Northampton in West Northamptonshire, England, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)
Hazelrigg House and the Old Black Lion
Photographed by Ray Gurganus, May 25, 2026
1. Hazelrigg House and the Old Black Lion Marker
Hazelrigg House
Hazelrigg House (also known as Hazelrigg Mansion) is an Elizabethan structure, likely built between 1570 and 1580, although features of the house suggest that it may have been built in phases towards the beginning of the 16th century.
This Grade II listed building is one of the few which survived the Great Fire of Northampton 1675 and would have been unique in a town where most dwellings were made of wood and thatch.
The house got its name from the Hesilrige family from Noseley Hall in Leicestershire. They purchased the house in 1680 and already owned the nearby Northampton Castle land. Around 1818, the family changed the spelling of their name from "Hesilrige" to "Hazelrigg." They had sold the house by 1831, but the name "Hazelrigg House" stayed.
Legend says that Oliver Cromwell slept at Hazelrigg House before the Battle of Naseby hence the building also being known as 'Cromwell House'.
In the early 1800's, the building took on a new lease of life as a school, and it was later purchased by a local historian, who auctioned it to a lady's club many years later in 1913.
Architects have remodelled
this page online
The Old Black Lion
The Old Black Lion pub in Northampton, a Grade II listed building, was originally built in the 1600s. It burned down in the Great Fire of Northampton and was rebuilt around 1720 and given the name Old Black Lion.
By the 18th century, coaching inns were common for travellers, and many of these inns continue to operate as pubs today. The Old Black Lion was designed for easy access, with stables for horses and accommodation for guests.
Excavations uncovered a horseshoe-shaped structure, possibly a bread oven and the discovery of medieval pottery indicates the site has been used for nearly 1,000 years.
The Old Black Lion may have started as a bakery before evolving into an inn, and has been restored as a pub. The restoration has preserved both the archaeological features and historical stonework, returning the exterior to its original form. (Marker Number 10.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings.
Location. 52° 14.254′ N, 0° 54.242′ W. Marker is in Northampton, England, in West Northamptonshire. It can be reached from Chalk Lane. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 14 Chalk Lane, Northampton, England NN1 2RW, United Kingdom. Touch for directions.
Regionally, it is on the Atlantic Ocean, in the North Atlantic Region, in Europe, in Atlantic Europe, on one of the British Isles, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Fall of the Castle Walls (here, next to this marker); Stories from the Castle (here, next to this marker); Royals and the Castle (here, next to this marker); Thomas Becket (a few steps from this marker); The Great Fire of Northampton (a few steps from this marker); Visitors to the Castle (a few steps from this marker); Shoe Industry (a few steps from this marker); The Castle (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northampton.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 3, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 1, 2026, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 10 times since then. Photo 1. submitted on November 1, 2026, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. photo of the marker within its surroundings • Can you help?
