20 Cheap Days Out in Northamptonshire this Summer

All information correct as of July 2026.

With the summer holidays just around the corner I thought I would put together a list of cheap days out in Northamptonshire. Many of these are outdoors, but if the weather is not on your side, I also have some ideas for free days out when it rains, plus some general tips for making days out more affordable.

Some of our best days out in Northamptonshire have just involved a picnic and lots of space to explore and have fun. We are so lucky to have lots of beautiful parks and green spaces, plus lots of history to discover!

I also share up to date local events and ideas on my Facebook group – Days out in Northamptonshire – so pop over there for more inspiration.

FREE Days Out in Northamptonshire

Northampton Museum and Art Gallery

4-6 Guildhall Road, Northampton NN1 1DP

Houses the History of Northampton and Shoe Galleries, also temporary exhibitions and events. Open Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm, Sundays 12-5pm and Bank Holiday Mondays 10am-5pm. It is easily accessed by public transport, parking cost information can be found here

Here’s a video from one of our visits earlier in the year:

Abington Park Museum

Park Avenue South, Northampton NN1 5LW

Located in a 15th Century manor house in the picturesque surrounds of Abington Park, the museum offers a fascinating glimpse into the history of the house and family, plus a programme of temporary exhibits. It is open Saturday, Sunday and bank holiday Mondays 12-4pm, Tuesday to Sunday during school holidays 12-4pm. Free on street parking can be found in the near vicinity.

Wellingborough Museum

12 Castle Way, Wellingborough NN8 1XB

Wellingborough Museum tells the story of the town from prehistoric times to the present day, it also holds events throughout the year. It is open 10am-4.30pm Monday to Saturday. Parking is free at the Commercial Way multi storey car park.

Daventry Museum

3 New Street, Daventry NN11 4BT

Daventry museum tells the story of the people of the town through permanent and temporary exhibitions. It is open Tuesday to Friday 9.30-1.30 and the first Saturday of the month 10am-4pm. It also holds family friendly events throughout the year and the museum also offers sensory bags to help make visits calm and welcoming for everyone. Council car parks are free for specified time limits, please check the signs.

The Canal Museum

Bridge Road, Stoke Bruerne NN12 7SE

The Canal Museum is situated next to the canal, just south of the Blisworth Tunnel and tells the story of the people who lived and worked on the canals and the importance of these waterways in British history. The museum is open Wednesday to Sunday 10am-4pm and is free to visit. Car parking charges do apply if you are driving, currently £3 for 4 hours or £5 all day.

Chester House Estate

The Chester House Estate is a nationally significant heritage site, being one of the few places in the country which can demonstrate over 10,000 years of human activity. It’s free to visit and park and also boosts a play area, museum and cafe. It’s also possible to walk to Chester House from Wellingborough due to the new pedestrian bridges. Please note that while general admission is free, the site holds various events throughout the year that do have an admission fee.

Delapre Abbey

Delapre Abbey is just a few minutes from Northampton town centre, but is an oasis of calm. The 900 year old abbey is set in extensive gardens and parklands and is a prefect place for a family day out. Parking is free, as is access to the grounds, restaurant and shop. Entrance to the house costs £5 for adults and under 18s are free, making it a very affordable place to visit. Please note that the site holds various events throughout the year that do have an admission fee.

The grounds of Delapre lead to some perfect picnic spots

Country Parks and Play Areas

Daventry Country Park

Located a mile from the centre of Daventry, the country park boasts walks around the reservoir, an adventure playground, picnic areas and nature trails. It also has a cafe (open 9am-5pm during the summer) and toilets, including accessible toilets with changing tables. Car parking costs from £2 for an hour, up to £8 for all day.

Brixworth Country Park

Located on the A508 north of Northampton, Brixworth Country Park is situated next to Pitsford Reservoir. It’s a great place for a walk, you can walk the whole 7.5 miles around the water, or there are shorter marked trails. There is also a play area, cafe and toilets (including a changing places toilet). Parking charges apply, ranging from £2 for an hour to £8 to park all day.

