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:
17. Stoke Bruerne on the Grand Union Canal
The Grand Union Canal is the UK’s longest canal, from London to Birmingham. It enters Northamptonshire near Cosgrove and takes a north westerly route, leaving the county at Braunston north of Daventry. The canal is well maintained by the Canal & River Trust and provides good walking along its towpath and the excitement of the Blisworth Tunnel. If you would like to explore the history of the canals, a visit to Stoke Bruerne (and in due course, the Canal Museum) is highly recommended, as is the nearby Plough at Shutlanger. Although the museum is currently closed for refurbishment, Stoke Bruerne remains a beautiful place for exploring the outdoors, with historic locks and a woodland walk. Photo: The Canal Museum
18. Wicksteed Park - Kettering
At Wicksteed Park, a Grade II listed park in Kettering, play is at the heart of everything they do. It’s a place where the whole family can have fun; this April that means leisurely strolls, picnics on the park, and absorbing the wonderful heritage. When restaurants reopen, combine your visit to Wicksteed with dinner at The Exotic Dining, Kettering or nearby Barton Hall.
19. Rockingham Castle
From April, Sunday strolls through the gardens at Rockingham Castle can be enjoyed. Perched atop an escarpment, with masses of big open spaces for children to play, the Castle has dominated the Welland Valley for centuries and is magnificently surrounded by 18 acres of formal gardens; a striking 17th Century yew hedge, a colourful rose garden, and a wild garden with over 200 species of trees and shrubs. Children can follow the trail in the gardens helping Wentworth, a haphazard Griffin, on his quest.