Pin
36 Best Stops Between Northampton and Towcester
When is your trip?
Navigate forward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.
Navigate backward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.
Wanderlog staff
Updated • updatedApr 7, 2023
Updated • updatedApr 7, 2023
How long is the drive from Northampton to Towcester?
The direct drive from Northampton to Towcester is 10.6 mi (17 km), and should have a drive time of 18 mins in normal traffic.
If you’re going on a road trip from Northampton to Towcester, we did the research for you and compiled some great stops along the way — with Milton Keynes, Leicester, Kettering, Aylesbury, Banbury, and Bedford, as well as top places to visit like Rushden Lakes and Priory Country Park, or the ever-popular Stanwick Lakes Nature Reserve and Heritage Site.
Visiting Northampton or Towcester? See our Northampton Trip Planner and our Towcester Trip Planner.
10.6 mi
Total Distance
18 mins
Drive Time
36 stops
Cities / Attractions
Your itinerary and your map in one view
No more switching between different apps, tabs, and tools to keep track of your travel plans.
What users say about the app
Top cities between Northampton and Towcester
The top cities between Northampton and Towcester are Milton Keynes, Leicester, Kettering, Aylesbury, Banbury, and Bedford. Milton Keynes is the most popular city on the route. It's less than an hour from Northampton and less than an hour from Towcester.
1
Kettering
Sights & Landmarks
Monuments & Statues
Kettering, a market and industrial town in Northamptonshire, England, is situated 67 miles north of London. It offers various attractions and activities for visitors. A day trip to the nearby historic town of Stamford to admire its architecture and tour the grand Burghley House is a great option. Additionally, golf enthusiasts can enjoy playing at a well-maintained course where professional golfer Charley Hull honed her skills.
15% as popular as Milton Keynes
26 minutes off the main route, 42% of way to Towcester
2
Bedford
Bedford, a charming market town in Bedfordshire, England, is home to a diverse population and rich cultural heritage. With Italian and Punjabi communities, the town offers a unique blend of traditions and influences. The central Castle Quarter is a hub of activity, where visitors can explore historical sites like the prison where John Bunyan wrote Pilgrim's Progress.
20% as popular as Milton Keynes
31 minutes off the main route, 46% of way to Towcester
Need a place to stay?
Where
When
Navigate forward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.
Navigate backward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.
When
Navigate forward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.
Navigate backward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.
When
Navigate forward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.
Navigate backward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.
Travelers
2
Travelers
2
3
Leicester
Leicester, located in England's East Midlands region, is a city steeped in history and culture. The Leicester Cathedral, standing for over 900 years, is where Richard III was reinterred in 2015. Nearby, the King Richard III Visitor Centre showcases the king's life and death along with his original burial site. The ruins of Leicester Castle can be found in Castle Gardens near the River Soar, offering a glimpse into the city's past.
85% as popular as Milton Keynes
36 minutes off the main route, 49% of way to Towcester
4
Aylesbury
Aylesbury, located in central England, is a charming town known for its well-preserved historic architecture. The old town area boasts an array of Georgian, Jacobean, and Tudor buildings, particularly around the 13th-century St. Mary’s Church. Visitors can delve into local history and culture at the Bucks County Museum, which also houses the engaging Roald Dahl Children’s Gallery featuring characters from the beloved author's books.
30% as popular as Milton Keynes
38 minutes off the main route, 54% of way to Towcester
5
Milton Keynes
Milton Keynes, the largest settlement in Buckinghamshire, England, is located about 50 miles north-west of London. With a population of 264,349 in its urban area as of the 2021 Census, it offers a variety of dining options including Harvester Eastlake and a new Route 66 American diner in the city center. These establishments serve fresh and flavorful grills, salads, and American cuisine to cater to diverse tastes.
Most popular city on this route
13 minutes off the main route, 55% of way to Towcester
Create your ultimate travel itinerary
Plan your itinerary, find lodging, and import reservations — all in one app.
6
Banbury
Banbury, a historic market town in Oxfordshire, South East England, is known for its low unemployment rate and bustling shopping scene. The pedestrianized center offers a mix of history and modernity, making it perfect for leisurely strolls. As a gateway to the surrounding heritage sites, Banbury provides easy access to attractions like the theater in Stratford-upon-Avon and shopping destinations such as Warwick and Bicester Retail Village.
12% as popular as Milton Keynes
28 minutes off the main route, 60% of way to Towcester
Best stops along Northampton to Towcester drive
The top stops along the way from Northampton to Towcester (with short detours) are Bletchley Park, Whipsnade Zoo, and Waddesdon Manor. Other popular stops include Snozone, Royal & Derngate, and Stanwick Lakes Nature Reserve and Heritage Site.
1Jill S — Google reviewLaura Y — Google reviewHelen S — Google reviewNicholas M — Google reviewKatrina C — Google reviewLuke M — Google reviewBarry ( — Google review•
Stanwick Lakes Nature Reserve and Heritage Site
Mentioned on
Nature preserve
Nature & Parks
Stanwick Lakes Country Park is a sprawling 750-acre nature reserve nestled in the picturesque Nene Valley. It offers an array of activities for children, nature education services, and craft courses. The park boasts over seven miles of accessible trails, making it perfect for walkers of all ages. Visitors can enjoy adventure trails, bird watching, and various walking and hiking routes. The park features a lovely visitor center with amenities such as drinks, food, and toilets.
We visited with our children on Easter Sunday. What a fab place to walk, relax, and a gigantic playground/ sandpit for children!
The paths reveal the beautiful scenery of the lakes, with birdwatching spots here and there, the adventure trail and much more! You can even have a BBQ in the designated area, or grab a drink/bite and enjoy it when looking at the tranquility of the water. An absolute gem!
Aneta D — Google review
Honestly one of the best days out I've ever had with my daughter. Gorgeous, well maintained paths everywhere. Bird hides to watch over the lakes (while she napped). A big, airy cafe with delicious coffee. Lovely museum with staff who clearly adore what they do!
We had so much fun talking to the people who were making a dugout canoe with bronze age tools, and exploring the garden, especially after seeing the spinning and weaving and learning about the plants that make the dyes.
My daughter adored playing in the adventure play, of course. There's running water and sand, cute little play beach huts, a mural, slides, more than enough to entertain a toddler for hours! It was really lovely and plenty of seating and shade all around.
We will definitely be back with my husband for another full day and hopefully add in some cycling 😊😊
Overall, really cannot say enough about how great the site was but even more so how wonderful every staff and volunteer was everywhere we went during our visit. The kindness, patience, and passion was just beyond what you could ask and we really appreciate it!
Absolutely lovely day out with all of my family which included 19 13 13 10 & 10 year old. There was so much to do and see around the whole of the lakes. My kids especially loved the assault course as did my partner (a little to much if you ask me) 😅. The only thing that I found was missing was bins on the walk ways
I understand its for safety reasons but the amount of plastic bottles that were just dropped on the floor was awful. My kids did pick up the bottles they could whilst walking round but had to keep hold of them until the bin at the playground area. Other than that we had a fantastic time. Finished of with a lovely picnic near the playground for my youngest 2.
Love visiting here! Went to a netwalking event held in their conference room with walk around small lake. Facilities were clean and food was delicious (bacon sandwich). Great provision for tea, coffee and selection of cold drinks for the event. Staff were friendly and helpful. Outside facilities are the best part, beautiful nature and well kept paths. Usually you need to pay for car park but as we were at an event, parking was free.
I recently spent a few hours at Stanwick Lakes Country Park (Northamptonshire) and had a thoroughly relaxed and memorable time. The setting is beautiful — wide open spaces, shimmering lakes, and plenty of winding paths through nature. Whether you’re walking seriously or just pottering, the place has a lovely peaceful pace. There’s also an impressive adventure playground (and zip-line/assault-course type features) that means if you’re with kids you’ll very likely hear squeals of delight from the central hub of the park.
On the nature side, it’s just as good. The bird-hides, wetland spaces and trails provide a chance to slow down, sit on a bench and watch things happen quietly around you. It’s not just manic play and activity—there are corners of genuine calm and reflection. Like all UK parks do go prepared if it’s been raining: as paths can be muddy and may be dry foot wear
What a great place! So much for the kids to do and see. The water feature is great, the climbing frame is well kept and very safe. The toilets are always kept clean and there is a great choice for food and drinks. Actually they have really nice coffee which is rare. Would be good with a few more benches as there is only a few compared to how many visitors they get but bring a picnic blanket and you'll be fine
A very lovely Nature Reserve. Trails are great for riding on, there's lots to see and do. Very pretty area to visit. And the play areas for kids are fantastic too!
Spent a couple of hours here with my daughter this morning.
After building a Minecraft money box, ice scream and bacon roll in the cafe, spent just over an hour trolling the outdoor play area, taking a beating from the vertical twisty slide lol..
The venue has lots to offer , walks and activities, including the previous indoor play area now used for arts and crafts..
nice little venue for the children and adults alike.
Friendly polite staff and informative of upcoming events , such as trails , arts and crafts etc..
4.6
(5225)
4.5
(848)
Stanwick, Wellingborough, NN9 6GY, United Kingdom
2Dorian G — Google reviewRaymond K — Google reviewSilviyasworld — Google reviewCraig M — Google reviewMs H — Google reviewIvan F — Google reviewMbusi N — Google review
Rushden Lakes
Mentioned on
Shopping mall
Shopping
Rushden Lakes Shopping Centre is a new addition to Northamptonshire's shopping scene, offering a mix of local and global stores, dining options, and indoor play centers. The complex boasts 43 shops and restaurants including popular brands like H&M, M&S, House of Fraser, New Look, and Primark. Set against the backdrop of outstanding natural beauty, Rushden Lakes provides an ideal setting for leisurely shopping.
21/07/25, much to mention.
There are so many friendly servers, nothing like peterborough. Lovely experience today.
Frasers:
Lancome: Cheryl J, you're a breath of fresh air!! Could ramble for hours with, lovely woman, perfect customer service! Asset! Perfume gorgeous and plentiful samples to try. Purchased La vie est belle, positively fabulous 👌 .
Sports direct: didn't catch name but lovely young lad serving, super tall, random brief chat at the till, also manages to kill cacti! And yep are pup destroyed Euro ball within minutes, gutted. Not the biggest womens section.
Mountain warehouse: woman with bright blue eyes, super genuine, positive, good at recommending products, but not overbearing. Blue light card accepted even on sale items.
Bills restaurant: lovely lady with hearing aids, you do a super job, so busy today, vigorously working flat out.( To those that got annoyed at her busy self not responding to your princess needs, open your eyes, gain insight, and empathy, )
Food was lovely, thanks chefs! Good cuppa tea, (first place I've ever ever ever seen, using the same tea bags,) blue light card accepted.
Sketchers blue light card accepted but not on any items already "discounted" can't be only one who thinks, Sketchers prices has doubled of late. Sure they used to be one of the cheaper brands. Staff not much chat, monotone.
Services charges are getting out of hand! We know the servers only see a miniscule %
Thanks for shining. All 4 of you deserve all the tips, all the praise, and massive pay rises, polite, approachable, and brilliant 👏 😀 🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆
Sun was shining, plenty of Accessible parking,
For others with disabilities it's really well laid out, Accessible bathroom was clean and spacious.
Slight let down was hearing most places do not take physical money as payment, which isnt very inclusive, knowing many a person who prefer cash over card, ( my mother doesn't trust cards, more complex than losing money or having details fraudulently accessed, and partners 95 year old nan, that just doesn't understand using card, just to mention two, but working in healthcare, many more feel the same, and just wont buy if cant use legal tender.)
Has a dog washing station, 👍
has outdoor phone charging points 👍
Helpful homeless support 👍
Really is lovely to have the lake, looked ever so picturesque today.
👍 👍 👍 👍
C W — Google review
A great place to go for shopping, cinema, coffee, lunch etc
The walk around the lake is great but bring decent shoes as they have put stones near one of the entrances which will be uncomfortable in soft footwear.
Five hours free parking but beware this may not be sufficient if you try to do everything on the day. Keep your receipts if this happens and you should get a refund on your parking penalty.
Parking is tight at the weekends. However, during the week, no problem. Great variety of stores, local, national, and international. Quite a few branded restaurants,
Nice 20 min walk around one many lakes
This shopping center offers an excellent experience, especially when is Summer!The first five hours of parking are provided free of charge. What more could we ask for !Thank you ❣️ 🛍
Rushden Lakes is an excellent outdoor shopping centre that truly offers something for everyone. The range of shops is great, covering major brands like Superdry, Superdrug, and Card Factory. It's also a fantastic food destination—with Greggs and my favourite, Popeye's Chicken!
What boosts this to a 4/5 is the fantastic leisure complex. With 360 Play, a Trampoline Park, and climbing walls, it’s a brilliant day out that keeps the kids fully entertained. Highly recommended for families.
So many shops to choose from .
Plenty of restaurants
restaurants
Games places ball pits cinema.
Beautiful coffee shops
shops. Huge primark and Beautiful lakes to walk round .
5 hours free parking disabled parking lots of spaces .
Really nice place with plenty of shops and eating places, but it gets very busy and the parking is a nightmare
Clean and friendly staff. Was my first time there and staff member took me through the list patiently. Well lit and quick service. I got a takeaway but would definitely eat in. Love the choice of music as well. Not your typical mall music . Enjoyable experience.
Need a place to stay?
Where
When
Navigate forward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.
Navigate backward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.
When
Navigate forward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.
Navigate backward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.
When
Navigate forward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.
Navigate backward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.
Travelers
2
Travelers
2
3Simon R — Google reviewJeremy B — Google reviewBleubirdy99 — Google reviewDaniel S — Google reviewSimon M — Google reviewHirah H — Google reviewSamantha M — Google review•
Priory Country Park
Mentioned on
Country park
Nature & Parks
Park
Priory Country Park is a serene 300-acre natural haven located in Bedford, offering a peaceful alternative to the bustling Bedford Park. Nestled along the River Ouse, this award-winning park boasts lakes, meadows, and woodlands that provide a sanctuary for wildlife and birdlife. Visitors can enjoy wildlife walks, birdwatching from lakeside hides, and various outdoor activities such as fishing and water sports. The park also features walking trails to explore and a play area for children.
The park is easy to access off Barkers Lane across a bridge over the river and into the car parks area. One is straight on and there's another to the left after going through the Park gates. The cafe is located by the car park that is straight ahead. Toilets are behind the cafe. Wheelchair access is via a ramp. Dogs aren't allowed in the cafe but there is a large deck seating area out front where dogs are allowed. The country park has picturesque lakes, river walks woodland walks and large open grassy areas for picnics and playing with the dog. There is a large enclosed play area for the children. Fishing is available and the site does observe the close season, see the notice boards for details. There is also a sailing club for those who like to get out on the water. Birdwatchers won't miss out either because there is a lot of wildlife in the park with purpose built hides around the main lake. The main lake has a tarmac path all the way around and is good for wheelchairs etc, it's nice and level, wide too. To go all the way round is 1.3 miles and about 45 minutes. Enjoy
Heavy D — Google review
Decided to try this country park after coming across it on Google search.
