Day out near Foxton Locks Lodges

Foxton Locks

Foxton Locks is a popular local tourist attraction just 15 minutes’ walk from the log cabins. Foxton Locks is made up of the largest flight of locks on the English canal system. It’s fascinating to watch the narrow boats navigate their way from top to bottom (or visa versa) through the ten locks, which are all manually operated by the boatsmen. The surrounding area is full of a diverse range of wildlife from ducks, herons, rare breeds and many more. Once you’ve taken in the wonders of the locks you must take some time to visit the fascinating museum (located in the former boiler house for the incline plane’s steam engine), the well-stocked gift shop or take a boat trip down the canal. After all these activities what better way to unwind that to have a cream tea, pint or even a meal at one of the two canal side pubs; The Foxton Locks Inn or Bridge 61.   15 minutes walk

Rutland Water

Rutland Water is an internationally famous nature reserve located on the outskirts of the historic market town of Oakham. The reservoir is one of the largest man-made lakes in Europe, set in 3,100 acres of land. The reservoir is a popular sports centre with a wide range of activities on offer, including sailing, windsurfing, fishing and walking and cycling round the 25-mile perimeter track. There is also a pleasure cruiser, which carries people around the lake taking in all the local wildlife and historic monuments. The reservoir is also extremely popular with birdwatchers and is home to the Anglian Bird Watching Centre.   25 minutes drive

Wistow Maze

Winner of Leicestershire’s “Best Visitor Attraction”. Wistow Maze is located in the small hamlet of Wistow just a few miles north of Market Harborough. Wistow Maze offers a great day out for all the family. The maze is one of the country’s largest maize mazes, set in 8 acres of living maize and sunflower crop. The maize incorporates bridges and viewing towers which provide stunning panoramic views of the maze and beautiful surrounding countryside . Once you have found your way out of the maze you can head to the Wistow Rural Centre, located directly opposite. This has a range of gift shops, cafes, a farm shop, a garden centre and a model village with working trains! The Rural Centre is open all year round and will appeal to all ages.   15 minutes drive

National Space Centre

Located in the heart of the Midlands, the National Space Centre is positioned just outside Leicester City Centre and is a very easy drive from Foxton Locks Lodges. The National Space Centre is the UK’s largest visitor attraction dedicated to space and space exploration, welcoming around a quarter of a million visitors each year. The National Space Centre appeals to all age groups and has a variety of attractions. It features hands on interactive exhibits, simulated space missions, real rockets, workshops, a 360 degree space theatre and the UK’s largest planetarium.   20 minute drive

Mini Meadows Farm Park

Mini Meadows Farm Park: Set in 12 acres of the rolling Northamptonshire countryside in the village of Welford, is Mini Meadows Farm a lovely little children’s farm boasting a large array of cute, not so cute, small and not so small farm animals, so come and see what they have to show you. Visitors both young an old get enormous pleasure from meeting the animals. For many it’s a way of transforming pictures they see in books into a living experience.   15 minute drive

Rockingham Castle

Rockingham Castle is located in Rockingham Forest just above the picturesque village of Rockingham in Northamptonshire. The castle is a former royal castle and has since been in the same family for 450 years. There are plenty of things to see and do at the castle including as castle tour, open gardens, a gift shop, tea room and a castle gallery. They also hold a few events throughout the year, such as battle re-enactments. The castle and garden are unfortunately not open to the public on Saturdays.   20 minutes drive

Althorp House

Althorp House, the burial place of Princess Diana, is a stately home located in the rolling Northamptonshire countryside just five miles north of Northampton. The house is open to the public for the months of July to August and all profits go to Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Fund. There is plenty to do on the estate including a walk to the house down a tree-lined avenue and a newly remodeled open garden. In the house you can explore 19 rooms including some of the family’s private rooms. The house boasts one of Europe’s finest private collections of furniture, painting and ceramics.   35 minutes drive

Kelmarsh Hall

Kelmarsh Hall is an elegant 18th century country house set in the rolling Northamptonshire countryside, located approximately five miles south of Market Harborough. The Hall and award winning Gardens are open to the public from April through to September each year. They have an excellent tea room serving morning coffee, lunch and afternoon tea.   10 minutes drive

Cottesbrooke Hall

Cottesbrooke Hall is an 18th century house set in delightful award-winning gardens in rural Northamptonshire, just north of Northampton. The house and gardens are open to the public from 2 May to 27 September. Tours of the house are led by expert guides showing off the house’s exceptional family portraits, making the visit a truly unique experience. The award-winning gardens surround the house and are laid out as a series of planted ‘rooms’ and are well worth a visit.   20 minutes drive

Battle of Naseby

Just a 15-minute drive away from Foxton Locks Lodges, the site of the Battle of Naseby is well worth a visit. After Hastings and the Battle of Britain, Naseby was arguably the most important and decisive battle ever fought in England. The site is easily accessible and it is easy to gain a good feel for the character of the landscape.

