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Summer is steadily approaching and I for one, AM VERY EXCITED!
Summer is probably my favourite season of the year, besides Christmas. We have much better weather (hello sun!) we see a whole host of amazing events happening across the county and *ahem* July 12th happens to be my birthday – the best time for a birthday, if you ask me!
And in preparation for summer, I have been lucky enough to get involved in a range of activities around Northamptonshire which I think are PERFECT for your summer itinerary – especially if you’re lucky enough to have the summer holidays, or you’re just looking to plan your weekends.
I have also been trying to do more this summer, myself, as I want to really start taking advantage of what’s on my doorstep – which is something I ALWAYS encourage everyone to do more of.
All these experiences below have been tried and tested by me – I will never mention anything or anywhere I haven’t experienced or visited. So get your diaries out and start planning!
Play mini golf at Paradise Island Adventure Golf
Recently opened at Rushden Lakes, though it’s an inside activity, it’s too much fun to not include!
Paradise Island Adventure Golf is an adventure that everyone will enjoy, whether you’re in a big group, on a date night with your partner, or you’re looking for an activity for the whole family. You can choose to start your adventure at either Volcano Trail or Temple Ruins.
Either way you go, you’ll find deadly jungles, exotic animals and colourful outdoor landscapes. Each round has 18 holes each, with a 19th hole at the end where you can give it your best shot to win a free game (Spoiler: we didn’t win!)
No matter whether you play one round, two or more, you will find yourself having a right ol’ giggle! Josh and I couldn’t stop giggling the whole way round and it’s a fun activity that can bring the competitiveness out! We had such a fun date night that we are planning on going again!
The beauty of it being located at Rushden Lakes, you could literally make a day of it – go shopping at all the retail outlets, get a bite to eat at places like Zizzi’s, Nando’s and wagamama’s, chill out with a magazine at Magazine Heaven and check out other fun activities like the RockUp climbing centre!
Check out their website here and book your summer adventure now.
Take a walk around some of Northamptonshire’s parks, gardens and villages
This summer, I definitely want to get out and explore more of our beautiful gardens we have here in Northamptonshire, especially as I want to do more walking to help with weight loss.
Josh and I have been trying to make more of an effort to visit more gardens and parks in the area but we’ve come to realise THERE ARE SO MANY! We are tempted to get a National Trust membership just so it can encourage us to go!
Delapre Abbey is one of my top favourites, because it’s relatively central in town, plus it is glorious in the sunshine. You can walk around the gardens, get a view of the lake and eat an amazing brunch at The Orangery.
Other favourite parks of mine are Canons Ashby near Daventry, Deene Park and Abington Park. Again, I definitely want to take advantage of visiting these places and others more. You don’t know what’s around you until you go outside!
But don’t ignore some of the lovely Northamptonshire villages and countrysides here. Summer is my favourite time to get out and about and do more walking.
Try exploring the village of Castle Ashby and around the Rural Shopping Yard, if you don’t fancy a trip to the houses and gardens. Or why not venture in the unknown and explore Hulcott, which is right next to Towcester hidden away, or the lovely village of Old.
CHECK OUT WHAT’S ON THIS SUMMER ON MY WHAT’S ON CALENDAR GUIDE.
Visit Wicksteed Park for the day
If you haven’t been to Wicksteed Park, you definitely need to get yourself down there now!
I can’t fault that a day at Wicksteed Park is not only a great place to visit for the kids, but at 24 years old, it’s a great place for us adults who are kids at heart too! There is so much happening at the park that will please everybody, whether your young, old or in-between.
We were kindly invited down a few months back to explore the park and to visit the Ice Cream Parlour to try their famous ice cream which has made a comeback after 20 years of being away. Who doesn’t love eating ice cream in the summer sun!?
Though I wasn’t a huge fan of the ice cream itself, Josh really enjoyed it as it’s a combination between an ice cream and a sorbet. If you love really icy things like sorbets and slushies, this will be the best thing to cool you down this summer.
Wicksteed Park has lots of activities for everyone to get involved with, from mini golf (which Josh and I LOVE playing together), a meerkat hideout where you can see the meerkats up close and one of the most beautiful and oldest merry-go-rounds, which is a famous site if you’ve visited Wicksteed before.
We were given the opportunity to have a go at the climbing wall, but sadly, I was not dressed appropriately, so I’ll definitely try and have a go sometime in the future.
Wicksteed Park is also hosting lots of Outdoor Cinema events this summer which you can view the listings here.
Eat your weight at a food & drink festival
Northamptonshire is very, very lucky to have such a thriving foodie community – and there are so many food festivals happening in the county to grab a bite of!
From food fairs displaying and showcasing local food & drink producers, monthly street food events, to all weekend food & drink festivals, there’s going to be so many to fill your diary with.
We have Towcester Food Festival coming up, which is THE summer event for foodies, with over 100 artisan food and drink stalls, local food vendors, free chef demo’s from Val Stones, best known as appearing on Bake Off, Carmela Sereno Hayes who will be doing her famous pasta demonstrations and James Peck, owner of Burnt Lemon Catering.
You can also expect masterclasses, which you can buy tickets for separately, such as a Cheese pairing masterclass, which is new for 2019 and one I am VERY EXCITED ABOUT. Get involved with gin tastings, wine tastings and even make your own cocktail with Bar Encore, who will be giving cocktail masterclasses.
Other food festivals and fairs we should be excited about is the Castle Ashby Food Fair, Sausage and Cider Festival, Prosecco in the Park, plus we now have the monthly BiteStreet NN which will be running in Northampton until October!
Enjoy Movies by the Lake at Stanwick Lakes
When the weather is just right, an outdoor cinema experience is definitely something to add to your bucket list!
I was recently invited down to Stanwick Lakes to enjoy a complimentary movie with my two girl friends. We walked around the lakes prior, we bought a picnic basket and we got to watch and singalong to our favourite movie: The Greatest Showman!
It’s a cosy outdoor venue, with plenty of places to lay your blankets or get out your deck chairs, where you are free to bring in your own food and drink – you can also purchase hot and cold drinks, as well as popcorn from their refreshment tent too – word of warning: make sure you bring cover up’s and layers, especially if you’re going to an evening showing as you may get cold! However, the rain didn’t stop us from having fun when we went!
Movies By The Lake has movies playing all summer long at Stanwick Lakes, you will find a movie that is suitable for everyone.
Are you inspired now for summer? If you didn’t think there was anything to do this summer in Northamptonshire, then you are wrong! There is plenty for everyone to do and I’ll be adding even more recommendations on here soon as I’ve got some other summer activities coming up myself!
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