Northamptonshire is landlocked between eight other counties. It has been conquered by both the Danes and the Saxons and, consequently, is one of the few counties in England to have both Saxon and Danish town-names and settlements.George Washington, the first President of the United States of America, was born into the Washington family who had migrated to America from Northamptonshire in 1656. Two major canals, the Oxford and the Grand Union, join in the county at Braunston.

Northamptonshire has always held strong links with the nobility and its heritage of beautiful stately homes and gardens two of which are Rockingham Castle and Althorpe House.