Northamptonshire is a historic county in the East Midlands of England, featuring walkable town centers, rich heritage sites, accessible rail connections, and vibrant cultural and sporting attractions.
The Triangular Lodge near Rushton, Northamptonshire is an Elizabethan folly noted for its unique triangular structure and rich religious symbolism reflecting the Holy Trinity, built by Sir Thomas Tresham in the late 16th century. Managed by English Heritage, the building features ornamental windows, carved inscriptions, and allegorical decorations.
Houghton House is a ruined Jacobean mansion in Bedfordshire, owned by English Heritage and open for free public access during daylight hours. Visitors can explore the outdoor remains of this historic Grade I listed building situated on elevated land with scenic countryside views.
Wrest Park is a Grade I listed country estate in Bedfordshire featuring a historic English country house with early Rococo Revival interiors and extensive formal gardens with notable landscaping by Capability Brown. Visitors can explore both indoor historic interiors and outdoor formal gardens, with the estate also serving as a filming location for various productions.
Highcross Leicester is a major shopping centre in Leicester featuring over 140 shops, a multiplex cinema, and numerous restaurants. It offers extensive retail and dining opportunities within a modern developing complex in the city centre, making it a key destination for shopping and entertainment.
Willington Dovecote & Stables is a National Trust property in Bedfordshire featuring historic 16th-century stables and a large stone dovecote with nesting boxes for over 1500 pigeons, both Grade I listed.
Canons Ashby House is a Grade I listed Elizabethan manor house located in Northamptonshire, featuring notable Jacobean plasterwork, historic family interiors, formal gardens, and the remains of a medieval priory church. It combines rich history with architectural and artistic heritage.
16 Oct (next Friday)
A guided after-hours tour of Canons Ashby mansion led by the House and Collections Officer and an experienced House Guide. Attendees will see spaces and objects not usually open to visitors and hear about conservation work, followed by a cream tea.
Fosse Shopping Park is a major out-of-town retail park in Blaby district, Leicester, offering a wide range of stores including Marks & Spencer and various food outlets, with easy access via motorway junctions and public transport.
The Jewry Wall in Leicester is a significant 2nd-century Roman masonry ruin forming part of a public baths complex, complemented by the Jewry Wall Museum displaying Roman and Iron Age artefacts, offering visitors a mix of outdoor ruins and indoor museum experiences.
Lyddington Bede House is a Grade I listed historic medieval bishop's palace turned almshouse in Rutland, England, featuring well-preserved interiors and gardens, open to the public under English Heritage.
Silver Arcade is a historic Grade II listed shopping arcade in the centre of Leicester, known for its independent retailers and architectural significance, with plans for office space conversion.
Apethorpe Palace is a Grade I listed Jacobean country house in Northamptonshire, known for its historic royal connections to James I and Elizabeth I, exquisite state rooms, and centuries of architectural evolution. Visitors can explore the palace through pre-booked tours in summer months, experiencing a significant example of English heritage and royal history.
Wicksteed Park in Kettering, Northamptonshire, is a Grade II listed amusement park with 27 rides including coasters, a historic narrow-gauge railway, playgrounds, and outdoor leisure facilities. Established in 1921, it offers family-friendly attractions and hosts regular community events.
Kettering is a historic market town in Northamptonshire known for its rich history, cultural venues, and Wicksteed Park, the UK's second oldest theme park, attracting many visitors.
Kirby Hall is a significant Elizabethan country house near Gretton, Northamptonshire, known for its semi-ruined state with intact Great Hall and state rooms, and recently restored elaborate gardens. It offers a blend of historic architecture and outdoor garden exploration.
The Central Milton Keynes Shopping Complex includes thecentre:mk and Midsummer Place, two large adjoining indoor shopping centres with over 270 stores. The original centre opened in 1979 and is a Grade II listed building noted for its modernist architecture and daylight-filled arcades. The venue features indoor public spaces, markets, and extensive landscaping along with shops, restaurants and notable public art installations.
