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History

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{{Short description|Town in Northamptonshire, England}}
{{about|the town in Northamptonshire}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2018}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2014}}
{{Infobox UK place
|country = England
|official_name= Rushden
|coordinates = {{coord|52.288|-0.601|display=inline,title}}
|civil_parish= Rushden
|population = 31,690
|population_ref = (2021 Census)<ref name="bua2011">{{cite web |title=Rushden |url=https://www.citypopulation.de/en/uk/eastmidlands/admin/north_northamptonshire/E04006762__rushden/ |website=City population |access-date=25 October 2022}}</ref>
|unitary_england= [[North Northamptonshire]]
|lieutenancy_england= [[Northamptonshire]]
|region= East Midlands
|constituency_westminster= [[Wellingborough (UK Parliament constituency)|Wellingborough and Rushden]]
|post_town= RUSHDEN
|postcode_district = NN10
|postcode_area= NN
|dial_code= 01933
|os_grid_reference= SP955665
|static_image_name = Rushden.JPG
|static_image_caption = Rushden's St Mary's Church
}}
'''Rushden''' is a town and [[civil parishes in England|civil parish]] in the [[North Northamptonshire]] district, in the county of [[Northamptonshire]], England, around {{Convert|18|miles|km}} east of [[Northampton]].<ref>Measured using [[Google Maps]] from Northampton Guildhall to Rushden Hall.</ref> The parish is on the border with [[Bedfordshire]], {{Convert|12|miles|km}} north of Bedford.<ref>Measured using [[Google Maps]] from Silver Street, Bedford to Rushden Hall.</ref>

The parish of Rushden covers an area of some {{convert|9001|acre|km2|2}}. The population of Rushden is 32,038,<ref>[https://www.citypopulation.de/en/uk/eastmidlands/northamptonshire/E35000811__rushden/ Census 2021]</ref> making it the fifth largest town in the county. The larger urban area, which includes the adjoining town of [[Higham Ferrers]], has a population of 40,865.

==Location==

Rushden lies on the [[A6 road (Great Britain)|A6]] midway between [[Bedford, Bedfordshire|Bedford]] and [[Kettering]]. The southern limits of the town border on the county of [[Bedfordshire]], and to its north lies the [[River Nene]] (locally pronounced Nen) which flows into [[The Wash]]. Rushden lies in a small valley, with a stream or brook known as Sidney Brook flowing through the centre of the town. During the late 1960s and 70s this stream was culverted to prevent flash flooding.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.rushdenheritage.co.uk/history/culverting-brook.html |title=Rushden Heritage |access-date=17 July 2013 |archive-date=17 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130717020821/http://www.rushdenheritage.co.uk/history/culverting-brook.html |url-status=live }}</ref> From whichever way Rushden is approached, the streets and roads can be seen stretching out in the valley, with the spire of St Mary's church prominent above its rooftops.

==Governance==
[[File:Rushden Council Buildings (geograph 2001516).jpg|thumb|The [[Council Buildings, Rushden|Council Buildings]]]]
Gen Kitchen MP is the local MP representing [[Wellingborough (UK Parliament constituency)|Wellingborough]]. As a result of recent electoral changes, Rushden has been divided into five wards for both District and Town Council purposes. With the following re-classifications: Rushden Spencer (formerly North), Rushden Hayden (formerly East), Rushden Bates (formerly South), Rushden Sartoris (formerly South) and Rushden Pemberton (formerly West). Rushden Urban District Council, which was based at the [[Council Buildings, Rushden|Council Buildings]] in Newton Road, was the local authority until 1974 when the town became part of [[East Northamptonshire]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10216400|title=Rushden UD|publisher=Vision of Britain|access-date=22 April 2021|archive-date=22 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210422182952/https://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10216400|url-status=live}}</ref>

Since local government reorganisation in 2020 abolished [[Northamptonshire County Council]] and the county's seven district councils, the town has become part of the new [[unitary authorities#England|unitary authority]] of [[North Northamptonshire]], one of two newly formed unitary authorities in the ceremonial county of Northamptonshire (the other being [[West Northamptonshire]]).

