When you are on holiday, taking a weekend break or even just a night away, the chances are you might want to do something while you're there or explore what's on in the area.  It could be booking a river trip, a visit to a museum or wildlife park, or it could be something a little more wild like white water rafting, axe throwing or a high wires course.  Whatever you fancy, jazz up your trip with something a bit different and have a look a the wide variety of experiences available near the accommodation.

Experiences

Whatever your child's age there is always something to enjoy. Get cracking in  a multi-level play area where kids can climb, clamber and slide over all sorts of adventurous obstacles. What’s next? What about a ball pond where your children can dip and dive in a pool full of colourful balls? All of the above would make for serious family fun. Of course parents are not forgotten either as a cafe is never far away. You can relax with a tasty coffee and a slice of cake. What more could you want?

Indoor and Soft Play Areas

Weather is too nice to stay indoors? Want to stretch your legs? Children need to run wild?  Then head to one of the UK's fantastic parks and playgrounds on offer and breath in that fresh air!

Parks and Playgrounds

The UK has a huge array of museums and art galleries for you to enjoy. From the big hitters in London, such as the Natural History Museum, V&A, Tate Modern and National Portrait Gallery, to exciting living museums where your family can step back in time (such as the Black Country Museum in the West Midlands or the Highland Folk Museum in the Cairngorms). These Museums let your kids get hands-on with history, attending School and learning about farming, crafts, and much more. Art Galleries are not just for the grown ups! They now have workshops and child-friendly trails to inspire even the youngest artists to start drawing.  So why not try out one of our Museums or Art Galleries on your next holiday?   

Museums and Art Galleries

Hurrah, it's Autumn! That stunning time of year when the skies are blue, the air is crisp and the trees are turning that beautiful golden orange before-they all-drop-off colour.  Christmas is coming, Bake Off is on the telly and before we all hunker down for the long nights ahead, we have a month or two of wonderful outdoorsy stuff to get out of our system.  And most importantly, it is Pumpkin Season.  Woo Hoo! Who doesn't love those creepily carved orange globes popping up in every window ledge from now until Halloween. This year though, how about this: instead of grabbing a dodgy looking squash from the local supermarket, why not.....pick your own?!  There are hundreds (literally) of places to pick your own Pumpkins all over the UK and it is great fun.  Head off at half term for a rural outing with the kids; there are farms and nurseries everywhere with rows of delicious pumpkins just waiting to be chosen and taken back to their forever home (hmmm, ok, until they are made into a pie or have a spooky face carved into them). So find a farm near you and book in.   Once you've booked and are revved up to go, I've got some tips on how to select your perfect pumpkin: 1. check your pumpkin has a good strong green stem. 2. while we are on about stems, NEVER carry your pumpkin by the stem.  If you drop it, the whole thing will break and worse still, so might toes. 3. make sure it doesn't have any cuts in it or soft patches. 4. get a really lovely orangey one - all over....any green or brown bits might mean it is over or under ripe #carvingnightmare 5. looks aren't everything.  Yes, make sure it is orange but don't go for a perfect globe.  A slightly misshapen one adds way more character to your masterpiece and it won't taste any different. You now have your Squash Diploma Level 1.  Whether you are using your Pumpkin to make delicious wedges and cakes, or you just want to carve out a grotesque toothy face, picking your own is way more fun than buying one.   Check out the Pumpkin Picking farms near you today!       

Pumpkin Picking

The UK is the home of the amazing steam train! This integral part of our lives and history means we are lucky to still have many running steam railways and transport museums and attractions.  Why not experience the romance of a steam train ride in the Welsh mountains or across Bodmin and try out a railway or transport attraction on your next holiday.  

Railway and Transport 

Santas Grottos are the perfect Christmas experience. A fantastic festive day out for the whole family. 

Santas Grottos

Trying to find shelter on a rainy day or enjoy a fun evening filled with laughter and popcorn? Visit one of the 775 cinemas in the UK to catch up on the latest blockbuster film releases!  Or fancy watching some live theatre, a music concert, a ballet, or comedy act? Then head to one of the UK's 1300 theatres!  Whether the West End, London is where you want to enjoy some of the UK's finest productions on offer, or Shakespeare's Globe where you can experience incredible performances and actors. Maybe you want to head to the  Festival Theatre in Edinburgh which stages some of the finest operas and ballets. There is something for everyone and definitely not to be missed!    

