Discover Kettering, Northamptonshire

Kettering, Northamptonshire, England: Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bath_Road,_Kettering_-_geograph.org.uk_-_473409.jpg
Author: Stephen McKay


Kettering is a market town in the Borough of Kettering in Northamptonshire, England. Situated on the west bank nof the River Ise about 130 km (81 mi) to the northwest of London, Kettering has a population of some 55,000 people (2012 estimate), with a borough population of around 86,000 people.

The area around Kettering first registered human presence around the Iron Age, about 500 BC. From the early part of the 1st century BC it was inhabited by the Catuvellauni, a Belgic tribe, until 43 AD, when the Romans arrived and subdued them. During Roman times, the early British built a settlement of which remnants could still be seen, located on the northern part of modern Kettering.

The existence of early Saxon burial site indicated that the Anglo-Saxons took over the area around the 5th century AD, after the Romans withdrew. By the 7th century the area has become part of the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Mercia. Kettering manor was listed in the Domesday Book of 1086. At that time it was held by the Abbey of Peterborough.

Kettering was granted a market charter from King Henry III to the Bishop of Peterborough in 1227. The market was held regularly until 1986, when the bus station was moved to a different site, causing a steep drop in market trade, forcing it to eventually disband.

St Andrew's Church, Kettering: Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:St.Andrew%27s_church_-_geograph.org.uk_-_533907.jpg
Author: Richard Croft


Kettering's traditional trade was in the making of boots and shoes. The Industrial Revolution of the 19th century brought engineering and clothing industries to the town. Today the economy is based mostly on services and distribution.

Visiting Kettering

From London take the M1 motorway to Northampton, then continue north on the A43 road to reach Ketting.

Places of Interest in Kettering

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