AWARD-WINNING ECO-EDUCATION FOR WINDERMERE DAY NURSERY CHILDREN

From tending to seasonal vegetables and herbs in their allotment area, to creating habitats for wildlife to encourage garden biodiversity, there are exciting learning opportunities all year round for children at Windermere Day Nursery in Kettering who are receiving an awardwinning eco-education. As a result of their efforts, which include crafting with natural and recycled materials, learning about the impact of pollution in oceans using special water trays and taking part in litter picking initiatives in their local area, pre-schoolers from the Ofstedrated ‘Outstanding’ Day Nursery on Haweswater Road are proud holders of the prestigious ‘Green Flag’ award from Eco-Schools, the highest accolade in the international scheme which is awarded for exceptional environmental awareness and conservation practices. For more information or to register for a place contact the nursery. T: 01536 520075 E: windermere.nursery@childbase.com

17TH SEPTEMBER - CYCLE4CYNTHIA – ENJOY A FUN DAY OUT FOR A WONDERFUL CAUSE

Cynthia Spencer hospice has been supporting individuals with lifelimiting conditions and their families for 47 years. This year Cynthia Spencer celebrate their 20th Cycle4Cynthia event at Holdenby House. It was started 20 years ago by John Pinkham and a group of friends who decided to cycle to raise funds for the hospice. The event has since become a fantastic local event that attracts hundreds of cyclists of all abilities and ages from across the region. As well as more challenging routes, there is a special 5-mile route, created for families with children. A circular route from Holdenby to Church Brampton, is a closed route, free from traffic making it a safe and enjoyable day out for families. It is a fantastic day out so if you want to build your child’s confidence on the road, it’s a great opportunity for some safe cycling. Visit their website for further information or to book the event.

W: www.cycle4cynthia.co.uk

Northampton Town Councilhere To Support You

Northampton Town Council celebrates and supports the town’s residents, makes Northampton bloom, organises a packed calendar of events and proudly empowers communities. They are committed to showcasing local talent, nurturing a cleaner, greener environment and celebrating the town’s diverse culture, creativity and heritage. They organise a variety of free, family focused events and award more than £225,000 a year in grants to local groups. The council is also home to the Mayor of Northampton, honouring a distinct civic history which dates back over 800 years. As the largest town council in the country, they cover a wide geographical area, from Boothville in the north and Rushmills in the south, to Rectory Farm in the east, to Kings Heath in the west, with Northampton town centre at the heart. Follow Northampton Town Council on social media for their latest news and updates.

E: info@northamptontowncouncil.gov.uk

W: www.northamptontowncouncil.gov.uk

Things To Do

If you’ve got lots of days to fill during this long school holiday, we’re here to help! Read on to find out what to do and where to do it! From adventure playgrounds to animal antics, we’re sure you’ll find enough local entertainment to cater for all budgets, interests and British weather conditions, all summer long!

OUTDOOR ADVENTURE AND ENDLESS FUN WITH NORTHAMPTON ACTIVE KIDS!

Northampton Active Kids Club provides a wide range of exhilarating activities that will keep your children active and excited outdoors. They’ll experience the thrill of whitewater tubing and rafting as your little ones navigate through the rushing rapids, creating memories that will last a lifetime. Their paddle sports activities, including kayaking and paddleboarding, offer the perfect opportunity for children to develop their water skills and explore the serene beauty of our local waterways. Adventure awaits at the high ropes course, where young thrill-seekers can test their agility and conquer challenging obstacles. They’ll also have the chance to learn essential survival skills and connect with nature through bushcraft activities, fostering a deep appreciation for the wilderness. With experienced instructors, the club offers an actionpacked and unforgettable experience for your children.

W: www.northamptonactive.com

IT’S TIME FOR SOME FUN IN THE SUN!

Get ready for some Wicksteed Wonder this summer holiday! They’ve got plenty of fun for the whole family this year! Step onto the park and embark on your adventure, with plenty of rides to choose from. This summer they have a fantastic new ride, The Garden Wheel, where you can see the park from new heights! All four zones are open, which include guest favourites the Rocky River Falls, Galaxy Invaders, and Dinosaur Valley. They’re always down for some extra fun, with attractions such as Wicky’s Farmyard, Mini Golf and lots more brilliant events planned! Summer starts at Wicksteed from 20th July to 3rd September with wristbands being £22 and tickets £3 each.

