Rushden Interactive Town Guide & Map 2022 - Magazine - Page 5
5
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change as Rushden was
recognised for its potential in
boot and shoe manufacture.
Rapid expansion followed
and the town’s population
increased from 2,500 in 1876
to 15,000 by 1916. Today,
Rushden is a vibrant town of
over 30,000 residents making
it the fifth largest town
in Northamptonshire.
Burgeoning boot and shoe
manufacture in the early
1900s brought wealth and
prosperity. At its height
Rushden was described as one
of the most remarkable towns
in Northamptonshire because
of its manufacturing capacity.
A strong sense of community
grew up around the factories.
Factory owners not only
provided housing for their
workers, they also catered
for their spiritual wellbeing
with churches, chapels and
meeting places. The factory
owners, happy to display
their wealth, endowed
the town with many fine
examples of late Victorian
and Edwardian architecture.
Reliance on boot and shoe
manufacture had largely
died out by the 1960s and
now only four high-quality
shoemakers remain.
Today, Rushden is again
looking to the future by
working in close partnership
with Rushden Lakes, a
major shopping and leisure
complex on the northern
outskirts of Rushden.
PAGE 04 & 05.indd 3
The existing High Street meets
everyday needs via a mix of
independent shops and wellknown national outlets, within
a unique heritage setting. It
is at the heart of a number of
community events.
CONTENTS
Footpaths/cycle tracks (the
Greenway) offer a safe route
between the town, Rushden
Lakes, and beyond.
8&9
The many parks and green
spaces provide areas for
leisure activity or a quiet
place to relax. The superb
Rushden Hall sits within 34
acres of beautiful parkland
and hosts the town’s major
annual event, Party in
the Park, which attracts
thousands of visitors
each year.
Further expansion is
anticipated with the
development of Rushden
East. The extension will
bring houses, employment
and infrastructure, enabling
more people to live and work
in Rushden.
I hope this brief overview
has given you a sense of
our strong community and a
snippet of what is on offer in
the town.
I hope you find the Rushden
Town Guide both interesting
and informative.
Please enjoy Rushden and all
it has to offer.
Town Mayor of Rushden
6&7
Local information
Traditional high
street shopping
11
Rushden Lakes
12 & 13
Heritage trail
14 & 15
Rushden map
and map key
16 & 17
Recreation
and leisure
18 & 19
Parks and
open spaces
22 & 23
Local Councils –
Who does what?
25
Annual events
and activities
06/10/2020 12:05