Towcester
Towcester is an old market town in Northamptonshire, 8 miles from Northampton.
It is pronounced "Toaster".
The town stands on the famous Roman road known as Watling Street, and is on the site of a Roman town named Lactodorum.
St. Laurence`s Church stands just off the Market Place, and has a 13th century crypt.
Nearby is the motte of a Norman castle, and beside the church a 15th century Chantry House.
Towecester was a thriving coaching centre in turnpike days, and the Saracen's Head is mentioned in Charles Dickens' "The Pickwick Papers".
Towcester Racecourse, not far from the town centre, is part of Easton Neston Park, where the house was designed by Hicholas Hawksmoor.