In the heart of Northampton, tucked behind grand Georgian frontages on George Row, stands a building whose walls whisper tales of medieval intrigue, Victorian enterprise and contemporary charm.
The Northampton & County Club – along with its charming George’s Café – encapsulates the rich interplay of heritage and modern hospitality, offering locals and visitors alike a living tapestry of continuity and reinvention.
Stepping through the doors of the club is like passing through history. Beneath your feet lie late medieval vaulted stone cellars, some surviving the devastating Great Fire of Northampton in 1675. These chambers, with octagonal columns and ribbed vaults, served varied roles across the centuries: a 14th Century undercroft, a 15th Century inn known as the Talbot, and later, intriguingly, a cock pit – evidenced by historical finds including bird bones and metal spurs.
In 1743-44, this remarkable structure morphed into Northampton’s first infirmary, providing a charitable haven for the ‘sick and lame poor’. The infirmary era marked a crucial phase in local public health, linking the building forever to civic life.
The transition from healthcare to genteel society occurred in the 19th Century. Extended into a private members’ club in 1873, it adopted the name Northampton & County Club. The interiors bear witness to this transformation: a beautifully preserved 17th Century staircase and ceiling, and a 19th Century billiard room, a timeless asset still hosting many friendly games and fierce competitive matches.
The restaurant is a versatile space for events ranging from wine tastings and discos to quiz nights and themed food evenings, all supported by excellent chefs producing high-quality food.
However, the edifice itself, while elegant, has shown signs of strain. Nevertheless, the building stands proudly, Grade II* listed, a sentinel of both architectural and social heritage, now seeking funding for an upgrade and new lease of life.
Oasis of calm
2016 saw the launch of George’s Café. This quiet and little-known spot with a garden terrace emphasises freshly prepared, locally sourced fare for breakfast; lunches beyond mere snacks; and home-baked cakes, plus excellent coffee – all with welcoming, old-fashioned service.
A hidden gem, George’s is open to the public as well as the club’s membership. It has a picturesque courtyard garden – an oasis of calm within the town centre. The café continues to champion local suppliers, strengthening its ties to the regional gastronomic landscape, and invites anyone and everyone to pop in and experience this charming hidden jewel.
As current custodians of a building that spans centuries, the club and café bear the mantle of preservation. The building’s vitality lies in its dynamic use. Maintaining membership traditions alongside public offerings seeks to ensure both financial sustainability and broader civic engagement.
The club has recently refreshed its committee. Following an EGM of members earlier this year, there is a clear mandate for change. The club has great potential and a plan to become yet again a hub of commercial as well as social relevance, a vital community fixture for local businesspeople.
The Northampton & County Club has always balanced respect for heritage with a responsiveness to modern needs. From medieval cellars and infirmary rites, through Victorian elegance, to the buzz of today’s café and meeting rooms, its story is one of constant reinvention.
It is a living monument, not confined to sepia photographs but vibrant, relevant and ready for the next chapter in its life as part of Northampton’s evolving narrative.
By Adrian Pryce DL
Associate Professor Strategy & Society University of Northampton; Chair Northampton & County Club
To find out more and get involved in the future of this wonderful building visit their website or contact adrian.pryce@northampton.ac.uk.
