16 Free Days Out and Things to Do With Kids in Northamptonshire
I'm still adding to this list, so keep checking back, please get in touch if you've got any hidden gems to recommend, or if you have a picture to replace any that I'm missing (ie the places that have words). As a thank you, I'll send a 20% money off voucher to spend in the shop for anything that gets used.
I've tried to make sure that all the details on here are up to date, but please do double check on the websites I've linked to before you travel in case anything has changed. Although I'd love to be able to travel to every place on here, time and practicalities dictate that I've sourced a lot of information from 3rd parties so some information might be incorrect (Please let me know if you spot anything that is so that I can amend it).
Especially important: double check parking costs to avoid any nasty surprises on a day out that was supposed to be cheap, and obviously, be careful if you're visiting places with kids, especially where the terrain is dangerous (ruins, cliffs, beaches, slippy paths etc).
Happy adventuring!
Learn some history, including local history, and the town's international shoemaking significance. There's lots to keep kids engaged. Check out their programme of events.
Play in the woods, cycle around Pitsford water, follow the gnome trail, or the brass rubbing trail, visit the sensory garden, or play in the playground.
Open on selected day (check the website). The galleries tell the story of Abington from medieval manor, to leafy suburb. In the park there is a playground, lake, and open space. Check the programme of events.
83 hectares of mixed woodland to explore through different trails. There's a great play area, as well as the Irchester Narrow Guage Railway Museum to visit.
Check their facebook page to see all the brilliant free events they organise for families, like special reenactments, and animal visitors. There's also lots of interesting and fun things to see in the museum.
A 418m disused railway tunnel. It's completely unlit, so take a bright torch. It's pretty creepy, dark, and damp, and brilliant fun if your kids like that kind of adventure.
Learn about Northamptonshire's avitation history, with aircraft cockpits, uniforms, photos, diaroamas, and more. Check their facebook page for the latest news.
Built in 1811, the acquedect sits 10.8 metres up in the air. Blow the kids minds as you walk alongside the canal on the footpath. You need to walk from either wolverton or cosgrove, but the walk is worth it.
A transport museum housed in the Victorian Midland Railway Station, built in 1894. The 4 station rooms now contain a collection of transport related items from the local area.
Play in the sand and water play area, explore the badger tunnel play area, follow the heritage trail, or the reservoir trail. There's a toddler play area next to the cafe.
A seasonally open splash park next to the River Nene. While you're there, check out Irchester Country Park.
Home to a brilliant adventure playground, with a castle themed fort, a spring mounted jeep, a smaller fort for toddlers, and loads more. Take a stroll round the reservoir, through meadows. The woodland trail has etching plaques, so bring paper and crayons, and see how many you can find.
Go for a stroll in the woods, take paper and crayons so that you can partake in the brass rubbing trail. Try and climb all the infinity loop in the play area, which also has castle to climb.
Part of Rockingham Forest, these fun woods has 2 play areas, a family cycle trail, woodland trails, a tree house in the woods, Grufallo sculptures, and a Zog Activity trail. You can also buy a Zog activity pack, as well as Grufallo orienteering pack.
37 acres of lakes, riversides, and meadows to explore. You can follow the nature trail, pop into the visitor centre for free activity sheets, feely boxes and nature games, visit the toddlers' hobbit garden, play in the sand on the 'beach' at the edge of the lake, and play in the adventure playground.
A magnificent woodland with ancient trees, and building remains. There are family cycle and walking trails, a playground, a zog activity trail, and a sesory walk.
You know what the kids would love to be filling in as you're exploring new places? An epic activity pack! And it should be filled with easy activity ideas, and stickers, and personalised!
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