HRH Sophie, The Duchess of Edinburgh visited Northampton on June 10, 2025, to commemorate the 350th anniversary of the Great Fire of Northampton.

It was a September morning back in 1675 when sparks from an open fire on St Mary’s Street set off one of the most destructive blazes in Northampton’s history. Within hours, flames had torn through the town, reducing 700 of its 850 buildings to ashes. Eleven lives were lost.

Fast-forward 350 years, and Northampton is set to mark the anniversary of the Great Fire not with fear, but with music, markets, art, and a week-long series of free activities that will culminate in a spectacular finale in the Market Square on Saturday 20 September.

A big finish in the Market Square

From 11am until 7.30pm, the square will come alive with stalls, performances and community showcases before a commemorative service at All Saints’ Church. Expect artisan crafts, local food and drink, live music from Inspiration FM and Saphron, and even a set from Northamptonshire Police and Fire & Rescue.

But the centrepiece? A brand-new animated film, created by Northampton Film Festival and The Creative Place, premiering at 1.30pm on the big screen. Made with input from hundreds of locals – from children’s drawings to vox pops at the market – the film asks a simple but powerful question: if Northampton burned down again tomorrow, what would we save, and how would we rebuild it?

Becky Carrier of Northampton Film Festival said: “The project has been supported by CLICK Arts Foundation and West Northamptonshire Council, and has also included other free opportunities to take part in animation workshops and masterclasses with animation professionals. We’re looking forward to showcasing everyone’s work as we come together as a community to commemorate this huge milestone in our town’s proud history.”

What’s on in the final week

Saturday 13 September – Heritage Open Days
Actors bring the fire’s story to life at the Guildhall, while guided walks, history boards and an augmented reality trail give visitors a taste of 1675.

Sunday 14 September – The Deco
Local young people and community groups perform Northampton Remembers…The Great Fire of 1675, a free celebration of resilience and unity.

Monday 15 September onwards

  • Fire Fantastic: A nightly light-and-sound show at All Saints’ Church (7pm–late).

  • Northampton Museum & Art Gallery: An immersive exhibition retelling the blaze.

  • University of Northampton: A fascinating display of fire-era artefacts, on until 17 September.

Thursday 18 September
Fiori Musicali perform Handel’s Music for the Royal Fireworks at All Saints’ Church (7pm).

Friday 19 September – Sunday 21 September
Luke Jerram’s Tipping Point transforms Hazel and Thoroughsale Woods in Corby with a powerful mix of light, smoke and sound.

Saturday 20 September – Grand Finale
Market Square hosts a full day of live music, makers markets, history installations and the premiere of a specially commissioned animation (11am–7.30pm).

Saturday 20 September – Service of Rededication
A public service at All Saints’ Church (7.30pm), themed around Fire, Thunder, Destruction and Rebuild, with music and special guests including Rev Richard Coles.

Light, music and history

As well as the big day, the commemorations include a nightly light show projected onto All Saints’ Church from 15 to 20 September, and a spine-tingling performance of Handel’s Music for the Royal Fireworks by Fiori Musicali on Thursday 18 September.

Father Oliver Coss, Rector of All Saints’, reflected on the significance: “The memory of All Hallows’ Church and its destruction in the Great Fire serves as a reminder of the resilience of the town and its ability to recover and rebuild, even in the face of catastrophic events. The events taking place here at All Saints’ and in the Market Square this September will channel that community spirit and shine a light on the history and heritage that gives Northamptonshire such a proud identity.”

A summer of fire and community

This finale caps off a five-month calendar of exhibitions, history tours, trails, art installations and carnivals celebrating Northampton’s resilience. Art historian James Miller, who has led the anniversary project, summed it up: “This has been the summer of the Great Fire – and this September, everyone has the chance to get involved in a spectacular conclusion.”

Why it matters

The fire may have razed Northampton to the ground, but it also sparked a new era of rebuilding. Townsfolk raised £25,000 to reconstruct the centre, giving us the Market Square that still beats at the heart of Northampton life today.

And now, 350 years later, the community is once again coming together – not to rebuild this time, but to remember, celebrate and imagine the town’s future.

For full details of the programme, visit www.discovernorthampton.co.uk/GFON350.