What to do in Northampton
Northampton is one of the UK’s largest towns, and its size guarantees one thing: there’s a lot to do around here! After living here for a year, here are my favourite places to visit!
Catch a show or film at the Royal & Derngate/Northampton Filmhouse
Whilst this may sound like two locations, they’re both joined together, so I’ll count them as one! Some of my fondest memories studying at Northampton have been at the Royal & Derngate theatre, such as: seeing the musical ‘Dear Evan Hansen’ for the first time; taking my Dad to see a Harry Hill stand up show as part of his Christmas present, and getting a tour backstage for a concert as a part of my course! Most touring productions and even some musical artists come to the Royal & Derngate, so I recommend checking the website and seeing if anything interests you. Similarly, the Northampton Filmhouse is an independent cinema where you can find both art films and the latest blockbusters, where the tickets are as low as £5.50 for people under 25, and the experience is much better than at a chain cinema!
Watch some jazz and have a great meal at the Charles Bradlaugh
One of my favourite things to do is attend the Charles Bradlaugh, a pub and restaurant, every Wednesday for their jazz night with 50% off main meals! This makes the burger meals only around £7.50, which is cheaper than most McDonalds meals for maybe the best burger I’ve ever had. For a thoroughly entertaining and relaxing evening with some incredible musicians to set the scene, Wednesday nights at the Bradlaugh are always great fun!
Win prizes at the Waterside Bar and Restaurant
The Waterside Bar not only looks great but is perfect for students who live on campus, as it’s located in the Learning Hub. Every week, different events take place, such as a Quizzes, Karaoke, and Bingo, all with different prizes, ranging from money, bottles of wine, and even sometimes a PS5! The location of the Waterside Bar, as well as the great student life team, will make your night one to remember. The karaoke is definitely my favourite, but I may be biased as a music student!
Discover history at the Northampton Museum
If you’re studying a history-based course, or even just a fan of history, the Northampton Museum and Art Gallery is a great place to visit! With exhibitions changing every few months, there’s always something new to explore. My favourite one so far has to have been the ‘Worst Album Covers’ exhibition, but once again, I may just be a biased music student! The best part about the museum is that entry is completely free, making it perfect for students trying to save money but still looking for an enjoyable day out. I do still recommend donating if you can, as it does help to keep the place running!
Go shopping at the Grosvenor Shopping Centre
The Grosvenor Shopping Centre is only on the doorstep for people living on the Waterside Campus or in St John’s Halls, and is a great place to visit for a variety of different shops. Here you’ll find an HMV, a Primark, a Waterstones and so much more to satisfy all your shopping needs! It’s also situated right in the centre of town, so if you can’t find a shop you’re looking for in the shopping centre itself, it’s bound to be found nearby.
Take a look at what student life is like in Northampton
