Town comes together to mark 350-year anniversary of the Great Fire of Northampton

29 July 2025

A five-month event calendar has already seen exhibitions, church services, art installations, interactive trails, films, history tours and cultural celebrations take place to mark 350 years since flames ripped through the streets of Northampton, destroying 700 of the 850 buildings in the town centre and claiming 11 lives. 

The finale of that programme will be held on Saturday, 20 September, with an activity day in Northampton Market Square from 11am to 7.30pm to be followed by a service at All Saints Church at 7.30pm.  

Throughout the day there will be an extended version of The Creative Place’s Makers Market featuring artisan producers and creatives, a bar by V&B, a big screen showing a specially commissioned animation by Northampton Film Festival, a performance from the Bach choir and displays from Northamptonshire Police and Northamptonshire Fire & Rescue. 

West Northamptonshire Council will also be sharing its vision for the redevelopment of Northampton town centre, echoing the efforts to rebuild the town in the wake of the blaze in 1675.  

“The Great Fire of Northampton is a hugely significant moment in our local history and we have been thrilled to see so many people coming together in recent months to mark the 350th anniversary in style. 

“From the carnival procession to the fire-themed planting for Northampton in Bloom, and everything in between – this has been the summer of the Great Fire and we’re looking forward to a spectacular conclusion this September. 

“This will be an opportunity for the county to come together to celebrate Northamptonshire’s extraordinary resilience, civic pride and independent spirit. It is that character that shone through 350 years ago and is still very much in evidence today.” Art historian James Miller

Meanwhile, a fascinating new exhibition at Northamptonshire Archives will delve into how we know what happened during the Great Fire of Northampton, long before the days of cameras and social media.  

Drawing on original records from the time, the display reveals how the town rebuilt itself in the aftermath - from court disputes over repairs to artisans finding years of work. Visitors can also view five rare and beautifully detailed drawings of the town from the 1760s, the only known illustrations of Northampton from this period.  

The free exhibition is open Tuesday to Thursday, 9am to 5pm, at Northamptonshire Archives Service, Wootton Hall Park. 

A second exhibition, titled ‘Regeneration: Recreating Northampton’ is open in the walled garden area of Delapre Abbey throughout the summer. 

The Great Fire of Northampton is believed to have been caused by sparks from an open fire in a home on St Mary's Street, near the former castle site. The fire quickly spread and engulfed the surrounding buildings. As the flames raged, residents sought refuge in the Market Square but the situation grew increasingly dire, and the authorities ordered the evacuation of the area, with terrified residents forced to flee.  

The fire's destructive path left behind a scene of devastation, with prominent buildings such as All Hallows Church reduced to ashes.  

While the blaze caused immense destruction, it also marked a turning point in the town's architectural development. Following the fire, efforts were made to rebuild and revitalise Northampton, leading to the construction of new buildings and a renewed focus on urban planning. 

In a remarkable display of community spirit and determination, local residents and businesses rallied together, raising £25,000 to finance the ambitious reconstruction of the town centre, centred around the bustling Market Square.  

As part of the anniversary, a light show will be beamed onto All Saints Church on Monday, 15 September while Fiore Musicale will perform a concert featuring music by Handel at the church at 7pm on Thursday, 18 September. 

“The memory of All Hallows' Church and its destruction in the Great Fire of Northampton serves as a reminder of the resilience of the town and its ability to recover and rebuild, even in the face of catastrophic events.  

“The events taking place here at All Saints and in the Market Square this September will channel that community spirit and shine a light on the history and heritage that gives Northamptonshire such a proud identity.” Father Oliver Coss, Rector of All Saints Church

The Great Fire of Northampton anniversary commemorations have been organised by cultural and historical groups from across the county alongside partners including Northampton Town Centre Business Improvement District (BID), Northampton Town Council and West Northamptonshire Council. 

For more details visit Discover Northampton.