==History==
[[File:UK Rushden.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Signpost in Rushden]]

The name Rushden derives from the [[Old English]] ''riscendenu'' meaning '[[Juncaceae|rushy]] valley'.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://kepn.nottingham.ac.uk/map/place/Northamptonshire/Rushden |title=Key to English Place-names |access-date=23 April 2021 |archive-date=23 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423152657/http://kepn.nottingham.ac.uk/map/place/Northamptonshire/Rushden |url-status=live }}</ref>

Rushden's growth has resulted from a number of industries, including [[lace]]making and [[farming]], and especially [[shoemaking]] and associated trades. In the mid-1900s there were well over 100 boot and shoe factories in Rushden but today there are only four shoemaking companies left in Rushden.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.rushdenheritage.co.uk/shoetrade/Overview-shoetrade.html |title=Rushden Heritage |access-date=21 April 2011 |archive-date=26 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110826053014/http://www.rushdenheritage.co.uk/shoetrade/Overview-shoetrade.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

The novelist and short story writer [[H. E. Bates]], who grew up in Rushden, based many of his stories, notably "Love for Lydia", in Rushden, changing its name to Evensford.{{cn|date=June 2025}} He recorded the past beauties of the surrounding countryside as he remembered it from the 1910s through to the 1940s, before much was destroyed by developments. He also gives childhood glimpses of vanished ways of life of many countryfolk, such as in the short stories, "The Watercress Girl", "The Mower", "The Cowslip Field", and "Great Uncle Crow". He often mentions the leather factories and bootmaking of "Evensford" (Rushden), and how the air in the town was often permeated with the smell of leather and its processing agents.
{{Historical populations
|align=right
|footnote=<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.rushdenheritage.co.uk/genealogy/census1901/CensusStatisticsRushden.html |title=Rushden: Total Population |access-date=28 December 2012 |archive-date=22 June 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100622032955/http://www.rushdenheritage.co.uk/genealogy/census1901/CensusStatisticsRushden.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
|[[United Kingdom Census 1831|1831]]|1245
|[[United Kingdom Census 1851|1851]]|1460
|[[United Kingdom Census 1861|1861]]|1748
|[[United Kingdom Census 1871|1871]]|2122
|[[United Kingdom Census 1881|1881]]|3657
|[[United Kingdom Census 1891|1891]]|7443
|[[United Kingdom Census 1901|1901]]|12453
|[[United Kingdom Census 1921|1921]]|13505
|[[United Kingdom Census 1931|1931]]|14248
|[[United Kingdom Census 1951|1951]]|16370
|[[United Kingdom Census 1961|1961]]|17357
|[[United Kingdom Census 1971|1971]]|20158
|[[United Kingdom Census 1981|1981]]|22199
|[[United Kingdom Census 1991|1991]]|23040
|[[United Kingdom Census 2001|2001]]|25849
|[[United Kingdom Census 2011|2011]]|29272
}}

One of the most renowned is Sanders and Sanders, who make boots for the British Army and several other defence departments throughout the world. Some of the redundant factories have been converted into flats, and MPs support for government help has been limited.<ref>[http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/consultation_re_closed_uk_shoe_f consultation re closed UK shoe factories - a Freedom of Information request to UK Trade and Investment] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718035057/http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/consultation_re_closed_uk_shoe_f |date=18 July 2011 }}. WhatDoTheyKnow. Retrieved on 17 July 2013.</ref> Today, as with many towns in England, industry in the town is varied, and mostly situated in an out-of-town [[industrial estate]]. As with the industry, town centre shopping in Rushden has changed considerably although there are still many shops. Rushden has the oldest toy shop in the county.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.prbc.ndo.co.uk/!where/prbcwhere01rush01.htm |title=prbc.ndo.co.uk |access-date=7 December 2018 |archive-date=7 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181207145704/http://www.prbc.ndo.co.uk/!where/prbcwhere01rush01.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1893 a short branch line [[railway]] opened linking Rushden and [[Higham Ferrers]] with the [[Midland Main Line]]. The line was closed in 1959 and dismantled. In 1991 the trackbed was converted into a [[pocket park]].<ref>[http://www.pocketparks.com/locations/parkdetail.asp?action=l&id=34 Northamptonshire County Council] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928154159/http://www.pocketparks.com/locations/parkdetail.asp?action=l&id=34 |date=28 September 2007 }}. Pocket Parks (8 April 2013). Retrieved on 2013-07-17.</ref>
[[File:Hall Park, Rushden.jpg|upright|thumb|right|Hall Park with the spire of St Mary's Church in the far distance]]

