Kingsthorpe Park & Kingsthorpe Recreation Ground

Kingsthorpe Park, also known as Thornton Park, was acquired by the Corporation in 1938 from the Thornton family. The old house and gardens of around 15 acres lies just off the main Market Harborough Road leaving Northampton.

When, in 1939, the parkland was opened to the public, it was still surrounded by a high stone wall, originally built to give the park some privacy. The stone wall was reduced in height in 1965, thus opening up a beautiful vista from the road.

Kingsthorpe Hall is a typical 18th Century neo-classical 1774 building, which was used as offices for the former Estates department after their transfer from Abington Park.

This use remained until the reorganisation of Local Government in 1974. The building is now a community centre for various local groups including a children's day centre.

Kingsthorpe Recreation Ground is also situated just off the Market Harborough, just past the main Kingsthorpe shopping area. Facilities here include:

• 3 bowling greens
• 2 hard tennis courts
• 2 grass cricket wickets
• 5 senior football pitches and changing rooms
• 1 junior football pitch
• 1 mini soccer football pitch
• 1 rounders pitch 

The grounds are laid out with attractive floral displays and contain beautiful avenues of trees.

Last reviewed 20/03/2009