SHOPPING DISCOVERIES
Northampton Market dates from the turn of the 12th century and is one of the largest in England. Lots of good food & vegetable stalls, and much else besides. Open Mon-Sat. St Giles St has a whole range of interesting gift and art shops – worth a good browse, especially Abraxas Cookshop at 40-42 and J. Lawrence & Co Traditional Bakers at 35-37
PIT STOPS Dream Coffee Lounge, 59 St Giles St. People love the friendly service here and delicious light snacks. Are You Being Served? 62 St Giles St. A genuine local café, always very popular. 78 Derngate A Really delightful tea room, overlooking Becket’s Park. Drinks are served in vintage crockery, and the homemade cakes are to die for.
GETTING THERE AND PARKING
It takes about an hour down the A43. The road system is fairly simple to understand and there are several car parks. Albion Place Car Park (NN1 1UD) is convenient both for 78 Derngate and the centre of town. A good website for finding out more about the town is www.lovenorthampton.co.uk
Focus on 78 Derngate – The Mackintosh House
St Giles St has a whole range of interesting gift and art shops – worth a good browse The Seafood Café, Giles St Tel: 01604 627989 We had a light lunch here and loved it. A cross between a simple restaurant and a takeaway, I can safely say ‘the best fish and chips that I have ever had!’ And there are many other seafood choices, including lobster, crab & oysters for the more sophisticated palate.
ES C A L P T TO EA
Les Olives Tapas, 18B Sheep St (just north of the market) comes highly recommended for its range of delicious tapas dishes and fun atmosphere. Evening Only Dang’s Vietnamese, 205 Wellingborough Rd Tel: 01604 607 060 gets a mention in the Michelin guide; “Passionately run, food is fresh, tasty and good value,”
78 Derngate is a Grade II* listed Georgian house, originally built in the 1820s. It was re-modelled in 1916 and 1917 by Charles Rennie Mackintosh for its forward-looking owner Mr. WJ Bassett-Lowke, a wellknown local businessman, model maker and advocate of functional modern design. It is Mackintosh’s only significant work in England. Pamela Robertson, Professor of Mackintosh Studies at the Hunterian Art Gallery, University of Glasgow, says: “78 Derngate is of major importance in Mackintosh’s career. In terms of creative content, it is his most significant piece of design work after leaving Glasgow. The interiors strikingly and successfully combine visual impact with, for its day, high-tech infrastructure and the efficient and hygienic use of space.” We went on a tour, lasting just over an hour, which was a delight from start to finish. The house, although small, has something of interest in every room, and the guide has many quirky stories to tell. It is the Dining Room and Guest Bedroom that will take your breath away, not least for their sheer feel of modernity. Next to the house there is now a visitors’ centre, comprising art gallery and café/restaurant, also both recommended. Tue-Sun 10.00am 5.00pm. Last entry 4.30 pm. Closed Mondays, (except Bank Holidays). Guided tours are recommended but not mandatory. Call ahead to book 82 Derngate Northampton NN1 1UH Tel: 01604 603407 www.78derngate.org.uk
Dining Room Guest bedroom
RUTLAND & MARKET HARBOROUGH STAMFORD LIVING Living SEPTEMBER MARCH2013 2013
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