There's plenty of parking, with an overflow car park and parking was free, with no time limitations.
We downloaded and printed off a map from the website before we left and decided to walk the red 4.5 mile circular route. Lovely area with lakes and rivers. We took a packed lunch with us and stopped on the way round at a bench and had our lunch. We was able to have our dog off the lead pretty much the whole time. Only in the conservation area we had to keep him on the lead.
We only managed half the route as we had our 7 year old with us. We found a suitable point on the route to head back to the car.
On the way back we stopped in the cafe for a slice of toffee cake and an ice cream.
Our son played in the park which was very well equipped.
We are already planning to go back and finish the other half of the red route.
A hidden gem in Bedford! One of the most pleasant country parks in the area. Tucked away behind an industrial estate on the east side of the town - made up of flooded brick quarries, Priory park is very picturesque, lined with mature willow trees and has a set of interesting walks and paths around the lake. The café is a treat. Good food and teas/coffees.
Such a beautiful park in the heart of Bedford! We went in for picnic and there was so many spots for us to sit around on our mat! Highly recommended for people watching and sun tanning during the hotter weather!
Great place to visit, needs more signs to help people get around because for someone like me... it ain't so obvious!!!
Great activities for kids and family
Great open space in Bedford.
My first visit. Lots going on. Great Cafe.
Beefeater restaurant on site as well.
Local sailing club
Fishing from the Bank.
Easy for any mobility issues.
Very beautiful park I enjoyed going for an Autumn walk here recently, the park is extremely serene and picturesque especially with the bright colours and hues of Autumn foliage and the scattered leaves on the floor, it's a great park for cycling as well big enough with enough distance, you can also feed the birds as well which I think is so cool and interesting as I really💜animals and nature, if anyone ever visits Bedford this is a great park to go to in all seasons but especially right now in October.
This a lovely place to walk around at any pace. Plenty of benches to rest your bones. It's nice if you need to clear your head with plenty of fresh air. The cafe onsite is an excellent bonus. Toilet facilities are also very good. Clean as well.
4.6
(3883)
4.4
(384)
Barkers Ln, Bedford, MK41 9DJ, United Kingdom
4Pearl ( — Google reviewPaul W — Google reviewBlair R — Google reviewAndrew M — Google reviewBryn D — Google reviewJonny I — Google reviewDanilo F — Google review•
The Park Pub, Bedford
Mentioned on
Pub
Nature & Parks
Bedford Park is the largest urban park in town and boasts a Victorian design with lawns, gardens, mature trees, and a cricket pitch. It has received the prestigious Green Flag award, making it one of the best parks to visit. The park features a cafe, pond, play areas, and fields for cricket and football. Visitors can enjoy picnics in secluded spots or relax in the open spaces.
We went for a Sunday roast with friends and family. The food was excellent. We ordered a Trio of meats roast and beef pie, both excellent taste and portions. The service was although slow, I think the staff struggled to cater to everyone as it can busy given it's popularity. Overall a good experience and would definitely recommend it's food
Bipasha — Google review
Good wine, great beer, fantastic atmosphere and charming service. The Park delivers all this and more. The contemporary decor adds to the warmth of the welcome and the clean modern lines in the interior.
Unpretentious gastropub fare is on offer and well prepared and the ingredients are super fresh. The flavour of the food inoffensive and the taste as expected on a pub menu. The sausage and mash was an interesting surprise with a spicy sausage instead of the usual pork banger. A great idea keeping all sauces and gravy on the side.
We found this lovely pub on our visit to see Simple Minds at the park and hoped to get in for dinner as we hadn't pre-booked. The lovely staff couldn't have been more helpful and accommodating! The pie was so delicious and Rosie our beautiful waitress was just so lovely that we returned the following week, for the the same meal before seeing The Human League over the park - and we were all waited on by lovely Rosie again! I think we're all a little bit in love with her now 😁 Full stars for this pub!
Lovely Sunday Roast with friendly service and a lovely atmosphere. Outside seating is available with free parking on site & a good selection of wine.
Although we enjoyed the meal as always, it may make more sense to put the disabled parking spaces near to the main entrance ... we ended up having to drive the car from the disabled bay to the main entrance to pick someone up. It wasn't clear if the rear/side exit could accommodate walking frames (e.g. steps). Just a thought, but if there's a different route please share
The Park hosted a gathering of family and friends after my father's funeral service. The Park was recommended by a friend who lives nearby and the funeral directors. My wife and I went for a late afternoon meal and were impressed with the menu, the quality of the food, the atmosphere and the staff - Emma. We spoke to her and asked if they could host us . She made booking the Garden Room and choosing a buffet very straight forward. Together with her colleagues Zoe. Georgia and Mackenzie I can only thank them for arranging a fitting gathering. The Garden Room was lovely and before the rain arrived thd patio was ideal too.
Charming and helpful staff, great atmosphere, a buffet of good quality, great taste and quantity - I couldn't ask for more.
Recommended
We came here a few days ago to celebrate a birthday, having driven by it for years and always wanting to go there.
There is plenty of seating and the staff are friendly. The cost per person depends on what you have, obviously, but our group averaged between £20-£30, they also accept blue light card also so make you you take it with you!
The four sharing plates for £20 were good, and the belly strips were absolutely wonderful, I would have a plate of them if offered.
Will definitely go there again
"It was good" - my wife
Worth Every Mile for a Top-Tier Sunday Roast
Drove just over an hour to try their Sunday roast, and it absolutely lived up to the hype. The food was bursting with flavour, beautifully fresh, and cooked to perfection. Service was equally impressive—warm, attentive, and genuinely welcoming.
Having sampled Sunday roasts across the country, I can honestly say this ranks among the very best. No question. A fantastic spot with friendly staff and exceptional food. Highly recommended.
4.5
(3744)
4.5
(256)
98 Kimbolton Rd, Bedford, MK40 2PF, United Kingdom
5Charli P — Google reviewGemma C — Google reviewMark A — Google reviewLoz S — Google reviewLaura R — Google reviewWilliam S — Google reviewWilliam H — Google review•
Herrings Green Activity Farm & Bird of Prey Centre
Mentioned on
Nature & Parks
Nature & Wildlife Areas
Nestled in the picturesque countryside just a short drive from the city, Herrings Green Activity Farm & Bird of Prey Centre is an enchanting destination for families seeking adventure and education. This charming farm boasts one of the UK's largest collections of birds of prey, featuring over 200 magnificent owls, eagles, and falcons. Visitors can enjoy daily flying displays that showcase these incredible creatures in action while learning fascinating facts about them.
We visited Herrings Green Activity Farm & Bird of Prey Centre as a family and had a really nice day. Our son especially enjoyed the bird of prey displays – getting to hold an owl was definitely a highlight for him. The staff were knowledgeable and made the experience interesting without overloading it with too much information.
There were lots of animals around the farm, and the environment felt relaxed and friendly. One of the moments we’ll remember most was when my wife got to feed the alpacas – it was something she had always wanted to do, and it definitely made her day.
The farm is well set up for families, with various play areas and activities for kids. Everything was clean and easy to navigate, and there were plenty of spots to sit or grab a snack.
Overall, it was a pleasant day out – a good mix of fun, learning, and time spent outdoors. We’d recommend it to anyone looking for a calm, animal-filled day with the family.
TORQue T — Google review
Just back from an epic day at the Herring Green farm. My family and I had booked my husband an eagle experience which I would highly recommend. The falconer Erin was fantastical she took time to show us so many of the eagle and some eagle owls. My husband held and flew the massive beautiful birds and really enjoyed his experience.
We had young children with us and there was lots to play on and keep them amused.
All staff were very welcoming and friendly
We went on a Sunday and it was very quiet which was perfect for us to look around.
Absolutely fantastic day out. Got the deal through virgin experiences and had an amazing day. The lady Lisa was so informative and clearly had a huge love for all the birds. Going to book to go back
On the positive side
-The woman that did the display was fantastic. She really knew her stuff, she answered everyone’s questions and was entertaining.
- Lots of amazing beautiful birds when we walked around in cages and used in the display.
- They released lot of birds at a time to music which was really good to see so many flying at the same time.
On the negative side
- The receptionist was rude to all 4 of us when we arrived. She was clearly annoyed she had given us 4 stickers before our 2 other friends had arrived, like we’d deceived her for some reason ! She also denied telling us to wait in the field as the display had started elsewhere. We all very negative about the place before we’d even started.
- The display group was far too big. We were in a group of 28 people so when the birds were being passed around we waited for ages before we could hold the birds. Also taking part in the displays took ages to include everyone. So became very boring which was a shame because the display was good otherwise.
Overall, good quality but needs to be smaller groups 1/2 the time, and better reception.
Absolutely love this place. We've been here a few times now and every time I come away with some new nugget of information I never knew about the wonderful birds they have there. All the staff clearly love what they do, and what they do is so important not just for the birds but for educating the people that visit.
I booked the 3 hour falconry experience for my dad, partner and child.
They said it was absolutely brilliant and completely exceeded expectations. We were worried that 3 hours was too long and that the rain would ruin the morning, but they said it was jam packed, the group was lead by Laura who was great, there were sooo many amazing birds that each member of the group got an opportunity to hold, they watched a great display and learned a lot. The rain didn't put them off at all and everyone left very happy.
On a different note, my partner said the coffee in the coffee shop was the worst he had ever tasted in his life! I did have a look and opted to go into Bedford instead to have a coffee and wait for them to finish. I guess the facilities could be better but that's not what they were there for.
The centre has a wide range of birds of prey and a good flying exhibition. Small people can also hold an owl, which is quite special. The rest of the facilities are looking rather tired - for example there were lots of nettles growing round the kids activity area. It’s not too expensive so, on balance, a good half day out for the family.
I had a 2 hour bird of prey experience and the guy in charge “Riley” was an absolute professional as well as having a sense of humour.
Riley was very health and safety conscious and explained everything so we understood the birds and there behaviour whilst holding them.
Riley was very knowledgeable and explained everything about each bird in a calm and controlled manner,I could easily relate and understand him completely.
Each bird I held was an amazing experience from Owls all the way upto a Bald Eagle with Riley by my side watching and reassuring me every step of the way.
As a member of the RSPB I could identify most of the birds but Riley’s knowledge was supreme.
Riley is a massive asset to the Farm and his customer service was the best I’ve ever seen a true professional at all times.
Thankyou so much for the experience of a life time 10/10 I highly recommend this bird of prey experience to anyone.i hope you remember me the big tall guy who needed a bigger glove,Thankyou again.
4.5
(1116)
4.5
(810)
Herrings Green Farm, Cotton End Rd, Wilstead, MK45 3DT, United Kingdom
Create your ultimate travel itinerary
Plan your itinerary, find lodging, and import reservations — all in one app.
6Richard — Google reviewDaniel S — Google reviewDan T — Google reviewJacob P — Google reviewJustin R — Google reviewCharr — Google reviewSteve W — Google review•
Santa Pod Raceway
Mentioned on
Car racing venue
Sights & Landmarks
Santa Pod Raceway, located in Wellingborough, is a must-visit destination for motorsport enthusiasts. Renowned as the home of European Drag Racing, it hosts the prestigious FIA European Drag Racing Championships and around 80 thrilling events each year. Visitors can expect an exhilarating atmosphere filled with high-speed action featuring some of the fastest vehicles on Earth. The venue is family-friendly, offering non-stop entertainment that includes talented stunt drivers and exciting monster truck shows.
Came for Bugjam festival. Absolutely awesome. Can highly recommend for people of all ages ,families etc. camping was good. Enough amenities. Only be aware food and drink is super expensive!
Lorna M — Google review
It's a brilliant location. Lots going on, amazing fast paced action on the dragstrip some phenomenal vehicles displayed. Great commentary helping make it inclusive even for the newbies to the action. Good secondary entertainment at the other arena sites. Lots of high octane action. The participants were very friendly and willing to share their passion for their hobby. We will be returning.
Went with a few mates and my son to santa pod. 1st time going here for us and it was a excellent day out. My son loved the bike show and cars. Highly recommend going if you are into cars and fancy a good day out with friends or family.
Spent a works day out here to watch a colleague run his car up the drag strip a few times. A good day out although surprised to see that a lot of the food stalls were closed, but it was a Friday. Plenty of car parking and overall a good vibe. The weather was good with only a few interruptions in racing due to the heavy rain. As soon as the rain stopped the racing got underway pretty quickly.
We had an awesome time at the Flame and Thunder event. It was so much more than I was expecting, an exciting array of wacky and insane cars on the strip. Loads of extra stuff going on around the strip, monster trucks, drifting, stunt performers. Lots of food vans to pick from. They did well to keep tightly to the schedule and keep things moving despite some patches of rain. Its a great event with loads to see, definitely check it out!
I’ve been going to Santa Pod since I was young, with Bug Jam being the highlight of my year. Back then, it was all about the old cars, the smell of the rubber, and the excitement in the air. Now, as a father of two, it’s taken on a whole new meaning — it’s something I get to share with my kids and my wife, and it’s just as magical as ever.
The atmosphere is electric but still feels welcoming for families. There’s so much to see and do — from the incredible drag races that leave you in awe to the friendly car displays, live music, and fun fair rides. My kids’ faces light up every time a car roars down the strip, and my wife loves that there are plenty of places to relax, grab food, and enjoy the day.
Santa Pod isn’t just about cars — it’s about community, shared memories, and that unique mix of adrenaline and family fun. For us, it’s more than a weekend away; it’s a tradition, and I can’t wait to keep bringing my children here as they grow up.
If you’ve never been, whether you’re a petrolhead or just looking for an unforgettable family day, Santa Pod is a must.
USC weekend. Stayed in club camping section Thursday through to Sunday. Lots of things to watch and demonstrations on. Food vendors, stalls for clothing, parts. Music playing in the evenings on main stage, dance tent and silent disco. Been 3 times now and will definitely be back again.
