13 Family Days out in Northamptonshire

Northamptonshire is lucky to have a great variety of family days out.  There are some brilliant country parks, farms and play areas in Northamptonshire for families to enjoy.  

Below are 13 of my families favourites for you to try in no particular order

Family day out #1
Sywell Country Park NN6 0QX

There is a large reservoir, 3 mile walk and areas to fish.  There is a nice small café with toddler play area next door, toilets, lovely enclosed sand and water play area and a woodland themed area with carved animals, tunnels and slides.

Family day out #2 

Irchester Country Park NN9 7DL

Fabulous children's play area as well as trails through 83 hectares of mixed woodland. My kids love climbing up the hills although we did get stuck once and had to double back on ourselves. There is a cafe, Jungle Parc UK and the Irchester Narrow Gauge Railway museum.

Irchester Country Park Woodland

Irchester Country Park

Family day out #3

Brixworth Country Park  NN6 9DG

You can go cycling, sailing, fishing and there's loads of lovely signposted walks.  There is a nice children's play area with activites for most age groups. There's also a café, bike hire and toilets.

Family day out #4

Salcey Forest NN7 2HX

This is as the name suggests a large forest. They are lovely walks, a large bridge so you can see the tops of the trees, small play area, café and toilets.  You can also cycle, horse ride, walk the dogs and there's a new adventure rope course.

At various times of the year they operate The Stick Man or Gruffalo trail. Your children can follow a signposted walk, spot the characters and take part in activities on the posters.

The treetop walk is currently closed but all others walks/café open.

Salcey Forest Play Area

Salcey Forest Treetop Walk

Family day out #5
Stanwick Lakes, Northamptonshire NN9 6GY

At Stanwick Lakes there are loads of activities. The central adventure play area with climbing tower and water play appeals to all age groups. On 2 of the walks you will find assault courses, tyre swings and zip wires.
There is a bird hide and feeding station to watch the wildlife. You can use the café or picnic sites dotted about the site.
I think this maybe my favourite.  We have visited loads as the play area is so good and walk manageable with young children. This is popular with cyclists and has bike hire. Parking varies from £2.60 to £5.60 depending on time of year and length of stay.  My top tip if busy is to pay for parking in the visitors centre.

Family day out #6
Abington Park NN3 3HN

Abington Park is Northampton's oldest and most popular park. It contains a museum, sports facilities, a cafe, lakes, and a garden for the blind. There is a band stand where live music is played on Sundays during the summer, a large play area and church.  Lots of events are held throughout the year such as Race for Life, Fun Fairs, National play day, Half term activities in the museum. 
I love Abington Park and it is my local but am finding the play area could do with a few larger pieces of equipment for the older children like a zip wire or larger climbing frames as it does not suit teens who have outgrown the equipment. Free parking all around the park.

Family day out #7 
Castle Ashby NN7 1LQ

Castle Ashby is a beautiful house and gardens & my happy place. You can wander around the gardens, visit the selection of animals including the famous meerkats, let the kids let of steam in the play area and enjoy the tea rooms. It has summer and winter opening times. During the winter you pay £5 to park and can still use the gardens but tea rooms and other facilities are closed. In the summer adults are £8, children 5-16 £2.00 and under 5's free. (These prices are current Feb 2020).
The scones here are delicious and its a lovely place to escape for a few hours. Even with children in tow it seems peaceful, although the tea rooms can get very busy but there is now loads of outdoor seating.
It has themed events throughout the year and we love the Easter egg hunt and Halloween pumpkin hunt.
Closed over the winter months but you can still visit the gardens and pay £5 to park.  Cafe and shop closed but still a lovely place to visit.

Castle Ashby Meerkats

Castle Ashby Play Area

Family day out #8
Wicksteed Park, Northamptonshire NN15 6NJ

Theme park & play area.  Over 30 rides, lake, picnic areas and food outlets.  Prices vary depending on time of year and whether you have wristbands or tickets so it is best to check the website http://wicksteedpark.org/

We have been for various birthday trips and the kids loved it. For their age group there was loads to go on and we had a brilliant day. The food wasn't too expensive and you can take picnics.  Most queues were quite short so you could fit a lot in and not have moany children waiting to go on things.

Wicksteed Park

Family day out #9
Gullivers land MK15 0DT

Just outside the 'Shire this is a theme park designed for children aged 2-13 years.  Prices vary depending on height, time of year and whether booked online or on the doors so definitely check the website https://www.gulliversfun.co.uk/milton-Keynes

The park is in zones and easy to navigate.  It is a bit dated but brilliant fun and very good value.  We've been 3 times and always had fun.

Family day out #10
Rookery Open Farm NN12 7SJ

This is a small farm, with a large indoor play area and lovely large outdoor area with massive bouncy castles for when the weather is nice.  You can pet the baby goats and enter the pens which my kids love.  £7 adult and £6.50 child.  You could combine this destination with a walk along the canal and lunch or an ice cream.

Baby kid goats at Rookery Open Farm

Family day out #11
West Lodge Rural Centre, Northamptonshire, NN14 2SH

Check website for prices' as can vary but as a rough guide about £6 per person under 2's are free. Family tickets are available and cheaper if you book online in advance.

http://www.westlodgeruralcentre.co.uk/admission.php 

Lovely farm with animals you can pet, talks, walks, play area, barrel rides which are very popular, pig races and pony rides. The barrel rides are free but pony rides have an additional fee.  They have themed events throughout the year which are fab. We went during October half term for Halloween and the kids loved it although the spooky tractor ride was a little too scary for my son.

