April 12 saw the partial easing of lockdown restrictions with outdoor hospitality opening back up along with non-essential retail and the lifting of the travel ban - you know what this means?
We can start planning day trips!
Number1Plates have researched and collated the best day trips you can take from Northampton to spot fascinating wildlife.
Whether you are looking to get out of town and enjoy the fresh air or entertain the children, there are a variety of places within driving distance from Northampton to keep you occupied for the day - and, even better, you could spot some incredible and rare animals!
1. Seals - Blakeney Point, Norfolk
Blakeney Point in Norfolk is the home of England's biggest grey seal colony with thousands of cute pups born every year. Take the Blakeney Point Coastal walking route from the Cley beach car park. However, please make sure you keep your distance so you don’t disturb them! The drive to Norfolk is just under 3 hours from Northampton. Photo: Number1Plates
2. Scorpions - Isle of Sheppey, Kent
Yellow-tailed scorpions are believed to have arrived on our shores in the 19th Century. Now there are up to 15,000, including a small colony that lives in the brickwork of a wall at the docks in Sheerness, on the Isle of Sheppey. The journey from Northampton to the Isle of Sheppy is around two and a half hours. Photo: Number1Plates
3. Otters - Smallbrook Meadows, Warminster
Smallbrook Meadows hosts a population of otters. Their favourite foods are eels, pike, perch, roach and tench. Otters can be seen fleetingly, so the best time to spot them is early morning. To find them, walk through the boating park from Weymouth Street or the car park in Smallbrook Road. The driving distance from Northampton to Smallbrook Meadows is around two and a half hours. Photo: Number1Plates
4. Wild Boars - Forest of Dean
There are hundreds of wild boars in the Forest of Dean. You can spot wild boar safely here - your best best to watch them is in the woods between the Sculpture Trail starting at Beechenhurst Lodge and the Go Ape site. You may see wild boar at any time, but try late afternoon along the logging tracks to give yourself the best shot. The journey there from Northampton is just under two and a half hours. Photo: Number1Plates