W: www.wicksteedpark.org

PLAN A SUMMER FULL OF FAMILY ADVENTURE AT STANWICK LAKES!

Stanwick Lakes offer fun times ahead! The playground and tower are fully reopened, alongside water play for little ones, lots of sand, and an assault course! Explore more - along the adventure trail - with climbing rocks, rope bridge and zip line. They’ll also have a themed trail with an activity sheet and prize for just £3. Rangerled activities will run on Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout the holidays, including pond-dipping, den-building or a walk with a ranger, bookable via the website. Discover a new roundhouse, watch a Bronze Age boat take shape and walk a new pathway around the barrow - all National Lottery Funded heritage projects. All day parking is REDUCED for summer 2023 - it’s now only £6.30 to park for the whole day (7am-7pm).

W: www.stanwicklakes.org.uk

DINOSAURS THUNDER INTO CORBY FOR A ROARING GOOD TIME!

Visitors to Corby are in for a ‘roar-some’ experience! Over the first three weekends of the summer break, families can enjoy a fun and educational range of dinosaur-themed activities. They include ‘real live’ dinosaurs in the town centre, featuring a Brontosaurus, Spinosaurus, baby dinosaurs and their knowledgeable handlers. Other activities include dinosaur mask-making, facepainting, knowledge trails and library activities. The Entertainer store will also be offering a series of dinosaur-related activities and product displays and there’s also dinosaur VR experiences in local parks to enjoy. The events take place over the weekends of 29th/30th July, 5th/6th & 12th/13th August and all activities are free. Full details can be found on the town centre’s website.

W: www.willowplace.co.uk

*This voucher entitles the bearer half price admission for up to 2 children & 2 adults. Valid 5 days a week, Wednesday-Sunday. Photocopies not accepted. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer.

JUMP ABOARD FOR A WHOLE STEAM-FUL OF FUN THIS SUMMER

Hop aboard the Northampton & Lamport Railway to enjoy some relaxation with the family winding through glorious countryside. Choose a weekend to suit you or book ahead and grab your seat for some of their fantastic events going on this holiday. On Sunday 16th

July & Sunday 6th August, indulge all the senses with a scrumptious

Cream Tea Special - booking is essential for this popular treat! On Sunday 23rd July, Kids ride for a Quid! Children aged 2-16 cost just £1 (under 2s ride free), and you’ll enjoy free parking, goodies from the Buffet, and their fun souvenir shop, open for essential browsing! The annual August Bank Holiday Family bonanza returns on 26th-28th August, bigger and better than before, to keep everyone entertained. Keep an eye on their website for further details.

W: www.nlr.org.uk/whats-on

LEARN SOMETHING NEW AT WESTON FAVELL SHOPPING CENTRE’S SUMMER SKILL SWAP!

Weston Favell Shopping

Centre’s Skill Swap campaign is returning this summer! All ages are invited to take part in the wide range of activities lined up during the holidays. From Monday 31st July through to Saturday 19th August, there will be something new to learn in the North Square located outside the Tesco entrance. Last summer, shoppers enjoyed an African drumming workshop, art classes and a calligraphy session to name just a few of the new skills that were on offer. Discover what is lined up this year at westonfavellshopping.com

Do you have a skill you wish to share with our community?

Please email zoe.butler@weston-favell.com with more information and availability.

UNDER 18S GO FREE AT DELAPRE ABBEY!

A ROOOAAARRRSOME ADVENTURE AWAITS AT WEST LODGE FARM PARK!

Adventurers at the ready - on the 15th &16th July, the dinosaurs will be descending upon West Lodge Farm Park! It’s going to be a Jurassic-fantastic weekend with awesome dinosaurs and their friendly rangers appearing at several times throughout the day. Your entry ticket will include four dinosaur sessions, fossil displays, baby dinosaurs, as well as all the usual farming fun! Enjoy free barrel rides, animal petting sessions, indoor and outdoor playgrounds, piglet and sheep racing, as well as acres of beautiful walks. Optional extras include 9-hole adventure golf, tractor and pony rides, plus places to eat with tasty food and refreshment options to suit! Numbers will be limited for the Dino Weekend - please pre book your ticket to guarantee entry and avoid disappointment.

