Northamptonshire attractions

Whatever your taste you will find attractions of interest for you in Kettering Northamptonshire and the surrounding picturesque county of Northamptonshire (known as “The Rose of the Shires”). In this section we have suggested just a few attractions and places to visit but our staff will always try and help you with specific enquiries.

Motor Sports

Northamptonshire is proud of its association with motor sport and Silverstone, home of the British Grand Prix, is just three-quarters of an hour drive away. There is always plenty going on at Silverstone during the rest of the year. Visit www.silverstone-circuit.co.uk to find out more.

More recently Rockingham Motor Speedway was built close to the nearby town of Corby (20 minutes drive). The high speed oval track is used for US style international events with over 85% of the track visible from the grandstand. Top names appear at the track especially on “Days of Thunder” Weekends. Have a look at www.rockingham.co.uk

Santa Pod Raceway – www.santapod.com - is the home of European Drag Racing and host to the televised FIA European Drag Racing Championships. It is the fastest and loudest motor sport on earth with sensational race action from dragsters and doorslammers to beetles and bikes. The raceway is just 14 miles from Kettering.

Racecourses

Three courses are within 40 minutes drive of the hotel. For details of race days see www.towcester-racecourse.co.uk www.huntingdon-racecourse.co.uk and www.leicester-racecourse.co.uk

Golf Courses

For details of golf courses in Northamptonshire see www.golftoday.co.uk

Cycling

There are two great cycling locations within half an hour’s drive. Both have cycle hire shops. Just half an hour away Rutland Water is Europe's biggest man made lake. The attractive 3100 acre reservoir has an international reputation for providing a balance of sport, leisure and wildlife conservation. Visit http://www.rutnet.co.uk/rutlandwater for more information. 18 miles drive away is Pitsford Water, with an eight-mile perimeter track specially designed for cyclists of all levels. There is also a Café and Visitor Centre located near the Cycle Hire Shop. A variety of other activities – angling, sailing etc are also available. See http://www.waterscape.com/Pitsford_Reservoir

Family Fun

Wicksteed Park is within walking distance form the Hotel (about 20 minutes) and offers lots of family fun combined with old favourites and thrilling new rides. Visit www.wicksteedpark.co.uk.

At Woburn Safari Park (45 minutes drive) there is action-packed adventure for all the family with daily animal demonstrations. Visit www.woburnsafari.co.uk

Stanwick Lakes offers outdoor activities for children and adults and has been developed on a 650 acre site that was once a sand and gravel quarry, near Irthlingborough (15 miles from Kettering). Visit Stanwick lakes information page.

Gulliver’s Land at Milton Keynes is one of the best days out for the younger family. Aimed at children between the ages of 2 - 13 years it is safe and fun for all. Climb aboard the Veteran Cars or twist and twirl on the Mad Hatters Tea Party Ride in Lilliput Land. For the younger visitors there's the Music Ride or the Galleons on which to ride or the Toy Town Play Area within which to jump and jive. Swing in the air on the Chair-O-Plans or the Pirate Ship. Visit www.gulliversfun.co.uk for more information. It will take you about 40 minutes to get to Gulliver’s Land

Billing Aquadrome provides fishing, water sports, pleasure park and amusements. Just 14 miles from Kettering. Visit www.billingaquadrome.com

Country Parks

Northamptonshire County Council have Country Parks at Barnwell, Brixworth, Fermyn Woods, Irchester and Sywell. For information on these visit Northamptonshire Council Website. There is also the delightful East Carlton Countryside Park just 20 minutes drive from the Hotel. Information can be found on The Corby Council Website

Stately Homes, Parks and Gardens and Historic Sites

The area is rich with cultural heritage with the famous Althorp House, where Princess Diana was laid to rest, Woburn Abbey, home of the Marquess and Marchioness of Tavistock and Burghley where the horse trials are held each September all within easy driving distance including: Althorp House (23 miles), Battle of Naseby (20), Blenheim Palace (66), Burghley House (25), Canons Ashby (39), Deene Park (11), Eleanor Cross (Geddington) (5), Fotheringhay Castle Site (22), Haddonstone Show Gardens (20), Kelmarsh Hall and Gardens (11), Kirby Hall (11), Lamport Hall and Gardens (13), Lyveden New Bield (11), Rockingham Castle (10), Rushton Triangular Lodge (6), Sulgrave Manor (43), Woburn Abbey (39), 78 Derngate (14)

There are also many lovely church buildings in the towns and villages in the surrounding area.

Museums

Just a few hundred yards for the Hotel, in Kettering’s Heritage Quarter, you will find the Manor House Museum and Alfred East Art Gallery. The Museum provides opportunities to see objects from Kettering`s past whilst the Art Gallery remembers celebrated Victorian artists Thomas Cooper Gotch and Alfred East. Both the Museum and the Art Gallery provide special exhibitions and events throughout the year. The surrounding Manor House Gardens offer opportunity for relaxation and enjoyment with the unusual Faraday Fountain playing through its range of water and light patterns.

The Canal Museum at Stoke Bruerne, 40 minutes’ drive away, displays waterways heritage on a living canal with 200 years of colourful canal history. After visiting the museum sit and relax in a canalside pub and watch the canal boats go by or take a walk along the towpath and see the famous Blisworth Tunnel and the seven nearby locks. For more information take a look at http://www.thewaterwaystrust.co.uk/museums/stoke.shtml

Northampton Central Museum and Art Gallery reflects Northampton's proud standing as Britain's boot and shoe capital by housing a collection of boots and shoes which is now the largest in the world. http://www.emnet.co.uk

Duxford is where a great day out “takes off” with its Aircraft Museum and many related events. Visit http://duxford.iwm.org.uk/ to see what is happening at Duxford. You can get there in just under an hour.