Northamptonshire Tourist Guide - Articles
Northamptonshire Days Out & Top Attractions
What makes the county of Northamptonshire with its mind-boggling range of top attractions the obvious choice for a great day out?
The answer is clear. Central location, for a start; situated bang slap in the centre of England and just an hour’s drive away from London, Northampton is a feasible option for great, relaxing days out, visiting some of the UK’s finest attractions. The county offers something to please even the most recalcitrant of visitors: calming countryside, historic attractions, ancient churches, with many dating from the mediaeval period, pretty villages (with traditional pubs), waterways, lakes, glorious gardens, parklands, reservoirs, over 2,000 miles of footpaths, water sports, fishing, sky diving, hot air ballooning and motor racing, top-notch leisure facilities … and a complete change of scene which is easily achievable as a day trip. Northamptonshire Days Out & Top Attractions are not to be missed.
So, at the risk of omission, the following possibilities should help you plan a shortlist of perfect days out in Northamptonshire.
Althorp House & the ‘Diana: A Celebration’ Exhibition: The Stables, Althorp, Northampton, NN7 4HQ: Combine a visit to one of England’s finest stately homes, Althorp House, home to the Spencer family for over 500 years, with a visit to the award winning exhibition in memory of Princess Diana.
Boughton House: Situated 4.8 kilometres (3 miles) off the A43, north of Kettering, Boughton House, home of the Duke of Buccleuch, is a late seventeenth century house built on an original mediaeval monastic site. The house, dubbed ‘England’s Versailles’, contains a vast array of fine art, period furniture, porcelain, tapestries and artefacts.
Rockingham Castle, Market Harborough, LE16 8TH, Tel: +44 (0)1536 770 240; 14.5 kilometres (9 miles) east of Market Harborough, 3.2 kilometres (2 miles) north of Corby on the A6003. Its panoramic hilltop location means that on a clear day you can see five counties from Rockingham Castle was Originally constructed by William the Conqueror, Rockingham Castle was a royal fortress for 450 years. Home to the Watson family since 1530, the castle houses a series of period-furnished rooms, spanning from early Norman times. The 12-acre grounds are laid to both formal and natural gardens; facilities include a tea room and gift shop.
Wicksteed Park, Barton Road, Kettering, NN15 6NJ: Main entrance is on the A6, 2.4 kilometres (1.5 miles) from J10 of the A14. This 148-acre parkland, with over forty rides and exciting attractions has put Kettering firmly on the Northamptonshire tourist map. Entertainment packages, corporate events and wedding receptions are among the facilities provided at Wicksteed Park and Pavilion.
Silverstone, Nr. Towcester, Northamptonshire, NN12 8TN: Enjoy world class motor sports at Britain’s premier Grand Prix venue; test your skills on the track (under expert guidance, of course!).Silverstone is located 8 kilometres (5 miles) from Towcester and 9 kilometres (5.25 miles) from both Brackley and Buckingham.
Billing Aquadrome, located in a peaceful countryside setting just off junction 15 on the M1, the 235-acre site makes an ideal base for touring Northamptonshire, with many top attractions including Althorp House and Silverstone, nearby. The site is fully equipped with 400 electrical hook-up points, accessible toilet facilities (free showers), shops, restaurant, bars, play areas, seasonal amusements, fishing, boating, etc.
Barnwell Country Park, Barnwell Road, Oundle, Peterborough, PE8 5PW,
Tel: +44 (0)1832 273435. Relax in the beautiful Nene Valley amidst 15 hectares of meadows, lakeside and riverside paths, lush marshland and intriguing wildlife, (bird-hides allow for close-up viewing). Visitor facilities include a car park, toilets, adventure play area, café, picnic and barbecue areas and shop.
Brixworth Country Park, Northampton Rd., Brixworth, Northants, NN6 9DG, Tel. +44 (0)1604 883920: A relative newbie on the Northamptonshire country park scene, Brixworth Country Park is a stunning mix of newly planted woodland (a magnet for wildlife) with breathtaking views over Pitsford Water (a Site of Special Scientific Interest -SSSI); home to one of the largest gull colonies in the UK. Activities include pond dipping, mountain biking, windsurfing, canoeing, fishing, bird watching.
Coton Manor Garden, Coton, NN6 8RQ, Tel: +44 (0) 1604 740219, is located 14.5 kilometres (9 miles) north-west of Northampton, between the A428 and A5199. Set around a 17th century manor house, with beautiful countryside beyond, the garden contains an amazing display of plants, shrubs, trees, herbaceous borders, hedges, rose garden, water garden, wildflower meadow, bluebell wood and even a herb parterre.
