Whipsnade Zoo

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!

Twycross Zoo

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

Bicester Village

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home to over 120 luxury outlet boutiques set around delightful open-air pedestrianised streets, offering up to 60 per cent off previous seasons’ collections from the world’s leading fashion and lifestyle brand names including, Anya Hindmarch, DKNY, Matthew Williamson, Max Mara, Salvatore Ferragamo and Radley

Althorp Manor

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

Canons Ashby House

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

The Shakespeare Houses

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

Wicksteed Park

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!

Heritage Motor Centre

01926 641188

See the largest collection of classic British cars in the world, including Austin Rover, MG, Jaguar, Land Rover and Rolls Royce. There is also a Land Rover 4 x 4 Off Road Experience, a 1930s Garage and Themed Cinema

Cadbury World

0845 4503599

Birmingham's very own chocolate paradise; a fun, educational multimedia attraction dedicated to the story of Cadbury and chocolate

The Canal Museum

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

Warwick Castle

0870 442 2000

The finest mediaeval fortress in Britain, Warwick Castle is bursting to the towers with tales of treachery, torture and power, and above all fascinating people, times and events

Lyveden New Bield

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

Rockingham Castle

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

Kenilworth Castle

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

Banbury Town

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A nursery rhyme, 'Ride a Cock Horse', has made Banbury one of the best-known towns in England. Today Banbury is an expanding market and industrial town experiencing growth as a direct benefit of its proximity to the completed M40 motorway linking London to Birmingham via Oxford

Sywell Aerodrome

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

Silverstone Circuit

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

Silverstone Rally School

01327 857413

directly opposite the world famous Silverstone Grand Prix Circuit, Silverstone Rally School, the first of its kind in the world, offer driving courses presenting the everyday driver with an opportunity to try what they could only have previously dreamed of

Saints Rugby Ground Northampton

01604 751543

Whether you are a competitor or spectator within the sporting world, there are many opportunities for you in Northamptonshire.

If you prefer to sit back and watch someone else do the hard work you can watch some of England's World Cup winners of 2003 at the Saints Rugby ground

GP Karting

01604 591591

GP Karting boasts a challenging 380 meter track (including an 85 metre main straight), indoor circuit and a fleet of JBK 200cc karts. The computerised timing system and track monitors keep everyone informed of the race position and lap times

Towcester Races

01327 353414

The thunder of flying hooves, the dazzling flash of colours, come share in the excitement of the sport of kings. Towcester Racecourse hosts 18 National Hunt race meetings in the 2008/9 season between October to June

Hinton Skydiving Centre

01295 812300

The "Drop Zone" is located at Hinton Airfield which is on the Northamptonshire / Oxfordshire border and is probably the friendliest and most social skydiving club in the UK. From Tandem Skydiving, designed for those people who wish to try Skydiving for the first time, without the need for a time consuming course, to 2 day accelerated freefall courses, there is a course for any level of daredevil at the Drop Zone

Delta Aviation at Sywell Aerodrome

Fulfil the ambition of a lifetime and discover flying! They offer experiences in a variety of modern training aircraft such as Cessnas, Pipers, AT3s and Diamonds. Fly from a location close to home and choose from a variety of different flight durations. Take to the skies and expect to be hooked

Skirmish Paintballing Centre

01933 314 805

The Village, Downed Pilot and No Mans Land are just some of the action packed paintball scenarios you can enjoy at Skirmish Paintball Northampton. Benefiting from the latest paintball equipment, 18 years experience and a dedicated team of staff, get ready for an outstanding paintball adventure

Nene Whitewater Centre

01604 634040

A Whitewater rafting session is an ideal opportunity for families and friends to get together and participate in a real adventure sport. Come and enjoy the thrills of our fabulous water rapids. You may book individually and join a group of up to 6 people, with an experienced guide to train and supervise your adventure

Indian Chief Cruises

01604 862428

Take a leisurely cruise along the picturesque Grand Union Canal in the hospitable narrowboat 'Indian Chief'. Trips are available from 25 minutes to 6 hours

The Jurassic Way 

The Jurassic Way is a county path, stretching over 88 miles from Banbury to Stamford, and can be navigated through three maps supplied by the Northamptonshire County Council