7 Ideal Places for Family-Friendly Activities in Kettering

No matter what the season or the occasion is, a holiday with the family is worth everything in the world. Many parents are always searching for ways to keep their families happy and their kids entertained. Travelling is a way to do just that and has a lot of educational value. If you have decided to visit Northamptonshire in the UK with your family and are looking for places to spend time, there are plenty of amazing sites for family-friendly activities in Kettering, which are listed here.

1. Bugtopia Hornsea Zoo

Nothing compares to a family visit to a zoo, as children love animals. Bugtopia is a great place for children to discover the amazing life of insects and explore the living beauties of nature.

Open from Monday to Sunday, Bugtopia welcomes children of all ages, accompanied by adults, and therefore, makes it one of the most family-friendly places in Kettering.

It provides fantastic learning experiences categorised under the titles below:

• Zoo-Keeping Experience, providing the opportunity to feed and clean animals by becoming the zookeepers’ helping hand;

• Photography Experience gives you the advantage of getting closer to the animal of your choice and taking a photo without the glass barrier;

• Macawesome Parrot Experience, suitable for ages above 10, gives you a chance to get closer to a fabulous parrot and fly it;

• Face Your Fears Experience, maybe the most fascinating one, challenges you to have a close encounter with creatures you fear and find a cure for your phobia.

In short, the visit will be a great educational time both for you and for your children.

2. Wicksteed Park

Founded in 1921 by Charles Wicksteed, Wicksteed Park is considered the oldest of its kind in the mainland UK. At first, it was opened as a site for relaxation and leisure activities of the locals. Since then, it has grown in size and has managed to attract thousands of visitors each year.

It has the most popular narrow-gauge railway, giving you a chance to ride on a train and enjoy some amusing scenes. The railway is not the only ride in the theme park. Some of the most noteworthy ones are:

• Paratrooper, situated near the lake, with hanging baskets of different colours to sit in, offers your kids a fascinating flying experience;

• Tree Top Walk provides an amazing experience through creeping and crawling over tree trunks and cargo nets; it is suitable for both adults and children;

• Water Chute, the oldest of its kind in Britain, gives you the thrill of sitting in a wooden boat, which rolls down in the lake, causing a big water splash;

• The newly revived and well-maintained Lakeside Walks, surrounded by amazing scenery, is a great walk.

Attractions aside, its cafés are full of possibilities for refreshments, and camping grounds are suitable for all types of family holidays.

3. Fermyn Woods Country Park

*photo by David Merrett on Flickr

Another place that families love and kids adore is Fermyn Woods Country Park in Brigstock. It is a fabulous place for spotting various wildlife and exploring nature. You and your kids will be able to observe a variety of trees and seeds like hazel, oak, and hawthorn, or spot blackbirds, grey squirrels, red foxes, and many other animals.

There is also a fishing pond for young and less experienced anglers, making it suitable for a great family day. 

To eat and drink, there is the Skylark Café, serving great value food which also has a dog-friendly section.

This well-maintained country park is accessible to visitors of all ages. It contains outdoor shelters for parties and events. As for other facilities, toilets and parking are also available.

4. Irchester Country Park

*Photo by derekgibbons70 on Flickr

Let’s not forget to mention Irchester Country Park, which is home to Jungle Parc. It used to be an ironstone quarry, which has now become the main theme of its play area. Your children can climb up the frames and ropes while you sit on the benches, watching them have fun.

Jungle Parc is located opposite the play area and contains high ropes for tree climbing adventures, for which a children's course is offered too. Its railway museum is another wonderful adventure, telling the past history of the park used as a mining site.

To grab a bite or drink, you can try Quarryman's Rest Café, offering local food and tasty ice-creams. The surfaced tracks in the woods are ideal for cycling, and its three trails are suitable for walking with or without a dog. 

There is ample parking on-site, and the open fields are generally peaceful and tranquil for any sort of exploration you have in mind.

5. Manor House Museum

Manor House Museum is another outstanding site you can choose for a family visit. This local museum is not only a place for displays and exhibits but also a provider of activities and programmes for children and families in general. The site is open for school visits, as well.

The displays and exhibits give an account of the local history of Northamptonshire. Some areas like Town Life: Old Curiosity Shop section or the 2nd World War display can be great for a visit. A special exhibition on the witches of Kettering can be a fascinating visit too.

The museum is accessible to all kinds of visitors. A lift from the ground floor to the first floor makes it easy for wheelchair users. It contains enough seating in different areas, like up to five chairs in the Archaeology Room on the first floor.

A gift shop is available in the reception area with all types of souvenirs and gifts. And there is always a staff member there if you need help with navigation, seating, and any assistance you require. They can always give advice on pubs and cafés nearby as the museum does not have catering facilities.

6. Boughton House

Driving about 5 kilometres to the northeast of Kettering will take to Boughton House, one of the most well-preserved houses in England, and its gardens of sheer beauty. Its impressive architecture aligned with the objects and collections inside has made Boughton House a popular destination for tourists.

For collections and the interiors, there are guide tours available, helping the visitors get the most out of the manor house. The knowledgeable tour guides will provide information about the building's history, heritage, and collections.

Its large gardens are also ideal for relaxing strolls and walks. You may check the historic garden's incredible vistas and stunning water features or go to the Grand Etang to see what restoration projects could do to revive a long-forgotten lake.  

7. West Lodge Rural Centre

West Lodge Rural Centre is one of the best family-friendly attractions in Kettering, ideal for a day out with children. In this rural centre, families have countless opportunities to have a fabulous time together. The main activities can be divided into the following categories.

• For great places to eat, the Rickyard Restaurant has some amazing dishes to try. The ingredients are always fresh and locally obtained. There are also lots of outdoor places with benches ideal for picnicking.

• Outdoor Adventures are also abundant in the rural centre giving children the best opportunity to enjoy themselves. Among the activities are sheep racing, pony rides, barrel rides, and an adventure playground.

• Walking Trails ranging from only 500 metres to 3 kilometres are another point of attraction for tourists. During the walks, you will observe the wildlife, see the wildflower meadows, and go past the paddocks and pony stables.

Where to Stay in Kettering?

After a fabulous tour of Kettering with your family, you need a place to stay which should be suitable for both kids and adults. Royal Hotel Kettering is a great option, providing you with family rooms to book with amenities such as Wi-Fi and flat-screen TV included. It is only 5 minutes from Bugtopia and 1 minute from Manor House Museum, and if you are visiting these sites, Royal Hotel Kettering is the nearest accommodation to stay in.