Flame and Thunder was an absolute amazing family day out, we enjoyed ever second and the Santa pod staff were brilliant at keeping the show going despite the weather. Highly recommend a visit
4.8
(6518)
4.3
(560)
Airfield Rd, Wellingborough, NN29 7XA, United Kingdom
7Nick D — Google reviewHannu Y — Google reviewGillian P — Google reviewWala E — Google reviewYvonne A — Google reviewSheila D — Google reviewChris P — Google review•
Coton Manor Garden
Mentioned on
Botanical garden
Nature & Parks
Coton Manor Garden, located in the village of Guilsborough, is a picturesque 10-acre garden surrounding a stunning 17th-century manor house. Originally designed in the 1920s, the garden has been expanded over generations to take advantage of its natural setting and water features. The terraces around the manor house are adorned with colorful pots and containers, while the surrounding gardens offer unexpected vistas at every turn.
Very relaxing environment. I'd recommend getting there early as it can get pretty busy during peak times.
Such a lovely Botanical gardens. Rather large nursery with wide range of plants hidden behind the cafe too.
Love this place
Louisa O — Google review
Visited this garden in the second week of September, when most gardens are looking past their best for the season and there's not a lot of colour. I couldn't believe how fantastic this garden looked! The layout is very interesting, with a beautiful water garden running down a slope leading to a more open area. I've visited many gardens in the UK, and this is definitely one that I will remember for a long time and one of the very best. The tea room is reasonably priced and the cake was great. We didn't have one of the meals on offer but the menu looked tempting.
Spent the afternoon admiring the colourful pants and excellent park with its flamingoes, ducks, chickens and the stag, which turnef out of being a statue. They also had a nice cafe/restaurant. Lots of free parking, too.
The gardens are stunning. Plenty of places to sit and admire the beauty. Flamingos too!
Plenty of plants for sale. Lovely cafe with indoor and outdoor seating.
Never fails to please. Beautiful gardens that even in early Oxtober had lots of colour. Chickens and flamingoes roam on the lawns. The gardens are well maintained and we even had tea and delicious cake. We are thinking of getting a season ticket for next year. We'll worth a visit.
It is such a beautiful place, peaceful and relaxing. Went here with my little family. Our 3 year old loveddd it too, especially the Chickens and Flamingos... 😆 ....The Cafe was lovely, and an abundance of flowers to choose from for affordable prices, a little gem really. 💎 ✨️ 💕
These gardens are kept very neat with name tags by the plants. Colours are amazing and numerous water features throughout. Pink flamingo's, chickens and pigs too!
A delight to visit.
Such lovely gardens, will with visiting throughout the opening season with the excellent value season ticket. A real highlight is the bluebell wood. Always a treat to have lunch or afternoon tea in the cafe. There is also an excellent plant nursery too.
4.7
(1409)
4.7
(567)
Coton Manor Nr, Guilsborough, Northampton NN6 8RQ, United Kingdom
8
78 Derngate
Building
Sights & Landmarks
Architectural Buildings
78 Derngate is a remarkable architectural gem located in Northampton, England. This unique building stands out as the only house designed by the renowned artist and architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh outside of Scotland. Visitors can explore its stunning interiors that showcase Mackintosh's signature style, characterized by elegant lines and artistic details. The property has been meticulously restored to reflect its original charm, offering an immersive experience into early 20th-century design.
4.7
(672)
Northampton, NN1 1UH, UK
9Alex S — Google reviewJulian R — Google reviewDiane C — Google reviewHelen C — Google reviewAdrian C — Google reviewJames M — Google reviewKaren H — Google review•
Royal & Derngate
Mentioned on
Performing arts theater
Concerts & Shows
Theaters
Nestled in the vibrant heart of Northampton, Royal & Derngate stands as a premier performing arts center that boasts two distinct theatres: the historic Royal Theatre and the modern Derngate Theatre. This cultural gem is celebrated for its eclectic lineup of performances, ranging from gripping dramas to lively musicals and captivating concerts. With roots tracing back to the 19th century, it has become a cornerstone of regional entertainment, drawing audiences eager for creativity and inspiration.
An amazing experience at Royal & Derngate with my wife celebrating our two year wedding anniversary.
A Bat Out Of Hell is a must 'go and see' show. All of the classics and a lot more. If you like sex, drums and rock and roll, this is the show to see!
Usually I would only commend the lead vocal, but everyone was truly amazing. Well done to you all! Thank you for an enjoyable matinee.
Richard R — Google review
We went for a comedy show that I surprised my partner on valentines day.
I loved the atmosphere, very friendly and supportive staff. The arena was absolutely full, people were laughing mostly... some people were a bit shocked by the amount of extreme language and black humour...
It was extremely difficult to find parking and to come our at the end, we waited more time to come out of the parking then the actual show time.
This is a wonderful theatre. Great service provided by the staff and always a great atmosphere here. Parking nearby is very convenient and the acoustics within the theatre is perfect. Watched Roachford and Level 42 on their UK tour. A great night out made special by the venue itself.
Northampton is privileged to have a great theatre. I had the best experienced while attending a recent show called Jamaica Love. A wonderful, educational and funny production, the whole communit enjoyed. It was easy to access, the seats were comfortable, the sound was great for such a big modern theatre, no echo's or sounding distant. Well worth a visit. Thanks for putting on a great show!
Great venue with amazing front of house. Northampton is lucky to have such a venue with multiple spaces and uses. Top class programme of theatre music etc bringing people into the town. Close to carparks.
We love the Royal and Derngate theatre. Always original and full of variety. Stalls seats generally best, but avoid front left or right stalls if you are going to see a rock band - you might be deaf for a couple of days! Upper circle (front) are super seats with a panoramic view of the stage.
Nice theatre. Staff are friendly. Bat out of Hell is amazing. The cast are incredible 🤘
This theatre is looking very tired. The seats are in a very poor state of repair with exposed foam on the seats and about 50% sporting poorly sewn patches.
Also the seating is not offset or raked sufficiently, I was unfortunately seated behind a large man who completely obscured the centre of the stage.
4.6
(4089)
4.4
(1141)
19-21 Guildhall Rd, Northampton, NN1 1DP, United Kingdom
10Marques — Google reviewKriszti R — Google reviewLesley W — Google reviewTracy H — Google reviewSue W — Google reviewVella E — Google reviewCraig T — Google review•
Althorp Estate
Mentioned on
Temporarily Closed
Sights & Landmarks
Historic Sites
Althorp Estate, located in the civil parish of Althorp, Daventry District, is a historic site that has been owned by the Spencer family for over 500 years. The estate covers 13,000 acres of picturesque countryside and features a 550-acre park with stunning views. It is home to the Grade listed stately Althorp House and Estate, where Princess Diana's island grave and a memorial can be found.
Very relaxing visit. Unlike some houses, Althorp still looks and feels like a family home. Beautiful rooms - some of the best I've seen. Free parking too which is a bonus. Guides were really friendly and knowledgeable. One felt welcomed rather than simply observed to make sure you didn't touch the exhibits. I was lucky enough to meet Earl Spencer as he was signing books in the gift shop. Will definitely return soon.
Andy W — Google review
Visited with my Historic Houses card that thankfully helps me avoid a very overpriced £30 ticket. As I left, a family of four were handing over something like £87, which I would really advise against. There are limited grounds that you are welcome to roam in, which is something I’m used to at historic houses/gardens. The house itself is impressive of course, although I would have liked better interpretation boards around. Why not provide a list of the paintings? I had to ask a member of staff for their copy as I was curious about one in particular, but was asked to only take a photo of that specific listing. Unsure why there needs to be such secrecy around it. Personally I would like to see some information on the Black presence in some of the statues and paintings dotted around the house. You can’t take photos inside, presumably because it’s still the family house (and also to help sell the guide book), but I hope there might be a way in the future to remove that restriction. The walk around the lake is pleasant enough, although there’s not much to see other than the Diana memorial. There was nothing in the shop of interest to me, and I didn’t try out the cafe. But there are plenty of benches to have your own lunch, which was nice. I also had no issue with the car park being away from the house, but it would be great if there was somewhere to park a bike.
Beautiful place, the cafe is okay. It only offers cold sandwiches and cakes, very minimal hot food - etc soup.
The family home is very pretty and the staff is well knowledgeable and proactively explained everything.
The oval lake is peaceful, beautiful but also you can feel the sadness around it.
This is one of the most Beautiful and Enchanting places we have visited.
The House was exquisite inside, the history was amazing.
All the staff inside and out were extremely friendly, helpful and knowledgeable.
Outside was immaculately maintained and the Oval Lake where Diana’s resting place is was Breathtaking.
Overall one of the best days we’ve had 🥰
A Huge Thank you to All the Staff and most importantly to Lord Spencer (whom we had the pleasure of speaking with) who if it was not for him allowing the public to come into his home and grounds to have a look, we would never be able to see all of this. Such a privilege and honour 🤗🥰
Would highly recommend a visit.
We will definitely be returning without a doubt!!
It was such a gorgeous day so we decided to revisit Althorp. The whole place is immaculate and the lake was stunning. Great having the benches to sit on and enjoy the view.
Last time I came, there were more flowers in the beds at the rear of the house, which added some amazing colour, but I appreciate there would be a cost involved in that. The trees were stunning and sheer size of the property incredible.
The sign into the property could be more obvious - went all the way round to the front gates, as that was the way on last time I visited - eventually found the correct sign but it was quite small and hidden in the hedge.
I was able to get some great photographs thanks!
An impressive estate. Tributes to Diana start with a line of 36 oak trees and a plaque part way along. No photos allowed in the house, which has plentiful portraits and ornate furniture. Staff very friendly and informative. Interesting to see the bedrooms already made up ready for future guests. The house is only open during July and August. From the house it is a few minutes walk to the lake where Princess Diana is buried. It is very peaceful, a good place to sit awhile. A monument to Diana stands at the head of the lake, with Charles Spencer's touching words about her engraved into a plaque.
Really enjoyed our visit to Althorp. Grounds were beautifully kept & it emotional to see Princess Diana’s final resting place.
The house was very interesting with all its history. The church is very spiritual, like it very much.
Had a wonderful visit to Althorp.
The weather was beautiful, so it was lovely walking around the gardens and seeing the deer in the grounds.
The house is spectacular with so much history and interesting artwork and furniture.
This was our second visit and we learnt new things that we hadn’t found out on the previous visit.
4.6
(1374)
4.3
(861)
Althorp House, Northampton, NN7 4HQ, United Kingdom
Create your ultimate travel itinerary
Plan your itinerary, find lodging, and import reservations — all in one app.
11Mikey B — Google reviewLaurence N — Google reviewBrucey — Google reviewTim S — Google reviewMartyn W — Google reviewThe O — Google reviewNix C — Google review•
Gulliver's Land Theme Park Resort
Mentioned on
Theme park
Water & Amusement Parks
Park
Gulliver's Land Theme Park Resort in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire is a perfect destination for families with young children. The park offers a wide range of rides, shows, and play areas suitable for kids aged 2-13. Additionally, the resort features a farm, dinosaur park, and indoor water park to keep the little ones entertained. Nearby attractions include Campbell Park and Willen Lake, providing ample green space for outdoor activities.
This park is excellent for toddlers and young children. I visited on a weekday during term time, so there were no queues. There are a few rides that the under 90cm toddlers can go on especially the ones who can sit up in a seat on their own. Also some nice attractions like the upside down house, two soft plays and mini villages to play in. It's well looked after and cute. It's not too big and is easy to navigate. The staff were friendly, welcoming and helpful. Parking was free too. Great day out!
Amy-Jane — Google review
Mixed reviews for me.. Most of the staff are friendly but some look like they really don't want to be there.. The rides are "good" for kids. My son is 6 and I would say it's ideal for his age group. If I was to return in the future, I would take my own food as the quality of what was available was poor for the price. This theme park needs a overhaul and updated. Most of the rides, the food hall etc is looking all a bit old now. If they are making a good profit then, they need to spend money on updating the park, looks all a bit 90's and been left to rot. Food hall and seating area was a little smelly, no decent lighting, sticky floors and not enough staff cleaning in-between each family using tables. Above all this, I would return more prepared.
These is an amazing small theme park but really good no queue on all the rides. The staff are really friendly and loved their job. My only complained is the restaurant closed at 2:00 pm.There is a pizza place in the front that is really amazing. But over all very happy with the experience rides are not that extreme. The kids loved the zipwire experience and also the cable car. Would definitely come back soon.
Had a really nice time there. A lovely little park in the heart of MK.
Rides are fun and designed for little ones in mind. We went around the river ride more than once! Log flume was great too.
Main restaurant was fairly priced for a meal deal and clean. Lighting was atmospheric with fairy lights which was cute.
Staff were friendly and we had Bluey there on our visit.
The only downside we saw was it needed a bit of TLC to the bathrooms and play centre. The rest of the park was lovely but these both need a bit of money putting towards it to make it a better experience.
Fair price for what you get. Would come back again!
Lovely small theme park great for kids i would say upto the age of 10. Loads of rides with no ride closures which makes a change going to a theme park ! Kids will have anything abundance of fun here... parking on 1st glance looked tricky but actually more than enough room and not miles to walk to entrance... food was the same old theme park food but very reasonable
Overall it's ok for it's size and price (if you get discounted tickets).
Has one or two cracking rides for older kids and adults. Plenty of fun rides for smaller kids.
Some areas are looking a little worn sadly and areas like toilets could use better upkeep.
On the plus side you rarely queue longer than 10mins.
If you see a deal for discounted entry it's well worth a family day out.
HEADLINE
Such a shame, as it probably was an amazing park, but its been let down, loads of things not working (pretty much the whole of the JCB world didnt work 😞) the crains didnt work, some of the diggers didnt work properly, there was a ride closed.
The food was very Exspensive, but thats like most theme parks I would say.
They had some odd rules like no age limit. As long as the child was sitting in the seat, we had a 3 month old whitch would of been safer to put her in our arms but we had to sit her in a seat and put our arms around her, did look funny.
The park was a nice size, and there was enough to do for all ages that we have 3m , 2YO, 14YO and 15YO
We had a nice family day, just a shame a lot wasn't working properly, i feel this will be letting the park down in the long run and they need to invest.
Still made a good day of it despite these problems with the park. Its just a word of warning. They need to invest if they want people to return. We wont be returning sadly.
Had a great day out with my grandson (5) and great niece (4). We visited on a Saturday and arrived about 10mins before entry time, we went through to see the staff and mascots doing a little routine and declaring the park open.
We used advanced tickets and just produced the barcodes on my phone to the staff at the entrance.
The weather wasn't that great, which seemed to keep the crowds away, meaning we were fortunate to not queue for anything other than the log flume (which was still only about 5mins). There was loads to do as well as the rides and we didn't leave till closing.
Food was typically priced for a theme park. Burger, chips and drink style meal was about £10. Gift shop was cute and although again typically priced, they had a good selection of little pocket money priced items.
There are plenty of amenities and toilets all over the park.
