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.

[5] 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.

As a result of recent electoral changes, Rushden has been divided into five wards for both District and Town Council purposes.

[7] Rushden's growth has resulted from a number of industries, including lacemaking and farming, and especially shoemaking and associated trades.

Notable for his powers of description when it comes to nature he recorded the past beauties of the surrounding countryside as he remembered it from the 10s through to the forties, 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".

The 1970s ITV Police Drama series Hunters Walk was filmed on location in Rushden and the surrounding villages.

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.

Plans were drawn up for a move to Manor Park, an open space out of town to the south side of Rushden.

[16] Also a greenway cycle and foot path was created joining existing footpaths with a new one along the old railway line through the town.

The development is situated near Waitrose just off the 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.

The Secretary of State, Eric Pickles, approved the planning application and gave the go-ahead for the Rushden Lakes development on 12 June 2014.

Sea Cadets[34] provides opportunities for young people to go on great adventures, meet new friends and get involved in all kinds of fun and challenging activities, such as sailing, wind-surfing, rowing and power boating.

These allow you to learn new life skills whilst gaining self-confidence, respect, leadership and the ability to work as part of a team.

The charity also owns 5 offshore vessels which are used for training and adventure experiences at sea - these include 2 large yachts, 2 power cruisers and a Tall Ship.

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.

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

The Learning Centre is operated by Bedford College, and offers Information Technology, English Language and Mathematics courses.

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.

The Link runs 3 routes and are: Several major UK airports are only within 60 miles or 1 hour driving distance of the town, including Luton, East Midlands, Birmingham and Stansted.

In terms of roads, Rushden is bypassed by the A6 which has connections to Kettering (Northbound) and Bedford and Luton (Southbound).

Bedford, Burton Latimer, Chelveston, Corby, Finedon, Higham Ferrers, Irchester, Irthlingborough, Kettering, Milton Keynes, Newton Bromswold, Northampton, Oundle, Podington, Raunds, Riseley, St Neots, Thrapston, Wellingborough, Wollaston, Wymington