Stay at home orders have been lifted for the first time since the announcement of the third national lockdown on January 4 and residents can now meet up with up to six friends or one other household outside.
This means we can start looking forward to warmer days out in the Spring sunshine!
'Northamptonshire Britain's Best Surprise' have compiled over 20 top outdoor attractions in Northamptonshire that can be visited now that stay at home restrictions have lifted.
Here are some of their best recommendations so you can start planning your Easter holidays:
9. Holdenby House
Holdenby will open its gardens every Saturday and Sunday from April 17 to October 10 with an enhanced visitor experience. The garden ticket will now include a visit to the Icarus Falconry Centre located within the grounds, with it’s wonderful collections of eagles, falcons, hawks, buzzards and owls. In addition, visitors’ enjoyment of the stunning Grade I listed gardens has been improved with new features to see and more fascinating information to bring to life its time as a Royal Palace and the prison of Charles I. Refreshments will be available from Connie The Vintage Travelling Tearoom and lunch or dinner can also be enjoyed nearby (in due course) at the Red Lion, East Haddon or Saracen’s Head, Little Brington. Photo: Northamptonshire Britain's Best Surprise
10. Nene Wetlands
As featured recently on BBC Countryfile, the Wildlife Trust in Northamptonshire's Nene Wetlands nature reserve is a great place for family adventures. Central to the Nene Valley, this unique one square mile of both wild and man-made habitats is managed for wildlife and people. The reserve is rich in wildlife, and a destination for thousands of migratory birds each year, as well as home to a large numbers of species including kingfishers, dragonflies, butterflies and otters. Along the trail around the edge of Skew Bridge Lake, large carved wooden sculptures depict much of this wildlife, along with interactive installations in a Wildlife Discovery Area, including an abandoned barge and an otter holt. Photo: Northamptonshire Britain's Best Surprise
11. Nene Valley Way
Networks of footpaths and bridleways are all the inspiration that’s needed to plan anything from a short walk to a full day's hike in Northamptonshire’s Nene Valley. Walk 100 on the Northamptonshire Walks website takes in the Northamptonshire stretch of The Nene Way long distance path, and is highly recommended. https://northamptonshirewalks.co.uk/about/walk-100-the-nene-way/www.nenevalley.net
12. Kelmarsh Hall and Gardens
Kelmarsh reopens its gardens for the 2021 season on Sunday April 4. The grade II listed gardens offer beautiful long walks around the flowering borders, woodland areas and a new lake side walk. Perfect for all the family - little ones will love the Fairy Walk - and dogs are very welcome. So much so, Kelmarsh now offers Dog Walking Season Tickets. Their brand new Sweetpea's Tearoom will also be opening on April 4. When restaurants reopen, combine your visit with lunch at the Tollemarche Arms, Harrington. Photo: Northamptonshire Britain's Best Surprise