4.1
(6340)
3.5
(2490)
Livingstone Dr, Milton Keynes, MK15 0DT, United Kingdom
12Aromal N — Google reviewHank E — Google reviewLucy P — Google reviewAlexandra F — Google reviewConnie P — Google reviewJoanna C — Google reviewNeil 1 — Google review•
Milton Keynes Theatre
Mentioned on
Performing arts theater
Concerts & Shows
Milton Keynes Theatre is a prominent local venue that offers a diverse range of live entertainment, including dance, drama, musicals, opera, and comedy shows. Since its opening in 1999 after a lengthy campaign for its construction, the theatre has become known for hosting top West End and touring productions. With a 1400-seat auditorium featuring a retractable ceiling for an intimate viewing experience, visitors are treated to memorable performances suitable for all ages.
Very cool theatre great accessibility for Disabled Wheelchair users and for a change! the Wheelchair bays have a very good view, unlike a lot of theatres and venues that mostly just stick wheelchairs at the back. it’s very central so lots of places to eat ,massive shopping centre across the road. train and road links very easy to navigate to. Lots of parking,obviously you pay. So if you going for a show at the theatre, you can make a day of it shopping eating yes a bit of everything.
Tony H — Google review
We went to see death on the Nile and it was a cosy theatre. Good seating arrangement, very good and affordable pricing for seats and drinks- I liked the architecture and that it had good accessibility as well as toilets were clean and well maintained . Extra gold stars for the tampons.
Had an amazing experience at MK Theatre yesterday (16/11) and staff were all friendly and helpful ain't been here in 5 years toilets are clean. Prices for food and drink was expensive and brought 2 drinks and a tub of crisps and ice cream. I sat in Upper Circle and the view was brilliant I watched Now that's what I call a musical and I gotta say it was fantastic lots of laughs too the singing,dancing and acting was spot on and was a 80s themed. I will definitely be back for another musical next year.
Thanks so much for
I recently attended a matinee performance of Kinky Boots at Milton Keynes Theatre, and it was a fantastic experience from start to finish. The theatre itself is modern, well-maintained, and provides a great atmosphere for live performances.
The seating was comfortable with a good view of the stage, and the acoustics were excellent, allowing every word and song to be heard clearly. The staff were friendly and efficient, making the whole experience smooth and enjoyable. The facilities were also impressive—clean and spacious restrooms, a well-stocked bar with reasonable prices, and a foyer area that was bright and welcoming.
As for the show, Kinky Boots was absolutely spectacular! The cast delivered outstanding performances, the choreography was energetic, and the music was uplifting. The production was full of heart, humor, and brilliant storytelling, making it a truly unforgettable experience.
Overall, Milton Keynes Theatre is a great venue for theatre lovers. Whether you’re seeing a musical, play, or comedy show, it offers a comfortable and enjoyable experience. I’d highly recommend it and will definitely be returning for future performances!
We have visited the Milton Keynes Theatre several times and have always been so happy with the theatre as a whole. It always appeared clean and well manned, stocked with plenty of drinks and snacks, and staff have always been happy and helpful.
Seats are spacious and have plenty of legroom, wherever we have sat. The shows we have watched have included Derren Brown: Showman & Only Human, Lord of the Dance and a few pantomimes.
Could do with a few more toilets as queues before, during an interval and after have been especially long. Snacks are also a little overpriced but that seems to be the theme in theatres!
Would highly recommend this theatre and will be visiting again very soon.
A really lovely theatre, we went to see Calamity Jane which was brilliant! Parking is close by with lots of food and drink options near for before and after the show.
The theatre its self is lovely, easy access, there was no cramming or huge queues to get in. We sat row CC on the ground floor in the middle of the row, a perfect view, I feel any closer to the stage could be too close! Only thing to bear in mind is they don’t let you take your own food (which is perfectly fine) we had forgotten to eat our sausage rolls before going in! The staff were super friendly we just had to eat them before going in :) Bottles of water and sweets were allowed.
We really enjoyed the show tonight. I wanted to leave a review today because of the exceptional service from the lovely lady on the upper tier. I stupidly ordered drinks to the wrong seats before the show. Wrote it off as a mistake but she went and found them in the interval and brought them to us. Great service ♥️
Finding the theatre wasn't too bad, parking wise: arrive at least an hour early to avoid multi storey queues, alternative is on street, which costs almost £9 for 4 hours.
Plenty of places to eat and drink nearby, theatre has numerous bars, as well as snacks.
We went to see Kinky Boots specifically to see JJ (Strictly star), but the theatre didn't indicate in any way that the Understudy was in the Lead Role, which was extremely disappointing!!
When we booked tickets, we chose a matinee when JJ should have been performing, the theatre management stated that he was doing alternate afternoons, which was different to the Kinky Boots official information.
So when you're coughing up over £70 per ticket, it's not a great look.....!
Having said all that, Kinky Boots is a great show, with a strong dynamic cast, just that the big attraction (Johannes) was missing. The Understudy was good, but not the same.
When leaving Milton Keynes, unless you know the route (or use satnav), it's easy to get lost as road signs are non existent and endless roundabouts make you dizzy 🤔
4.5
(2868)
4.3
(1553)
500 Marlborough Gate, Milton Keynes, MK9 3NZ, United Kingdom
13Nils V — Google reviewAbdurrahman C — Google reviewZoe F — Google reviewAshley R — Google reviewLivia L — Google reviewTim S — Google reviewAshley — Google review•
Snozone
Mentioned on
Indoor snowcenter
Outdoor Activities
Snozone, located in the Xscape centre in Milton Keynes, is the largest indoor real snow resort in Europe. It offers a variety of activities such as skiing and snowboarding lessons, group parties, and kids' programs. The complex is surrounded by self-catering apartments that are conveniently close to popular restaurants and bars. Visitors can explore nearby attractions like Bletchley Park or Gulliver's Land Theme Park Resort before heading to Snozone for some indoor snow fun.
Great place. Plenty of space. Cafe is brilliant overlooking the slopes. Great for kids wanting to learn and for us office lot that need to work too.
Staff are very friendly and very helpful.
Shout out to Mac and Gracie
Sumeet B — Google review
Another good session here. Our 13 year old boys have done the 1 day course reaching level 4 back in April, now they are doing level 5 and 6 in the 2 hour lesson. Super instructors and good facilities. A great way to prepare for a ski trip.
Staff here are so friendly, passionate and supportive! Did snowboarding for the first time the other day with Marian who was so so friendly, patient, amazing and kind. Also had skiing lessons previously with Charlotte who was extremely kind, helpful and patient. I also met Claire - the manager who went above and beyond for me and was also really helpful. Thank you to each of you, you really are special people. Hope we meet again :)
First day of my sons ski course.
The parking was easy and aprox 100m from the Snozone desk, all flat and accessible if needed.
The staff were efficient in organising his boots, putting him in his team and supporting him over the next hour or so. No complaints from either of us.
I only gave 4 stars as the available cafe for me to spend my time waiting could have provided more options for breakfast, like a bacon butties. I did have a nice hot chocolate though.
Visited Snozone for a Snowboarding beginners day course. Had a fantastic time. Jago was super friendly and helpful in teaching technique and providing advice. Lunch was included in the price and we were offered a choice of pizzas, jacket potatoes and a few other options. Course lasted around 7.5hrs from 1015 to 1745. Group size was five, which worked well and Jago did a great job of supporting individuals with varying degrees of experience. Great fun, had a few hard falls, but perseverance is key! I will be back.
I’ve visited Snozone several times over the past six months. I started with a 1-1 session, followed by a Level 2/3, then a Level 3/4 session, and was due to have my Level 4/5 lesson next week.
By the end of my Level 3/4 session, my instructor had ticked off all sections of Level 4 except the final box, mentioning that “with 10 more minutes, you’d have completed the level.” That would have allowed me to progress straight to Level 5/6.
However, this week I received an email stating that Snozone no longer offers combined-level sessions and that my upcoming lesson would only cover Level 4. I called to explain my situation and asked whether I could move directly into Level 5, given my progress in the previous session. Unfortunately, I was offered very few options—almost none—and it felt as though the issue was being treated as my responsibility.
I even suggested arriving early to complete Level 4 before moving on to Level 5 on the same day, as I was simply trying to continue the training I had already paid for. The staff member I spoke with wasn’t very helpful, and I eventually had to ask for a refund myself, which I would have expected them to suggest..
I later called back to ask about booking a full 7-hour Level 4/5/6 day instead. Thankfully, the second staff member I spoke to was much more professional and understanding. Although the available dates didn’t work for me, she processed my refund promptly.
I’m really disappointed, as I had thoroughly enjoyed every session up to this point and was genuinely looking forward to continuing.
Amazing beginners snowboard course last Friday. Tony (and Dave) did an amazing job of making us feel comfortable and helping us to progress throughout the day.
From never standing on a board to completing some relatively good turns in a few hours.
The facility is great, easy to get to, cheap to park at, everything you need under one roof.
The best bit was the instructors. Tony really put 100% into the job and was awesome. Had loads of fun and learnt so much. He was helped by Dave who was great too.
It's a hard day, and physically demanding but so worth it
My first time trying snowboarding. Had a great instructor, Rachel, who was very patient with the group. I plan on coming again for more lessons
4.4
(3506)
4.5
(4984)
602 Marlborough Gate, Milton Keynes, MK9 3XS, United Kingdom
14Meysam A — Google reviewLuke F — Google reviewXhoo 2 — Google reviewAnil U — Google reviewBhushan N — Google reviewDexter G — Google reviewAniza H — Google review•
Dunstable Downs
Mentioned on
Mountain peak
Nature & Parks
Parks
Dunstable Downs is a stunning destination that offers a delightful blend of nature and recreation. Nestled within the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, this site boasts breathtaking views and diverse landscapes, making it perfect for leisurely walks or invigorating hikes. With miles of footpaths winding through chalk grasslands, it's an ideal spot for dog owners to explore the great outdoors. The area also features a charming woodland playground, a cozy café, and a shop for visitors to enjoy.
Absolutely beautiful. We come here every now and then and it’s always great for a walk with the dogs, on your own, or I say hello to my grandpa whose ashes are scatted here. There’s loads of space for flying kites and watching the gliders take off. The cafe is dog friendly, which is amazing. Not impressed with the jams sold there, it’s not local, it’s simply just store bought and relabelled.
TheEndZombo — Google review
Perfect location for a weekend getaway. I visited during a kite festival and loved it! There’s parking available and plenty of hiking trails with stunning landscapes
Parking is £3.50 or free if you’re a National Trust member. Incredible views and walks, especially for dog walking. The main hill overlooks the London Gliding Club so it’s good fun to watch the tow planes taking off. Theres a dedicated area for kit flying too. There is a large national trust cafe and shop atop the hill, prices are not too bad and the shop stocks some lots of locally produced products (jam, honey, oil, chutneys).
Fantasitic views. I went with my mother in law and kids. We were able to use the wheelchair in case she cant walk. Fantastic service, they also have mobility scooters and small bikes for children under 5. I was surprise how well prepared the kiosk was.. There is possibility to use their overcoats, raincoats, warm blouses and wellies if u forgot but for lids only under 10... absolutely great idea... I noticed there are some activities going on and there was full list of things but i lost leaflet. We used main building for loo and its large and clean. We bougt second hand books !!! another great idea. It all looks really nicely run. All great! Views amazing. Was a bit windy but we enjoyed looking at gliding planes and it wax such fun. We are going back soon...
A nice place with a good scenic view for a day out, but the public toilets and café closed very early, around 5 pm. More concerning is the lack of public toilets, especially considering the needs of families, children, and younger visitors who often stay quite late.
Quite disappointing, considering the management team's awareness of the fact that toilets are essential. Even though they shut the toilet doors at 5 pm, they could have implemented a payment system to allow the toilets to be used.
I notice people are going to the loo behind the trees.
Overall, a good place to visit, but considering the basic amenities, I suggest avoiding it, especially if you are travelling with small children.
Great place to visit ! Has a nice cafe with great lunch and breakfast menus along with tea and coffee options . Views from this place are amazing and also the walk on the paths are great too ! Parking seems reasonable too . Arrived around 1:30 pm and it was only £3 till 8 pm .
It is pretty windy near the cafe but is a great place to fly kites which you can bring your own or buy from the cafe ( but expensive though cheapest one is £14) .
Overall a great place to visit. Would definitely come again on a sunny day !!
Awesome view and lots of diverse people coming on that place
What an amazing experience of kite flying !!
If the weather is great it's definitely a great place to see kite performance and enjoy weather with family.
4.7
(691)
4.4
(754)
Whipsnade, Dunstable, LU6 2GY, United Kingdom
15Karen B — Google reviewPink U — Google reviewPete H — Google reviewBella_therapy R — Google reviewThisonesadud — Google reviewTracy H — Google reviewJaya C — Google review•
National Trust - Whipsnade Tree Cathedral
Mentioned on
affordable
Nature & Parks
Nestled in a 9.5-acre garden, the National Trust - Whipsnade Tree Cathedral is a stunning creation inspired by memories of World War I and the construction of Liverpool Cathedral. The trees and shrubs are meticulously planted to resemble a traditional medieval cathedral, with each section represented by unique varieties of plants. Despite being interrupted by World War II, it was completed after the war and continues to host religious services today.
Small but lovely has some limited parking. All free of charge.
Will H — Google review
Beautiful peaceful place for a walk. Majestic trees in the shape of a cathedral. Picnic benches if you want to sit for a while, along with other more quirky benches around the site. Lovely views across to the Zoo if you walk along the side of the fields. Lovely place looked after by the National Trust.
Love the idea of this. Not sure if I have ever seen anything like this before ~ a cathedral made of trees🌳🌳🌳. You got to love the variety of the National Trust. Great atmosphere. We came when it was raining and still had a super time. What lovely benches of the carved animals/things; acorn🌰, eagle🦅, rabbit🐰, owl🦉 and hedgehog🐾(see pictures). Children and dogs🐶 loved running around here. We found parking alright🚘. Would recommend a visit.
A living memorial created from trees, shrubs, and plants, was founded in 1931 by Edmund Blyth (a World War I veteran) to honor those killed in World War I, particularly his friends who died in the conflict. He was particularly moved by the loss of his friends Arthur Bailey, John Bennett, and Francis Holland. Blyth was inspired by a visit to Liverpool Cathedral and a coppice he saw on a hillside, leading him to envision a "cathedral" built from trees. The design features a nave, choir, sanctuary, and towers, all created with specific types of trees and shrubs to represent different parts of a traditional cathedral. For example, hornbeam is used in the nave, Wellingtonias for the towers, and ash for the choir. (according to the National Trust).
Great story and a lovely quiet place, had a great walk with the dog.
