Things to do

At A Glance The Leicestershire and Northamptonshire border gives you stocked trout, specimen carp and free canal fishing inside a 30 minute drive, which is why it works so well for a self-catering fishing holiday. Pitsford Reservoir is the headline trout water, roughly 25 minutes from Clipston, stocked with rainbow and brown trout. An EnvironmentContinue reading "Fishing Holidays in Leicestershire and Northamptonshire: A Local’s Shortlist"

The Short Answer Delapre Abbey is a restored historic house on London Road in Northampton, NN4 8AW, set in 550 acres of parkland on the site of the 1460 Battle of Northampton. The grounds, parkland and Orangery cafe are free to wander, while a house ticket costs around £8 for adults with under 18s free.Continue reading "Delapre Abbey, Northampton: Visitor Guide & Gardens"

The Short Answer Wicksteed Park is one of the UK’s oldest amusement parks, sitting in Barton Road, Kettering, Northamptonshire (NN15 6NJ). Entry to the parkland, lake, gardens and the huge free playground costs nothing, and you only pay if you want the rides. Pre-booked all-day ride wristbands start from around £22 each, or you canContinue reading "Wicksteed Park: Rides, Tickets & Family Day Out Guide"

The Short Answer Bradgate Park is Leicestershire’s largest country park, an 850-acre ancient deer park with free entry, roaming herds of red and fallow deer, the ruins linked to Lady Jane Grey and the Old John folly tower on the skyline. Entry is free, you only pay to park (around £3 to £4 a day),Continue reading "Bradgate Park: Deer, Old John & Walks (Visitor Guide)"

The Short Answer Billing Aquadrome is a 235-acre leisure and holiday park in the Nene Valley near Northampton, with lakes, a funfair, fishing, watersports, walks and plenty for families. Day visitors are welcome with a pre-booked day pass, which starts from around £5 per person plus £5 parking. Book your day pass online before youContinue reading "Billing Aquadrome: Guide to the Northampton Day Out"

The Short Answer Leicestershire packs a lot into a small county. For families, head to Twycross Zoo, the National Space Centre or Bradgate Park. For history, Bosworth Battlefield and the King Richard III story are hard to beat. For a slower pace, Foxton Locks, Rutland Water and the market town of Market Harborough do theContinue reading "Things to Do in Leicestershire: 20 Best Days Out"

The Short Answer Rockingham Castle is a Norman castle near Corby in Northamptonshire with more than 900 years of history, owned by the same family for around 450 years. It opens on selected days from May to late September, with House and Garden adult tickets at £19.25 and a family ticket at £49.90, and theContinue reading "Rockingham Castle: Visitor Guide, Tickets & Gardens"

The Short Answer Conkers is a 120-acre family attraction at the heart of the National Forest near Moira, on the Leicestershire and Derbyshire border. It mixes indoor discovery zones with woodland trails, a treetop walk, a splash park and the Conkerchoo train, so it works whatever the weather. Family tickets start at around £36 inContinue reading "Conkers, National Forest: A Family Day Out Guide"

The Short Answer Foxton Locks is a flight of ten staircase locks on the Grand Union Canal, about three miles from Market Harborough and the longest, steepest staircase of its kind in Britain. It is free to walk in any day of the year, with two pubs, a cafe, a canal museum, weekend boat tripsContinue reading "Foxton Locks: Boat Trips, Walks, the Staircase & Cafe"

The Short Answer Twycross Zoo sits on the Leicestershire and Warwickshire border at Burton Road, Atherstone, CV9 3PX, just off M42 junction 11. It is the UK’s only dedicated World Primate Centre, home to all four great apes plus snow leopards, giraffes and penguins. Book online in advance to save, with adult tickets from £26.95Continue reading "Twycross Zoo: Visitor Guide, Tickets & Where to Stay"