What's on inNorthamptonshire

Northamptonshire is a county in the picturesque Midlands region that offers the quintessentially English combination of small charming villages, timbered cottages and country gardens, as well as winding country lanes breaking up endless fields and meadows. It seems to offer historic sites at every corner, from ancient Saxon churches to stately homes and sprawling country estates. Then again it has always attracted historic events.

The village of Naseby was the site of the Battle of Naseby in 1645 where Fairfaxs army won and effectively ended the English Civil War and a monument stands there to this day. William the Conqueror built his royal Rockingham Castle in Northampton, which Henry VIII later gave to Edward Watson, ancestor of the current owner. The castle is essential viewing, mostly Tudor in design with Norman walls and works of art from every century. In addition, the stately homes of Lamport Hall, Canons Ashby House, Coton Manor, Southwick Hall and Althorp (home to the Earl of Spencer) are also found in Northamptonshire.

For those looking for outdoors pursuits, Northamptonshire is still an agricultural landscape and beautiful ancient woodlands such as Rockigham Forest have been the site of hunting by Kings of England for hundreds of years. Similarly there are miles and miles of canals and river ways and large picturesque reservoirs to enjoy sailing, canoeing, swimming and windsurfing.

In addition, Northamptonshire has hundreds of miles of cycle ways, bridal paths and walking trails passing through breathtaking countryside and numerous villages centered around ancient churches. Not for nothing is it known as the County of Squires and Spires. If you fancy seeing these spires without the walking, one delight of Northumberlandshire is the Nene Valley Railway, the UKs best Steam Railway, which takes a 15 mile round trip through the gorgeous Nene Park. Add in the fascinating county town of Northampton and you have a midlands county that is well worth a weekend away.