This is place is magical. It's like stepping away from everything around you. I didn't intend to stop here but I saw the sign saying Tree Cathedral and turned round as became intrigued. I am glad I did. It's tucked away with a small carpark. The gravel road to get to it is bumpy. 😂 But worth it. You step out and got through the gates and it's like a maze but it's just so.peaceful and quiet and such beautiful flowers. Must be super hard to maintain bit they have done a fantastic job. I didn't want to leave.
Not a large place but many paths and child friendly - they can run around all the paths in and out of the trees. Great picnic area so bring your stuff. There are tables and benches provided. Parking is limited but someone usually leaves if you wait 5 mins. Lots of different types of trees in one place so a good nature experience.
Fantastic place to visit in a walk from Dunstable Downs. Trees were planted in the shape of a cathedral. Benches with animals carved out if wood at each end to sit on. I'm sure we saw an owl flying in front of us. Great place for kids to play hide and seek.
The visit to the Whipsnade Tree Cathedral was amazing and whilst it is highly recommended, the car park on the day we visited had a car vandalised, with the window on the passenger side smashed to smithereens; this cut short our visit as it did not feel safe to park and stop. Park your car with caution.
4.4
(538)
4.0
(174)
Whipsnade, Dunstable, LU6 2LQ, United Kingdom
Create your ultimate travel itinerary
Plan your itinerary, find lodging, and import reservations — all in one app.
16All N — Google reviewCatherine K — Google reviewVicky G — Google reviewMark S — Google reviewGoodcharlz — Google reviewOlivia C — Google reviewMorten J — Google review•
Whipsnade Zoo
Mentioned on
Zoo
Outdoor Activities
Nature & Wildlife Areas
ZSL Whipsnade Zoo is the largest zoo in the United Kingdom, covering 600 acres in the Chiltern Hills. It houses over 2,500 animals, including zebras, lions, penguins, and ostriches. The zoo offers tours, adventure play areas, and educational classes for visitors of all ages. Guests can witness cheetah cubs, elephants, tigers, lions, rhinos and giraffes up close.
We visited Whipsnade Zoo today as a birthday treat for me. As with every other time of visiting Whipsnade we had the best day. Today was great as it was quieter and the weather was amazing also. We got to see nearly all the animals and the staff were lovely. BIG shout out to the volunteer staff!! We had some great conversations with various volunteers. The food was very good and a simple but effective menu caters for all. The gift shop is great and not overly pricey. Thoroughly enjoyed today. Thank you to all the staff at the zoo!!
Karen G — Google review
I had a wonderful day at Whipsnade zoo today. Highlights of the day were the brown bear, elephants, rhino’s, giraffes and the birds of the world show.
Didn’t see the lynx which was a shame. Didn’t see a lion only a lioness and some cubs.
1 star lost because the tigers enclosure seemed really small and the tiger looked sad pacing around the enclosure. I also felt sad for the chimpanzee who seemed like it was having fun and was very entertaining but again enclosure felt small. Park could also do with more signage to help navigate the way around as although map on the app is good would still be good to have more signage as the grounds are huge and easy to take a wrong path.
I also went on the steam train which was £5 for adults but I wouldn’t go on it again. Very big ground with loads of viewpoints and lots of walking however lots of places to sit along the way and plenty of small shops providing snacks and some provide food like hotdogs at £8.50 a pop.
I much prefer this zoo to London zoo, I feel like you have better sight of the animals in comparison. One other perk about this zoo is that you can drive around the grounds with an additional fee. There is also free parking with easy access to the zoo.
There is also an app with a live moving map which helps you navigate around the park very good.
We had a wonderful day out with the family. It’s a large venue, so comfortable walking shoes are highly recommended. Families with young children may find a buggy useful, as there’s plenty of ground to cover. Visitors can bring their own packed lunch or enjoy the selection of cafés and restaurants available throughout the site and near the entrance.
First time visiting, absolutely loved it, an amazing day. The enclosures were lovely and spacious, all areas lovely and clean, staff we spoke to were so helpful. We had afternoon tea at view point, which was lovely and the staff really friendly. The day was just brilliant, would highly recommend a visit.
Had a fantastic time visiting whipsnade zoo .. travelled all the way from North Wales..
Easy to find and access ♿ parking was just great for my wife.
So much to see and do here for the whole family..
Loved seeing how much open area the animals had to enjoy compared with other zoos..
The zoo covers quite an area.. and it can be explored many ways..foot. train..or by car...
Yes if mobility is an issue like my wife it can still be easily explored..
We seen a bus going around..sign simply said..Hail bus driver to stop..jump on a train which was around £5 ..
Otherwise drive the car around and stop and explore where you want.. plenty of parking on the side of the road... please drive safely!!..
There is part of the zoo where you can only explore by car or taking the train..
Feels like your on safari.. amazing time
When we visited they were giving the flamingo's a health check.. you were invited to ask anything you wanted..
Fantastic interactive experience
Cafés , toilets and picnic areas are ample and dotted around the park..
Gift shop as like most places near the exit...
Would love to visit again in the future as one visit is simply not enough to see and enjoy everything whipsnade has to offer...
Whipsnade Zoo is in a beautiful location of Dunstable Downs, there is a free car park off site and charge for car to enter, blue badges are free, you can drive around the whole park and there is parking spots at each area of the Zoo so you can view the animals at safe distance. It’s a favourite Zoo of mine due to care of the animals and the enclosures are well maintained. If you visit now you may find parts of the Zoo is being improved and some enclosures updated and cleaned, so some of the animals are relocated, the kangaroos are free roaming the zoo and can be approached but best respect nature.
The only part of the experience that requires the most improvement is the toilets most are not regularly cleaned or look clean, the restaurants and food vendors do not offer quality food, the sandwiches were not that appetising and the hotdogs were served in baguette, I didn’t understand the combo nor did my palate. Not that they need a fast food chain there but better menu of food and quality would justify the insane prices like £2 for a bag of crisps.
Overall I still recommend this as a great family day out but bring your own lunches and snacks.
THE BUS IS BRILLIANT!
Whipsnade is an awesome zoo but the bus service elevates the experience even further!
Lots of walking and make sure you dress warmly, but if you get tired legs then the bus is perfect. Can't fault it. Such a friendly driver (Gary) and they come round every 20 mins. Thank you so much
This zoo is possibly one of my favorite ones I have been to. The animals have so much space and the possibility to just hide away if that is what they want.
We were there on a cloudy temperate day that made the animals more active so we got to see a lot of them.
We saw the penguin talk and the bird show, both are very much recommended, but especially the bird show was super well done and very enriching.
I have been about 5 times the last ten years and every time has been a great experience.
4.5
(16747)
4.2
(4233)
Whipsnade, Dunstable, LU6 2LF, United Kingdom
17Kate B — Google reviewGeorge G — Google reviewMoon R — Google reviewTheEndZombo — Google reviewIan H — Google reviewEms E — Google reviewB S — Google review•
Milton Keynes Museum
Mentioned on
Museum
Specialty Museums
Milton Keynes Museum is situated in the serene setting of Stacey Hill Farm, a Victorian-era model farm on the outskirts of Wolverton. The museum offers a wide array of activities and can easily fill an entire day with exploration. Visitors can immerse themselves in the history of the area's growth and learn about the story of the new city. The museum features interactive exhibits, allowing visitors to touch artifacts and experience hands-on activities like trying out gramophones.
Thoroughly enjoyed the visit yesterday to the museum. Initially thought it was a smaller site but there’s so much to see.
The lady on reception was fantastic. Approachable, knowledgeable & very compassionate.
Grant R — Google review
Wow. MK Museum surpassed all my expectations. What unbelievable value for money for a SAHM and toddler.
I have taken my two year old son here twice in two weeks and he's not stopped talking about it. The highlight so far has been the working water wheel which we didn't know was there until we visited.
Thank you to Paul and Diane (Thursday crew) for being so kind and helpful, showing my young son the music boxes and pianola, Ben (Wednesday) for the sewing machine and shoe polishing machine demonstrations, and John (Wednesday) for the many many(!) walks through the farming hall. What an absolute joy you all have been - so encouraging, making my son's visit so hands on and educational. He's already asking to come back!
The only thing that's been a sticky point is that some of the volunteers have different opinions/ rules on what young children are allowed to engage with and touch.
Milton Keynes Museum is such a wonderful place for children and adults alike.
We’ve taken our three little ones here almost weekly (upon their request!), and they love every minute of it.
Such a wide variety of exhibits and interactive displays and activities would be enough for most, but when you couple this with the outstanding volunteers that work here week round, it’s hard not to come back!
Huge thank you to all the wonderful volunteers for bringing the exhibits to life and for being so kind and attentive in the tea room!
We cannot recommend the Milton Keynes Museum enough
A charming museum full of local character and rich historical atmosphere. Housed in old brick buildings and warehouses, it features several themed exhibition areas showcasing British industry, communication, transportation, and daily life, perfect for anyone interested in modern British lifestyles.
What makes it special is that many exhibits are interactive, letting you experience how things were actually used in the past. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable, often dressed in period costumes to demonstrate and explain the exhibits. It’s a wonderful place to explore local history and see how Britain transitioned from an agricultural to an industrial society. Highly recommended!
I come here every month for the past 4 years and I've seen it change a lot which is cool. It's got lots of old things and there's a new section that's opened up with fossils, it's quite interesting. Kept hearing a lot of the volunteers screaming at the toddlers because they were holding a phone wrong. Clearly they can't communicate with them properly. Nice café.
An excellent look back in time at various aspects of British life from Roman times through the corn laws, jahn Radliffe Library Oxford and his legacy after death. Opening with the music boxes , shut up pit a sock in it and rounding off with a beer festival 10 ales and 8 ciders, in the company of Bill and his friends..
What a fantastic museum!
Came here today with my daughter, dad & step mum.
It was so interesting with so much to look at and do.
Every worker / volunteer was brilliant. All kind, smiley and happy to show us everything.
They were all really enthusiastic and it was a fantastic day.
Shout out to Cameron for being a brilliant asset to the Museum team. Enthusiastic, informative and friendly.
Initially thought it was a tad pricey - until we were told that our ticket is valid for an entire year.
Fantastic price.
Can’t wait to come back.
Nice museum with a range of historical items.
They have interesting telecommunication section where we can see how the telephone exchanges work.
4.7
(1476)
4.7
(847)
McConnell Dr, Wolverton, Milton Keynes MK12 5EL, United Kingdom
18Lord P — Google reviewAlan M — Google reviewRosalyn J — Google reviewGraddy 6 — Google reviewPaul P — Google reviewSarah W — Google reviewAndy — Google review•
Bletchley Park
Mentioned on
Historical landmark
Sights & Landmarks
Bletchley Park, located near Milton Keynes, is a significant historical site that served as the home of the Enigma codebreakers during World War Two. Led by Alan Turing, the team at Bletchley Park played a crucial role in developing techniques to decipher encrypted German messages, ultimately shortening the war by up to 2 years. This Victorian mansion turned museum offers an immersive experience into cryptography, technological innovation, and secret intelligence from that era.
This is an absolutely amazing site, full of history and stories. The site is lovely to walk around and be able to pop in and oit of the building, there are a range of activities to be done in and around the site.
Despite the buildings being steeped in history, the team on site have made a large majority of the buildings wheelchair accessible, which is absolutely amazing and something I was worried about not being able to do.
The cafe staff are friendly and the food of amazing quality.
It's been amazing visit and I am looking forward to visiting again soon.
*We were also joined by a special feline guest halfway through our day
Samantha T — Google review
We visited Bletchley Park today and had an absolutely fantastic day exploring this incredible piece of history. From the moment we arrived, the experience was first class.
We were greeted at the entrance barrier by Jake, who gave us a lovely warm welcome — full of good humour and friendly banter — the perfect start to the day. Inside, every member of staff and volunteer we met was just as friendly and engaging. Their enthusiasm for the site and its history really brought the stories of The Codebreakers to life.
A particular highlight for me was the Radio Team, who were exceptional. They not only explained the radio technologies and the process behind them in fascinating detail but even offered me a chance to have a go myself! Their knowledge and passion were infectious and added so much to the visit.
We took our time exploring the Mansion, the huts, and the surrounding grounds — everything was beautifully presented and full of atmosphere. The attention to historical authenticity and the care taken in preserving the story of Bletchley’s wartime legacy was evident everywhere.
The Gift Shop was excellent too, well-stocked with books, souvenirs, and thoughtful keepsakes. I was thrilled to find a book I’d owned as a child (a long time ago now!) — something I never expected to see again.
All in all, it was a day filled with learning, nostalgia, and wonderful interactions with passionate people.
A truly memorable visit, and I can’t recommend it highly enough.
Five stars without hesitation.
An amazing place and well worth a visit. The guides are all volunteers who give their time and expertise completely free of charge. In my opinion this makes them even more valuable to the whole experience and definitely worth listening to if you can get on one of their guided tours. Your entry ticket will allow you to return as many times as you like with a year of your first visit, completely free of charge, and you’ll need it as there so much to see and learn.
This is an amazing Living Musuem of history. The splendid work both highly intellectual people accomplished, together with every day men and women during WW2 is shown here. Without this secret team WW2 may not have ended when it did and with the British victorious. There is so much so see we needed 3 day visits. When you purchase your ticket you get a year to return and Thank Goodness for that.
Interesting visit to learn more about the WW2 Codebreakers and see the technology they used. Informative and entertaining video presentations. Friendly staff and good interactive displays. Quite expensive at £28 pp (we won't be going back in the next year even though the ticket says you can) and disappointed that the museum of computing was another £10 each next door. The website says the cafes have gluten free options but they didn't have any gf cakes or sandwiches, only a main meal.
An amazing time in our countrys' history, remarkable work carried out by extraordinary people.
We learnt a great deal more about the events that occurred there than we previously knew.
Definitely worth visiting, as your entry tickets are valid for 12 months multiple visits.
We had a fantastic day out at Bletchley Park. There was so much to see. I particularly enjoyed the areas recreated to look as it did during the Second World War.
Whilst I knew of the work done there and its importance, visiting left me with an even deeper sense of admiration for the people who worked there.
What ca. you say? Incredible place where some incredible people worked long hours to help shorten WW2. So very informative, plenty to see. Can easily spend a day here, and the great thing is that your ticket is valid for 12 months so you can return any time within that period. If you’re a member of English Heritage then you can get money off your ticket too.