Brixworth Country Park is great for a family walk any time of year

Sywell Country Park

Sywell Country Park is located near the village of Mears Ashby, east of Northampton and is a lovely place for a family day out. The walk round the reservoir is 2.5 mile-perfect for little legs, plus there is the 1km heritage trail if you prefer. There is also a great play area, cafe and toilets. Parking costs £3.50 for up to 12 hours.

Irchester Country Park

Irchester Country Park is set in 200 acres of woodland and features a play area, adventure course with zip lines (this costs extra) and walking trail. There is also a cafe and toilets. It is also home to Irchester Railway Museum, which is open most Sundays and is free to visit. Parking is £3.50 for up to 12 hours.

Irchester Country Park has a history of ironstone quarrying

Stanwick Lakes

Stanwick Lakes really does have something for everyone. Kids will love exploring around the lakes, spotting wildlife and tackling the adventure playground, including the water play. There are over 7 miles of accessible paths, so it’s perfect for family walks. There is also a visitor centre housing a heritage museum, which details the settlements in the area dating back 5000 years, plus a cafe, gift shop and toilets. Parking costs from £4 for up to 2 hours, up to £7 to park all day.

Salcey Forest

Located near the village of Hartwell, Salcey Forest is easily reachable from both Northampton and Milton Keynes. It boasts miles of walking, running and cycling trails, plus a play area, cafe and toilets (including a Changing Places toilet). It also has bike hire, disc golf and a Go Ape course all available for an extra cost. For a more affordable day out, there is also a Gruffalo orienteering trail which costs just £1.50. Car parking costs apply, see here for details.

Fermyn Woods Country Park

Fermyn Woods Country Park is set in an ancient woodland south east of Corby, near the village of Brisgstock. It features many walking and cycle trails, as well as play areas, a cafe and toilets (including a Changing Places toilet). It has a diverse range of habitats, so it’s also a great spot for see some wildlife. Car parking costs £3.50 for up to 12 hours.

Fineshade Wood Country Park

Fineshade Wood is between Corby and Stamford and has miles of off road walking and cycle routes. It also has a play area, cafe and toilets, including a Changing Places toilet). There is currently a Room on the Broom trail which costs £4. Car parking costs £9 for over 3 hours.

Back in the day when we completed the Highway Rat Trail at Fineshade Wood

Barnwell Country Park

Barnwell Country Park is near the town of Oundle and has 37 acres of lakes, riverbanks and meadows to explore and lots of wildlife to discover. As well as miles of trails, it also has a cafe and visitor centre, play area and toilets (including Changing Places toilet). Car parking costs £3.50 for up to 12 hours.

Nature Reserves

Summer Leys

Summer Leys is an old gravel pit near Wollaston, which now provides a haven of 47 hectares for a variety of wildlife. The path around the main lake offers a great walking trail, plus lots of opportunities to stop and look for wildlife. There is also a visitor centre and toilets. Parking is free for Wildlife Trust BCN members, for everyone else it costs £4 for 4 hours or £6 all day.

Summer Leys is one of our favourite places to visit

Nene Wetlands

The Nene Wetlands is a unique one square mile of wild and man made habitats. with a visitor’s centre based at Rushden Lakes. There are lots of opportunities to explore this unique project, and if you fancy a longer walk, this reserve is part of the Upper Nene  Gravel Pits Site of Special Scientific Interest and joins up with 4 other reserves. If you’re very lucky you might even spot a beaver! Parking is free for up to 5 hours at Rushden Lakes.

Tywell Hills and Dales

Tywell Hills and Dales is just outside Kettering and is one of the best places in Northamptonshire to spot butterflies, with over 30 species spotted there. It is a more rugged open space, there is little in the way of facilities, but plenty to see in terms of wildlife and wildflowers. Parking is free and there is usually a coffee van there Wednesday to Sunday.

Titchmarsh Nature Reserve

Titchmarsh Nature Reserve covers 72 hectares just north of Thrapston and is part of the Thrapston Gravel Pits complex. The wetlands provide perfect habitat for butterflies and birds. Some of the paths are grass and can get muddy in the winter, it’s also not acecssible for pushchairs or wheelchairs. Parking is available on Lowick Lane, south on Aldwincle.