W: www.westlodgeruralcentre.co.uk

Exceptional value Summer Pass:

Visit West Lodge Farm as many times as you like this summer with their exceptional value Summer Pass. Just £100 for a family of 4 or £30 per person. You also have the option to upgrade the Summer Pass in September to an annual pass which gives you reduced entry to their special events throughout the year such as Halloween, Christmas and Easter!

ADRENALINE-FUELLED FUN WITH KARTING AND MORE AT WHILTON MILL

Keep the kids entertained during the summer holidays with a visit to Whilton Mill Karting & Outdoor Activities. As the UK’s most raced at outdoor go-karting circuit, there’s always something on... but it’s not all about the karting. Of course, karting is one of the most popular activities with ‘arrive and drive’ sessions available for children aged 6 and up from just £25 per driver. If you are planning to organise a birthday party, Whilton Mill offers party packages from £35 per driver, which includes party food and prizes. In addition to karting, they offer junior archery and junior off-road buggies. Make a day of it by including a meal in their fabulous restaurant and cool down with an ice cold slushie! Height, age, and minimum number restrictions apply, please check the website for details.

T: 01327 843822 W: www.whiltonmill.co.uk

Have unforgettable fun at Delapré Abbey where you can explore, touch and play with 900 years of history. Enrich young minds as you visit each room in the historic building, telling the Abbey’s story in an exciting and interactive way for all ages. Take part in a Garden Quiz Trail, unleash your creativity on Family Fun Days and meet costumed characters from the Abbey’s past on various dates throughout the summer holidays. There will also be inflatables on the South Lawn for your little ones to burn off some energy! Keep an eye on the website and social media for the full programme. Delapré Abbey is open to the public on Tuesdays (August only), Wednesdays, Thursdays, Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays between 11am4pm. General admission is £8 for adults with under 18s and annual pass holders free.

W: www.delapreabbey.org

Sun 16th July

Cream Tea Specials

Sun 23rd July

Kids for a Quid

Sun 6th August Cream Tea Specials

26th, 27th, 28th August

Bank Holiday Family Gala - Biggest event of the year!

Booking Now Open for exhibitors, traders & stallholders

Sun 1st October

BIG Kids for a Quid to celebrate Grandparents Day

JOIN FAMILY FAVOURITE ZOG ON A FOREST ADVENTURE AT SALCEY FOREST AND FINESHADE WOOD!

With colourful panels, fun activity pack and an amazing, augmented reality Zog app, follow the interactive trail to find out how your little dragons can help care for the forest, others and themselves. Kids can unleash their imagination and become like Zog by wearing wings and completing exciting challenges to earn golden stars and earn a certificate. They can even take a selfie with Zog.

To find out more visit www.forestryengland.uk/salcey-forest or www.forestryengland.uk/fineshade-wood

Enchanting Events To Delight All The Family At Kelmarsh Hall And Gardens

Kelmarsh Hall and Gardens in Northamptonshire is open to the public until September on set days of the week. There are plenty of activities for all the family! Enjoy the fairy walk in the woodland, discover the ‘Bugapest’ hotel in the walled garden, and explore Victorian working life in the old servants’ quarter and laundry - see if you can find John Jacob’s ghost! On Wednesday 26th July, Kelmarsh will be hosting their annual fairy picnic in the woodland, joined by the bubble fairy providing amazing entertainment. Suitable for all ages - dress up in your favourite fairy, elf or lost boy outfit, and see what magical creatures are down in the woods. No extra charge, usual entrance fee applies.

