Located on the southernmost part of the Leicestershire border with Northamptonshire and nestling within the Welland Valley one can find the picturesque town of Market Harborough. The town sprang up in the middle of the 12th century especially to be a market town developing local trade and the sale of local produce. Indeed even to this very day although now indoors on a specially developed site the market still opens on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday each week.
In addition to this an Antiques Market operates each Sunday in the same building. The cattle and livestock market once a major meeting place in the towns centre has moved to a more rural setting just outside of the town between the villages of Foxton and Lubenham. The market opens each Tuesday morning. The former site is still a place of commerce being used today by a major supermarket and several other retail outlets. It also forms the town's largest car parking area.
ST. DIONYSIUS CHURCH
The 14th century saw the commencement of the building of St. Dionysius Church, which together with the Old Grammar School form a fitting backdrop to the town centre. In true tradition with the towns name further market stalls often set up on the paved area under the raised Grammar School.
During the English Civil War Market Harborough became a staging post for King Charles army prior to the battle at nearby Naseby in 1645. St. Dyonysius Church in Market Harborough was used to incarcerate the defeated Royalist soldiers who had been taken prisoner in the battle.
Although long since closed Market Harborough was the location of the Symington Corset Group famous for the manufacture of the liberty bodice. Part of the Symingtons factory is now the offices of the Market Harborough District Council and can be seen in the first picture directly behind the Old Grammar School
Located just 12 miles from Junction 20 off the M1 motorway, with the A14 and A1 trunk roads providing further links, and coupled with being serviced by Midland Main Line inter city railway Market Harborough is ideally situated for ease of travel.
FOXTON LOCKS
For those who prefer to travel at a more leisurely pace the Grand Union Canal is also to be found on the northern edge of Market Harborough. Very much now a tourist attraction rather than being used for commercial barge transport the Grand Union Canals famous flight of 10 locks which fall some seventy five feet are to be found at the nearby village of Foxton.
1968 saw the opening of the high security Gartree Prison, famous for being the only UK penal establishment from which two prisoners made a daring escape by helicopter. The prison is still operational and specialises in dealing with prisoners who have been newly sentenced to life imprisonment. Gartree is now probably the largest single employer in Market Harborough with a staff well in excess of two hundred.
Market Harborough along with eleven other dynamic market towns in the Welland Valley is part of the Government sponsored Pathfinder Initiative. This initiative promises to be the foremost community based web site, delivering local life on line. Long term the site will provide extensive local information including council services. Although currently the responsibility of the local authority the web pages will eventually become self sustainable and managed by the local community. Population 21,000
Attraction
Croft Wingates Fine Art
East Carlton Countryside Park
Foxton Boat Services Limited
Foxton Canal Museum
Foxton Locks Country Park
Harborough Museum
Rockingham Castle
Budget
Premier Inn Market Harborough *book online*
Camping
Innaria Caravan & Camping Park
Classes
Dance - Libbies Dance Works
Relaxologies Yoga
Yoga - Sandra's Yoga
Council
Dentist
Brite Care Dental Practice
Union Wharf Dental Practice
Doctor
Dr J M Wilson & Partners
Market Harborough Medical Centre
Estate Agent
Cooper Estates Harborough Ltd
Granger Andrew & Co
Harrison Murray Ltd
Spencers
Strutt & Parker
Golf Club
Market Harborough
Stoke Albany Golf Club
Health and Fitness Club
Inn
Angel Hotel
Nevill Arms
Old Barn Inn
The Bulls Head
Union Inn Hotel
Market
Performing Arts
Little Bowden School Of Dancing
The Market Harborough Singers
Pub and Bar
Bewicke Arms
Cherry Tree Inn
Kings Head
Peacock
Royalist
Spread Eagle Family Pub
Village Inn
White Horse
White Horse Inn & Restaurant
Restaurant
Bakers Arms
Joules
Kilworth House Hotel
Punto Di Vista
Rio Bravo
Spread Eagle Family Pub
Webbs
White Horse Inn & Restaurant
Solicitor
Taxi
1st Call Taxis
Apollo Taxis
Diamond Taxis
King Kabs
Spotty Dog Taxi Co
Vet
Town & Country Veterinary Centre
Sports Clubs
Bowden CC (Cricket)
CATS MTB Club (Cycling)
Shops
Christine's Book Cabin
Flower Shop
Boots
Farndon Fields Farm Shop
Clipston Nursery
Langton Gardens
Mistrys Healthy Options Ltd
K & G Roskrow
Josiah's
Anand Shoes
Waterstones
Frank Haynes Gallery
Limited Edition
Graftons
Market Harborough Chiropractic Clinic
Chiropractic Clinic
Eden
Peacocks
Edinburgh Woollen Mill
Viyella
Fat Face
Heritage Dolls House
Reflections Beauty Studio
Cloggies Ltd
Antiques
Activities
Avalanche Adventure Ltd(Adventure)
CATS Mountain Bike Club(Cycling)
Places to Stay near Market Harborough
Three Swans Hotel (0.07 miles)
This 16th century coaching inn blends the history and traditional hospitality of its origins with the comfort and amenities of a modern hotel. The hotel has 61 individually decorated bedrooms including a suite and four ... More | visit website
Angel Hotel (0.07 miles)
Click for special and substantially discounted rates from Laterooms
A 16th Century coaching inn, where history and hospitality combine, to make your stay comfortable and relaxing. There is a licensed bar, evening restaurant, lounge, conference ... More
Union Inn Hotel (0.50 miles)
The Union Inn is a family run traditional inn a stone's throw away from the Union basin on the Grand Union canal but also within five minutes walk to the ... More
Farndon Grange (1.86 miles)
Premier Inn Market Harborough (3.31 miles)
Ideally located within easy reach of the M1 and A14. This hotel is located on the outskirts of Market Harborough, surrounded by countryside, yet still only 2 miles from the town centre and close to ... More | visit websiteThe Bulls Head (3.91 miles)
Travel Plaza (3.92 miles)
This recently refurbished hotel boasts 32 generously sized rooms fitted as standard with King sized beds and a pull out sofa bed suitable for children under the age of 12. ... More
Church Farm Lodge (5.18 miles)
Tucked away in one of Northamptonshire’s most attractive villages, Church Farm Lodge offers an alternative for business travellers.With good road links to the county’s main business centres and beyond, the ... More
Nevill Arms (5.28 miles)
Built in 1863, this Grade II listed building features a stylish restaurant and en suite accommodation just a few metres from a tributary of the River Welland. The Nevill Arms offers real ... More
Old Barn Inn (5.37 miles)
The Old Barn Inn at Glooston is a village pub and restaurant with three letting rooms. Glooston is an English village in rural Leicestershire and 8 miles from Market Harborough and 6 miles from Kibworth.
Rockingham ... More | visit website
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