3 other ways for you to enjoy the history of Higham Ferrers

1. A free audio tour app that gives you a fascinating glimpse into the history and treasures of this medieval town – download the Higham Ferrers Audio Tour for free from Google Play or the App Store..

2. An interactive Heritage Trail produced by Higham Ferrers Town Council is available for free from their website.

3. The Treasures of St. Mary the Virgin – if you can't manage the walking tour of our beautiful town you can discover the unique features of the three remarkable Grade 1 listed buildings within the churchyard on the church website. Lovely images of the treasures are accompanied by audio commentaries for you to enjoy.

A beautiful High Street with friendly, independent shops and businesses

• Willow & Grey of Higham – over 30 independently owned businesses under one wonky roof – selling antiques and all sorts of gifts, jewellery, handbags, scarves and greetings cards.

• Coffee Barne – a family-run coffee shop overlooking the Market Square.

• Higham Refill Zero Waste Shop – where you can bring any container you wish to use to refill on many dry goods such as pasta, rice, cereal and herbs & spices, as well as household products.. If you don't have a container ... don't worry! There are free paper bags for any dry goods.

• Savour the Flavour & Saa Jewellery – coffee shop dine-in and takeaway, deli and jewellery store all in one place on the High Street.

• The Daisy Chain – a gift shop with superb collection of items, sourced from local crafts artists. 

• Millers Yarns and Crafts – everything for those who love to knit or sew.

Local visitor attractions for all the family

• Stanwick Lakes – a unique 750 acre countryside attraction and nature reserve located in the heart of Northamptonshire's Nene Valley. There are extensive and imaginative play areas, open spaces and paths that families, walkers, cyclists and nature lovers can explore at leisure. The visitor centre, with café, shop and function space, hosts events, family celebrations, business meetings and craft workshops throughout the year.   

• The Chester House Estate – a nationally significant heritage site, being one of the few places in the country which can demonstrate over 10,000 years of human activity. A Free to Enter Heritage Visitor Attraction.

• Irthlingborough Lakes and Meadows nature reserve – a wonderful stretch of rare grazing marsh and flooded gravel pits, now a hugely valuable wetland for birds and other wildlife.

• Rushden Lakes Shopping Centre – a unique place to eat, shop and explore, where big brand fashion meets lakeside restaurants and cafes, and a world of outdoor discovery awaits. The gateway to the Nene Wetlands, at the heart of the Nene Valley Living Landscapes.

• Canoe2 – hire a kayak, canoe, pedalo or katakanu to enjoy the calm and peaceful waters of the beautiful Nene Valley.

• Paradise Island Adventure Golf – offering the ultimate mini-golf challenge with players able to choose from two bespoke 19-hole golf courses, each set amidst a tropical island paradise. 

Local groups and organisations

• Higham Ferrers Tourism, Business and Community Partnership – set up in 2002 by a group of volunteers working with the community to promote our beautiful medieval town. Tourism works in partnership with English Heritage to manage the important heritage site in the town – Chichele College. 

• The Higham Chichele Society  – the local history society meets regularly for talks and exhibitions.

• The Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin, Higham Ferrers

• Friends of St. Mary's – a group of people dedicated to the preservation of the magnificent Grade 1 listed buildings that have dominated the life of Higham Ferrers for 800 years: St Mary's Church, Chantry Chapel and Bede House.

• Higham Ferrers Town Council – strives to make Higham Ferrers a better place to live, work and play.

• Higham Ferrers Charters – with a big thanks to Heritage Lottery Funding, the five Royal Charters of the Ancient Borough of Higham Ferrers are now restored and safely housed for everyone to see and enjoy.

• Higham Ferrers Archaeology and Research Society (HiFARS) – for anyone who lives in the East Northamptonshire area and has an interest in archaeology and local history.