Family Holidays in Northamptonshire

What's on offer for families

There are seven family stays published on BritStays in Northamptonshire, and most of them are outdoors options. Four are campsites, two are hotels and one is a caravanning stay. If your children are happiest with grass underfoot and room to roam, you'll have the most choice. If you'd rather have a proper bed and a room with a door that shuts, the hotels give you a smaller but clear alternative.

The facilities across the set suit families well. Here's how many of the seven list each one:

• Swimming pool: 5
• Playground: 4
• Bar: 4
• Restaurant: 4
• Parking: 4
• Disabled access: 4
• Pet friendly: 4
• Toilets: 3

The pool count matters most. Five out of seven means a rainy afternoon needn't ruin the day. With a restaurant at four of them, you won't always have to cook after a long day out.

Choosing the right stay for your trip

Northamptonshire is an inland county, so think countryside and parkland rather than seaside. Four of the stays are listed simply under Northamptonshire. The other three are in Kettering, Northampton and Sibbertoft, one each.

For families who want plenty laid on. Billing Aquadrome lists a swimming pool, hot tub and evening entertainment. That covers days and evenings without much planning. Grendon Lake Camping has a similar mix, with a swimming pool, hot tub and clubhouse. Silverstone Woodlands Campsite lists evening entertainment, a bar and takeaway food. That's handy if you'd rather not cook on a camping stove every night.

For younger children. Wicksteed Park Camping lists a playground, along with a gym and WiFi. A playground on site is often what makes a camping trip work with toddlers.

For a more comfortable base, or a parents' treat. Kettering Park Hotel lists a swimming pool, gym and spa. Sedgebrook Hall in Northampton has a swimming pool, gym and bar. Brook Meadow in Sibbertoft lists a swimming pool, spa and restaurant. The spa options also suit couples or grandparents travelling with the family.

For dog owners. Four of the seven stays are pet friendly. That's a good share, but check the individual listing to see which ones before you get attached to a particular place.

What to do once you're there

For a guaranteed hit with children, Gulliver's Land is the county's theme park and the obvious big day out. Older children and anyone fond of history have several options:

• Castle Ashby House, a heritage site
• Triangular Lodge, a heritage site
• Bury Mount, a heritage site
• Canons Ashby House, run by the National Trust
• Captain Cook's Monument, run by the National Trust

The Canal Museum, also in Northamptonshire, makes a good gentler outing.

If you're happy to cross the county line, there's more within reach:

• Rutland Falconry & Owl Centre in Rutland
• Oak Farm Animal Park in Buckinghamshire
• The Wave, a water park in Warwickshire
• Foxton Inclined Plane Trust Museum in Leicestershire
• Moot Hall and Rushden Hall and Museum, both listed under Bedfordshire
• Buckinghamshire County Museum

Mixing one big paid day out with a couple of quieter heritage visits keeps both the budget and the energy levels sensible.

When and how to book

With only seven family stays in this set, choice narrows quickly. Book early if you need a particular facility, and in practice:

• Book school holidays and bank holiday weekends first. That's when family stays with pools and entertainment fill up.
• Confirm capacity directly. None of the example stays publish a sleeps figure in our data, so check that your whole group fits before paying.
• Check when facilities are open. Ask whether the pool, hot tub or evening entertainment runs on your dates, especially at campsites.
• Ask specific accessibility questions. Four stays list disabled access, but needs vary, so ask the stay what it actually provides.
• Check the dog policy before booking. Find out about any restrictions or extra charges if you're bringing a pet.
• Confirm parking. Only four of the seven list it, so check before you set off with a full car.