Northampton to Coventry drive: Best stops, distance & time
The best road trip stops on the Northampton to Coventry drive are Althorp Estate, Rugby School and Draycote Water. The distance from Northampton to Coventry by car is 33 miles, with a 54m driving time.
Finding things to do between Northampton and Coventry
The drive from Northampton to Coventry takes you through some fairly unheralded stretches of the English Midlands.
Northampton has plenty of attractive parks, but the highlight is arguably the Abington Park Museum. The museum is standard local history fare, but the estate surrounding the manor house is lovely.
Coventry Cathedral is the top attraction in Coventry. Other Coventry experiences include Cathedral Quarter history walks, more in-depth guided walks that look at Coventry’s track record for invention and flying a jet simulator.
Northampton to Coventry distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Northampton to Coventry is 33 miles. That makes for a driving time of around 54 minutes. The quickest route is usually along the M1, M45 and A45.
The best road trip attractions between Northampton and Coventry are Althorp Estate, Rugby School and Draycote Water.
Northampton to Coventry road trip stops: Althorp Estate
A ten minute detour off the M1, the Althorp Estate is home to one of England’s finest and most lavishly decorated stately homes. The Spencer family still lives there and tours are seasonal.
However, most visitors are going for the Diana connection. Althorp was Princess Diana of Wales’ family home, and her grave is on the estate.
Things to do between Northampton and Coventry: Rugby School
Rugby School is a private school in Rugby, Warwickshire. There are public tours every Saturday at 2pm, which would be mildly interesting if it was just a case of looking at the handsome, historic school buildings.
It’s the playing fields that are truly historic, though. This was where William Webb Ellis picked up the ball during a football match, giving birth to the sport of rugby union.
Northampton to Coventry drive: Draycote Water
Draycote Water is a reservoir supplying water to Rugby and Coventry, but it has become a popular recreation spot, too. Fishing and watersports are possibilities, with the Draycote Sailing Club hiring out paddleboards and offering sailing lessons.
Otherwise, there’s a five mile loop track around the lake, which can be tackled either on foot or by bike.
More Northampton road trips
Northampton to Birmingham | Northampton to Cambridge | Northampton to Leicester | Luton to Northampton.
More Coventry road trips
Coventry to Birmingham | Leicester to Coventry | Luton to Coventry | Coventry to Milton Keynes | Coventry to Nottingham | Tamworth to Coventry.