The former [[Rushden railway station]] is now owned by the [[Rushden Historical Transport Society]],<ref>[http://www.rhts.co.uk Rushden Historic Transport Society Homepage] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210322221035/https://rhts.co.uk/ |date=22 March 2021 }}. Rhts.co.uk. Retrieved on 17 July 2013.</ref> which operates a [[museum]] and [[real ale]] bar. The society often holds special events, including an annual 3-day transport cavalcade.<ref>[http://www.cavalcade.org.uk Cavalcade] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227044907/http://www.cavalcade.org.uk/ |date=27 February 2021 }}. Cavalcade (21 May 2013). Retrieved on 2013-07-17.</ref> The society aims to rebuild the branch line from Higham Ferrers to [[Wellingborough]].

There is also a privately owned museum in Rushden which is situated in the town's Hall Park. It is open between the months of May and October.

[[Rushden Hall]] is the oldest domestic building in the town, once owned by many families throughout the years including the Sartoris family and the Pembertons family. The hall now functions as the head office of the town council and some rooms are available for hiring. It lies in {{convert|32|acre}} of land which now is a public park (Hall Park).

The 1970s [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] Police Drama series ''Hunters Walk'' was filmed on location in Rushden and the surrounding villages.

==Modern times==
[[File:Rushden Greenway.jpg|upright|thumb|left|Section of Rushden Greenway, heading under Washbrook Road]]

In late 2010, Rushden began to undergo a regeneration project, with the aim to making the town centre a more spacious and attractive place to shop. Rushden Splash Pool on Station Road and the Pemberton Centre, slightly out of town were planned to move to a new site to make room for in the town centre from the move of Splash and a knock on move of Alfred Street School to the Site of the Pemberton Centre. Plans were drawn up for a move to Manor Park, an open space out of town to the south side of Rushden. This however was put on hold in 2010 due widespread local opposition and the economic downturn.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.northampton-news-hp.co.uk/News/Wellingborough-and-Rushden-News/Leisure-plans-put-on-hold-as-cash-crisis-hits.htm |title=Wellingborough and Rushden News, 22 July 2010 |access-date=3 January 2012 |archive-date=25 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425083920/http://www.northampton-news-hp.co.uk/News/Wellingborough-and-Rushden-News/Leisure-plans-put-on-hold-as-cash-crisis-hits.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

In early 2011, improvements to the High Street began with regeneration on the ‘southern gateway’ and a creation of a 'town square' in the middle of the High Street.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.east-northamptonshire.gov.uk/site/scripts/documents_info.aspx?categoryID=200079&documentID=866 |title=East Northamptonshire Council |access-date=21 April 2011 |archive-date=22 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722204802/http://www.east-northamptonshire.gov.uk/site/scripts/documents_info.aspx?categoryID=200079&documentID=866 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Also a greenway cycle and foot path was created joining existing footpaths with a new one along the old railway line through the town. This linked Ferrers School to Rushden town centre and then out of Rushden to Crown Park retail park.

==Retail==
Rushden has many supermarkets and convenience stores.

===Rushden Lakes===

A new £140 million out of town leisure and shopping centre known as [[Rushden Lakes]] Shopping Centre opened in July 2017. The development is situated near [[Waitrose]] just off the [[A45 road (England)|A45]], on the site of the former Skew Bridge dry ski slope, also referred to as Rushden Lakes, which had been derelict for some years.

