Get set for your holidays

We have decided to have a "staycation" this summer and enjoy some of this beautiful weather and the English counrtyside instead of jetting off abroad.

Not only have we decided not to go abroad, we've also decided to stay local and enjoy some of the great countryside that we have around Wellingborough and other areas of Northamptonshire.

Not only is it going to be a lot greener, cheaper and hastle free there's some really great places to visit:

Historic Houses and Gardens
Althorp on the A428 near Harleston village.  01604 770107
Boughton House, off the A43 near Geddington village.  01536 515731
Castle Ashby Gardens, off the A428 at Caslte Ashby Village.  01604 696187(Capability Brown parkland.  Victorian gardens and lakes surrounding a magnificent castle.  Open all year.
Lyveden New Bield off the A6116 near Brigstock Village.  01832 205358
Lamport Hall and Gardens.  On the A508 at Lamport Village.  01604 686272 (16th Century House with tranquil garden setting, enlarged in the 17thC by John Webb.  Home of the first garden gnome in the UK! Open certain days between Easter and September.

Churches:
St. Mary's the Virgin, Higham Ferrers.  Off the A6/B645 in Higham Ferrers.  Spired 13th Century church with Chantry and Bede house, a unique group of ecclesiastical buildings.  Key can be obtained from Higham Ferrers bookshop, Monday - Saturday.
All Saints', Brixworth.  Off the A508 in Brixworth village. One of the finest Anglo Saxon churches in the country.

Wildlife and Country Parks:
Earls Barton Bends.  Located between Earls Barton and Grendon villages. Picnic area and canoe launch point giving access to the River Nene and the Nene Valley Way footpath.
Irchester Country Park.  Off the B570 south of Wellingborough.  200 Acres of beautiful mixed woodland with Sparrowhawks and Woodpeckers in abundance.
Summer Leys Local Nature Reserve.  Off Gt Doddington to Wollaston road, 2 miles south of Wellingborough.  Designed specifically for wetland wildlife, sthe site offers the opportunity for quiet enjoyment of wildlife.  Open all year.
Sywell Country Park.  Close to Earls Barton off the A4500.  A beautiful reservoir and surrounding meadowland with a 3 mile waterside walk.

Sensational Sports:
Santa Pod Raceway.  Airfield Road, Podington, Wellingborough.  01234 782828. 
Rushden and Diamonds FC.  01933 652000

Leisure Parks:
Wicksteed Park.  01536 512475.  On the A6 in Kettering.  148 Acres of parkland and lakes.  35 rides and attractions including roller coaster, pirate ship, train ride and many junior rides.  Park open all year.
Billing Aquadrome.  01604 408181.

If you're fealing active get your bikes out!  There are some great family cycle routes at Stanwick lakes, Pitsford and Rutland Water.  Visit Darren and Avril at Cyclelife in Wellingborough and they will be able to help you get all the right kit and make sure all your bikes are properly serviced before you set off. 
If you're planning on taking your bikes with you on holiday Cyclelife have an extensive range of cycle racks to help you get on your way.

To round off the day perfectly treat the family to an authentic Italian Meal at La Rocca, or if you just want to get home pop into Starfish for the best fish and chips takeaway!

If you plan to venture further from home and fancy camping we recommend you pop into Best Buys in Wellingborough.  They have an extensive range of good value camping gear to suit all budgets!