  15 minutes drive

Boughton House

Boughton House is a beautiful 16th Century House and is now the home of the 10th Duke of Buccleugh. The house is located just north of Kettering and is approximately a 20 minute drive from Foxton Locks Lodges. The house offers a staggering collection of treasures and the gardens offer rich variety and beauty. There is also a tea room and gift shop on site. The house is open throughout the whole of August and various Saturdays throughout the year.   20 minutes drive

Kilworth Springs Golf Club

Kilworth Springs Golf Club is open to the public as well as members and is a beautiful course overlooking the stunning Avon Valley in Leicestershire. The Club boasts greens to USGA specification and is renowned as one of the driest courses in the Midlands. Kilworth Springs Golf Club is open 364 days of the year and truly is a golf course for all seasons.   10 minutes drive

Armourgeddon

Armourgeddon is located just a ten minute drive from Foxton Locks Lodges in the heart of Leicestershire. Armourgeddon enables you to drive a 17.5 tonne tank in a paintball battle. As well as tanks it is possible to drive other military vehicles over courses set around a World War II bombing range. Other activities range from woodland paintballing, air rifle shooting, archery, quad safari, quad assault, clay pigeon shooting and hovercraft.   10 minutes drive

Kibworth Shooting Ground

Kibworth Shooting Ground is Leicestershire’s premier shooting facility for clays, air guns, rifle and rural recreation. Located in 30 acres of rural South Leicestershire, Kibworth shooting ground is famous for its friendly atmosphere, shooting facilities and excellent multi-activity packages themed on military, team building, corporate fun or parties for that special occasion. Their qualified instructors can provide private or group tuition for the novice or highly experienced shooter in any discipline.   5 minutes drive

Brampton Valley Way

Connecting Market Harborough and Northampton via a high quality traffic-free cycle path through the stunning Leicestershire and Northamptonshire countryside, the Brampton Valley Way provides the perfect opportunity for a family day out. The route follows one of the longest dismantled railway paths in the country. Along this railway line there is a series of tunnels which add a bit of excitement to the cycle ride as these are approximately 500 m long with no light, except a ventilation shaft in the middle – Beware these tunnels are pitch black so make sure you are prepared!   5 minutes drive, 20 minutes cycle

Market Harborough

The picturesque, busy market town of Market Harborough is just a short five minute drive from Foxton Locks Lodges. The town offers the ideal place to head for a range of well-known high street shops, independent boutiques and a range of restaurants and pubs. The town is steeped in history with the St Dionysious Church and old Grammer School located in the centre of the town. Browse boutiques selling handmade jewellery, handbags, designer clothing and antiques. After you’re all shopped out, stop off at one of the cafes, restaurants or pubs to relax and unwind.   5 minutes drive

Oakham

Oakham is in the County of Rutland. Rich in history and character, Oakham is now a bustling market town less than half an hour’s drive from Foxton Locks Lodges. Oakham market takes place every Wednesday and Saturday in the centre of the town. There is a wide variety of stalls selling fruit & veg, fish and cheeses, bread, clothes, household goods and plants. There are plenty of other unique shops in Oakham that are open throughout the week.

  25 minutes drive

Uppingham

Uppingham is Rutland’s smaller picturesque market town that has a wealth of history and a host of excellent shops. The town’s weekly market is held on a Friday. Uppingham is blessed with a range of speciality shops and traditional retailers, many of which are still family owned and run. You can also find great places to eat around the town, catering for a range of tastes and pockets! From traditional country inns to cosy English tea rooms, you’ll find something to tempt your taste buds.   20 minutes drive

Stamford

Stamford is located in the county if Lincolnshire and is well worth a visit. It is an easy drive along the A47. The town has a beautiful medieval town centre with historic stone and timber framed buildings. The town has been the backdrop for many period dramas and is home to the famous Burghley House which accommodates the annual Burghley Horse Trials in September. The town also has very good restaurants and a wealth of shops from little boutiques to well known high street chains.   40 minutes drive

Melton Mowbray

Melton Mowbray is located in the heart of the East Midlands in the county of Leicestershire and is well known for its world famous Pork Pies and Stilton Cheese. It is a popular and lively place to visit, especially on market days which date back over 1000 years.   35 minutes drive