Campsites in Northamptonshire

If you’re looking for a great getaway destination with a wide range of attractions and activities to enjoy then look no further than the county of Northamptonshire. Once known as the Rose of the Shires, you'll still find the county's stunning rural lifestyle nestled in its pretty villages with their thatched cottages, country lanes and parish churches. Northamptonshire's woven by a network of relaxing canals, and the inns that once looked after the boatmen will keep you well fed along the waterways. The water will lead you to dotted market towns and there'll be plenty of hubbub and action in the county's cities - not to mention the purring of a thousand engines at Silverstone.

Don’t Miss

• Silverstone Circuit
• Stanwick Lakes
• 78 Derngate
• Catanger Llamas

Immerse yourself in living history

Sightseers who are interested in the work of Charles Rennie Mackintosh will appreciate a visit to 78 Derngate, England’s only house designed by the renowned Scottish architect and designer. Take a guided tour and get deep into the life of this fascinating figure. Round that off with a visit to Canons Ashby, where you'll explore an attractive Elizabethan manor house with pretty 18^th century gardens, while Lyveden New Bield features an uncompleted but eye-catching Elizabethan lodge and moated garden.

A trip to Kirby Hall will have you unfurling the mysteries of the still grand remains of this 17^th century house. Move a little forward in time at Cottesbrooke Hall & Gardens, which boasts a beautiful Queen Anne house that dates from the early 18^th century, decorated with sporting art, along with picturesque gardens, terraces and cooling pools. The splendid 17^th century Althorp House is also well worth visiting and boasts a superb collection of artwork, ceramics and furniture and beautiful grounds to explore.

Sleepy villages and time-honoured mansions are all around, but take a moment to explore the beautiful countryside. The delightful Coton Manor Garden is dappled with yew trees and holly hedges, and you'll watch water gush over its terraced levels. Glimpse a beautiful wood and wildflower meadow through its boundaries. The Castle Ashby Gardens are another tranquil attraction, interlacing different garden styles on display.

Abington Park is the oldest place to immerse yourself in nature, built over the remains of a mysterious medieval village. Relive your childhood on the model boating lake, then dive round its museum and children’s play area. Irchester Country Park is great for relaxed rambling in beautiful settings and boasts a high ropes course and the Irchester Narrow Gauge Railway museum. Swell Country Park has its own Edwardian reservoir, or unravel ancient history in the The Holy Sepulchre in Northampton. Finally, grab your boots and barbour jacket for Daventry Country Park and Brixworth Country Park, there's plenty to explore. Barnwell has fantastic opportunities to spot wildlife, Brixworth its own sensory garden, and Pitsford water is great for cyclists. 

Rockingham Castle brings to life 900 years of history and will have you entralled as you walk its halls. Echo the carousing of its ancient days at the castle's special events - performances and shows including dance, music and comedy shows.

Northamptonshire’s museums offer plenty to attract sightseers, such as the Northampton Museum and Art Gallery which is home to the world’s biggest collection of objects related to the history of shoes. Towcester Museum features several exhibitions showcasing the town’s history, covering periods as far back as 3500 BC, with fun hands-on activities to keep younger visitors entertained too. A visit to the Canal Museum provides insight into the history of the village of Stoke Bruerne and the Grand Union Canal, while a trip to the Carpetbagger Aviation Museum provides intriguing insight into the history of Harrington Airfield, Operation Carpetbagger during WWII and a range of other military-themed displays.

Whizzing round the Grand Prix

Get a buzz out of the one-in-a-lifetime experience sessions available at the renowned Silverstone race track including car and motorbike experiences as well as helicopter rides. The thrilling racing events that take place throughout the year here are something you need to see to believe. For those who are looking for something a bit different in the driving department, getting behind the controls of a tank certainly ticks the box and Tanks Alot is the place to do it.

Stanwick Lakes is an enticing outdoor spot, a nature reserve brimful of activity options including cycling, horse riding and walking routes, fishing, canoe and kayak hire, birdwatching, as well as outdoor play areas for kids to get active in.

Action seekers belong in Nene Whitewater Centre which offers exciting whitewater rafting, whitewater tubing, kayaking and canoeing. But if you're desperate to leap into adventure, you can take the thrills to the next level at Skydive Hinton which provides the opportunity to experience exhilarating skydiving. On the other hand, for those who would like to experience flying planes rather than jumping out of them, Virtual Aerospace crafts flight simulation experiences that show you exactly what it’s like to fly and land planes. Touch down!

If feathered fun is in order then a trip to Icarus Falconry is not to be missed. Here visitors can enjoy a variety of birds of prey experiences which involve flying and interacting with a range of beautiful birds.   

Northamptonshire also has a wonderful selection of cycling routes, many of which make use of its ancient Roman roads - and straight and flat routes will suit everyone! Try the Norbital, which stretches over 18 miles and takes you to areas of Northampton that you'd otherwise miss.

Cute encounters or creepy critters for families

Catanger Llamas aren't all about just watching, there's a multitude of ways to interact with these fascinating creatures. Here visitors can trek with docile and adorable llamas through Northamptonshire’s beautiful countryside, or pop by in the summer to see baby llamas - which could melt the heart of even the stoniest visitor. 

Mini Meadows Farm has the recipe for charming visitors with farm animals including hens, sheep, cows, pigs, rabbits, donkeys and many more. But if it's critters and creepy crawlies that your kids love, Bugtopia will go down like a house on fire. Snakes, tarantulas and chameleons are all keen to meet your family - if you dare! Or, if they're fans of Tarzan, swing round to Tree Ninja and set your sights on the exhilarating high ropes course, zip wires and a Shock Drop swing located in Salcey Forest. 

A trip on the Northampton & Lamport Railway brings history alive on a gentle diesel train ride through Northampton’s countryside. It'll puff its way over to Brampton Valley Way, a 14-mile walking and cycling path that is free from cars. Anyone up for the journey back?

Wicksteed Park is a favourite with families in Northamptonshire, for thrills, spills and plenty of gorgeous countryside.  There's rides to suit younger children as well as older kids and adults and the magic phrase, 'indoor options' to rescue you if the heavens open. Stroll with the kids in the grounds, letting them explore and hunt for a glimpse of the local wildlife.