The land was purchased by LXB Retail Properties for £4.5 million in 2011 and the development was later sold to The [[Crown Estate]]. When finalised, the development will include a cinema, shops, hotels, visitor centre, restaurants, a leisure centre and a marina, with [[Marks & Spencer]] as its flagship store. A link to the [[River Nene]] will also be incorporated.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-northamptonshire-15589513 |title=Rushden Lakes shopping park plans on display |work=BBC News |date=4 November 2011 |access-date=7 December 2018 |archive-date=8 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181008173445/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-northamptonshire-15589513 |url-status=live }}</ref> The new {{convert|244|acre|adj=on}} facility will create around 2,000 jobs. Despite opposition from the local councils of Corby, Northampton, Bedford and Kettering, the Rushden Lakes proposal was approved by East Northants Council in October 2012,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-northamptonshire-19911484 |title=Rushden Lakes retail park: East Northants Council approves plans |date=11 October 2012 |work=BBC News |access-date=7 December 2018 |archive-date=16 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180716163005/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-northamptonshire-19911484 |url-status=live }}</ref> but the application was automatically referred to the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State, [[Eric Pickles]], approved the planning application and gave the go-ahead for the Rushden Lakes development on 12 June 2014.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.northantstelegraph.co.uk/news/top-stories/50m-rushden-lakes-scheme-approved-1-6114214 |title=£50m Rushden Lakes scheme approved |work=Northamptonshire Telegraph |date=12 June 2014 |access-date=7 December 2018 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304044658/http://www.northantstelegraph.co.uk/news/top-stories/50m-rushden-lakes-scheme-approved-1-6114214 |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Rushden Lakes]] the first section of the area opened on 28 July 2017, with shop opening on the same day.<ref>{{Cite news|title=UK first as Rushden Lakes opens to the public|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|language=en-GB|url=https://www.northantstelegraph.co.uk/news/uk-first-rushden-lakes-opens-public-851689|access-date=2020-08-14|issn=0307-1235|archive-date=9 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109015256/https://www.northantstelegraph.co.uk/news/uk-first-rushden-lakes-opens-public-851689|url-status=live}}</ref> Further shops opened on both the west and east side of the retail area. In July 2019 work was finished on a multiplex building which included indoor activities and a multiscreen cinema. While the site itself is currently complete there have been plans submitted to build further next to the site and to improve road access from the [[A45 road|A45]].<ref>{{Cite news|title=New plan for Rushden Lakes extension?|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|language=en-GB|url=https://www.northantstelegraph.co.uk/news/people/new-plan-rushden-lakes-extension-821848|access-date=2020-08-14|issn=0307-1235|archive-date=29 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210529205129/https://www.northantstelegraph.co.uk/news/people/new-plan-rushden-lakes-extension-821848|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Sports and recreation==

===Leisure facilities===
Rushden has two main leisure facilities, The Pemberton Centre and Splash Pool. Both are managed by Freedom Leisure, as so membership covers both venues. The Pemberton Centre is a large leisure and conference centre including a large hall, conference rooms, sport hall, gym, young person's gym, squash courts and dance studio. The Splash Pool is situated close to the town centre and includes a {{convert|25|m|ft|adj=mid|-lane}} swimming pool with a learner area, beach area and indoor slide.<ref>[http://www.culturalcommunitypartnerships.org.uk/index.cfm?fuseaction=cms.ShowPage&PageID=1 Home] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100724203815/http://www.culturalcommunitypartnerships.org.uk/index.cfm?fuseaction=cms.ShowPage&PageID=1 |date=24 July 2010 }}. Culturalcommunitypartnerships.org.uk. Retrieved on 17 July 2013.</ref>

===Football===
The town's former [[association football|football]] club, [[Rushden Town F.C.|Rushden Town]], merged with nearby [[Irthlingborough Diamonds F.C.|Irthlingborough Diamonds]] in 1992 to become [[Rushden & Diamonds F.C.|Rushden & Diamonds]]. The new club moved to [[Nene Park]], on the outskirts of [[Irthlingborough]], and played there until going into liquidation in 2011.