4.7
(16889)
4.6
(8446)
The Mansion, Bletchley Park, Sherwood Dr, Bletchley, Milton Keynes MK3 6DS, United Kingdom
19Julian U — Google reviewSteve G — Google reviewAmber S — Google reviewAndrea U — Google reviewSam S — Google reviewAnony M — Google reviewMichael F — Google review•
National Trust - Ashridge Estate
Mentioned on
affordable
Sights & Landmarks
National Trust - Ashridge Estate is a stunning 5,000-acre area nestled in the Chiltern Hills, offering diverse landscapes and abundant wildlife. Visitors can explore woodlands, chalk downlands, and open commons on foot or by bike. The estate boasts vibrant seasonal displays including bluebells in spring and colorful foliage in autumn. Nature enthusiasts can spot rare butterflies, fallow deer, and various bird species while enjoying the picturesque surroundings.
Busy place with lots of parking. A 100ft+ monument you can climb to the lookout. Beautiful woodland. Great to wear out the kids exploring the woods and for dog walking.
Samuel W — Google review
It's a great place for the walkers, two, and four-legged.
There are plenty of woodland trails to take, with a great trail for wheelchair users.
There is a lovely cafe/ restaurant there with plenty of seating, outside and in. A delicious ploughman's for around £11, good value.
The car park is free, but the trust asks for a small donation of £2, but it's voluntary.
I went on a Thursday, and it seemed very popular.
We love Ashridge. Lovely way marked paths that include some suitable (if you are strong & have a robust wheelchair) for wheelchairs. A good amount of parking - don’t forget the £2 voluntary contribution. Good shop and cafe and there are often some activities for children. It is wonderful walking among the trees. Keep your eyes peeled and you way we’ll see deer.
We love ashridge. Lots of accessible walks, natural play spaces, gift shop and a nice cafe. Free to park which a big bonus, although we are NT members anyway. Amazing colours in autumn and always lovely for a walk, whatever the season.
Fantastic place for walking your dog in the forest or just walk around with children.
It has four different main routes but you can just get lost wherever you want.
There is a nice cafe with a seating area, a shop and toilet facilities by the main car park.
Great place for a walk.
Plenty of parking (free if national trust member otherwise a donation box)
Has toilets, cafe, shop and some boards with different walks.
We did the foresters walk which said 3 miles in 2 hours. We weren't walking quickly and got back in much less than 2 hours. Pleasant walk through the woods.
Also went up the monument for some great views (much higher than it looks from the bottom!)
Definitely recommend visiting here.
I was a National Trust member for quite some time, and used to visit Dockey Wood to enjoy the bluebells every year, up until four years ago when the bluebell woods was overrun with brambles. Even though after numerous complaints about how it was neglected they started putting up signs. They started leaving lots of branches for barriers in a claim to stop people from treading over the bluebells. It looked a mess. They left signs saying how they wanted to protect the bluebells, and then it was for forestry reasons why they left the brambles there. They claimed they didn’t have to do anything as it was originally a commercial forest but for the benefit of the public they were going to charge them for the benefit of looking at brambles and dead branches.
There is a slightly lesser known larger bluebell area the opposite the road to Docky wood. It was perfectly shaded. It wasn’t open, and no major deforestation had ever taken place in that area for some time, and the bluebells flourished. However, last year they put barriers up in the car park by Docky Wood, and I noticed a lot of tree trunks and forestry notices going up. Today I’ve walked to the secret bluebell area which is now covered in tree debris. A whole area of forest has disappeared leaving the area wide open. All of the tree debris is all over the emerging bluebells, including lots of trees that have been felled to get the large machinery right through the centre of the Bluebells. There were originally small paths through the bluebells, which they then blocked with signs saying don’t come up this path badgers beware. But obviously when it suits them most there is now great big 2 track tree felling machine tracks straight through those little paths. The single paths are now large double track mud holes, which have trampled over the bluebells, and have effectively devastated an absolutely gorgeous bluebell wood.
It’s quite clear that the tree felling has got nothing to do with the protecting the bluebells but all to do with the financial gain they’re going to get from the high price of wood. They could have put the tree debris anywhere else in their 500 ha area of forest and yet they chose to dump all of the trees and debris and cut down lovely well established trees and dump it on all of the bluebells. Great job, Ashridge estate.
A fantastic place for a peaceful walk in nature! I recently explored this National Trust site, and the trails winding through the wooded areas were absolutely beautiful. It's a lovely spot to clear your head, with plenty of benches along the way to sit down, rest, and take in the views.
The cafe and gift shop are great stops if you fancy a quick break or a small souvenir, and there are some nice pubs within walking distance if you want to extend your walk. Overall, it's a wonderful choice for anyone looking for a refreshing and scenic walk. Highly recommend!
4.7
(4522)
4.6
(719)
Moneybury Hill, Ringshall, Berkhamsted HP4 1LX, United Kingdom
20Kelly W — Google reviewSarah F — Google reviewMike G — Google reviewAleks B — Google reviewDenise H — Google reviewBejay M — Google reviewTony W — Google review•
Natural History Museum at Tring
Mentioned on
Natural history museum
Museums
History Museums
The Natural History Museum at Tring is a must-visit attraction in the picturesque town of Tring. Established in 1889, this museum showcases the extensive private collections of Walter Rothschild, featuring a diverse range of animal species from insects to sperm whales. The building itself is a sight to behold, and it houses original collections displayed in beautiful presentation cases. This makes it a popular destination for both kids and adults.
Fantastic exhibition of all creatures great and small. From elephants to beetles and moths.
Our children loved the creatures and found some new ones they'd never heard of that they are now obsessed with (Japanese spider crabs being a new fave).
All the exhibitions are well marked and maintained. The staff were fantastic. Worksheets are available for £1. When you take into account a recommended donation of £6 this is a top family day out for less than £10.
The nearby cafe is nice and reasonable prices.if you head over to Tring Park while here you can easily spend 3-4 hours here.
Paul C — Google review
Great place to visit with the kids. Lots of curious and recognisable creatures on display. Knowledgeable museum staff available to help, show off specimens and there was even a craft activity when we visited. With cabinets that open, animals to touch, drawing equipment available for sketching and trails to follow there's something for everyone of all ages.
An impromptu visit for a rainy day! We did not queue for long but was recommended by staff to book in future - the footfall was very busy so I understand why. An interesting museum with plenty to see. Clearly appealing for children but also very enjoyable for adults too. A small gift shop with a lovely offering. Will certainly return.
Set over three floors, this place is packed with animals and birds from all round the world. Very well presented and helpful staff. Allow several hours to have a good look.
There is a good cafe and plenty of seating. A small kids play area is located in the grounds.
The Natural History Museum at Tring, once the private collection of the eccentric Walter Rothschild, is now home to one of the UK’s most extensive displays of taxidermied animals - over 4,900 specimens, including rare and extinct species. Walking through the galleries was a strange mix of awe and sadness. On one hand, it was fascinating to see creatures I’ll never encounter in the wild. But at the same time, seeing so many stuffed animals, especially knowing the context of mass collecting in that era, made me pause. It stirred questions about how we preserve nature, what we’ve lost, and what it means to display these lives frozen in time. The museum itself is full of curiosities - hybrids, animals with unusual colouration, and six themed galleries to explore. It’s popular with families, which means it can be a bit chaotic if you’re hoping for quiet reflection or photos. Still, entry is free, and despite the emotional complexity of the visit, I left feeling grateful for the chance to witness such a unique collection. It definitely gave me a lot to think about.
Amazing place, seeing the exhibits up close was awesome! You can really appreciate the sheer size of some of the animals, even the various tusks were incredible. The variety of species in the collection is stunning.
Staff were very friendly and knowledgeable.
Museum was clean and tidy. All floors were Accessible by stairs and a lift. Parking was free as is entry to the museum, donations are appreciated. Whilst there take a walk to Tring Park, various walks are marked.
Amazing museum run by helpful staff with cafe and toilets. Car parking available nearby. Definitely recommend visiting, tickets available online and donations can be given online or in the museum. Nice to get very close to the exhibits and learn about the history. Wasn't too busy on the weekend.
Don't take kids, take an adult who isnt going to moan and not appreciate this place!
I might just be annoyed that after the hour in this spectacular museum my kids wouldn't go for a walk in the wonderful Tring park nextdoor.. Great place - some of the aquatic exhibits look like plastic or Papier mache - but they are likely 100+ years old. The animals are uncanny and the dogs are really creepy. There are also bugs and butterflies and scarabs - it's brilliant - go!
And the cafe has good cake - they also have a picnic area so being a sandwixh to save money if things are tight.
4.7
(4234)
4.6
(962)
The Walter Rothschild Building, Akeman St, Tring HP23 6AP, United Kingdom
Create your ultimate travel itinerary
Plan your itinerary, find lodging, and import reservations — all in one app.
21Ana — Google reviewLouise — Google reviewSteve H — Google reviewM H — Google reviewTerry S — Google reviewBob F — Google reviewAndrei R — Google review•
Draycote Water
Mentioned on
Reservoir
Outdoor Activities
Draycote Water is a picturesque 630-acre reservoir nestled in the stunning countryside near Rugby and Coventry. The area offers a variety of activities for visitors, including walking, cycling, sailing, and fishing. Families can enjoy a leisurely stroll around the reservoir or embark on a scenic bike ride along the flat 5-mile path surrounding the park. Additionally, there are opportunities for birdwatching from designated hides and breathtaking views from Hensborough Hill.
Such a beautiful place for waking and cycling. My favourite place to cycle from Coventry. Enjoying full round cycle now after it has been closed for full run around the drycote due to work on the bridge. There a very nice restaurant/coffee by the sailing club and the car park. With such lovely super friendly staff.
Darkwing318 — Google review
NOT DOG FRIENDLY. Arrived in the car park looking forward to a pleasant dog walk around the reservoir. Parking price seemed very high but we were willing to pay to enjoy the weather and location. Sadly we're we're 'welcomed' with walking routes that all stated 'no dogs' othe than a small 'country park' area away from the reservoir. Dogs were definitely NOT welcome (even on short leads) anywhere near the water. £3.50 to park (as we were there longer than 15 minutes) for a short dog walk. Views were good and other walks might be nice if you dont want to take your furry family, but we won't be visiting again.
Went to watch the bucket moon rise, but discovered that the gates are locked early evening and there's no alternative parking. Disaster!!!! Risked parking where we shouldn't but no time to find an alternative to view a rare and spectacular moonrise.
Never visited Draycote Water before. It looks like it's a great 5 mile walk. Plenty of regrets and herons.
Amazing sunset over the lake. The moon was worth the parking inconvenience.
Rain or shine, snow or hail we love this walk. Nice place to refuel with a nice Breakfast or Lunch . Coffee , Tea and cake available for a snack. Canteen area has plenty of seating inside and a few places to sit outside if the weather permits. The staff always friendly and welcoming. Parking £2 for 2 hours or £5 all day. Can pay by cash or card and more than enough parking most weekends. 5 miles walk for the full circle. Bikes are welcome. Only a few small inclines. The majority of the walk is pretty flat so not too difficult for most. Perfect for Runners and walkers of all levels , or a slow stroll to take in some of the lovely scenery on and off the reservoir.
Nice enough. Advertises dog friendly but that is severely limited to a small approx 1km circular track in a field partially overlooking the reservoir making it not worth the parking charge if you're looking for a scenic dog walk.
Good place to walk bike, on the relative flat and there is a good cafe for refreshments and light meals, parking £5 a day, also has sailing club abd fishing with boat hire.
Currently work on site means you cannot walk or bike the full circuit. Buy going half way and back is about the same distance
Great place for a walk/cycle. Can get a bit windy at times, but that's nature - don't complain about it.
Cafe is good, but i personally don't taste the coffee.
Only downside is car park is a little pricey, though for the next 6-8 months or so this is drastically reduced because of upgrade work around the reservoir. The work is closing half the walk around the reservoir for 3 months at a time, but walking the other way is still great.
Beautiful place to visit. I walked all around it and managed to get back at the entrance just as the sun was setting. You do have to pay for parking, I believe it’s £5 for the whole day and you can get an annual permit as well which is £37 as of March 2022.
4.6
(746)
4.0
(643)
Rugby, CV23 8AB, UK, USA
22
Canons Ashby
Mentioned on
Sights & Landmarks
Architectural Buildings
Canons Ashby, located in West Northamptonshire, England, is a charming village known for its most prominent attraction, Canons Ashby House. This historic house is a National Trust property and draws visitors to explore its rich heritage. The village also boasts the remains of Canons Ashby Priory within the parish church, offering a glimpse into its intriguing past.
4.5
(561)
Daventry, NN11 3SD, UK
23Eduardo C — Google reviewLeigh G — Google reviewMatt J — Google reviewNick P — Google reviewMeg T — Google reviewSteve W — Google reviewDenis M — Google review•
Tanks A Lot
Mentioned on
Event planner
Sights & Landmarks
Auto Race Tracks
Tanks A Lot, situated in Heldom, offers an exhilarating tank driving experience on its expansive 100-acre property featuring a diverse collection of over 100 military vehicles. Visitors have the opportunity to not only witness but also partake in driving these tanks. The facility provides engaging activities for both participants and spectators, with inclusive staff and unlimited refreshments. Guests can fulfill their dreams of operating tracked military vehicles while enjoying additional activities like clay pigeon shooting and musket shot.
Brilliant, brilliant, absolutely bloody brilliant. Took my dad for the Full Monty, I attended as a spectator. Just got back a few hours ago and we're both still processing what an amazing day we just had. All the activities are so engaging, and the vehicles are all incredibly fun and varied. Even as a spectator, I was allowed to take part in quite a few things, I felt very included and not just tacked onto my dad's experience. Staff all had a cracking sense of humour. Unlimited tea, coffee, and biscuits. Lunch is provided and was actually really good, a fresh hot meal.
This is absolutely one of those 'bucket list' experiences (absolutely the case for my dad), if you're even remotely interested in tanks or the military, don't delay, give this place a go.
Raji — Google review
After a few years willing to do this experience, I was finally able to do it.
It is really impressive the number of tanks they have and also the number of weapons in their armory.
My son was very happy as it was the first he drove a real war tank.
Our guide (Tom) is a very patient person and explained us many details about the weapons and the tanks.
Very recommended.
I’m not quite sure where to start as words just can not describe how absolutely FANTASTIC this experience was!!! The entire day from start to finish was extremely well organised and unforgettable. From learning to drive a variety of armoured vehicles to the survival session with John and learning about his INCREDIBLE life story! From shooting, archery, springers, clays, crushing cars and definitely not forgetting the gentleman in the armoury whose knowledge was second to none. Chris, Tom, Jay, every single member of staff we spoke to, whether they had military background or not, were friendly, approachable, happy to answer any questions and not afraid to have a bit of banter with you! Even the extremely well dressed man during the flintlock session 🤣 Free tea & coffee all day was much appreciated, lunch was delicious and the grounds were like walking into a military fanatics dream. I booked this for my partners 30th birthday and I am SO happy I booked myself on as a main driver too!! That being said, the people who booked on as spectators were constantly being invited to give things a try and were fully involved in the survival and armoury sessions of the day. Some even getting to sit in the tanks as they were being driven which I thought was brilliant of them to allow!
