A good family day out does not have to cost anything beyond a picnic and a full flask. Northamptonshire is full of free family days out, from local parks to flat canal walks the whole family can enjoy. Here are the ones worth putting on your summer list.
Local Parks
Across the county, there are plenty of local parks to enjoy. Spend the afternoon at Abington Park, where kids can enjoy the play area, explore the aviaries, feed the ducks and run around the open parkland. Delapre Park offers plenty of space to walk the dog, pack a picnic and enjoy the lovely countryside views, or pop into the café for some coffee and cake. The Racecourse is full of open parkland, making it a great spot for playing games with family and friends, as well as keeping an eye out for the annual fair.
Walks along the canal
The Grand Union Canal gives you miles of flat, traffic-free towpath, which is ideal for small legs and buggies. Stoke Bruerne, south of Northampton, is one of the best-known canal villages in England, with a flight of locks to watch and plenty of boats passing by. Children will love watching the barges make their way through the locks, and you can enjoy a leisurely family walk along the canal.
Museums
While you’re in Stoke Bruerne, you can also visit the Canal Museum, which tells the story of Britain’s waterways and is free to enter, although parking charges do apply. Northampton Museum & Art Gallery is another great option for a free family day out, with a range of exhibitions and collections to explore, including the history of Northampton’s famous shoemaking industry. Abington Park Museum is also free to enter and is a lovely place to combine with a visit to the park, where you can explore the history of Abington and the Northamptonshire Regiment.
Whether it’s a play on the swings, a lock-watching afternoon at Stoke Bruerne or a picnic in Abington Park, Northamptonshire offers plenty of free family days out within easy reach. If a summer spent exploring the county, has you thinking about a move, you can arrange a free valuation or contact your local branch, and the team will be happy to help.