A new club [[AFC Rushden & Diamonds]], who play in the Northern Premier League (the 8th division of English Football) was set up in 2011 which has groundshared with [[Rushden & Higham United F.C.|Rushden & Higham United]] at the latter's Hayden Road ground from the 2017–18 season. This is the same stadium where Rushden Town played until 1992.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/london/content/articles/2008/06/03/nl_ground1_feature.shtml Ground of the week] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127075119/http://www.bbc.co.uk/london/content/articles/2008/06/03/nl_ground1_feature.shtml|date=27 November 2020}} BBC London, 3 June 2008</ref>

Junior football is catered for by AFC Rushden & Diamonds Youth which offer football for boys and girls from 4 years of age.

===Rugby Union===
Rugby Union is played at Manor Park, the home of Rushden & Higham RUFC. The club was created in October 1951. Over the years the club has played at Chamberlain's Field, near the old Higham railway station, Saffron Meadows, and the John White's ground in Rushden and now plays at Manor Park, Rushden, on pitches rented weekly from the town council.

===Cricket===
[[Rushden and Higham Town Cricket Club]] have 3 senior XI teams in the [[Northamptonshire Cricket League]],<ref name="ncl">{{cite web|url=https://ncl.play-cricket.com/ |title=Northamptonshire Cricket League |website=ncl.play-cricket.com |access-date=2022-03-07 |publisher=Northamptonshire Cricket League}}</ref> and an established Junior Section, who compete in the Higham & District Youth League.<ref name="h&dyl">{{cite web|url=https://highamanddistrictleague.play-cricket.com/home |title=Higham & District Youth League |website=highamanddistrictleague.play-cricket.com |access-date=2022-03-07 |publisher=Higham & District Youth League }}</ref> Rushden also field a Sunday XI team who play friendly matches in and around the region.<ref name="randhtcc website">{{cite web |url=https://highamanddistrictleague.play-cricket.com/home |title=Rushden and Higham Town Cricket Club |website=highamanddistrictleague.play-cricket.com |publisher=Rushden and Higham Town Cricket Club |access-date=2022-03-07}}</ref>

===Golf===
Rushden has two golf courses. A 9-hole course south of Rushden called John Whites also houses a driving range.<ref>[http://www.theinternetgolfclub.com/golfclubs/john-white-golf-club.asp John White Golf Club and John White Golf Course] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425212603/http://www.theinternetgolfclub.com/golfclubs/john-white-golf-club.asp |date=25 April 2012 }}. Theinternetgolfclub.com. Retrieved on 17 July 2013.</ref> Rushden Golf Club is a larger 18 hole course to the East of Rushden.<ref>[http://www.theinternetgolfclub.com/golfclubs/rushden-golf-club.asp Rushden Golf Club and Rushden Golf Course] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425212630/http://www.theinternetgolfclub.com/golfclubs/rushden-golf-club.asp |date=25 April 2012 }}. Theinternetgolfclub.com. Retrieved on 17 July 2013.</ref>

==Media==
Local news and television programmes are provided by [[BBC East]] and [[ITV Anglia]]. Television signals are received from the [[Sandy Heath transmitting station|Sandy Heath]] TV transmitter.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ukfree.tv/transmitters/tv/Sandy_Heath|title=Full Freeview on the Sandy Heath (Central Bedfordshire, England) transmitter|date=1 May 2004|website=UK Free TV|access-date=15 October 2023}}</ref>

Local radio stations are [[BBC Radio Northampton]], [[Heart East]], [[Smooth East Midlands]] (formerly [[Connect Radio 97.2 & 107.4|Connect FM]]) and Beat Route Radio, community based radio station.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://beatrouteradio.co.uk/|title=Beat Route Radio|access-date=15 October 2023}}</ref>

The town is served by the local newspaper, [[Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.britishpapers.co.uk/england-eang/northamptonshire-telegraph/|title=Northamptonshire Telegraph|date=10 July 2013|website=British Papers|access-date=15 October 2023}}</ref>

==Cadets==

===Sea Cadets Corps===

The area has a [[Sea Cadets (United Kingdom)|Sea Cadet Corps]], Rushden Unit (No. 639).<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.sea-cadets.org/rushden/national-impact | title=National Impact - Sea Cadets Rushden }}</ref>