Rushden Lakes is a large shopping and leisure centre in Northamptonshire featuring retail shops, a cinema, various restaurants, and outdoor leisure activities including kayaking and adventure golf. It also has a visitor centre overlooking a lake for wildlife viewing.
Rushden is a historic market town in Northamptonshire offering a blend of cultural heritage, shopping, leisure facilities, and walking paths, with notable attractions such as Rushden Lakes shopping centre, heritage railway, and museums.
Rugby Central Shopping Centre is a large indoor shopping precinct in the heart of Rugby, Warwickshire, featuring over 50 retail outlets, decorative time-themed clocks, and food options, serving around 100,000 visitors weekly.
Rugby is a historic market town in Warwickshire, known worldwide as the birthplace of rugby football and for its prestigious Rugby School. It features Victorian architecture, cultural venues, and is well-connected by rail and road.
Lyveden New Bield is an unfinished Elizabethan summer house in Northamptonshire, owned by the National Trust, featuring historic religious symbolism and set within extensive restored Elizabethan gardens including a labyrinth and orchard.
7 Oct–22 Nov (another 44 days)
An exhibition at Lyveden explores the Tresham family through letters discovered concealed within the walls of Rushton Hall, revealing details of their relationships, lives and historical context.
Haymarket Shopping Centre is a large indoor shopping mall in Leicester city centre with 65 stores, a theatre, and adjoining bus station and hotel, offering a comprehensive retail and leisure experience under one roof.
Deddington Castle is a large earthwork site of an 11th-century motte-and-bailey castle in Oxfordshire, featuring visible ramparts and mounds, now serving as a public park and nature walk managed by English Heritage and the local parish council.
The De Grey Mausoleum in Flitton, Bedfordshire, is a significant historic mausoleum housing many monuments to the De Grey family, featuring architecture from the early 17th to 18th century. It is open to the public under English Heritage and is a Grade I listed building and scheduled monument.
Tropical Birdland is a bird-focused visitor attraction in Desford, Leicestershire, featuring many bird species including parrots, hornbills, and owls, with some birds flying outdoors during visiting hours.
Buckingham Chantry Chapel is a historic 15th-century chapel in Buckingham, noted for its Norman doorway and status as the oldest building in town. Owned by the National Trust, it is currently open to the public as a second-hand bookshop, offering visitors insight into medieval ecclesiastical architecture and local heritage.
15 Oct (next Thursday)
Michael Bevington gives a lecture on Sir John Vanbrugh’s work at Stowe, including archaeological evidence for his buildings and his contribution to the landscape vision developed with Lord Cobham and Charles Bridgeman. The 60-minute talk is followed by audience questions.
Buckingham is a historic market town in Buckinghamshire, England, known for its charming Georgian streetscapes, a longstanding market tradition, and cultural landmarks including the University of Buckingham and the Buckingham Old Gaol museum.
Woburn Safari Park in Bedfordshire offers a 360-acre drive-through safari experience with a wide range of animals including lions, elephants, and rhinos. It includes a Foot Safari area with smaller animals and interactive exhibits, as well as leisure amenities such as a family restaurant and play zones, making it suitable for visitors of all ages.
The Grosvenor Centre is a major indoor shopping centre in Northampton featuring over 50 shops, eateries, and well-known retail brands, providing a comprehensive retail and food experience in the town centre.
Northampton is the county town of Northamptonshire, England, known for its rich history from Bronze Age settlements to a medieval royal castle, vibrant cultural scene, extensive shopping areas, and significant sports facilities including a premiership rugby team.
Stowe Gardens in Buckinghamshire are a prestigious English landscape garden featuring extensive parkland, architectural monuments, classical temples, and historical structures designed by prominent 18th-century architects and gardeners. Managed by the National Trust, the gardens offer a significant outdoor visitor experience with preserved landscapes and classical architecture, a visitor centre, and a rich heritage of garden design.
9 Oct–1 Nov (another 23 days)
Follow a zombie-themed trail through Stowe Gardens, solving puzzles to help a scientist find an antidote and clear the zombies from Lamport. The trail is designed for children aged 6 and over.