Corby you’ll find Sudborough hidden from the world.
Moving closer to the eastern side of Kettering, you’ll soon come upon Burton Latimer, Thrapston, Keystone, Ringstead, and Woodford, plus Great Addington, Orlingbury, and Pytchley. And slipping further south towards the Wellingborough area, you’ll discover Hargreave, Knotting, Yielden, Castle Ashby, and Cogenhoe. South east of Wellingborough, gorgeous little places such as Farndish, Podington, and Hinwick are worth a good explore. As is Sharnbrook, which is just off the A6.
Moving around the south of Wellingborough, you’ll discover Great Doddington, Easton Maudit, and Wollaston. And if you were to then start to head up the west side of the three towns, you’d soon come across delightful little places such as Brixworth and Sywell. Then Kelmarsh and Naseby. Before hitting Hallaton, Stoke Albany, and Braybrooke.
In truth, the wonderful little hideouts we’ve mentioned above are simply a few of many, and we’d highly recommend you throw yourself into discovering the multitude of secrets the area holds.
State funded schools in and around Corby, Kettering, and Wellingborough consistently offer a very high standard of education, with many rating as outstanding or good by Ofsted. However, there are also some high performing independent schools, including Northampton High School, Bosworth Independent College, Wellingborough, and Quinton House School.
Excellent boarding schools are also within easy reach, including Oakham, Stowe, Rugby, Bloxham, and Spratton Hall. Plus, with Oundle and Uppingham so close by, they can equally make a great day option if that’s preferred.
Corby, Kettering, and Wellingborough themselves are infused with history and have a strong market town feel. Wellingborough is one of the smallest towns in the county, but its past rolls back as far as the Domesday Book, and Corby and Kettering have powerful links to the industrial revolution; in particular the steel and cobbling industries. So if you’re into shoes, this area is where your heart will resonate.
All three towns offer easy access to Rutland, and many of the other glorious green spaces Northamptonshire offers. And with places such as Wicksteed Park not far away, and Rockingham Forest, there’s plenty to keep families entertained. However, of course beautiful gardens, stunning country homes, and interesting woodlands are in abundance too, with places such as Boughton House, Althorp, Castle Ashby, and Rushton Hall within easy driving distance. Plus further historical distraction can be enjoyed in Northampton, with Delapre Abbey, Coton Manor’s lovely gardens, and the remains of Northampton Castle. And the site of the Battle of Naseby is not too far away either; a significant encounter that took place during the English Civil War.
Other nearby delights include Pitsford Water for those who enjoy a sail or a splash, and Salcey Forest, which offers lovely walks over quite an extensive area. Plus the Northamptonshire waterways network are very well maintained; Stoke Bruerne and Weedon being a must for those with an interest in the canals.
For shopaholics, individually the towns can offer you a good selection of day-to-day bits and bobs, plus a shopping break in one of many independent cafes that thrive. Rushden Lakes is a short drive, and offers extensive retail shopping for a day out, with a trip to the cinema in the evening if you so desire. However, you can also fill your time there wandering the lakeside walks, doing a spot of canoeing, or pitching a putt at the mini golf course. However, for a change of scene, you could also venture to the Nene Wetland Visitor Centre and Stanwick Lakes for some picturesque wandering.
For those seeking the luxury of a newly built home, there are significant plans awaiting consideration in various places around Kettering, Corby, and Wellingborough. Of particular note is the proposed development at Overstone, near Wellingborough, for 1,600 new homes., which is part of a plan for 3,500 houses being developed by Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes. It’s also worth bearing in mind that the new formula being used by the government may well require planned development around the three towns to increase significantly. At Stacks, we’re constantly monitoring activities in this area and can guide you on what is being proposed.
As a property finder, we help not only with your house hunt but we also oversee the purchase process all the way to completion. And in taking on this role, we thus remove all the obstacles from your path, organising surveyors, conveyancers, and tradespeople etc. as necessary.
Our clients may be moving some distance, or be local; they may be too busy or not know where to begin; they may be unable to find a suitable house or have too much choice – see our case studies to see how we’ve helped people in your situation.
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