=== 858 (Rushden) Squadron, Air Training Corps ===
Rushden has its own Air Cadet Squadron, No 858 (Rushden) Squadron Royal Air Force Air Cadets (formerly the [[Air Training Corps]]), based at the Drill Hall on Victoria Road. It is run by officers commissioned in the [[Royal Air Force Air Cadets]], (formerly the [[Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Training Branch)]]), assisted by adult Senior [[Non-Commissioned Officer|NCO]]’s and Civilian Instructors, all of which are civilian volunteers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=CI, Officer or NCO? Which volunteer role is right for you. – 858 Squadron |url=https://858aircadets.org.uk/?p=191 |access-date=2023-09-01 |language=en-GB}}</ref> The squadron takes part in the Rushden remembrance and armed forces day parades. It gives young people from the ages of 12-20 the opportunity to take part in various events such as shooting, drill, leadership activities, annual camps and volunteering in the local area.

The Squadron is part of South and East Midlands wing, which itself is a part of Central and East Region.

The current Officer Commanding is [[Flight lieutenant|Flight Lieutenant]] Colin Harmer.

===Army Cadet Force===
Also at the Drill Hall, on Victoria Road, is the Rushden Detachment of the Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland Army Cadet Force.

==Education==
Before the single-sex senior schools were merged, the former girls school in Rushden was named "Chichele Girls School" after Henry Chichele who was born in the neighbouring town of Higham Ferrers.

Rushden is home to one secondary school, [[Rushden Academy]]. It is part of The [[East Northamptonshire College]] together with The Ferrers Specialist Arts College (Higham Ferrers) and Huxlow Academy (Irthlingborough).
Rushden has 8 Primary Schools:

'''South Rushden'''
* Whitefriars Primary
* Southend Infant
* Southend Junior
'''North Rushden'''
* Denfield Park Primary School
'''Central Rushden'''
* Alfred Street Junior
'''East Rushden'''
* Newton Road Primary (Risdene Academy)
* Newton Road Infant
'''West Rushden'''
* Tennyson Road Infants
'''Higham Ferrers'''
* Higham Ferrers Infant
* Higham Ferrers Junior
* Henry Chichele Primary

For [[adult education]], Rushden is served by a 'Learning Centre' which is located in the town centre. The Learning Centre is operated by [[Bedford College, Bedford|Bedford College]], and offers [[Information Technology]], [[English Language]] and [[Mathematics]] courses.

==Transport==

===Rail===
At present, Rushden is one of the largest towns in the country without an operational railway station. However, there are proposals by The [[Association of Train Operating Companies]] to build a new railway station on the [[Midland Main Line]] (to the West of Rushden) to be known as [[Rushden Parkway railway station|Rushden Parkway]]. This is supported by local transport campaigners.<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20070206072137/http://brta.org.uk/tiki/tiki-index.php]}}</ref> Currently, the nearest railway station is at [[Wellingborough railway station|Wellingborough]] about five miles (8
 km) away, on the [[Midland Main Line]], although no bus service currently links Rushden to Wellingborough station - the X46 bus service stops at Midland Road in Wellingborough about half a mile from the station.

The heritage [[Rushden, Higham and Wellingborough Railway]] currently operate services from Rushden's station.

===Bus===
The main routes serving Rushden are Stagecoach services 50/49 with connections to [[Kettering]] and [[Bedford]] and the X46/47 providing links with [[Raunds]], [[Wellingborough]], [[Irchester]] and [[Northampton]]. There are also services that connect Rushden to the small villages in North Bedfordshire and has its own bus service within the town, the Rushden-Higham link. The Link runs 3 routes and are:

{| Class="wikitable"
|-
! Route
! Destination
! Via
! Notes
! Operated by
|-
| '''1'''
| Irthlingborough
| Washbrook Rd, Crown Park, Higham
| Hourly from 09:30–14:30.
| Expressline
|-
| '''2'''
| Kingsmead Park
| Upper Queens St, Newton Rd, Barrington Rd
| Hourly from 09:30–14:30.
| Expressline
|-
| '''3'''
| Park Ave
| Masefield Drive, Melloway, Highfield,
| Hourly from 10:05–14:05.
| Expressline
|}

===Air===
Several major UK airports are only within 60 miles or 1 hour driving distance of the town, including [[Luton Airport|Luton]], [[East Midlands Airport|East Midlands]], [[Birmingham Airport|Birmingham]] and [[Stansted Airport|Stansted]].

