If it’s antiques you are after, then South Northamptonshire is the place for you.
Brackley alone has five antiques shops as well as the vast Antiques Cellar with over 40 stalls. Towcester has 6 antiques shops and a weekly antiques market in the Town Hall. There are also some very interesting shops in out of the way places, offering first class goods and services, many of which are not available in towns and cities, and with no traffic queues or car park charges. In many places you can get tea, or a decent meal in a nearby pub.
For more infomation contact Brackley Tourist Information Centre.
Here are some of interesting places to choose from:
Castle Ashby, Northampton
Castle Ashby
An Elizabethan mansion built betwen 1574 and 1640 on the site of a mediaeval castle, Castle Ashby House is now closed to the public, although available for weddings and private events. However the wonderful gardens and Capabability Brown landscaped grounds are open daily from 10am to dusk and there is also the delightful Castle Ashby Shopping Yard, with a restaurant and a selection of small shops including a delicatessen and craft shops.
Car Parking. Teas and lunches are also available at the nearby Falcon Hotel.
Open Tues-Sat 9.30am-5pm, Sun 11am-5pm
Telephone: 01604 696250
For more information, visit www.castleashby.co.uk
Tiffield, Towcester
A hundred acre farm specialising is sheep milking as well as sheep and cattle farming. Shop with home produced meat, yogurt and ice cream. One mile from A43 East.
Shop open Sun-Fri 2.30-5.00, Sat 8.30-5.30 Guided tours by appointment.
Telephone: 01327 350202
Potterspury, Towcester
Another rural shopping centre with a tea room, food hall, delicatessen, cookware, and a holistic therapy centre in an attractive courtyard setting.
Free parking. Disabled access and facilities.
Open Mon-Fri 9am-6pm, Sat 9am-5.30pm, Sun 10am-4pm and Bank Holiday Mondays.
Telephone: 01327 811493
Falcutt Farm, Helmdon
Wide range of garden pots, hanging baskets and plant pots. Also hardy perennials and herbs. Set just off the B4525, four miles north of Brackley.
Open daily Feb-Dec 10.00-5.00pm Closed Christmas, Boxing and New Years Day.
For further information, phone 01280 850479.
Clifford Mill House, Little Houghton
Iron furniture from electric wall lights and chandeliers to curtain rails, beds, tables, chairs, kitchen racks and small gifts. Unique designs, all hand crafted at Little Houghton. Commissions welcome.
Open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 10am-5pm
Telephone : 01604 890366
Upper Stowe, Northampton
A working farm with a variety of little shops including outlets for designer knitwear, clothes, gifts, china, a delicatessen and embroidery and there is a licensed bar/restaurant for home-cooked cakes, coffees, lunches and cream teas. For more details, visit www.old-dairy-farm-centre.co.uk
Open daily 10am-5.30pm. Free entrance and parking.
Telephone : 01327 340525
Brackley Antiques Cellar has gone from strength to strength and now has over 120 independent dealers all under one roof, making it the largest purpose built centre in the Midlands. Come and see the vast selection of antiques and collectables on offer, with dealers specialising in china and ceramics, jewellery, clocks, militaria, Victoriana, furniture and much, much more.
Open 7 days a week (10am – 5pm), there is plenty of free parking with facilities for coach parties, plus disabled access/parking. We are just 8 miles from the M40 junction 10, and 20 miles from M1 junction 15a.
In between browsing the stalls, why not take a break in our attractive on-site tearoom, offering home baked cakes, freshly made baguettes and sandwiches, hot and cold drinks and so on. After all, you can work up quite an appetite with all that shopping!