Cinemas and theatres

Discover some of the  UK's most beautiful lakes... Some of the most picturesque lakes and lochs can be found in Scotland, Snowdon, North Wales and the Lake District.  The UK's largest lake is Lough Neagh in Northern Ireland and England's largest lake is Windermere. England's deepest lake is Wastwater at a depth of 79 metres!    A vast amount of activities can be enjoyed including walking, sailing, biking, canoeing, kayaking, swimming and not forgetting fishing!  Enjoy a picnic at these ideal locations for family and friends outings! 

Lakes around the UK

The number of heritage buildings still standing proudly across the UK is quite remarkable. Most of the UK's stately homes have hosted kings and queens, prime ministers, actors and poets – all manner of illustrious guests. Why not visit Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire which was built for John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough and  explore 2,000 acres of gardens. It’s no wonder UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site in 1987. Or Highclere Castle,  the backdrop to so many scenes of the Crawley family and their household in Downton Abbey!  Maybe Chatsworth takes your fancy? Better known to many as Pemberley in the 2005 film adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, starring Keira Knightley. Don't forget Longleat House in Wiltshire, and make a day of it visiting the incredible Longleat Safari Park!  Stately homes frequently provide tours throughout the day as well as audio guides and information packs. Of course, let's not forget the children! Many of these stately homes have prepared children's guides, packs and quizzes so be sure to ask on your way in!

Stately Homes and Gardens

Get jumping at one of these trampoline parks! Great exercise, great fun, and a great indoor activity for those rainy days! Burn some energy by leaping and bouncing about these parks, learning new tricks, and having a fun-filled day! Lots of the trampoline parks also have soft-play, or specific areas for smaller guests, which means everyone can get involved!  Why not give trampolining a go! 

Trampoline Parks

Explore the best caves, mines and caverns the UK has to offer! From the calm and the easy-going to the hard-core cave diving and abseiling, there is something for everyone. From Air Raid shelters and coal mining to discovering hidden Ice Age art and cathedrals, there is so much to uncover.

Caves and Mines

Climbing is a great way to test your strength, balance and agility. As both an indoor and outdoor sport it can be done whatever the weather! You can try out bouldering, climbing and traversing lower walls (around 3 meters) without the assistance of rope. Bouldering basics can be mastered in a few hours and climbing centers will have graded routes allowing you to start out on the easier paths and work your way up. Rock climbing or high ropes is climbing vertically with the assistance of ropes and using safety harnesses, the walls are around 15 meters tall. You will need a good nerve for heights for this activity! Again, beginner sessions are available as are graded routes.

Climbing

A leisure cycle is a great way to get the whole family out and exercising! It allows you to travel further whilst still getting to experience the local area. Why not take your family along the Camel Trail in Cornwall? Or Maybe go and hunt a Gruffolo in Delamere Forest, Cheshire, the possibilities are endless! Whether you are a family who loves biking together on relaxing forrest paths or a serious Wiggins type who prefers fast road cycling, there is no doubt that camping holidays give you the freedom to take your cycling hobby with you, wherever you decide to go in the UK.  Plenty of great campsites are near cycling paths and some may also offer bicycle hire too, showing you the best routes to take for a great day out cycling.  

Cycling

Ideal for expert, casual or budding fisherman alike, there is something for everyone and a great deal of choice. From expert fly fishing in Scotland, general coarse fishing, specialist carp fishing lodges and lakes on the Cotswold Water Park and Devon and Cornwall to excellent pike & river fishing holidays on the Norfolk Broads. We want to get you and the kids out on Britain’s rivers, lochs and sea to land your own catch of the day. Don't think twice, book today! 

Fishing

Thinking of delving into the world of karting? We're sure you're raring to go! Well don't think twice and book yourself and friends or all the family on an ultimate go karting experience! Once you're kitted out with the appropriate gear, you'll have your safety talk that tells you everything you need to know about racing, so listen up! When that's over and you're out on the track,  go karts pack a mean punch...  On your mark, get set, GO!  

Go Karting

Want to enjoy a leisurely swim or a splash with the family? You can find an array of incredibly fun activities for all the family at a Leisure Centre including tennis, badminton, roller skating, aerobics, gym, dance classes and many more! Whatever takes your fancy, they have it! 

