How the Great Fire of Northampton is being remembered 350 years on

Northampton is gearing up for a summer of commemorative events to mark the 350^th anniversary of the Great Fire of Northampton. Community groups and organisations are being encouraged to get involved to deliver a series of unforgettable experiences for the community. Faiz Hafidh looks at the history of the event and how you can get involved in commemorating it this year.

Northamptonshire Before the Fire: Setting the Scene 

Northampton was a small town of about 700 – 800 households, estimated to be 4,500 people in 1675, with most of the houses being made of timber and thatch. Known for its traditions of being strongly anti-authoritarian and supporting Parliament during the First English Civil War before the Battle of Naseby on June 14, 1645. The town was governed by an Assembly consisting of the Mayor John Agutter and burgesses that operated as a borough council. The Assembly had previously had to overcome other crises, such as the plague, with members having to be aware of fires elsewhere, such as the Great Fire in London.  

There was no organised fire brigade at the time, but leather buckets had been provided in key areas to use in emergencies. However, there was no expertise in firefighting. 

The Fire 

On September 20, 1675, at 4 pm, unusual westerly winds caused sparks from an event taking place in St Mary’s Street to blow the flames towards the centre of town, where the flames spread.  

People initially salvaged their belongings by stacking them against the wooden market cross, but it later got engulfed by the flames which were travelling across the town.  Some survived by taking refuge in the stone-built Welsh House which is now Zapato Lounge. 

The fire devastated large sections of Northampton due to the buildings mainly consisting of timber, destroying places such as the Market Square, Bridge Street, Abington Street, St Giles Street and All Saints Church. The fire claimed the lives of 11 people.  

After the Fire 

The event caused catastrophic losses, with it devastating three quarters of the town, laying waste to businesses, homes and people’s livelihoods. Over 700 families were left homeless. Within a week, the Assembly started planning and making orders for work that was needed immediately, offering aid to those who had suffered from the losses of their homes and possessions, including the provision of wooden sheds. 

Rebuilding the Town 

Rebuilding was the only option for the locals with King Charles II donating to the struggling town and issuing a proclamation in November 1675 allowing the collection of money from across the country. The work created opportunities for the labouring and artisan classes. The Assembly encouraged the use of stone instead of wood. An act of parliament for assisting the “rebuilding the town of Northampton” was passed at the end of 1675. The town raised £25,000 to fund reconstruction. Some of the buildings from the 1670s still exist, such as Sessions House and All Saints, creating the building blocks of the Northampton you know today out of the ashes of disaster. 

How this event is remembered 

In remembrance of the event, Northampton Town Centre BID, Northampton Town council and West Northamptonshire Council are working together to tell the story of the great fire and the rebuilding efforts. On Thursday the May 29, 2025, the commemoration events will be launched alongside the Oak Apple Day parade and service at All Saints Church. They include the annual hanging of an oak wreath in honour of King Charles II who donated 1,000 tonnes of timber to assist in the rebuilding of the town.  

There will be a Mystery Tour on Saturday May 31 themed around the fire. In the Market Square creative space there will be activities asking What Is Northampton Made Of? throughout the summer, from Tuesdays to Saturdays. There is an exhibition at 78 Derngate focusing on the architectural changes to Northampton after the great fire throughout June. Northamptonshire Museum and Art Gallery will also be hosting an exhibition about the fire throughout the summer. At The Deco Theatre there is an event called Northampton Remembers on September 14, when community groups will come together to celebrate the town’s resilience after the disaster. On July 4 10am to 3pm there is a symposium on the fire at University of Northampton.

Northampton College students have been working to create a mural at the Grosvenor Centre in Northampton.

There will be exhibitions at the museum and numerous events based around activities in the Market Square. Elements of the carnival with also reflect the Great Fire commemoration.

“We are working with a multitude of partners and those events that are taking place will be really broad. There will be multiple activities appealing to different audiences,” said Mark Owen of Northampton BID.

For more details download the Explore Northampton app in May or visit discovernorthampton.co.uk