Nick and Kate who not only run the place but live there with their son (who I must say has THE most beautiful military style sensory garden I have EVER seen!) are fantastic hosts and we are already planning on coming back next year to do it all again!! Thank you both so much for just the best day and if you are reading this contemplating booking up, don’t even think twice just get it booked. You will not regret it.
We recently booked a day at *Tank-A-Lot* as a delayed birthday present for our dad, and it was an unforgettable experience! From start to finish, the team was professional, friendly, and incredibly knowledgeable. Our dad absolutely loved every minute of his day, and even as spectators, we were encouraged to get involved, which made it all the more fun. The guys at *Tank-A-Lot* really know their stuff, and they went out of their way to make sure everyone had a great time. It was a unique and exciting experience—highly recommended for anyone looking for something different!
it was an unforgettable experience! From start to finish, the team was professional, friendly, and incredibly knowledgeable. I absolutely loved every minute of the day.The guys at *Tank-A-Lot* really know their stuff, and they went out of their way to make sure everyone had a great time. It was a unique and exciting experience—highly recommended for anyone looking for something different!
Bought a 1/2 day experience for my dad’s 60th, and what an amazing day this was! Nick, Vanessa, Ashley and Tom were amazing. They made the day so much fun, and were so knowledgeable! Really recommend.
Absolutely brilliant! A full on day doing various activities including of course driving tanks .lunch was plentiful and superb! Hats off to all the organisers and volunteers that made it a special day A must do for your bucket list .
Amazing experience! Better than any museum. A vast collection of armoured vehicles and firearms that you can interact with.
How many people can brag about crushing a Mini with a Chieftain from Fast and Furious 6?
4.7
(276)
5.0
(286)
Spring Farm, Welsh Lane, Brackley NN13 5QD, United Kingdom
24Amber S — Google reviewSarah K — Google reviewPervin M — Google reviewLinds — Google reviewTrevor M — Google reviewM W — Google reviewNicholas F — Google review•
The Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre
Mentioned on
Museum
Specialty Museums
The Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre in Buckinghamshire is a delightful spot for families, offering an array of exhibits featuring over 200 photos, manuscripts, and letters from the beloved author. Geared towards children aged 6 to 12, the museum provides hands-on activities and interactive experiences that bring Dahl's characters to life.
Great trip down memory lane. Loads of interactive craft, dressing up and games for the children. All very well kept and modern. Lots of facts and experiences about all the Roald Dahl books and the man himself. Indoor place for picnic. Story telling for the kids worth doing to. Nice gift shop.
Paul H — Google review
We had a great time at the Roald Dahl Museum. The staff were very friendly and helpful. The museum isn't huge but had lots of fun things to keep the kids entertained. We listened to a story and did the Easter egg hunt which was a lovely addition! The exhibits were interesting and child friendly, though it would be nice to have a few more activities that younger visitors would understand and could introduce them to the world of story writing. The craft room was fab, though it was such a shame that other visitors were so inconsiderate and did not tidy up after themselves. This is no reflection on the staff or museum though! The cafe didn't have many savoury options which was a shame, but it was good that we could go out to the town for lunch and then return to the museum.
Lovely little museum.
We had a great morning, there is lots to learn about Roald Dahl, some fascinating facts, we very much enjoyed it and will be back.
Very clean.
Staff were all very friendly and helpful.
A small, well-organised museum, particularly suited to families with young children. The interactive exhibits are engaging and designed to capture the imagination.
Honestly couldn't recommend this place enough. As much as my 6 year old loved it too, she didn't love it for the reasons I did, I was interested in roald dahl, she was interested in the arts and crafts haha so next time, I'll go without her - and that's not in a mean way, it's just that I feel I couldn't really do the part I wanted to do without feeling mum guilt... maybe I'll wait till she's older and take her back... thing is, she knows his work, I've read his books to her alot ... sadly, they've been bed time stories so once she falls asleep, I continue reading hahaha!
But, we left the museum with three new roald dahl books so I know what I'll be reading to her for a while 😄
I loved learning about him in more detail, I had read his autobiographies, but it's lovely seeing it all in person, his writing Hut etc.
The staff, wow! They are amazing, definitely have a passion for their job and it really shows!
Shout out to Helen for reading/narrating matilda so very well and getting all the kids involved, I am like her, I have several voices when I read and really go all out so it's nice to know I'm not alone there haha
The kids all loved your narration and everyone, adults and children got involved with acting out the parts you encouraged us all to play.
I also need to say, the souvenir shop, wow - the prices are extremely fair! I didn't expect to be leaving with what I did for the price! I'm very impressed and I can't wait to return! - even just to buy more books 😆 they put a stamp inside the book so you can show off to friends and family that you've been to the museum, or just for a keepsake for yourself!
They haven't done what most places do when they know they have a very niche thing going on and bump prices up, even the cafe was reasonable! I do hope it stays that way!
Thank you ever so much for keeping Roalds spirit alive! I hope you continue to do what you do for a very very long time!
Excellent place to take young children. We visited with 2 of our young grandchildren and they didn't want to leave. Plenty of informative hands on exhibits for the children to use. There is also a craft area with lots of different activities which is well stocked with resources. All members of staff were helpful and pleasant.
As avid readers of Roald Dahl's books, the kids enjoyed themselves and enjoyed the crafts. The staff were very helpful and it wasn't overly crowded, although it was a rainy October day when we visited. There were some really nice little bits of merchandise available in the gift shop.
The food and drinks on offer were a little disappointing though, especially for the prices they charge. The pasty we ordered had clearly been reheated in a microwave because they were volcanic on the outside but cold in the middle.
The indoor seating was the only place where it was overcrowded. As I said, it was a rainy day so nobody was sitting outside, which meant people were standing around waiting for families to finish eating before they could sit down. Just needs to be a little bigger, or maybe a canopy over seating outside would help.
I do feel they could offer so much more at this museum to capture the imaginations of kids. Maybe some more modernised interactive exhibits, and maybe a Wonka-inspired range of confectionery.
Story telling is the most popular attraction, should be highlighted when buying tickets. Last story telling at 14:45 and drawing room closed at 16:00. So make sure you get there before 14:30. Parking a BIG problem. The museum has no parking
4.4
(1345)
4.2
(890)
81-83 High St, Great Missenden, HP16 0AL, United Kingdom
25Kerry B — Google reviewJoe I — Google reviewJohnny S — Google reviewRachel W — Google reviewRecogniseman — Google reviewKaren B — Google reviewPaul A — Google review•
Buckinghamshire Railway Centre
Mentioned on
Museum
Cafe
Nestled in the picturesque Buckinghamshire countryside, the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre is a delightful destination for train enthusiasts of all ages. Spanning 25 acres, this charming site features an impressive array of vintage steam and diesel locomotives dating back to the 19th century, all set against the backdrop of a beautifully recreated Victorian station. Families can enjoy rides on a miniature railway that winds through wooded areas and even includes a tunnel!
It was Father’s Day when we visited and my husband was in second heaven. He didn’t want to leave. Lots to see in the train museum, book shop and on the platform there was a historic bike display. Good food and a chance to go on a short ride on Thomas the Tank engine. What more could a train enthusiast need?
Wendy R — Google review
Visited to see Wightwick Hall running on the Steam weekend. Staff very welcoming and helpful. Lots of engines to see around the site. Visited the museum, lots to see in there. Had a ride on the miniature railway. The cafe was very nice for lunch. Had a very enjoyable day here and well worth the drive from Sussex.
Where do I start,
First of all the day out is worth every penny, the staff and everyone were super friendly.
We enjoyed a Thomas and Friends day here where we got to ride on 2 different steam trains (Thomas and Percy) and enjoy all Thomas activities from dancing shows to craft activities.
The model train rides were also great fun and the kids had a blast.
There is also a very reasonable priced cafe in the main centre with loads of train related toys for the kids to keep them busy.
There even was a steam tractor-trailer ride which the kids loved.
Will definitely be back again in the near future, Thanks Bucks Railway Centre
A fantastic museum, run and looked after by very friendly, welcoming, knowledgeable and interesting volunteers. The full site is sizeable, with a huge amount of exhibits both inside and outside. For the best experience a visit on one of the steaming days is highly recommended, but the café and shop are open most days and are a delight in themselves.
Fantastic day out, great value for money. Museum opens at 1030 and first train departs at 11am.
Steam train ride lasts around 17minutes but you can do it as many times as you like.
Museum well laid out and informative. Cafe reasonably priced £6 for 2 hot drinks, £5 for two ice creams.
We have been coming to the Railway centre for many years and have watched it get better and better. It is a must for any transport enthusiasts and especially train fans of course. Lots to see and do for all ages. Loads of historic info for adults and older children and plenty to do for little ones as well. Miniature train rides are a great addition. Plenty of food and drink on offer especially on event days.
We came back for Auto Fest which was a classic vehicle event. Loads of interesting cars and vehicles attended and there was Live music and morris dancers.
Great day out for families and people who like nostalgic days out.
Great museum with lots to see. Little train running today so wonderful little ride for the kids. Large steam train running too so nice little run back and forth in the line. Plenty of information to help you along the way. Well worth a visit.
An excellent day out can be had here. Friendly staff, interesting stuff to see and do. Kids love it but as an adult there is much to see too.
4.6
(1488)
4.3
(380)
Quainton Road Station, Station Rd, Quainton, Aylesbury HP22 4BY, United Kingdom
Create your ultimate travel itinerary
Plan your itinerary, find lodging, and import reservations — all in one app.
26Alexandra G — Google reviewJF L — Google reviewKeith G — Google reviewNic F — Google reviewA***** A — Google reviewNiall S — Google reviewK R — Google review•
Brackley Antiques Cellar
Mentioned on
Antique store
Shopping
Brackley Antiques Cellar is a vast underground space housing over 30,000 sq ft of antiques and collectibles from more than 160 dealers. The cellar offers a wide range of items including furniture, ceramics, militaria, and jewelry. Visitors can seek assistance from the knowledgeable staff to find what they are looking for and take a break at the tea rooms offering delicious home-baked cakes and refreshments.
Whatever you're looking for this place will have it. Quirky furniture, memorabilia nik naks and tat. Its all here. Worth visiting if you are in Brackley. Such a shame that they lose stock to dishonest people. They have a wall of shame. CCTV images of shoplifters. Only handbags allowed. I had to leave my rucksack with the staff. I particularly liked the Oriental chest
Hillingdon H — Google review
Had a fab time looking around the vast amount of fabulous items. Had a coffee and a snack in the café the food is 100%. Lovely staff so friendly and I didn't have an issue having my bag locked up for safe keeping less for me to carry around. We'll definitely be back to see all the bits we missed. Thanks for a very positive experience I would definitely recommend you go and take a look for yourselves.
Based in the town centre, a large emporium based in the cellar. Large bags can be left at the reception.
No Internet connection available down here.
Tea room located in one corner of the room. Toilets facilities available near the tea room.
Be prepared to spend several hours here, looking through the units.
I remember a dedicated unit to vinyl LPs.
Quite alot of ladies clothes though not entirely vintage. There is a unit in the corner with Barbour jackets and lambswool jumpers.
Plenty of unique vintage antiques with some modern curios for sale here.
Definitely worth a visit.
Excellent choice of items. Lovely place to browse. Friendly, helpful staff. A great visiting experience. The centre is free to enter, the car park is shared with Waitrose, and is also free, with a maximum stay of 2 1/2 hours, plenty of time. They have a very nice little cafe with plenty of seating and toilets too.
Terrific range of items, spent several hours here including a lovely lunch served with great care and good humour. We found local free on-street parking for 3H, it was a weekday so no issues with spaces. Hadn't been to Brackley since the by-pass was built- much quieter these days!
We REALLY enjoyed going here! Such amazing stuff! Prices varied but there is something for everyone. It's made up of loads of little spaces owned by people and you go and pay at the central desk. There are baskets at the front by the stairs, I didn't see them, as I was already gawping every which way.
The toilets are spacious & clean.
The cafe was brilliant. The staff were very friendly, I already feel like a regular and the food was delicious. The portions are massive, the salad was so flavoursome that I think it must have been grown locally. The cakes were also a decent portion.
We had a massive jacket potato cheese & beans, large prawns sandwich, salad (as shown in pic), chocolate cake slice, can of real coke and a large mug of cappuccino. That all came to £20.20
Well worth it.
There is a car park, which belongs to Waitrose, but only free for 2 hrs, which isn't enough time to gorge your eyes...you will definitely need a trip to the cafe, just for a break.
You'll easily need 4 hours.
Is disabled friendly too (wheelchair lift). Of
Never been so humiliated in my life. After I was treasure hunting for over an hour the woman on the till asked me for my bag. At first I was reluctant as it had my ipad and notes I needed for some work correspondence. After being there another hour or so I noticed I was the only person minus their bag. She asked no one else. I felt like dirt. I stupidly spent £60 and chucked my wears in the bin when i got home as it will only remind me of the worst shopping experience ive had in years. I'd love to swear right now but she needs training.
I only spent £60 to try and save face so I didn't come across as a theif.
In total we've spent a good couple of grand over the last 6 years in this store..
Needless to say we wont be coming back
A huge centre, with just about every possible antique and collectible genre covered. It's like walking through an enormous treasure trove. Set out in spacious aisles and rows, and with so much variety, there's something for everyone, covering all budgets too. Definitely worth travelling to if you don't live in the vicinity. Wheelchair access. Plenty of parking, on site cafe. Entrance via Waitrose Car Park, it's just around the corner and down the stairs.
4.5
(668)
4.1
(260)
Draymans Walk, Brackley, NN13 6BE, United Kingdom
27Steve G — Google reviewAnne G — Google reviewSamuel E — Google reviewClaudio F — Google reviewJamie C — Google reviewRosie H — Google reviewLynn M — Google review•
Waddesdon Manor
Mentioned on
Manor house
Sights & Landmarks
Waddesdon Manor is a Victorian mansion originally built for Baron de Rothschild and is now under the care of The National Trust. The estate, including its impressive art collections and 165 acres of garden and park, was left to the trust by James de Rothschild in the late 1950s. Today, it is overseen by Baron Jacob Rothschild through a charitable trust.
Fabulous place! I was amazed on the size, architecture and furnishings as well as the collections inside. The surrounding are is also beautiful and it’s gardens were nice too.
It’s easily accessible and also offer bus ride to the house from the car park.
Staff were very friendly and everything was clean and top notch.
I would highly recommend a visit as there’s a lot to see. Might recommend spending a few hours to truly appreciate all of that is to see.
