Phillimore reference: 4,12 The second part of the town's name is derived from the le Latimer family who lived there in the 13th century.
Burton Latimer grew in the 19th century around the ironstone quarrying, clothing and footwear industries.
A watermill used for grinding corn was converted and used at various times in the 19th century for the manufacture of silk and worsted and for carpet-weaving, followed by its conversion to a steam mill to make chicory, mustard, animal foodstuffs and flour.
Ironstone quarrying began in about 1872 to the north of the town, to the south of the Kettering, Thrapston and Huntingdon Railway.
More quarries were started in the west in the vicinity of Polwell Lane and more extensively on the east side of the town.
The ore was taken by 3 ft (914 mm) gauge tramways to the mainline railways.
The tramway to the main railway from this quarry was operated by small diesel locomotives.
High-profile national firms like Versalift, Alpro Soya and Abbeyboard have based themselves on the north side of town.
In the 2020s, more manufacturing and distribution centres have been erected on the north side of Burton Latimer, such as the recently completed establishment of 'Symmetry Park' and the other warehouses built at the Kettering Gateway.
A notable building in the town is the parish church, dedicated to St Mary the Virgin, which was consecrated in 1147.
[5] It contains a number of medieval wall paintings, a 15th-century chancel screen and some monumental brasses.
The oldest of the latter is located between the south arcade and chancel screen and features the coat of arms of the Boyville family; it was almost certainly placed there in the early 16th century to commemorate Richard Boyville, his wife Gresyll and their children.
Burton Latimer Hall was built using the same light-toned stone as used in buildings in the north-east part of the town.
It is rumoured that a secret tunnel connects Burton Latimer Hall and the nearby St Mary’s Church, but it has never been found.
The 11-acre plot of land houses many different species of animals and is a popular place for recreational fishing.
Burton Wold Wind Farm, operated by Your Energy,[8] has 10 turbines, producing enough electricity to power around 8,500 homes annually (around a quarter of Kettering Borough's households).
[citation needed] Burton Latimer is home to the Weetabix food company, Shield aluminium, and several group undertakings [citation needed] and a Wm Morrisons supermarket distribution centre, which are major local employers.
The Millennium Gardens, constructed in 2000, are located on the corner of the junction of the High street and Churchill Way.
A wood on the western edge of the town leads down to the River Ise and across to the village of Isham.
Local news and television programmes are provided by BBC East and ITV Anglia.
The Latimer Arts College is located in nearby Barton Seagrave, close to Kettering.