20 must see attractions!

Warwick Castle.

Tel: 0870 442 2000

Encounter over 1,000 years of mystery and intrigue at Warwick Castle. Spend the day and visit The Dungeon and Torture Chamber, the Great Hall and State Rooms, the spooky Ghosts Alive Tower (additional charge applies) and 60 acres of grounds and gardens. 18 miles from Hellidon Lakes.
Don't forget to buy your discounted tickets for Warwick Castle from Reception at Hellidon Lakes before you go.

Althorp, Northampton. Tel: 01604 770107

Experience 500 years of history at Althorp, home of the Spencer Family. Explore the wonderful house, discover beautiful interiors and one of Europe's finest collections of furniture, pictures and ceramics. Other features of Althorp include the magnificent park and award winning exhibition, Diana: A Celebration. 14 miles from Hellidon Lakes.

Heritage Motor Centre, Gaydon, Warwick. Tel: 01926 641188 Come and have fun behind the wheel at the Heritage Motor Centre. See the largest collection of classic British cars in the world - assembled by the British Motor industry Heritage Trust, with famous marques such as Austin, Rover, MG, Jaguar, Land Rover and Rolls Royce on display.

Lyveden New Bield, near Oundle, Peterborough. Tel: 01832 205358

Discover the fascination of this unique Elizabethan site. Lyveden New Bield, near Oundle, is a peaceful historic lodge with Elizabethan water garden, walks and beautiful views. The lodge in its mystical setting was built to represent Sir Thomas Tresham's Catholic faith. It remains today a monument to the strength of one man's beliefs.

Whipsnade Zoo, Dunstable, Bedfordshire. Tel: 0207 7223333

Voted Zoo of the year, Whipsnade is the place to see Asian elephants, with its herd of seven - the largest breeding group in Britain. Bring your car into Whipsnade and explore at your own pace, or hop on the free safari tour bus and see eye to eye with a giraffe! On foot you will be in the company of free roaming wallabies, Amra peacocks, Chinese water deer, marmosets and more - so watch where you step!

Canons Ashby House, Daventry, Northamptonshire. Tel: 01327 860044

Entering Canons Ashby is like travelling back in time. This romantic 16th century Elizabethan manor house has survived almost unaltered since around 1710 and has been the home of the Dryden family since it was first built.

Sywell Aerodrome, Northampton. Tel: 0800 9179213

Since its inaugural flight 75 years ago, Sywell has become a mecca for pilots and aviation enthusiasts worldwide. With a rich history of flying from the RAF to club and corporate, Sywell is one of the best General Aviation airfields in the UK from where all types of aircraft from microlights, helicopters, vintage and modern fixed wing operate.

Rockingham Castle, Market Harborough, Northamptonshire. Tel: 01536 770240

Built by William the Conqueror, Rockingham is the best-preserved example of a Norman Castle ground plan in Britain. A Royal Fortress for 450 years it has been a much loved family home since 1544 with beautifully furnished rooms telling the story of its long history. The historic castle is surrounded by 12 acres of widely varying gardens and commands spectacular views across the surrounding countryside.

Sulgrave Manor, Nr. Banbury. Tel: 01295 760205

The ancestral home of George Washington, Sulgrave Manor is a compact manor House showcasing Tudor to Georgian furniture and artefacts, plus the largest UK collection of George Washington memorabilia. The Manor is also home to The Herb Society and the gardens are delightful.

Stoneleigh Showground, Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire. Tel: 02476 696969

Home to the famous Royal Show (2007 date:1st to 4th July 2007), the Stoneleigh Showground is set in 250 acres of beautiful Warwickshire and is just 19 miles from Hellidon Lakes.

Kenilworth Castle, Warwickshire. Tel: 01926 852078

Kenilworth Castle has been intimately linked with some of the most important figures in English history. With its impressive Norman keep, John of Gaunt's great hall, and the magnificent buildings raised for Queen Elizabeth I, it is among the largest castle ruins in England.

Waddesdon Manor, Nr Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. Tel: 01296 653226

Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild, creator of Waddesdon, loved France and French art. With his French architect Destailleur and his landscape gardener Lainé, he built this Renaissance-style château in a dramatic setting. Waddesdon has one of the best collections of French 18th century decorative arts in the world, paintings, furniture, carpets and curiosities, lovingly assembled over 35 years by Ferdinand to please his weekend guests. Outside, his creation includes an aviary, flamboyant bedding, winding walks, colourful trees and panoramic views.

Cadbury World, Bournville, Birmingham. Tel: 0845 4503599

Birmingham's very own chocolate paradise; a fun, educational multimedia attraction dedicated to the story of Cadbury and chocolate. 42 miles from Hellidon Lakes.

Silverstone Circuit, Towcester, Northamptonshire. Tel: 08704 588200     

Silverstone Circuit has come a long way since it was turned from a wartime airfield into a motor racing circuit. It is now one of the world’s most famous motor sport venues and is both the birth place of British motor sport as well as being the home of the British Grand Prix. Just 22 miles from Hellidon Lakes.

Cottesbrooke Hall, Northampton. Tel: 01604 505808

Reputed to be the inspiration for Jane Austen's 'Mansfield Park', Cottesbrooke Hall represents a near-perfect example of Queen Anne architecture located in a quite stunning parkland setting. The building dates from 1702 and is home to the Woolavington Collection, one of the finest collections of sporting paintings in the world. Located just ten miles north of Northampton, Cottesbrooke is famed for the remarkable 18th century landscaping of the Park, its fine furniture, the interior decoration and its beautiful grounds and gardens.

Kelmarsh Hall and Gardens, Kelmarsh, Northampton. Tel: 01604 686543

Kelmarsh Hall is a graceful 18th century historic house, set in beautiful romantic gardens and surrounded by its own working estate in the rolling Northamptonshire and Leicestershire countryside. The gardens include a walled garden, rose garden, glasshouse, woodland and lake, with herbaceous borders designed principally by Nancy Lancaster, Norah Lindsay and Geoffrey Jellicoe in the 1930s and 50s.

The Canal Museum, Towcester, Northamptonshire. Tel: 01604 862229

Housed in a restored corn mill beside the Grand Union Canal in the beautiful village of Stoke Bruerne, Northamptonshire, the Canal Museum provides the focal point of a great day out for families and canal enthusiasts. Working models, videos, pictorial and three dimensional displays bring to life the unique 200 year old story of our waterway transport system, complemented beautifully by the living canal outside with its flight of locks and Blisworth Tunnel.

The Shakespeare Houses, Stratford-upon-Avon. Tel: 01789 201806

Choose between Shakespeare's Birthplace, Nash's House, Hall's Croft, Anne Hathaway's Cottage and Mary Arden's House - or visit all of them - to witness the history behind William Shakespeare.

Twycross Zoo, Atherstone, Warwickshire. Tel: 01827 880250

Set in 50 acres of parkland, the zoo is home to 1000 or so animals, most of which are endangered species. Its world famous primate collection ranges from tiny pygmy marmosets to the impressive silverback western lowland gorillas. Twycross is the only UK zoo to house 'our closest relative' - the bonobo.

Wicksteed Park, Kettering, Northamptonshire. Tel: 08700 621193

Wicksteed Park, one of the UK’s first ever leisure attractions, dating back to 1921, offers traditional family fun to over half a million visitors every year. Admission to the tranquil147 acres of lakes and parkland is completely free, although a small car parking charge does apply . With over 35 rides and attractions including Roller Coasters, Rockin Tug, Carousel, Dodgems, Water Chute, and the UK’s only double pirate ship!