Things to do in Northamptonshire with children
We love a day out whether it’s just a weekend day popping out somewhere, or a day out while on holiday. I’m reliving my childhood visiting around the UK, near home and further away, and love sharing it with N. He does moan, but loves days out once he’s there. If there’s a playground and café all the better. So if you’re looking for things to do in Northamptonshire with the family, you’re in the right place.
This series of days out posts are based on round ups of places we’ve loved on our travels. Hopefully it’ll make them easier for you to find, especially if you’re looking for recommendations for places to visit. I’ll also be including recommendations from other bloggers, because if you’re looking for guidance on where to go you want to hear from local people as well as visitors to an area.
Museums and culture
Play area, 2 lakes, aviary and cafes, plus the museum itself.
Recently renovated historic house, and gardens. Events run through seasonal times of year. Close to the town centre.
National Trust
Canons Ashby, Daventry
National Trust Elizabethan house and terraced gardens, plus a couple of churches onsite. The usual tea room and shop, plus plenty of green space to picnic and let the children run around. We spent hours in the natural playground/den building area on a beautiful hot day. A bit out of the way, so one of the quieter National Trust properties.
Wildlife and outdoors
Irchester Country Park, Wellingborough
More basic country park, with a large playground area. Inside café and large burger stand with benches with friendly staff. Parking fee only. Plenty of paths to walk and cycle round, overflow parking. Best bit is the wires course – small and more challenging options.
Home to the 7th Marquess of Northampton. Not just the beautiful and varied gardens, they also have a menagerie, playground (undergoing maintenance in 2019), nature trail and arboretum.
Good for walks and cycling all year round, but best in summer where there’s a great water based playground, ice cream vans. They also hold outdoor cinema events and the visitor centre has plenty of information as well as the main cafe. Parking fee only.
Evenley Wood Garden, Evenley
Open selected days of the year for seasonal events and floral seasons. They have multiple species of snowdrops but get there early for those dates. Parking in a matted field, and can get very muddy so take suitable footwear, and stick to carriers for babies and toddlers.
Take the bikes, or enjoy the family trails and playground for walks around this Forestry Commission location. Parking fee only. Basic café which does get busy
Huge park with train, rides, arboretum, amphitheatre and several cafes. 6 hours didn’t cover everything for the Jaymee of The Mum Diaries on their trip. There’s no entry fee, instead you buy either a wristband or ticket books – each ride varies in cost. There’s also a large playground which is free.
Badby Woods
Take the children to see the bluebells in April/May time.
Kelmarsh and Gt Oxenden Tunnels, Brampton Valley Way
Old railway tunnels along a walk, for some great echo play with the kids
Other
N’s favourite place. Perfect for under 10s, it has the largest softplay frame in Europe, plus a climbing tree, electronic go karts, a crafting area/shop, laser tag and carousel. And for parents a pretty good café and wifi.
Do you have any favourite places to visit or things to do in Northamptonshire? Let me know and I’ll get them added to the list.
Try one of these other posts
Thanks for including our recommendation. Lots of places there we’ve still got to visit too.
Not a problem. I didn’t realise there were so many country parks in the county.