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.
Canons Ashby
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.
Houghton House
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
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.
Woburn Safari Park
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.
Located in Ampthill
Ampthill is a historic market town in Bedfordshire, England, known for its medieval castle site, Capability Brown landscaped park, and rich cultural heritage including festivals and sports.
Jewry Wall
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.
Lyveden New Bield
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.
Willington Dovecote and Stables
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.
Deddington Castle
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.
Stowe Gardens
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.
Kirby Hall
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.
Wicksteed Park
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.
Rushton Triangular Lodge
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.
Located in Kettering
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.
Tropical Birdland, Desford
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.
Lyddington Bede House
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.