Alexandru G — Google review
Really enjoyable visit to this stately home although it was built as a museum to house the possessions of the Rothschild family.
Fantastic collection of art works, ceramics, tapestries and furniture and grounds.
Entry needs to be pre-booked via their website there is a long walk 20 to 30 minutes from the car park to the house or you can book a shuttle bus for £2.50 return, free if you’re a blue badge holder.
Easy to find with large ticket office and excellent parking capacity inc disabled with a shuttle bus to the house and stables. Property has an interesting history and easy to walk through the various rooms. Large gardens for outdoor walking. Plenty of food and drink available. House has timed tickets available online or at the ticket office on arrival. Staff friendly, helpful and knowledgeable.
A good wee place to explore and walk (in the garden), learn about history, architecture and art. Perfect for couples and families as they have a nice cafe(outdoor sitting) and wine shop.
Some of the areas were closed when we visited(they were doing some renovation/maintenance work). They have spacious parking. Overall a very good experience.
Lovely day out, and very beautiful architecture. Lots of walking, if you like that sort of thing, which we do! The Manor's history is also fascinating. We enjoyed it here. The gardens are particularly beautiful.
We had a great family day out here, the house is beautiful and full of amazing artifacts, and all manner of priceless treasures. I enjoyed the Solomon's temple exhibit, interesting to see how it may have looked in it's original form.
The grounds looked incredible with the autumn colours, and walking around a finding little hidden details was interesting.
The outdoor cafe next to the gift shop had lovely, tasty food and drinks available. The gift shop was very pleasant aswell. Every interaction we had with the people working/volunteering there was very positive. Thankyou for a great time.
Beautifully kept manor. Lovely to walk around. Kids can run free and have a look at the birds. Kids also have a nice playground to go in.
The whole place is pushchair friendly. There is a steep slope down to the play area and stables bit.
The shuttle bus is great if you don’t like too much walking.
Car park was spacious.
Great day!
I think this was my most enjoyable National Trust visit. One of many Rothschild properties in the area but must be the jewel in the crown. A very good tour round the house King Louis writing desk and so much more it was just amazing. The grounds were also extensive and very beautiful
4.7
(8904)
4.3
(3661)
Waddesdon, Aylesbury, HP18 0JH, United Kingdom
28Robin — Google reviewNeil M — Google reviewJoe D — Google reviewJinyu W — Google reviewRachel D — Google reviewMichele M — Google reviewRay H — Google review•
Hinton Sky Diving Centre Ltd
Skydiving center
Tours
The Hinton Sky Diving Centre Ltd provides an incredible and unforgettable adventure from start to finish. It offers the opportunity to fulfill a lifelong dream while also supporting a charitable cause like the Albion Foundation. The instructors are humorous, making the learning process enjoyable and understandable. In particular, Simon Rushton stands out as a passionate and welcoming instructor who effortlessly creates a comfortable atmosphere. It is highly recommended to opt for recording your experience as it allows for a full appreciation of this remarkable achievement upon watching it later.
I had the most phenomenal experience tandem skydiving here for my 30th birthday.
Both my instructor Mr Ford and their cameraman Mr Cameron (my apologies I am terrible with first names) were incredible, so friendly and funny, making me smile and laugh throughout!
I would highly recommend skydiving here and cannot wait to come again :)
Chelsea W — Google review
AMAZING! Me and my friend loved our skydive here today. The instructors were so kind and made us feel SO safe and comfortable. I wouldn't want to go anywhere else if I went again. The photos and videos (pay extra for) were amazing quality (even though I looked incredibly silly) and were sent really quickly. All staff were so lovely.
Plus a cafe on site so that's a bonus.
Fantastic experience highly recommended 👌
Complete professionalism & crazy fun guaranteed!
Special shout out to Darrell my tandem jump partner, & skydiving instructor buddy! your skills are just awesome, and you made me feel so at ease!
And lastly, charlotte-videographer & complete sky diver pro,your filming was insane, and totally seamless! you make it look so easy! you made me laugh so much on the freefall,when you was 🎥 ing! I highly recommend your skills!
Bring on my Level 1 AFF see you both soon!
All the team are great & I'm ready to jump again! 👌😛
Could not recommend this place enough, did a tandem skydive with Tj today and it was amazing. Couldn’t ask for more the whole place is set up well for friends and family to watch and all staff are friendly. Special thanks to Tj who made me feel at ease and gave me the best experience possible. Went for the photograph/video package aswell which I would also highly recommend unfortunately can’t remember the man’s name but he was also very good.
Will definitely be back at some point to do another one.
It was such an impressive,unforgettable, amazing experence I've ever had! It was my first time do skydiving and my instructor Chris was so good! Instructions are very clear, the whole progress was so save! Also my cameraman Charlotte did very good shootings! All staffs here are very nice and welcoming! This experience was super cool!
Brilliant! All staff are very friendly and just make the whole experience for you! All experienced sky divers from what they say and all the sky divers I spoke to have been doing it for years. They are very keen and confident. I would do it again - here. At Hinton. Thank you guys 🙃 🪂
The tandem skydive was a fantastic experience. Great instructor and so exhilarating.
My only negative is that there is a lot of hanging around. I arrived by 12.30, my booking time, but it was two hours before our plane went up. I feel it could be a bit better scheduled.
I would definitely recommend it though.
I had an amazing birthday experience here at Hinton skydiving. Keith was our group instructor who made everything very clear before the jump and then he was my tandem partner. He made me feel so comfortable and safe throughout the whole experience and he’s just an all round legend. Unforgettable experience from start to finish. Facilities are good too! Highly recommend.
4.8
(582)
4.5
(178)
HINTON AIRFIELD FARM, Steane, Brackley NN13 5NS, United Kingdom
29Michael L — Google reviewHela F — Google reviewZuzana K — Google reviewLaura H — Google reviewSamuel L — Google reviewElla B — Google reviewMaggie T — Google review•
Banbury Museum & Gallery
Mentioned on
Museum
Specialty Museums
The Banbury Museum and Gallery is a small but informative museum with displays of history from Banbury's past. The exhibits include sections on the Civil War, the Oxford Canal and the adjacent Tooley's Boatyard. The gallery hosts exhibitions of local photography by young entrants. All items displayed with historical data and beautifully displayed.
Wonderful museum showcasing the birth and the ongoing life of Banbury. A small town with a big history wrapped around a 1st floor room in the museum.
Follow the numbers on the floor to walk through the ages, read about the people and their lives. Treat your eyes to the wonder of artefacts like the stunning blue water dress, the pikemans armour, lift a canon ball and my favourite the stunning jewel encrusted silver sword shining at the end of the walk round the room.
It was said about the extreme puritan protestant Christian that he would hang a cat on Monday for killing a mouse on Sunday.
Pay to enter gallery on the ground floor. £5 adults, £2 kids?
Museum cafe downstairs.
Walkway over the canal leading to the museum shop and the shopping centre.
Now to go there with the kids and show them a possibly possesd toy doll. ;)
Arfar C — Google review
Extremely interesting displays explaining the surprisingly fascinating history of Banbury.
The Staff are very knowledgeable and happy to spend time enthusiastically chatting about the town.
Free to enter and well worth a visit.
We've been going into Banbury for years but have only been to the actual museum a couple of times.
We've not been disappointed yet. We have loved the exhibition they had last year with the interactive art. This was fabulous.
The current Dinosaurs exhibition is marvellous. Make sure to download the "Dinosaur 4D+" app before you go and have a fully charged device as there are some super AI interactive bits in the gallery. A good use for it!
Also has some dinosaur toys your child can play with, like dress up.
There's always a themed trail for children to do upstairs in the permanent part of the gallery too.
It's a great trip out and totally affordable to go more than once if you've enjoyed a specific exhibition.
The staff are all really friendly and helpful.
The shop has lots of great giftware and creative art pieces. Also a great hub for what's in leaflets for the area if you're visiting and want to do something new.
The Banbury Museum & Gallery is a must-visit destination, offering a wealth of attractions. It provides a diverse range of experiences and ample entertainment for children. If you're in the mood for a coffee and cake, there's a fantastic vegan cafe downstairs. Additionally, the on-site shop features exquisite trinkets available for purchase. Notably, all products are locally sourced and crafted by talented individuals and businesses from the area. Personally, I find great joy in volunteering at the gallery on Saturdays—it's a truly rewarding experience.
The main museum is very well set out with lots of interesting artifacts and information. Free admission so well worth a look. We also went to the Robot exhibition which was £5 entry. Quite small but lots of great items and is worth the money if your interested enough to spend time reading the information. Lovely modern building inside a large shopping centre with views of the canal. Unfortunately the cafe was closed so we couldn't visit for food or drinks. Maybe next time.
A very informative and well-done museum providing interesting facts and entertaining information about Banbury and the surrounding Cherwell Valley areas.
I learned a great deal more about the everyday life, the struggles and the achievements of the locals. Understood a bit more about the famous cross, the canal, the cake and the cheese and how the town has been developed into a centre of excellence for the food and motorsports industries.
Admission is free. After inspecting all the exhibits, do end your visit by having the afternoon tea by the canal. From there you can see how the one-sided hinged wooden bridge is being operated manually to allow boats passing through - a rather unique scene probably only found in the Oxford Canal.
Small but beautifully formed, always something new to see every time we visit. The staff and volunteers are always really friendly and engaging too.
Lovely local museum. Well presented. great additional exhibition on 90s. Well worth a visit
4.5
(323)
4.1
(235)
Museum & Gallery, Spiceball Park Rd, Banbury OX16 2PQ, United Kingdom
30Adam M — Google reviewSamantha K — Google reviewSarah W — Google reviewCiara — Google reviewJanice W — Google reviewWayne M — Google reviewJamie T — Google review•
The Spa At Oxford Belfry
Spa
Spas & Wellness
The Oxford Belfry spa offers a range of treatments to help you relax and rejuvenate. The facilities are modern and spacious, and the staff are friendly and knowledgeable. The spa offers a variety of day spa packages that include robes, slippers and towel, as well as either light lunch or afternoon tea.
I treated someone super special for a spa day, which included a treatment (GroupOn?). All members of staff were so lovely and kind. The spa was so relaxing, and clean and the treatment was absolutely lovely!! The vegan burger was tasty too. Thank you all!
Katherine C — Google review
Dirtiest gym I’ve ever been in.
The gym room is small and packed with equipment. The place stinks of feet and is grimy and filthy.
The gym mats have dirt caked into the cracks and the equipment is old, worn out and in need of maintenance because the cables don’t run smoothly.
I know that retro is a thing right now, but this is the bad kind of retro.
The steam room wasn’t steamy; at best it was mildly humid. The whole place just smelled and looked dirty.
We were very disappointed, and now after looking at the reviews, what we experienced has been experienced by many others.
Staff were inexperienced, had no customer service especially at reception on arrival and check out. Very uninterested, no information given, she had "couldn't be bothered attitude." Room was a good size, but grubby, toilet didn't flush, only provided with one towel that was in wardrobe and that was dirty, so didn't shower and the fan had thick dirt from it being used before and the TV didn't work properly. The food for our dinner was over cooked, and there was food splattered up the walls in the restaurant and our room. We also experienced a fire alarm that went off, no member of staff let us know it was a false alarm, we all just stayed seated. It wasn't until we went back to the room we found a letter from the hotel to apologise. Breakfast buffet was good, great selection, and staff more friendly far better than the day before. The above is just to name a few, we had such an awful experience, it was one thing after the other, we were glad to leave. I would not be returning or recommend to a friend.
My husband and I stayed here the night before my father's funeral in the hope a spa hotel would be quiet and a decent hotel. We couldn't have been more wrong. The room, bar area and restaurant were all grubby. Service from the staff was poor, untrained, had no customer service or waiting skills. Food splatters on the wall in the restaurant and on the salt and pepper shaker on the table and our meals both in the bar and restaurant were truly the worst we have ever eaten in any restaurant. My husband had a beer that was off, his creme brulee was watery, everything was greasy and poorly cooked. We had a junior suite which was a huge disappointment, tired grubby decor, bath side was rotting away, room was freezing cold and took 3 hours to heat up, as long as you have the curtains open, of you close them the heat cant get into the room. Parking spaces are very small, expect to get out via your boot as you can hardly open your car door. Finally, it was incredibly loud and noisy. Not a spa experience if that's what you are coming for. We will never come back here again and would certainly tell people to go elsewhere, it is a truly awful hotel.
Kids swimming lessons in the only pool at the spa from 3-7pm was not the surprise we had hoped for on our ladies spa day. When I raised this staff said sorry, it was meant to be on the website and will get this changed, which was disappointing after an hour and half drive to get here. There weren't enough loungers for all the guests on a quiet day. The experience shower head were clogged with limescale so not working correctly. The ice machine was broken and the drains around the floor smelt quite bad from the pool. Facilities were dirty and run down with the water machine growing algae, though Showers and changing facilities were clean and working fully. Was meant to be a special day out, felt like an after-school club. You could find a more relaxing and clean experience for the money elsewhere.
Purchased via Wowcher a spa experience for 2 which included 1 treatment each, lunch and a glass of prosecco. The staff, massage and lunch were lovely however some of the facilities let the experience down. The pool area was too small, not enough loungers/chairs to accommodate clients. They allowed children in at some stage even sectioning off part of the smallish pool, the noise was too much so we tried to escape to the only other room for clients waiting for your treatment. Again there was limited seating as people were waiting to be called for their treatments. When we asked where else we could sit, we were shown the bar area which was for hotel guests and visitors and it was here we had to sit in our dressing gowns! Although there was an apology, not the best experience especially being underdressed! Having now read reviews on both the hotel and spa, I will not be making a similar mistake in the future.
Worst experience going i sent a email to customer service.....
[IF YOU WANT TO CALL IT THAT] and the response i got clearly they don't care it's all about money not caring about the customers.
It was a problem from the get go this was meant to be a great family experience especially for my partner who will be going through surgery in a few months.
All the problems we had to go through on this spa get away was explained in the email
I'm so DISAPPOINTED 😞 WRONG ROOMS,
FOOD TERRIBLE,DIRTY ROOM,DIRTY BOWLS
WHAT A NIGHTMARE....
Beautiful gym, spa and pool.
3.6
(85)
3.0
(174)
Lower Lounge, Lower Lounge, London Rd, Milton Common, Thame OX9 2JW, United Kingdom
Planning a trip to Towcester?
Save all the best places to visit with WanderlogDownload the travel planning app everyone's been raving about
- Itinerary + map in one view
- Live collaboration
- Auto-import hotels and reservations
- Optimize your route
- Offline access on mobile
- Optimize your route
- See time and distance between all your places
