Big cats, wombats and Britain’s only Syrian bears are among the residents you’ll meet at Hamerton Park Zoo. Or steam your way along the Nene Valley Railway and wind up in the Wansford Station Café. And hand-paint your own ceramics at Pot en Ciel supported by delicious cakes and coffee.
Be stunned by the Spitfires at Sywell Aviation Museum. Fly, surf or climb at Bodyflight, shoot your dad at Laser Maze, or dodge the sprays and squirts at the Aquatic Playground. Swing and climb at Jungle Parc, bag strikes and spares at AMF Bowling and test out the 11 huge trampolines at Northampton Trampoline Centre.
Watch the lambing in spring, pet the animals and play in the indoor and outdoor activity areas at Rookery Open Farm. Walk the trails and eat the ice cream at Salcey Forest. Meet hawks, eagles and owls at Icarus Falconry. Or kayak, paddleboard, windsurf or wakeboard at Willen Lake.
Check out local transport through the ages at Rushden Train Museum. Skydive indoors at Xscape in Milton Keynes, or go caving and climbing at Pinnacle Climbing Centre. Set a new lap record at Billing Go Karting, meet the animatronic dinosaurs at Gulliver’s Dinosaur and Farm Park, or gasp at the cutting-edge virtual reality at Vertigo VR.
No need to go far to enjoy shooting arrows or blasting clay birds from the sky: do both on the estate. You can also play volleyball, badminton and table tennis on the cricket field. Good singing voice? Prove it by booking our resident karaoke entertainer. Or tap into some healthy alignment and breath awareness with Barefoot Yoga.
Hear live music without leaving the property: book Guido for anything from soft background to dance. Or find your own grown-up chill-out area in The Green Room right here on the estate. Rock up for some communal snooker on the full-size table, chess, Scrabble, backgammon, pool, bar skittles, cribbage and more.
Book your tee times for Oundle Golf Club, an 18-hole parkland course with great greens and meticulous course maintenance. Or get your sea legs ready for a wet and wild time on the River Nene at Oundle Wharf hiring kayaks, inflatables and paddleboards from Nene Extreme Adventures.
There’s not a single good reason to get over to Burghley House – there are several, including the lovely gardens, orangery restaurant, café and adventure playpark for the kids. Or head to Stamford for narrow alleyways and hidden courtyards that play host to a variety of speciality shops, fine jewellers and designer boutiques.
