Northamptonshire is a county in the southern part of the East Midlands region of England. The main town in the county is Northampton with other larger towns including Corby and Kettering. Most of the county however is made up of traditional English countryside and villages. There are plenty of thatched cottages, small old churches and winding country lanes to explore. The countryside itself is filled with parks, ancient woodland and rivers and canals as well as the odd stately home dotted about. There are plenty of options for where you can stay too with a range from modern hotels down to country cottages for rent, or why not stay on a narrow-board on the canal for a holiday with a difference?
One of the most famous locations in Northamptonshire is the Silverstone Circuit, home of the British Grand Prix. The circuit is built on the site of RAF Silverstone which was a bomber station in World War II. While the main event in the calendar is the Formula 1 there are many other events throughout the year which are worth seeing but not as expensive. The track has great facilities and great atmosphere but before booking to visit the area be warned that hotel prices will shoot up around the weekend when the Formula 1 is on so unless you want to see the race you might want to avoid the area on this specific weekend. If you love your racing you might want to consider going on the single-seater experience they run at Silverstone. You go along for a morning or afternoon, are briefed and are then given 40 minutes going round the track in a fast single-seater car. If you or one of your family is car-mad this might be an experience worth having.
Just 5 miles north-west of Northampton is Althorp House, home of the Spencer family. The stately home was built in 1688 by Robert Spencer, the 2nd Earl of Sunderland and this was the childhood home of Diana, Princess of Wales. The house is now home to a tasteful exhibition showing the life and work of Diana as well as a tour of the house. Diana was laid to rest on an island in the middle of a lake in the grounds about 5 minutes from the house. Visitors can walk out to the lake and see the memorial there. While this is not the cheapest stately home to visit it is worth going to see the tribute to Diana and learn more about her life and all profits go to the Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Fund.
