holiday in Northampton?

smileylunar

whats around Northampton area for a family holiday? we have Two children 3&5 prefer self catering and days out walking/parks/museums/swimming/. Is there much to see &do (cheaply)
Thanks

alared

http://www.explorenorthamptonshire.co.uk/exec/144603/12544/

jollyme

Billing aquadrome http://www.billingaquadrome.com/index.aspx
Rutland water is 38 miles away http://www.rutlandwater.org.uk/
Nene valley railway http://www.nvr.org.uk/
Pitsford reservoir http://www.discovereastmidlands.us/
Cinema complex - sixfields
stoke bruerne http://www.nwm.org.uk/stoke/
To name a few

indiegirl_2

Edit: crossposted with jollyme!
Alared's link is the first place I'd start. OP you don't say whereabouts you planned to stay in Northants (it's an odd choice of a 'holiday' destination, so I'll assume you're going to see relatives). You also don't state if you have a car at your disposal, but I'll assume that you do.

Off the top of my head:
Stoke Bruerne canal museum
Althorp House
Wicksteed Park
Billing Aquadrome

If you are in the south / west of Northants, you can easily get to Milton Keynes, where there's a bit more 'activity' related things to do (the Xscape building, Guillivers Land, Airkix, Willen Lake spring to mind).

smileylunar

Thanks for the info:)
essentially we have a family wedding slap bang in the middle of my annual leave so i was considering "merging" the two events in order to have my cake and eat it! this will help to cut down on travelling to the wedding from a "usual" holiday destination in the u.k. If you get what I mean!
I suppose I am after information from anyone in the area as to wether it's a feasable option with enough to do that doesn't involve "towny" type things to do....We like a bit of countryside.We will be driving where requred but don't want to have to drive miles each day to find things to do.

tab1967

Hi I would second Wicksteed Park my kids love it and its not too far from Northampton. The museum in Northampton town is very good mine used to like it when they were smaller. We have a few country parks around that are also cheap days out if the weather is nice. Billing Aquadrome can work out expensive if you pay for lots of the rides but they have parks that dont cost anything. Northampton also has a couple of swimming pools and cinemas so lots to do round and about.

onetomany

hi i live in northants, check out wicksteed park , they offer camping onsite now, its basicly a park with show and rides for the young ones, (we have a seon ticket my 6 year old favert place), theres a nice farm in desbrough called west lodge, we got santa pod up the road, stanick lakes, loads of restarants that do 2 meals for 10 or buy one get one free with play barns, really depends where your staying pm me details and i will look around and try to find you details

Hotspur

In addition to the above an inexpensive trip is to Salcey forest a few miles south of Northampton. There are several level walks of varying lengths and a great tree walk where you go up above the tree line for a panoramic view. Except for a parking charge it is free.

Wicksteed park as has been mentioned.
Danes camp for swimming in a fun pool.
Sywell country park to feed the ducks and plenty of open space
Abington park in Northampton

simongregson

I second wickstead park - a good day out, free entry but you pay for rides. You can use clubcard deal vouchers!

Check out the northamptonshire country parks. They are free and you can cycle/walk etc and there are picnic areas where you can have barbeques

There are loads of cheap chain hotels in Northampton if you didn't want to camp, or billing aquadrome above has caravans/lodges etc.