Family day out #12
Boost Trampoline Park & Riverside Hub

Technically this is 2 but I have put together as in some location (Riverside) and can cater for all ages.  Riverside Hub is an excellent indoor play area with the addition of a climbing tree, go-karts and sensory play.  Prices vary depending on age and standard/school days so check the website for details.  Riverside Hub
Boost is a huge trampoline park an hour is £10 but it really does wear kids out and it is £5 a session for under 5's. They do have special offers for 2 hour jumps. Boost is currently being refurbished & 3 new activity stations being installed. The new slide is open (Feb 2020).

Family day out #13
Mini Meadows Farm, Welford, NN6 6HZ

A lovely farm on the outskirts of Northampton.  Play areas, large covered sand pit, animals inside and out.  Café and lots of picnic areas.  £5 per person entry and £2 for a bucket of food for the animals.  Open 10am to 5pm after 3pm admission is £2.50 per person.  https://www.minimeadowsfarm.com/

Hope this has given you some inspiration for days out with your children.  What's your favourite family day out in Northamptonshire?

Emma xxx

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Santa Grotto Review - Enchanted Forest Weston Favell Northampton

On Sunday I was invited to try out the new Santa's Grotto at Weston Favell.

This year they have gone for an enchanted forest theme with 120 real life fir trees! Believed to be the first live forest to be created in an indoor shopping centre, you walk through the fairy lit forest to meet the one and only Father Christmas/Santa.  Little ones can meet Spud and Eve Weston Favell's own elves and spot the animals as they walk through.  There is a small craft area at the beginning for children to decorate a tag and write their wish list.

I loved the real trees but I did think they would be more spaced out creating more of a forest walkthrough but the effect is nice. The lights are lovely and staff really good.  Santa's cabin is really cosy & well decorated just as you'd imagine.  Santa was very authentic and little ones will love him. 

My 7 year old said he did a very good job even though he's Santa's helper and must have been trained by the real Santa well so praise indeed. (He believes the real Santa stays in the North Pole because he's busy but sends helpers to the grottos.)

It costs £4 per child and my children both received a book as a gift.  If you book online there is a booking fee.

I think it was good value for money and a nice experience.  After you can purchase the usual photos and key rings.  I bought the basic package for £10 as it was a nice photo and my 10 year probably won't come to a grotto again sob!

The Grotto is open from 17^th November 2017 - 24^th December 2017. 

Address for those unfamiliar with Weston Favell is -
Weston Favell Shopping Centre
Wellingborough Road
Northampton
NN3 8JZ

You can purchase tickets following this link -

Grotto Tickets

Opening hours are -
19TH NOVEMBER - 18TH DECEMBER

Monday to Friday	12.00pm - 6.00pm
Saturday	10.00am - 6.00pm
Sunday	10.00am - 4.00pm

19TH DECEMBER - 23RD DECEMBER

Daily

9.00am - 6.00pm

24th December

9.00am - 3.00pm

Merry Christmas

Emma xx

Disclaimer: I received 2 tickets in exchange for this review.  I purchased the photos myself.  All opinions are my own & honest.

Turtle Bay Northampton Review

On Wednesday we were lucky enough to go to Turtle Bay for a 3 course meal.  I'd been to the preview evening so knew the food would be good but was excited to be able to try a full meal and rare weeknight outing away from the kids.

I was surprised to see it quite busy at 7pm on a Thursday but we were seated and served quickly.  I love the low level lighting and fairy lights and think it creates a lovely atmosphere.  Sadly we had just missed the 2 for 1 cocktails so check out the times before you book if you are a cocktail fan.

Turtle Bay Northampton

Whilst perusing the food menu I had a Bay Bramble cocktail which tasted like a grown up Ribena and I can definitely recommend and Stuart decided on a pint of Red Stripe. 

For starters I chose the Classic Beef Batty and Stuart ordered the Crispy Chilli Squid.  Stuart said the Chilli Squid was excellent and would definitely order again.  Mine was good but I would try another option next time.

For the mains we both went for one pot options.  I had the Curry Goat which was amazing but slightly too hot for me.  The rice was cooked perfectly and I was really glad I tried it having never eaten goat before going to Turtle Bay.  Stuart ordered the Bajan Beef Cheeks which he said were brilliant and the beef was melt in the mouth.

We decided on another drink and I tried a Raspberry Reggae Rum which was also delicious but the Bay Bramble topped it for me and Stuart had another Red Stripe.

Finally we looked at desserts.  I love Lemon Meringue so I had to try the Passion Pie which was amazing!!! Stuart decided not to have a dessert but was tempted by the Fresh BBQ Pineapple.

We had a great night and will definitely return with friends soon.  My only criticism is that the tables do not have cocktail lists so you need to ask for one each time you want to order a new drink.  This is a minor point but is something they could maybe add.  Our service was great and I think Turtle Bay is a brilliant addition to the Northampton dining scene.

For all food and drink options click on the link

Turtle Bay Menu

Disclaimer:  We were given a 3 course meal and 1 drink each in exchange for this review.  All opinion's are my own.