Car & Van Hire in Northamptonshire

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Car & Van Rental in Northamptonshire?

From traditional markets, manicured gardens and racing circuits to steam railways and stately homes; Northamptonshire is a county of rural contrasts. The main county town is Northampton, famous for shoemaking - but with much more to do and see. Northamptonshire covers over 900 square miles and has borders with no less than eight counties, including just 19 metres of Lincolnshire.

For quality car rental, Northamptonshire is well served by various Enterprise offices. Our two Northampton branches are situated in St Andrews Road and at the railway station on Black Lion Hill. In the west, our Daventry depot forms part of the Nationwide repair centre on London Road. Conversely, customers in the northeast of the county will find our branch on The Embankment, Wellingborough, ideal for their Northamptonshire car rental requirements. To the south-east, our Milton Keynes and Newport Pagnell branches are conveniently located for the M1; we also serve customers in central Milton Keynes from our branch within Pennings Accident Repair Centre on Northfield Drive.

Our Vehicles for Hire in Northamptonshire

You can rely on us for the latest, reliable vehicles - from an economy or compact model up to an MPV, such as the Vauxhall Zafira Tourer or SEAT Alhambra, for family days out. Lengthy trips are easier with premium options, such as the Mercedes C-Class or E-Class range, and we offer 4x4s, such as the Volvo XC60, for getting around in the countryside. With Enterprise, booking your car hire is quick and straightforward; our staff will confirm your reservation and have your vehicle ready for you to collect.

Attractions in Northamptonshire

The Northampton Tourist Information office is located opposite the Guildhall in St Giles Street. In the town, points of interest include the Express Lifts Tower in St James. Humorously dubbed the Northampton lighthouse, this building has been the object of demolition spoofs and abseiling challenges.

There is a beautifully restored art deco museum at 78 Derngate. The original house was designed by the famous architect, Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Alternatively, Abington Park Museum offers free admission and houses displays of the town's history and the leather shoemaking industry.

Once you have finalised your car hire, Northamptonshire attractions to visit include Cottesbrooke Hall and Gardens, located off the A508 between Brixworth and Maidwell. This magnificent Queen Anne house dates back to 1702. For many who visit Cottesbrooke, the Woolavington collection of sporting art is perhaps among the finest in Europe, while other exhibits include fine porcelain and 18th-century English and French furniture. The landscaped and formal gardens make a lovely half-day out, set in view of a huge 300-year-old cedar tree, and herbaceous borders with lily ponds. In contrast, there is also a wild garden at the side of a running stream.

Situated nearby, in Boughton, is the Northampton and Lamport railway that runs from Brampton Lane in Church Brampton. For trips further afield, why not take your hired car and head for Kettering to visit Wicksteed amusement park, boasting 148 acres of parkland and forty rides and attractions?

Just outside Northampton off the Rugby Road near Great Houghton, Althorp House is a stately home with guided tours, and reportedly, more valuable pieces of art than Buckingham Palace. The grounds include a lake with a secluded island, which is the final resting place of Diana, Princess of Wales. Alternatively, halfway to Milton Keynes lies picturesque Stoke Bruerne, set in peaceful countryside on the side of the Grand Union Canal, among historic bridges, locks and two historic canal pubs (the Boat Inn and the Navigation Inn) that were built in the early 1800s. Almost all the buildings in this living canal village have been here for 200 years; little has changed. There is a museum, and boat trips are available. Nearby, Rookery Farm has a popular children’s outdoor play area and miniature ponies.

Other attractions in the area include Silverstone Grand Prix racing circuit, Rockingham castle with views of Rutland Water, or Coton Manor Gardens (near Ravensthorpe), with flamingos and a river flowing through landscaped gardens. Finally, the Elizabethan mansion of Kirby Hall is considered one of England’s best. Situated near Corby and now partially roofless, the Great Hall and richly decorated staterooms of the building are intact.

Places to Visit Outside Northamptonshire

The county of Northamptonshire forms part of the East Midlands, along with Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Rutland and Lincolnshire. Derbyshire is shaped by the southern Pennine mountains, offering inspiring and rugged hill walking terrain with hilltop castles and spectacular views. In Nottinghamshire, part of Sherwood Forest remains and there are abbeys or period properties to visit. There are excellent road connections to central southern England, East Anglia, Birmingham and the West Midlands.

Airport Car Hire

The nearest airports to Northampton are Birmingham, East Midlands and London Luton. All these have Enterprise offices to arrange a car hire or to pick up a car that you pre-booked, allowing you to travel onwards without delay and return to the airport swiftly.

Parking and Traffic Information in Northamptonshire

The most common way of getting around the Northamptonshire area is by car, so in Northampton town centre, traffic queues can be expected on Saturdays - especially when there are football and rugby fixtures. Currently, there are various ongoing road works on the A43, A5123 and A5128 main roads in Northampton, Wellingborough and Towcester.

Cheap Van and Car Hire

With rental branches across the county, Enterprise offers cheap car hire from convenient, accessible locations. Our large fleet of new vehicles includes great value economy and compact cars, sporty SUVs and spacious people carriers. Whether you need a vehicle for a single day or longer, Enterprise Rent-A-Car has the perfect car to suit your needs. Book online from our North London branch to guarantee your choice of vehicle at the best possible price.

Moving house or just moving furniture? Enterprise has you covered with a range of vans from our North London branch. From smaller passenger vans to larger commercial vans, book online from our North London van hire page to reserve your perfect vehicle at an unbeatable price.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What do I need to hire a car with Enterprise?
    The essential items you will need to bring to an Enterprise Rent-A-Car branch when hiring a vehicle are a valid drivers licence, valid ID, and a credit or debit card. You will also need to prove you are over 25 years of age, and there may be additional documentation required for international drivers. Learn more about what you need when hiring here.
  2. Do I need insurance to rent a car or van?
    No. At Enterprise you don't need to purchase insurance as we provide a damage waiver within the cost of your hire. You can, of course, take option to purchase additional protection products to reduce the excess further to give you complete peace of mind. Visit our car hire insurance page for further details.
  3. How old do I need to be to hire a car or van?
    All drivers must be a minimum of 25 years old. Only drivers over 30 years old may hire full-size MPVs, premium vehicles/exotic cars and Luton vans. Younger drivers might be interested in Enterprise Car Club. Learn more about age requirements for hiring a vehicle here.
  4. What are the driver's licence requirements for car hire in the UK & Ireland?
    All drivers must present a full valid driving license. If the driving license is written in a language and characters different to those of the country of rental, an International Driving Permit is also required.  Learn more about car hire driving licence requirements here.
  5. Can I hire a car with a debit card?
    We accept payment by either a debit or credit card in the name of the renter. A credit card is required if you are renting a People Carrier, Compact Elite, SUV, Premium, Luxury or Executive vehicle. Learn more about our accepted card payment methods here.

For more FAQs, please visit our FAQ page.