Sywell Country Park, Washbrook Lane, Ecton, Northampton, NN6 0QX,
Tel. +44 (0) 01604 810970: Billed as an ‘Edwardian Reservoir and Arboretum’, Sywell Country Park is a haven of established woodland and pasture. Amongst Sywell Country Park’s attractions are a Butterfly Garden and the remains of an Edwardian reservoir, in the form of a valve tower.
Northampton
This bustling market dates back to Saxon times. Despite Charles II ordering the demolition of Northampton Castle on his restoration in 1660 and the destruction of many of the town’s original buildings in a fire in 1675, the twelfth century circular church of St. Sepulchre is still standing. Other historic buildings of note in Northampton include Lamport Hall, a classical house, designed by John Webb, containing exquisite period furniture and works of art. For a snapshot of the rich history of Northampton and a fascinating insight into Northampton’s proud status as ‘Britain’s boot and shoe capital’, visit the Northampton Museum and Art Gallery, situated in the town centre, Guildhall Road, NN1 1DP.
For those visitors more interested in contemporary pursuits, Northampton has an attractive shopping centre, a market and an impressive range of bars and restaurants.
Kettering
For an action-packed day out, Kettering has plenty to please all members of the family. Attractions include Wicksteed Park, 147 acres of parkland, rides, attractions, etc. and Boughton House, a Tudor, monastic building and home of the Duke of Buccluech. All in all, Kettering caters handsomely for tourists with a superb range of leisure facilities.
Stoke Bruerne
Located 6.4 kilometres (4 miles), Stoke Bruerne, on the Grand Union Canal is one of Northamptonshire’s prettiest villages and is described in Nicholson’s Ordnance Survey Guide to Waterways as ‘the best example of a canal village in this country’. A visit to the Canal Museum, housed in a restored corn mill, is a must. Explore the history of the inland waterways that played a pivotal part in the British Industrial Revolution.
With the wide range of great Northamptonshire Days Out & Top Attractions there are loads of things to do for the kids. Childrens Activities are in abundance in the county and this can also be a treat for the parents too!
Northamptonshire Days Out & Top Attractions
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The answer is clear. Central location, for a start; situated bang slap in the centre of England and just an hour’s drive away from London, Northampton is a feasible option for great, relaxing days out, visiting some of the UK’s finest attractions. The county offers something to please even the most recalcitrant of visitors: calming countryside, historic attractions, ancient churches, with many dating from the mediaeval period, pretty villages (with traditional pubs), waterways, lakes, glorious gardens, parklands, reservoirs, over 2,000 miles of footpaths, water sports, fishing, sky diving, hot air ballooning and motor racing, top-notch leisure facilities … and a complete change of scene which is easily achievable as a day trip. Northamptonshire Days Out & Top Attractions are not to be missed.
So, at the risk of omission, the following possibilities should help you plan a shortlist of perfect days out in Northamptonshire.
Historic Attractions
Althorp House & the ‘Diana: A Celebration’ Exhibition: The Stables, Althorp, Northampton, NN7 4HQ: Combine a visit to one of England’s finest stately homes, Althorp House, home to the Spencer family for over 500 years, with a visit to the award winning exhibition in memory of Princess Diana.
Boughton House: Situated 4.8 kilometres (3 miles) off the A43, north of Kettering, Boughton House, home of the Duke of Buccleuch, is a late seventeenth century house built on an original mediaeval monastic site. The house, dubbed ‘England’s Versailles’, contains a vast array of fine art, period furniture, porcelain, tapestries and artefacts.
Rockingham Castle, Market Harborough, LE16 8TH, Tel: +44 (0)1536 770 240; 14.5 kilometres (9 miles) east of Market Harborough, 3.2 kilometres (2 miles) north of Corby on the A6003. Its panoramic hilltop location means that on a clear day you can see five counties from Rockingham Castle was Originally constructed by William the Conqueror, Rockingham Castle was a royal fortress for 450 years. Home to the Watson family since 1530, the castle houses a series of period-furnished rooms, spanning from early Norman times. The 12-acre grounds are laid to both formal and natural gardens; facilities include a tea room and gift shop.
