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Find out more about The Camping & Caravanning Club from their Web site The Camping & Caravanning Club Or write/telephone them at
Greenfields House,
Westwood Way,
Coventry, CV4 8JH.
Tel +44 (0)2476 694995

Northamptonshire boasts some lovely villages and interesting curiosities, all well worth a visit. It is ideal country for touring, walking and exploring.

The most well known place in Northamptonshire is, possibly, Althorp. The home of the Spencer family .
Althorp lies approximately 4 miles north-west of Northampton off the A428, Rugby road. Althorp House became part of the Spencer family estate in 1508 when is was bought by Sir John Spencer.
Nassington - not far from Yarwell Mill - boasts the Prebendal Manor House. This dates from the early 13th century and is the oldest manor in Northamptonshire. There's a 15th century dovecote and tithe barn museum, and the largest re-created medieval garden in Europe.
The River Nene runs through Northamptonshire. It is pronounced Nenn between Thrapston/Oundle & up to the source in the West of the County. From Oundle & across the Fens it is pronounced Neen. The river is navigable from the sea up to Northampton where there is access to The Grand Union Canal.
Rutland Water Rutland is to the north of Northamptonshire, near Oakham and can be reached on the A6003 Kettering to Oakham road. Rutland Water is one of the largest man-made lakes in Western Europe. The reservoir was completed in 1977. It covers 3,100 acres and has a storage capacity of 27,000 million gallons. Rutland Water is an ideal recreational spot with picnic areas, footpaths and 23 miles of cycle ways. There are areas on Rutland Water for sailing, windsurfing and canoeing. It also has the reputation as one of the finest fisheries in Europe and holds some huge Rainbow and Brown trout. There is also a nature reserve and birdwatching centre, in addition to a butterfly and aquatic centre. For a more leisurely view of the water you can take a pleasure cruise on the "Rutland Belle" It is an ideal spot to spend some time camping, Close to Rutland Water is the ancient turf maze at Wing.

The largest house in all England Not far from Althorp, in the tiny village of Holdenby, once stood what was reputed to have been the largest house in all England. All that remains now are indications of landscaping, and two curious stone archways which stood to the east of the house. The present house was constructed in the 1870s and 80s and opens to the public on certain days between Easter and September. There is also a Falconry Centre at Holdenby, with magnificent birds of prey - well worth a visit. Holdenby House is situated approximately 6 miles North West of Northampton

World Conker Championships These are held in Ashton, 1 mile east of Oundle, just off the A605. The championships are held on the second Sunday of October and thousands of spectators arrive to watch Northamptonshire's nuttiest sporting contest. The contest started when, in 1965, a number of 'would be' anglers were deterred from fishing by bad weather. Over a drink in the local pub, they decided that a game of conkers would be an ideal substitute. The event now raises thousands of pounds for charity.
NHDA hold their own conker event, look out for details in the calendar pages
Naseby Naseby is on the B4036 between Clipston and Cold Ashby. It is a village standing on the highest land in the county. The weathercock, on the church of All Saints, is the highest point in the county, being 700 feet above sea level. The spring of the River Avon rises in the garden of the manor house, opposite the church in the village. The nearest market town is Market Harborough, 7 miles away. Naseby is most famous for the Civil War battle in 1645, between the Parliamentarians, under the command of Sir Thomas Fairfax, and Royalists, under the command of Charles 1st. Over 20,000 men took part in the battle. The Royalist infantry and their remaining cavalry support were driven off in a desperate and disorderly retreat and the scatter of musket balls went across the parish of Sibbertoft and into Clipston fields. A monument was erected almost 180 years later, on the wrong site! A second monument was built in 1936 one mile north of the village. It has been suggested that this is also positioned incorrectly by some five hundred yards, Local tradition claims that in accordance with Cromwell's dying wish, his body was smuggled out of London for secret burial nine feet beneath the surface of the Naseby battlefield.

It is rumoured that King Charles 1st set up his headquarters in a house in Sheep Street Northampton prior to the battle where he was warned, by a ghost, that he would not win a battle by force of arms alone. Although Charles was ready to listen to this warning, he was persuaded by his generals to stay where he was, the rest (as they say) is history.

If you are camping at Naseby why not take time out to visit the monument
Stoke Bruerne Stoke Bruerne can be found about 3 miles east of Towcester and 7 miles south of Northampton just off the A508. The village is well known for its canal boat trips and waterways museum. To the west of the road that links Stoke Bruerne and Blisworth is a series of seven chimney-like structures. They run in a perfect straight line and identify the route of the Grand Union Canal through the Blisworth Tunnel. The tunnel is 3075 yards in length and took more than ten years to construct, it is the longest navigable tunnel on the British Waterways system.

The Eleanor Cross There were originally 12 of these erected by Edward I in 1924. They were erected to mark the spots where the body of his beloved Queen Eleanor rested in its progress from the place of her death, Harby Notts (28th November 1290) to Westminster. The Queen's body rested rested in Northamptonshire for two nights, at Geddington and Hardingstone. Only three of the original crosses now remain - Hardingstone, Geddington and Waltham Cross.
A report from the first meet at Farthingstone. August 2002

As you first drive in; it seems as though there will not be enough room for everyone to park and with some signs of sheep being kept in the field recently first impressions were not good. After looking round you realise it is the shape of the site that is misleading and once pitched we found it to be a lovely peaceful spot with good views and walks.

We were soon off to explore. Turning left out of the site we walked up to the navigation beacon to take a look. Later we walked down into the village which has a small shop and a pub. The pub was a real delight with a marvelous garden packed with plants and ornaments. The gardener obviously has green fingers and a sense of fun. This sense of fun is carried on in the toilets, it would be easy just to spend an hour in here looking at everything.
It is finding places like this that make camping such a delightful hobby.

The village also has a great deal of history. One well kept secret is "Joymead" garden. You could quite easily pass this public garden without realising it is there. You will find it along the main street behind an impressive pair of wrought iron gates. Why not visit the village and see if you can find it.

There are numerous other places of interest in Northamptonshire and hopefully we will be updating this page as time goes on. If you know of somewhere that is worth inclusion please let us know.

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