Brackley-Historic Market Town

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Brackley has a population of over 14,500 people and serves an additional rural catchment of 10,000 (Brackley Masterplan 2010) and is situated in the south-eastern corner of Northamptonshire. It forms the nucleus of a rural area surrounded by villages of varying sizes and is within easy travelling range of Banbury (10 miles), Northampton (20 miles), Oxford (20 miles) and Milton Keynes (20 miles). The proximity of the M1 and M40 means that access to all parts of the country is fairly straightforward, although neither of the motorways is close enough to be intrusive.

Brackley enjoys an elevated position on the edge of the Cotswolds. Travelling northwards along the A43, you can reach Hazelborough Forest, Silverstone Circuit and Towcester Racecourse all within some 10 miles and in less than a quarter of an hour.
Look out for...

Market House Courtyard & Mews
Hidden away next to the Town Hall, the Market House Courtyard includes an art gallery along with a selection of eateries offering a choice of refreshments. The Coffee House, Delicatessen or adjoining Red Lion Public House cater for all occasions from Business lunches to Coffee Mornings. The newly opened Courtyard Mews links the Market Place Piazza with the Courtyard by way of a covered 'indoor Victorian street'. The range of niche shops create a cosy atmosphere.

Look out for a range of events held throughout the year in this historic Courtyard including the Victorian Christmas Fair held on the last Saturday before Christmas.

Indoor Antiques Market
While you’re in the town centre a stroll around local shops will lead you to the Brackley Antique Cellar where you can browse the collections of more than 140 independent antique dealers, The Brackley Antiques Cellar, located at the end of Draymans Walk, under Waitrose, is the largest purpose built Antique Centre in the Midlands covering 30,000 sq ft. and is open 10.00 am to 4.30pm every day of the week and even on Bank Holidays. Coach parties are welcome and there is a Tea Room (opens at 11.00). http://www.brackleyantiquecellar.co.uk/

St. James Lake...
and the adjoining Pocket Park are two of the best kept secrets in Brackley. They abound in plants and wildlife even in the Winter and makes for a very peaceful relaxing environment with a footpath encircling the lake and strategically placed benches where you can rest and take in the view. The Pocket Park along the route of a disused railway includes a dipping lake along with reminders of the cuttings previous use. There is an ongoing programme to encourage flora and fauna including Bats! Wellies are recommended on damp days!

Community Events...

Brackley Carnival Sat. 18th June 2011 11-5.00pm
With over 30 motorised and walking floats in the procession and over 5000 townspeople visiting the fete held on Magdalen School Fields to be entertained by a wide range of exhibits, Brackley Carnival has developed into one of the best in the region. Normally held on the 2nd Saturday in June. This superbly organised event gets bigger and better every year.
Details on the Carnival and other events can be found at www.brackley-carnival.co.uk/

F1 Chicken Run TBA 9.00am

Starts Brackley Park.  Details to follow

Soap Box Derby Sun. June 5th 2011 from 12 noon
Nearby Silverstone looks on enviously as hand built carts race down the main drag in the Market Place with drivers risking life and limb of both themselves and the spectators! The number of entries grows year on year as news travels of Brackley’s version of Wacky races! http://www.brackleynorthants-tc.gov.uk/newsite/brackley_news/soap_box_derby.htm

Markets
Traditional Market day is every Friday when the Piazza in front of the Town Hall is the location. Also on the 3rd Saturday of each month is the Farmers Market when a wide range of local produce is offered for sale, also on the Piazza.
The French & Continental Market visits Brackley twice a year, usually in March and September when there is a variety of traditional French foods and other goods on sale, from breads, cheese's and garlic to leather goods, tablecloths and hand woven baskets.

An Italian market is held annually when traditional foods such as breads, cheese's, pasta's, sausages and olives are available. Held on a Sunday, the market experience is enhanced by enterprising local coffee shops and delicatessens also opening!

Christmas Carol Singing

On the Sunday before Christmas, the town turns out on the Piazza for Carol Singing to the accompaniment of the Brackley & District Band. The Christmas Carols are all well known but there will either be song sheets or the lyrics are projected onto a giant screen.  The Town Council provide hot soup for those attending. We are extremely fortunate that Father Christmas is able to stop off and make an appearance, despite being very busy.

Brackley Music Festival 24 Jun-9 July 2011
The Brackley area has many delights to offer visitors and residents alike, and our annual Music Festival is perhaps one of the most enjoyable. Over a period of two weeks in the summer, the Festival brings together young and old, amateur and professional, with a shared enthusiasm for the joy of live music either as performer or member of the audience. The Festival has provided a platform both for the great variety of music groups and musicians who live in and around Brackley and also for those who are nationally and internationally recognised. The programme is varied offering something for every musical taste and age.

Latest news is available at www.brackleymusicfestival.co.uk/index.html

 

Brackley Beer Festival –Town Hall, Piazza & Upper Car Park
Charity Preview Night Friday 29th July 2011: advance tickets only (£25 each), 7pm till midnight, buffet supper, disco, fun casino, loads of prizes, ales only £2.50/pint. For full details and to book online, go to http://www.brackley.roundtable.co.uk/events/1504/beer-festival-charity-preview-night/

Main Event Saturday 30th July 2011 from noon until the beer runs out (between 6-8pm)
This summer Brackley Round Table will bring you a staggering 54 barrels of ale to try out, as well as a wider range of ciders, lagers, wines, Pimms and soft drinks.

Please note that the format is very different to previous years, so please check the website for full details: http://www.brackley.roundtable.co.uk/table-pages/brackley-beer-festival-2011/
If you're a Brackley Beer festival regular, then you know what a great atmosphere it is. So get yourself into Brackley for the last weekend of July for one of the best community events of the year!

And there is still time to join other local businesses in sponsoring a barrel, and you can arrange this online at http://www.brackley.roundtable.co.uk/table-pages/beerfest2011-new-sponsors/

Brackley Festival of Motorcycling Sun. 21st August 2011 12-6.00pm

In the summer of 2009 Brackley resonated to the sound of over 12,000 people, including 5000 motorcycles enjoying the inaugural Brackley Festival of Motorcycling. The town centre was closed off for the day and the local school also opened up their playing fields for the festival. Headlined by Craig Jones performing on the High Street and with attractions for all ages the event was a resounding success, provided a great family day out and also raised some money for the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance and the National Association for Bikers with a Disability.

2010 aims to be bigger and better! Craig is confirmed again as the headline attraction and plans are underway to broaden the range of attractions and exhibitors to appeal to an even wider spectrum. The 2010 event will again raise money for the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance and in addition this year we will be donating to the Autism Concern charity.

http://www.brackleyfestivalofmotorcycling.co.uk/

 

Brackley Country Market
Offers selection of home made cakes, bakes and preserves, flowers, plants, fruit & vegetables. Also home made cards, gift items & baby wear. Tea and Coffee available.
W.I. & Guide Hall, Manor Road (opposite Waitrose)Every Friday 8.30-11.00

Brackley Players
Brackley’s local amateur theatrical group put on 3 main productions a year as well as appearing in local Community events such as the Carnival. Get in touch if you would like to help either on stage or behind the scenes. More details at http://www.brackleyplayers.org.uk/BRACKLEY_PLAYERS/index.html

LOCAL ATTRACTIONS

Brackley sits in the middle of beautiful countryside and is conveniently positioned for these local attractions.

Brackley Walks

Canons Ashby

Evenley Wood Garden

Farthinghoe Nature Reserve

Silverstone Circuit

Sulgrave Manor

Stowe Gardens

Stowe House