Things To Do
Kettering is a thriving market town located just off the A14 and in the heart of North Northamptonshire, with plenty of things to do. In the town you will find a wide variety of shops and restaurants, a vibrant nightlife and fun family activities at local attractions, including the country’s first theme park, Wicksteed Park. The local area also provides beautiful rolling countryside and quaint villages to visit and there is an extensive range of accommodation to help you make the most of your time in North Northamptonshire.
Whether you’re staying a while, or just visiting for a day, there’s plenty to do in Kettering!
Wicksteed Park
Wicksteed Park is a fun family day out and home to over 30 attractions and a 147 acre park. One of the oldest theme parks in the UK, Wicksteed Park is a place where you can ride, explore, camp, celebrate, play, eat and shop.
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Boughton House
Boughton House is one of Britain’s grandest and best-preserved stately homes, often referred to as the ‘English Versailles’. As well as the splendours of the House, you can also enjoy the 18th-century landscaped gardens, woodlands and a grand country park.
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Kettering Museum & Art Gallery
The Manor House Museum and Alfred East Art Gallery are full of temporary exhibitions and regular activities which show what makes Kettering unique. Covering the history of the Borough, the Museum is packed with fascinating objects including archaeology, natural history, geology, and costume. The Alfred East Gallery has a regular series of changing exhibitions by local artists, as well as a permanent collection gallery displaying the work of Sir Alfred East, T. C. Gotch and others.
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Kettering\’s Cultural Quarter
The Cultural Quarter can be found to the south of the town centre including the newly regenerated Market Street, Sheep Street and Market Place, which features a variety of independent shops, bars, restaurants and cafes. Make sure you check out The Yards, a unique and quirky shopping area off Market Street.
Rushton Triangular Lodge
This delightful triangular building and English Heritage site was designed by Sir Thomas Tresham (father of one of the Gunpowder Plotters) and constructed between 1593 and 1597. It is a testament to Tresham’s Roman Catholicism: the number three, symbolising the Holy Trinity, is apparent everywhere. There are three floors, trefoil windows and three triangular gables on each side.
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Kettering Conference Centre
Kettering Conference Centre is a high quality conference venue and multi-functional sports centre in an excellent location with brand new modern facilities. The venue plays host to the 560 seat Lighthouse Theatre which and is also the location of Volleyball England’s National Volleyball Centre, and indoor play centre Kids Play.
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Desborough
Desborough is a rapidly expanding and changing town characterised by its roots in the spinning and weaving industry. It is currently home to over 10,500 people with new homes and industry being developed to the north of the town centre. Nearby attractions include Rushton Hall, the Triangular Lodge and West Lodge Farm. The very popular general market is held every Thursday.
Rothwell
A quaint, historic, bustling market town, Rothwell is home to over 7,500 residents. Renowned for landmarks such as its Market House and the Arts and Heritage Centre, Rothwell attracts numerous visitors to the town each year. Rothwell has a great community spirit with a variety of independent shops and restaurants which draw people into the town. The town’s Monday market proves a popular event.
Burton Latimer
Burton Latimer has a range of shops, restaurants and small businesses catering for the needs of the local community and beyond. The town also hosts a farmers market on the first Saturday of every month in the towns Millennium Garden where you can buy fresh, locally sourced produce. You’ll find the first wind farm in Northamptonshire consisting of 19 turbines, producing enough electricity to power around 21,000 homes annually.
Kettering Town Football Club
Kettering Town FC play their home games at Latimer Park in Burton Latimer and participate in the Southern League Premier Division, the seventh tier of English football. Kettering were the first British team to wear sponsorship upon their shirts in 1976, the first club to have their initials in their floodlights at their previous Rockingham Road ground, and are also the leading FA Cup goalscorers of all time.
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West Lodge Rural Centre
An open farm and garden centre based around a working family farm in Desborough. You’ll find cows, sheep, goats, pigs, poultry and horses as well as rabbits and guinea pigs in cuddle corner. 3 miles of nature trails, take walkers through 70 acres of conservation award winning farmland containing interactive sculptures. Various events are held throughout the year including lambing, Easter egg hunts, treasure trails, sheep shearing, harvest festival, Halloween and Christmas. Indoor and outdoor play areas are available.
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Kettering Golf Club
The oldest golf club in the county, this members course extends a warm welcome to visitors. The parkland course has matured to keep their members on their toes week in and week out, whilst allowing young and novice players to enjoy and perfect their game, producing several youngsters who have gone on to become professionals, including their latest success, Charley Hull.
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Northamptonshire, Britain\’s Best Surprise
Every year Northamptonshire welcomes over 20 million visitors to the county.
For surprising Northamptonshire tourism information please visit:
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Why not check out the TripAdvisor Top Ten Things to Do in Kettering for ideas and inspiration
