Towcester Regional Information

Help and advice on buying property in Towcester and the surrounding villages

Perfectly placed in the centre of England in South Northamptonshire and steeped in history, Towcester offers the ideal balance between a buzzing market town and rural tranquillity. Add to that easy accessibility to London, Birmingham, Milton Keynes, and further afield, and you start to see its attraction.

Laying claim to being the oldest continuously inhabited settlement in the country, Towcester pre-dates even Roman occupation; Watling Street (the A5), which runs straight through the town, being just one of many developments its seen in its time. It is just a stone’s throw away from one of motorsport’s key international hubs, Silverstone –  read on for the additional advantages besides being great for petrolheads – and is nestled in the stunningly beautiful countryside of the ‘secret shires’, with its own personality, Towcester becomes hard to resist.

Transport Links

Towcester doesn’t have its own train station, however it is only a 20 minute drive to the main line station of Milton Keynes along the A5. From MK you can head into both London, Euston (in just over half an hour), and Birmingham (just over an hour). Northampton is also easily accessible from here, whilst other commuters choose Banbury or Bicester in order to arrive at Marylebone.

With regards to the road network, Towcester is conveniently placed for hopping onto the M1, which is just a few minutes’ drive eastwards along the A43. Carry further along on the same road and you’ll soon reach Northampton. If you head west, you will get to the M40 within half an hour. And the A5 (and the M1) provide very convenient access to Coventry, via the M45 and A45. Taking this direction, you can then head onto Birmingham easily too.

For people needing to travel by air, Luton Airport is just over 30 miles away and Birmingham International is under 40 miles. However, Towcester’s proximity to the M1 also makes access to Heathrow, Stansted, and Gatwick pretty easy via the motorway network as well.

Looking for Property Near Towcester

Towcester itself has a truly historic market town feel to it. However, if you’re hankering after a more rural setting, but still wish to benefit from all that the town has to offer, South Northamptonshire teems with little villages and hamlets to investigate.

In a triangle pointing towards Northampton, bordered by the A43, the M1, and the A5, you will discover gorgeous places such as Tiffield, Bugbrooke, Pattishall, and Nether Heyford. Just to the west of the A5, you’ll find Stowe, Farthinghoe, Litchborough, Grimscote, Maidford, and Blakesley. And you mustn’t overlook Greens Norton, Abthorpe, and Wappenham. Plus Flore and Weedon, literally just off the A5 to the north, offer you the delights of the canal network as well as gorgeously picturesque residential lanes.

To the south east of Towcester, glorious countryside and agricultural farmsteads stretch out, with some lovely hamlets and villages worth a look, for example Heathencote, Alderton, Stoke Bruerne (very canal friendly too!), and Blisworth.

And to the south of Towcester, you’ll discover Whittlebury, home to the luxurious Whittlebury Park Spa and Golf Course. Plus close by is the stunning village of Silverstone; enchanting in itself but obviously also the location of the famous Silverstone Circuit. For more in this direction see our Buckingham and Brackley pages.  It’s worth noting that the motoring events that take place throughout the year have enabled many motor sport businesses to thrive in the area. The upshot of this has been the healthy development of a rental market catering for owners, experts, and enthusiasts; something to bear in mind if you’re an investor seeking properties in the area.

Schools Serving the Towcester Area and Surrounding Villages

Towcester itself has excellent state primary schools, and the same can be said of many of the surrounding villages. Sponne State Secondary School is very highly rated by Ofsted. Stowe, Akeley Wood and Northampton High School are good independent options. Beachborough Prep School is about 15 minutes’ drive away in Westbury, near Brackley which has Winchester House, both offer flexible boarding. Swanbourne School, in Buckinghamshire, is about half an hour’s drive and offers boarding too up to Year 8. And there are more independent schools just a little further afield such as Rugby School, Princethorpe, and Bloxham.

Additional boarding options are also open to you at Uppingham, Oakham, Oundle, Wellingborough, and Spratton Hall, and none are very far away, so in truth you are spoilt for choice.

Points of Local Interest In and Around Towcester

Towcester has a lot to offer leisure and entertainment wise. Its racecourse, currently focussing on greyhound racing, offers opulent hospitality for events, and hosts great local events such as the extremely popular food and drink festival annually, which is definitely something to put in the diary.

The main road heading through the town, Watling Street (the A5), has a wonderful array of local independent shops and cafes, though of course certain chains also have a presence as you’d expect. The Bell Plantation garden centre, just on the edge of the town, offers a lovely array of concessions e.g. a vintage emporium, and it has a popular café that never loses its charm. You might also be pleased to learn that there is a monthly farmers’ market with plenty of homemade and locally produced fare to add to your pantry. However, for a more extended range of shopping opportunities, Milton Keynes is very conveniently just a few miles drive and easy to get to.

Obviously, one of the biggest highlights in the area is Silverstone Circuit, which hosts the Formula 1 Grand Prix and Moto GP. These events are a boon to Towcester and the surrounding villages, and enable some wonderful small business, pubs, and restaurants to thrive to the benefit of all who live in the area. And if you are one to relish a relaxing spa day, Whittlebury Park is just ten minutes’ drive from the centre of town.

For those who enjoy a roam around beautiful gardens Stowe House & Gardens and Canons Ashby Manor House all offer some gorgeous sights to enjoy. But of course, we have to mention the stunning countryside that surrounds the town. If you love a stroll in a forest, an amble along a country path, or a wander along a tow path… Towcester offers it on your doorstep. The waterways network in the area is very popular and well maintained, and we’d recommend Stoke Bruerne and Weedon for those with an interest in the canals. And if you have a penchant for longer trips on foot, The Midshires, Grafton, and Knightly Way footpaths should go on your to-do list.

Future

There is now talk of expansion of the rail depot near Blisworth, towards Northampton. And the Proposed HS2 route does pass through this area, near Brackley. Whilst it is obviously important to understand the impact of future developments, works on HS2 have started and it is possible to find out more detail regarding a location once you’ve pinned one down. Of course it is impossible to know for sure on any house purchase what might happen in the future, though, and this must be borne in mind. For example, the impact of HS2 will vary enormously from house to house, and sound can travel in unexpected ways rather than line of sight. Also, when it is built, the HS2 trains will be electric and far less nuisance than current trains. It is possible that some properties may be adversely affected during the construction phase, even a long way from the actual route. But with careful research and an open mind, you may feel that the eventual impact will not be significant for you, and you can potentially invest in a property at a good price.

How Can We Help?

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.