W: www.kelmarsh.com

HEAD TO THE NATIONAL TRUST THIS SUMMER - JAM-PACKED WITH OUTDOOR GAMES AND EXPERIENCES

Make the most of the longer days, warmer weather, and quality time together as a family with the National Trust’s Summer of Play, sponsored by Starling Bank. In Northamptonshire, enjoy a playful day out at Canons Ashby; make music with natural instruments, spark little imaginations in the play dens and challenge yourself with the balance beams in the wild play corner. Every Tuesday is Nature Explorers with activities connected with nature and the great outdoors including wild art and wildlife spotting. At Lyveden, go wild with Active Animals trails and enjoying plenty of space to burn off steam. Take part in Outdoor Tuesday and Crafty Thursday activities, with a different theme each week! Can you fill out your Lyveden passport for joining in each week?

W: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/leicestershire-northamptonshire

Enjoy The Magic Of Film On The Big Screen This Summer

This summer, get out of the sun and into the cinema at ODEON Kettering. With lots of fun films to look forward to such as The Barbie Movie, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles or The Haunted Mansion, there is something for all ages in the family. Why not go along to one of their Kids Club showings at 10am every day from £4; or for the cheapest tickets to the latest releases, go along on Member Monday with tickets from £6 booked online and no cost to sign up.

W: www.odeon.co.uk/cinemas/kettering

A Summer Of Discovery And Activities At The National Space Centre

Join their Discovery Team to find out more about the origins of our solar system, visit stars, planets, moons, asteroids, comets and even a mission to the red planet that has a Leicester link! They have created a Science Zone for you to drop in and explore (all included in your day entry ticket) so there is something for the whole family to enjoy. See meteorites close up, watch them cook up a comet, make a glow in the dark bracelet, and enjoy their interactive galleries, planetarium and Rocket Tower. This is a family-friendly summer of things-to-do which aim to inspire children, families and communities about space and STEM activities. W: www.spacecentre.co.uk

Youth Clubs Running Across Northamptonshire This Summer

Youth Inspired are delivering a wide range of youth work activities across Northamptonshire over the summer holidays! These include outdoor fun in the park, rounders and sessions in their club managed allotments. Some of the regular clubs also continue to run over the holidays. For more information regarding the summer programme and to find your nearest venue, please contact Sarahnew faces are always welcome!

T: 07422 573625 E: sarah@cypn.org

If you live in or know of an area which may benefit from any of the youth work activities CYPN can offer, then please contact Gemma.

T: 07760 891181 E: gemma@cypn.org

WISTOW MAZE OPENS FOR A FUN-FILLED AND LEARNING ADVENTURE

To highlight the problems facing the world’s marine wildlife, the award-winning Wistow Maze has been designed in the shape of a green sea turtle. The giant 8-acre Maize Maze has a fun Quiz Trail hidden amongst three miles of paths and will feature other endangered animals. Includes an Activity Funyard with mini mazes and games for all ages. Situated opposite Wistow Rural Centre with a cafe, garden centre, model village and shops. Opens from Monday 17th July to Sunday 3rd September daily, and then weekends only until Sunday 17th September.

T: 07884 403889 W: www.wistow.com

SCOOP UP YOUR FAVOURITE TEDDY AND JOIN IN THE FUN AT THE TEDDY BEARS PICNIC!

If you go down to the woods today, you’re sure of a big surprise! Head down to Deene Park, near Corby, on National Play Day taking place on Wednesday 2nd August from 12noon-4pm, for the return of their everpopular Teddy Bears Picnic! Enjoy your picnic next to the lake, meet Mr Teddy Bear, explore the formal gardens with a Teddy Bear Trail, and have fun with friends from Just Karen for storytelling, and sing-a-longs. Pre-booking is essential for this event, and you can go online now to book your tickets!

W: www.deenepark.com

THE SEASIDE COMES TO KETTERING THIS SUMMER!

There’s no need to travel when the sand comes to you! Kettering By The Sea will be in the Market Place from 2nd-26th August from 10am to 4pm, bringing you a taste of the traditional British seaside with a host of free activities. The sandpit will be open six days a week with plenty of fun and games to be had. Get involved and enjoy the splash fountains, magic shows, games, theatre performances, traditional Punch and Judy and much more. So, grab a bucket and a spade, and head down for some summer fun this August (closed on Sundays.)

W: www.ketteringtowncouncil.gov.uk