Towcester facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Towcester |
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 St Lawrence's Church and Towcester Town Hall |
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 Towcester
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| Population | 11,542 (2021 Census) |
| OS grid reference | SP691481 |
| • London | 57 miles (92 km) SE |
| Civil parish |
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| Unitary authority |
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| Ceremonial county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | TOWCESTER |
| Postcode district | NN12 |
| Dialling code | 01327 |
| Police | Northamptonshire |
| Fire | Northamptonshire |
| Ambulance | East Midlands |
| EU Parliament | East Midlands |
| UK Parliament |
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Towcester (pronounced TOH-stər) is a historic market town in Northamptonshire, England. It is known for being one of the oldest towns in the country.
For a long time, it was a Roman town called Lactodurum. This town was built along an important road called Watling Street, which is now the A5 road. Later, during Saxon times, Towcester was a border town between two kingdoms. The town even appears in a famous book by Charles Dickens, The Pickwick Papers. Today, Towcester is also famous for its racecourse, which has hosted many horse racing events.
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What Does the Name Towcester Mean?
The name Towcester comes from an old English name, Tōfeceaster. The first part, Tōfe, refers to the River Tove that flows nearby. The second part, ceaster, comes from a Latin word meaning "camp." This word was often used for places in Britain that used to be Roman army camps.
So, Towcester means "Camp on the River Tove." This name tells us about the town's Roman past and its location by the river.
A Look at Towcester's Past
How Old is Towcester?
Towcester is thought to be the oldest town in Northamptonshire. It might even be one of the oldest places in the entire country where people have lived continuously. This is because archaeologists have found very old items from the British Iron Age in the town. There is also proof that people lived here as far back as the Mesolithic era, which was the middle stone age.
Towcester in Roman Times
During the time of Roman Britain, the Romans built Watling Street right through this area. They also set up a military town called Lactodurum where Towcester is today. This Roman town was an important stop along the road.
An interesting stone head, which mixes both Celtic and Roman styles, was found near Watling Street outside the town. It is now kept in the British Museum.
Saxon and Medieval Towcester
After the Romans left Britain in the 5th century, Saxons settled in the area. In the 9th century, Watling Street became a border. It separated the kingdom of Wessex from the Danelaw, which was an area ruled by Vikings. This made Towcester an important border town.
In 917, King Edward the Elder made Towcester stronger by building defenses. Later, in the 11th century, the Normans built a type of castle called a motte-and-bailey castle here. Today, you can still see the remains of this castle at Bury Mount. It's a protected ancient site and was updated in 2008 so people can visit it easily.
Towcester in the Georgian and Victorian Eras
In the 1700s and early 1800s, Towcester became a very busy place. This was when stagecoaches and mail coaches were popular. Watling Street was a main road connecting London to Holyhead. Towcester became a major stopping point for travelers. Many inns and places for horses were built, and some of them are still there today.
However, things changed quickly in 1838. The London and Birmingham Railway opened, but it did not go through Towcester. Instead, it passed through a town called Blisworth, which was four miles away. This meant Towcester became a quiet market town again.
Later, in 1866, Towcester finally got its own railway connection. Over time, it was possible to travel in four different directions from Towcester railway station. However, these railway lines eventually closed. The last one for passengers closed in 1952. Today, a Tesco supermarket stands where the railway station used to be.
Towcester in the 20th Century and Today
During the Second World War, many children from London were sent to Towcester for safety. The government thought the town was far enough away from big cities that might be bombed. Towcester was bombed twice, but it did not suffer major damage.
In modern times, cars brought new life to the town. Even though a new road (the A43) now goes around part of the town, the A5 road still goes through the town center. This can cause traffic jams and pollution. Plans are being made to build a new road to help with traffic and to expand the town. A new road linking the A5 to the A43 is being built and should be finished by 2025.
Towcester's population has grown a lot. In 1961, about 2,743 people lived there. By 2011, this number had grown to 9,252. There are also plans to build even more houses, which means the population will continue to grow.
Where is Towcester Located?
Towcester is about 10 miles southwest of Northampton. It is also about 11 miles northwest of Milton Keynes, which are the closest large towns. Oxford is about 20 miles to the southwest.
The A43 road now goes around the north side of Towcester. However, the A5 road still goes through the town center. This road carries a lot of traffic. A new road linking the A5 to the A43 is being built to help traffic avoid the town center.
The closest train station is Northampton railway station, which is about 10 miles away. There are also buses that connect Towcester to nearby towns like Northampton, Milton Keynes, and Silverstone.
How is Towcester Governed?
Towcester has two levels of local government. The first is the parish level, which is handled by Towcester Town Council. The second is the unitary authority level, managed by West Northamptonshire Council.
The Towcester Town Council is based at Towcester Town Hall on Watling Street. This building was built in 1865.
For many years, Towcester was part of the South Northamptonshire district. The council for this district moved into a new building called The Forum in 2015. However, in 2021, the South Northamptonshire District Council was replaced by the new West Northamptonshire Council. This new council has its main offices in Northampton, but The Forum in Towcester is still used as a local office.
Since 1986, the local council has been called Towcester Town Council. This means the parish is officially recognized as a town.
Things to See and Do in Towcester
Towcester Mill, located on Chantry Lane, is a very old building. It was mentioned in the Domesday Book way back in 1086! The oldest part of the building that still stands today is over 200 years old. This mill used water power to grind corn into flour. It is believed to be the only water mill in Northamptonshire that still has a working turbine.
Just outside Towcester, in a village called Slapton, you can find The Slapton Wall Paintings. These are beautiful and old wall paintings from the 1300s and 1400s inside the Church of St Botolph.
Towcester also has an Air Cadet squadron and a scout and guide group. The Towcester Museum has exhibits that show the town's history, from ancient times to today. The town also has a wetland park, two smaller "pocket parks," and a main park called The Recreation Ground, or "The Rec."
Local News and Media
If you want to watch local TV in Towcester, you can get channels from BBC East and ITV Anglia. For radio, you can listen to BBC Radio Northampton and Heart East. Local newspapers that cover the town include the Northampton Herald & Post and the Northampton Chronicle & Echo.
Sports in Towcester
Towcester Racecourse is a well-known place for sports. It is located on the east side of the town. Many national horse racing events have been held there.
In 2010, the World Hovercraft Championship was held at the racecourse. Towcester also has its own rugby club, Towcestrians R.F.C., and a cycling club called the A5 Rangers, which started in 1948.
Towcester is also very close to the famous motor racing track, Silverstone Circuit, which is only 5 miles away.
Twin Towns
Towcester is connected to another town through a special friendship called "twinning." Towcester is twinned with Zhydachiv, which is in Ukraine.
Famous People from Towcester
Many interesting people have come from Towcester, including:
- Richard Empson (around 1450 – 1510), who was an important minister for King Henry VII of England.
- James Hutchings, who was a publisher of a magazine about California.
- John Meyrick, an athlete who competed in the 1948 Summer Olympics.
- Elliot Parish (born 1990), a professional football player.
- Thomas Shepard (1605–1649), a Puritan minister who moved to America.
- Graeme Swann (born 1979), a famous cricketer.
- Joshua Steele (born 1989), a well-known DJ.
Towcester in Books
In Charles Dickens's novel The Pickwick Papers, a place called the "Saracen's Head Inn" in Towcester is featured. It's one of the places where Mr. Pickwick stops during his travels along what is now the A5 road.
See also
In Spanish: Towcester para niños