Thrills and Spills
Wicksteed Park, Barton Road, Kettering, NN15 6NJ: Main entrance is on the A6, 2.4 kilometres (1.5 miles) from J10 of the A14. This 148-acre parkland, with over forty rides and exciting attractions has put Kettering firmly on the Northamptonshire tourist map. Entertainment packages, corporate events and wedding receptions are among the facilities provided at Wicksteed Park and Pavilion.
Silverstone, Nr. Towcester, Northamptonshire, NN12 8TN: Enjoy world class motor sports at Britain’s premier Grand Prix venue; test your skills on the track (under expert guidance, of course!).Silverstone is located 8 kilometres (5 miles) from Towcester and 9 kilometres (5.25 miles) from both Brackley and Buckingham.
Family Fun & Rural Pursuits
Billing Aquadrome, located in a peaceful countryside setting just off junction 15 on the M1, the 235-acre site makes an ideal base for touring Northamptonshire, with many top attractions including Althorp House and Silverstone, nearby. The site is fully equipped with 400 electrical hook-up points, accessible toilet facilities (free showers), shops, restaurant, bars, play areas, seasonal amusements, fishing, boating, etc.
Country Parks, Gardens
Barnwell Country Park, Barnwell Road, Oundle, Peterborough, PE8 5PW,
Tel: +44 (0)1832 273435. Relax in the beautiful Nene Valley amidst 15 hectares of meadows, lakeside and riverside paths, lush marshland and intriguing wildlife, (bird-hides allow for close-up viewing). Visitor facilities include a car park, toilets, adventure play area, café, picnic and barbecue areas and shop.
Brixworth Country Park, Northampton Rd., Brixworth, Northants, NN6 9DG, Tel. +44 (0)1604 883920: A relative newbie on the Northamptonshire country park scene, Brixworth Country Park is a stunning mix of newly planted woodland (a magnet for wildlife) with breathtaking views over Pitsford Water (a Site of Special Scientific Interest -SSSI); home to one of the largest gull colonies in the UK. Activities include pond dipping, mountain biking, windsurfing, canoeing, fishing, bird watching.
Coton Manor Garden, Coton, NN6 8RQ, Tel: +44 (0) 1604 740219, is located 14.5 kilometres (9 miles) north-west of Northampton, between the A428 and A5199. Set around a 17th century manor house, with beautiful countryside beyond, the garden contains an amazing display of plants, shrubs, trees, herbaceous borders, hedges, rose garden, water garden, wildflower meadow, bluebell wood and even a herb parterre.
Sywell Country Park, Washbrook Lane, Ecton, Northampton, NN6 0QX,
Tel. +44 (0) 01604 810970: Billed as an ‘Edwardian Reservoir and Arboretum’, Sywell Country Park is a haven of established woodland and pasture. Amongst Sywell Country Park’s attractions are a Butterfly Garden and the remains of an Edwardian reservoir, in the form of a valve tower.
Places to Visit in Northamptonshire
Northampton
This bustling market dates back to Saxon times. Despite Charles II ordering the demolition of Northampton Castle on his restoration in 1660 and the destruction of many of the town’s original buildings in a fire in 1675, the twelfth century circular church of St. Sepulchre is still standing. Other historic buildings of note in Northampton include Lamport Hall, a classical house, designed by John Webb, containing exquisite period furniture and works of art. For a snapshot of the rich history of Northampton and a fascinating insight into Northampton’s proud status as ‘Britain’s boot and shoe capital’, visit the Northampton Museum and Art Gallery, situated in the town centre, Guildhall Road, NN1 1DP.
For those visitors more interested in contemporary pursuits, Northampton has an attractive shopping centre, a market and an impressive range of bars and restaurants.
Kettering
For an action-packed day out, Kettering has plenty to please all members of the family. Attractions include Wicksteed Park, 147 acres of parkland, rides, attractions, etc. and Boughton House, a Tudor, monastic building and home of the Duke of Buccluech. All in all, Kettering caters handsomely for tourists with a superb range of leisure facilities.
Stoke Bruerne
Located 6.4 kilometres (4 miles), Stoke Bruerne, on the Grand Union Canal is one of Northamptonshire’s prettiest villages and is described in Nicholson’s Ordnance Survey Guide to Waterways as ‘the best example of a canal village in this country’. A visit to the Canal Museum, housed in a restored corn mill, is a must. Explore the history of the inland waterways that played a pivotal part in the British Industrial Revolution.
With the wide range of great Northamptonshire Days Out & Top Attractions there are loads of things to do for the kids. Childrens Activities are in abundance in the county and this can also be a treat for the parents too!
Northamptonshire Days Out & Top Attractions
Back to Articles Page