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Things to do in Northampton that aren’t clubbing!

Date 2 December 2025

Yulianna shares student friendly things to do in Northampton which aren’t clubbing!

Yulianna Skakun

Northants’ Gems

Northampton is a cosy town which has plenty of things for students to do on the weekends.

Shopping

Northampton has a variety of independent retailers, shops and stores in the town centre, as well as a small shopping centre which is a good place to buy clothes, jewellery, and tech. Majority of the shops in town centre such as Clarks, H&M, Office offer a 10% student discount: you just need to show your student ID or use the Unidays app to benefit from the discount.

Furthermore, there is a bigger shopping complex at Rushden Lakes where you can enjoy fresh air, nice views and a larger variety of cafes, coffee shops, and shops. Rushden Lakes is easily accessible by bus.

Food and Drink

There is a diverse range of restaurants and cafes in Northampton which international students will especially find pleasant. From Turkish to Chinese cuisine in central Northampton, as well as plenty of pubs to go out to on weekends. For example, Palm Northampton which recently opened, they offer a wide variety of dishes, combining fair prices, big portions and eye-catching interior design.

Activities

The Northampton Museum and Art Gallery, various gyms, a cinema and more are located in Northampton town centre which you can choose from to spend your time qualitatively and with pleasure. Some of these places might offer a student discount or student offers.

Self Care

Furthermore, there are lots of hair and beauty spaces such as luxury hair salons, nail bars, and more. For example, MP Beaty & Nails, Seckington Northampton, Zone beauty are some of my favourites!

Coffee Shops

For coffee fans, there are plenty of coffee shops and juice bars in Northampton. There are coffee chains like Costa and Starbucks, and a large variety of independent coffee shops such as Grand Café and Bewiched.


Discover student friendly activities in Northampton by visiting our student life page

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Yulianna Skakun wears a beige coat and stands on a wooden bridge beside a river, looking to the right. In the background are trees and a section of the Creative Hub.
Yulianna Skakun

Yulianna is a Law student at the University of Northampton. She is a tutor of English and a musician, and in her spare time, she is keen on producing qualitative and aesthetic content to inspire and motivate others.