List of museums in Northamptonshire facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

This list is all about the awesome museums you can visit in Northamptonshire, England! Museums are super cool places where people collect, take care of, and show off amazing objects. These objects can be about history, art, science, or even everyday things from long ago.

In Northamptonshire, you'll find all sorts of museums. Some are run by groups that don't make a profit (called nonprofit organizations), some by the government, and some by private businesses. They all share their collections with you so you can learn and explore. This list also includes art galleries that are open to everyone. Get ready to discover some incredible places!

Exploring Northamptonshire's Museums
- Historic Houses and Estates
- Local History and Special Interest Museums
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Exploring Northamptonshire's Museums

Northamptonshire is packed with interesting museums, each with its own unique story to tell. From grand historic houses to museums about shoes or railways, there's something for everyone.

Historic Houses and Estates

Many museums in Northamptonshire are beautiful old homes that you can explore.

78 Derngate

* Location: Northampton * What it is: This is a special house that was redesigned by a famous architect named Charles Rennie Mackintosh. It's like stepping back in time to see his amazing style! There's also a gallery with modern crafts.

Althorp

* Location: Althorp * What it is: Althorp is a huge country estate with beautiful gardens. It's owned by the Earl Spencer family and was the childhood home of Diana, Princess of Wales. You can explore the grounds and learn about its history.

Boughton House

* Location: Kettering * What it is: This grand house is the home of the Duke of Buccleuch. It's filled with incredible art and has lovely gardens to wander through.

Canons Ashby House

* Location: Canons Ashby * What it is: Run by the National Trust, this is a beautiful Elizabethan manor house. You can imagine what life was like hundreds of years ago!

Cottesbrooke Hall

* Location: Creaton * What it is: This is an 18th-century house built in the Queen Anne style. It has charming gardens and a large park.

Deene Park

* Location: Corby * What it is: Deene Park is a medieval manor house with rooms from many different time periods. It also has lovely gardens to explore.

Kelmarsh Hall

* Location: Kelmarsh * What it is: An 18th-century manor house with beautiful gardens. It's a great place to see how people lived long ago.

Kirby Hall

* Location: Northampton * What it is: This Elizabethan country house is managed by English Heritage. It's partly in ruins, which makes it really interesting to explore, and it has lovely gardens.

Lamport Hall

* Location: Lamport * What it is: A historic Tudor home with beautiful gardens. It also has a museum dedicated to vintage tractors and farm equipment!

Prebendal Manor House

* Location: Nassington * What it is: A historic manor house with a fascinating past. You can learn more about it on its website.

Rockingham Castle

* Location: Corby * What it is: This used to be a royal castle and a hunting lodge! You can explore its history, gardens, and grounds.

Southwick Hall

* Location: Southwick * What it is: A medieval manor house with beautiful gardens and grounds. You can find more information on its website.

Sulgrave Manor

* Location: Sulgrave * What it is: This house was the ancestral home of George Washington's family! It shows what life was like from the Tudor period all the way through the Georgian era.

Local History and Special Interest Museums

These museums focus on the history of specific towns or unique topics.

Abington Park Museum

* Location: Northampton * What it is: This museum covers local history, old costumes, the history of leather, and the story of the Northamptonshire Regiment.

Burton Latimer Heritage Museum

* Location: Burton Latimer * What it is: This museum is run by the Burton Latimer Heritage Society and focuses on the local history of the town. You can visit their website for more details.

The Canal Museum

* Location: Stoke Bruerne * What it is: Learn all about the history of canals in Britain! It's located right by a canal, so you can see how they work.

Carpetbagger Aviation Museum

* Location: Harrington * What it is: This museum tells the story of RAF Harrington and the 801st Bombardment Group (Provisional) during World War II. It's all about aviation history!

Corby Heritage Centre

* Location: Corby * What it is: This center explores the local history of Corby. You can find more information on their website.

Daventry Museum

* Location: Daventry * What it is: This museum focuses on the local history of Daventry. Check out their website to plan your visit.

Desborough Heritage Centre

* Location: Desborough * What it is: Learn about the history and heritage of Desborough at this center. Their website has more information.

East Carlton Park Steel Heritage Centre

* Location: East Carlton * What it is: This center shows displays about local history and how the iron and steel industry grew in the area.

Irchester Narrow Gauge Railway Museum

* Location: Irchester * What it is: If you love trains, this is for you! It has steam and diesel locomotives, a life-size model of a quarry, and lots of old industrial and railroad items.

Jeyes of Earls Barton Museums

* Location: Earls Barton * What it is: This unique place has several small museums! You can find the Earls Barton Museum of Village Life, the Jeyes Heritage & Pharmacy Museum, and even a model funfair. It's also a gift shop and coffee shop. Find out more on their website.

Kettering Museum and Art Gallery

* Location: Kettering * What it is: This museum includes the Manor House Museum, which shows local history and culture. It also has the Alfred East Art Gallery, where you can see local art. Check their website.

Long Buckby Museum

* Location: Long Buckby * What it is: This museum tells the story of Long Buckby's local history. Visit their website for details.

Museum of Leathercraft

* Location: Northampton * What it is: Located in the Grosvenor shopping center, this museum explores the history and development of leathercraft. Learn more on their website.

Northampton Museum and Art Gallery

* Location: Northampton * What it is: This large museum has an amazing collection of shoes, art, decorative items, and local history exhibits.

Northamptonshire Ironstone Railway Trust

* Location: Hunsbury Hill * What it is: A heritage railway and museum where you can experience old trains and learn about railway history.

Oundle Museum

* Location: Oundle * What it is: This museum focuses on the local history of Oundle. You can find more information on their website.

Piddington Villa Museum

* Location: Piddington * What it is: Discover artifacts and the remains of a large Roman villa at this archaeological museum. It's like digging up history!

Rothwell Arts and Heritage Centre

* Location: Rothwell * What it is: This center covers both local history and art in Rothwell. Check out their website.

Rushden Museum

* Location: Rushden * What it is: This museum tells the local history of Rushden, especially focusing on the town's shoe industry. Visit their website.

Rushden Transport Museum

* Location: Rushden * What it is: A great place for transport fans! It has railway memorabilia, old train cars, and road transport vehicles.

Sywell Aviation Museum

* Location: Sywell * What it is: Located at a former World War II airfield, this museum has artifacts, parts of recovered airplanes, and tells the story of local aviation history.

Wellingborough Museum

* Location: Wellingborough * What it is: This museum explores the local history and culture of Wellingborough. You can find more details on their website.

Wollaston Museum

* Location: Wollaston * What it is: This museum focuses on the local history, culture, and industry of Wollaston. More information is available here.