Swimming Pools and Leisure Centres

Take you family and friends bowling for an afternoon or evening! Whatever your level or age, ten pin bowling is for the whole family and is the perfect location on a rainy day! The objective is to knock down all ten pins on the first roll of the ball (a strike), or failing that, on the second roll (a spare)... but let's not get bogged down with the rules.  Younger children can join in too, thanks to lighter and smaller bowling balls, bowling ramps and alley railings. Book your spot today so you don't miss out!

Ten Pin Bowling Alleys

Splash around whatever the weather at these great indoor and outdoor waterparks in the UK! Nothing brings out your inner child quite like the prospect of a water slide or a wave pool. So, don your sturdiest swimwear and swap the beach for one of our top wet and wild waterparks. Whether you’re into white-knuckle flume rides or meandering around a lazy river with a float, water parks are guaranteed to make a splash, whatever the weather. 

Water Parks

There are a huge number of zoos, wildlife and safari parks all over the UK and most are well worth a visit and provide a really exciting and unique day out.  The broad difference between them is that Zoos tend to keep animals with their own species in smaller enclosures for a real up-close encounter, whereas a visit to a Safari Park usually involves driving around much larger enclosures to see groups of animals - maybe rhino, giraffe and gazelle all in one setting.  Some are self-drive (for a monkey snapping off your wing mirror type affair) or in others you are guided round in a truck, spotting lions and elephants from afar - similar to an African safari, just without the plus-size sunset, hot weather and flamboyant tribespeople (although lets not get too picky about this; most UK safari parks are just a couple of hours from home and do not involve remortgaging the house to go). Many zoos and parks now are great conservation pioneers and animal rescue centres, so by visiting, you are often contributing to real global issues, supporting endangered species or deforestation or other genuine threats to wildlife.  The parks usually have lots of information about these causes and it can be a great way to get the kids to learn about the world we live in, the animals from different continents and the dangers they face.

Zoos, Wildlife Parks and Safari Parks

Northampton, in the East Midlands district of England, is a great combination of vibrant urban life and attractive and peaceful countryside.  In the bustling centre, the Grosvenor shopping arcade offers a great selection of shops and there are many restaurants and cafes to choose from dotted around the streets.  The Derngate Centre is the place to head to for shows, music and pantomimes at Christmas.  In terms of local attractions and days out, Northamptonshire has plenty to choose from.  Visit the Spence family home at Althorp House and see around the house and gardens where Lady Diana Spencer spent her childhood.  The house has rooms displaying some of Europes finest collections of paintings and furniture and the stately home has a fascinating history.  Visit Pitsford Reservoir, which offers pretty woodland, meadows and grassland to wander around as well as a great spot for cycling and fishing or Billing Aquadrome with its marina, fishing lakes, swimming pools and play areas.  Many of the villages surrounding Northampton are absolutely charming, set in the rolling fields of the countryside and a real treat to explore.  

Top

Accommodation

Brook Meadow

Brook Meadow

White Mills Marina Certificated Site

Shire View Certificated Site

Gayton Wood Farm Fishing

Furnace Moorings Certificated Site

The Home Farm Certificated Location

Covert Farm Certificated Location

Foxholes Field Certificated Site

Blueberry Shepherd Huts

The Old Stone Barn

Smiths Farm

Ekeney House Certificated Site

Buttercup Meadow Certificated Location

Brook Meadow Lakeside Holidays

British Canoeing - Broadway's Meadow

Billing Aquadrome

Stanford Hall Caravan Park

Billing Aquadome

Billing Aquadrome Camp Site

Top activities

Wacky Warehouse - Lakeside

Cre8 - Pottery Painting

Harrington Aviation Museum

Fuzzy Ed's at the Priory

Hunt Fun Kettering

Stoke Bruerne Treasure Trail

Laser Maze

Northampton Trampoline Centre

New York Thunderbowl

Mini Meadows Farm

Sywell Aviation Museum

Wicksteed Park

Wellingborough Museum

Riverside Hub

Catanger Llama Trekking

ODEON Kettering

The Canal Museum

Abington Park

Vue Northampton

Cineworld Northampton

Things to do in northampton