===Road===
In terms of roads, Rushden is bypassed by the [[A6 road (England)|A6]] which has connections to Kettering (Northbound) and Bedford and Luton (Southbound). The [[A45 road|A45]] connects Rushden to the East coast as well as Northampton and the [[M1 motorway]] westbound.

==Notable people==
*[[H. E. Bates]] (1905–1974) — novelist
*[[Thomas Britton]] (1644–1714) — concert promoter
*[[Joe Ekins]] (1923–2012) — World War II trooper, defeated German tank ace [[Michael Wittmann]]
*[[Sidney King]] (1885–1972) — English cricketer
*[[Richard Peck (British Army officer)|Richard Peck]] (b. 1937) — British Army major-general and first-class cricketer
*[[James Richardson (darts player)|James Richardson]] (b. 1974) — darts player
*[[Walter Tull]] (1888–1918) — professional footballer and possibly the first black/mixed race regular infantry officer in the British Army in [[World War I]], lodged at 26 Queen Street, Rushden, where a [[blue plaque]] has been placed; played for [[Northampton Town F.C.|Northampton Town]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Rushden Research Blue Plaques.|url=https://www.rushdenheritage.co.uk/history/blueplaques2.html|website=Rushden Research|access-date=17 June 2018}}</ref>
*[[Bernard Vann]] (1887–1918) — World War I [[Victoria Cross]] recipient
*[[The Fierce and the Dead]] (2010-present) — rock band from Rushden<ref>{{cite web |title=Not many bands have played Summer's End, ArcTanGent and with Hawkwind – welcome to the world of The Fierce and the Dead |url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/not-many-bands-have-played-summers-end-arctangent-and-with-hawkwind-welcome-to-the-world-of-the-fierce-and-the-dead |website=Louder Sound |date=13 August 2018 |access-date=18 April 2025}}</ref>
*[[Jim Walding]] (1937–2007) — Canadian politician
*[[Matt Stevens (musician)|Matt Stevens]] (b. 1975) - English Musician<ref>{{cite web |last=Stevens |first=Matt |date=March 2014 |title=Interview: Matt Stevens |url=https://echoesanddust.com/2014/03/interview-matt-stevens/ |access-date=24 July 2025 |website=Echoes and Dust}}</ref>


==Nearby settlements==
[[Bedford, Bedfordshire|Bedford]], [[Burton Latimer]], [[Chelveston]], [[Corby]], [[Finedon]], [[Higham Ferrers]], [[Irchester]], [[Irthlingborough]], [[Kettering]], [[Milton Keynes]], [[Newton Bromswold]], [[Northampton]], [[Oundle]], [[Podington]], [[Raunds]], [[Riseley, Bedfordshire|Riseley]], [[St Neots]], [[Thrapston]], [[Wellingborough]], [[Wollaston, Northamptonshire|Wollaston]], [[Wymington]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
{{Portal|England}}
{{Wikivoyage|Rushden}}
* [http://www.rushdentowncouncil.gov.uk/ Rushden town council]
* [http://www.rdhs.org.uk/ Rushden and District History Society]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20040624083515/http://www.thediamondsfc.com/ Rushden and Diamonds]
* [http://www.rushdenonline.co.uk/ Rushden Online]
{{Northamptonshire}}

{{Shopping centres in East Midlands}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Rushden| ]]
[[Category:Towns in Northamptonshire]]
[[Category:North Northamptonshire]]
[[Category:Civil parishes in Northamptonshire]]

Rushden - Revision history

imported>Jwcorders: /* History */