Northampton Museum and Art Gallery is a prominent cultural institution in Northampton. Since its beginnings in 1865, the museum has collected interesting artwork, shoes, and artefacts from all over the world. Nowadays, it boasts an impressive new expansion, where you can attend an intimate Candlelight concert, a lecture and even a yoga class, among others.
The museum is situated in Northampton’s Cultural Quarter across the street from the Royal Theatre & Opera House. While there’s no on-site parking, the two car parks at Albion Place and St John’s and Mayorhold are only a short drive away. However, given its super central location, you can reach it by public transport from the North Gate Bus Station and the Northampton Railway Station.
Facts, Curiosities and Interesting Things about Northampton Museum and Art Gallery
1. Discover an eclectic collection
If you’re looking for fun things to do in the city but have limited time, the Northampton Museum and Art Gallery is basically the one-stop shop of museums. You’ll find a massive collection that includes history, archeology, world ethnography, costumes, decorative and fine art. With Neolithic and Bronze Age artifacts, a 3D model of Ichthyosaurus acutirostris, a collection of coins and medals, elegant laces and over 3,500 artworks, there’s so much to see!
2. Get the shoes baby, get the shoes!
Attention shoe addicts and sneakerheads! Don’t sleep on the Shoe Gallery at the museum. From court and bar shoes to clogs and boots, the museum depicts the history of shoe fashions from ancient Egypt around 5300 BCE up to the latest trends in fashion. With a strong focus on educating its visitors on why we choose to rock the shoes we get, the collection also touches on the idea of shoes as an indicator of our socio-economic status.
But how did it come about? People started donating shoes as soon as the museum opened and with Northampton being a prominent shoemaking town, factory owner Moses Philip Manfield initiated in 1873 a display of locally manufactured footwear, that would soon gain national significance.
3. Learning programmes for children and adults
The museum offers learning programmes for people of all ages and that includes teachers as well. If you want to improve your knowledge and skills on different topics, there are plenty of CPD training sessions and workshops available. Schools can also book on-site facilitated learning sessions that provide further information on curriculum-related topics. Through the use of museum objects, these interactive and engaging learning visits are both fun and educational.
Candlelight concerts at Northampton Museum and Art Gallery
The amazing museum also often hosts enchanting Candlelight concerts at its spacious grounds. The concert series celebrates some of the biggest names in music by recreating their songs in the classical form. From contemporary divas Taylor Swift and Adele to legendary bands in the likes of Queen and ABBA, you can catch a fascinating tribute as you’re surrounded by art and certainly, the trademark sea of flickering candles. Other than the skilled musicians, the candles are one of the main reasons why guests keep coming back for more.
What else can you do at Northampton Museum and Art Gallery?
The family-friendly museum is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm and Sundays between 12 and 5pm. Best of all, there is free admission for all visitors but donations are always welcome. At the heart of the new development inaugurated in 2021, on the ground floor, you can find the cosy museum café offering a range of breakfast and lunch options, as well as afternoon teas and snacks. And if you’re visiting the museum with your little ones, don’t forget to try the children’s menu.
Besides visiting the museum’s vast collections, you can rent museum spaces for corporate functions or private events. What’s more, there are always fun events organised every week at the expanded museum, including lectures, yoga, sound baths, shoemaking workshops and art classes.
In short, while the Shoe Gallery is the museum’s golden goose, there’s so much more to do at the Northampton Museum and Art Gallery. From learning about history and archeology to taking classes and seeing a Candlelight concert, it is a treasure trove of cultural events in the city. Now all that’s left is for you to see for yourself.