Brixworth Country Park Playground

Honestly one of the better spots near Northampton for a proper family day out. The playground itself is enclosed, which is a relief when you’ve got little ones, and there’s a solid mix of slides, swings, and a climbing structure to keep them busy for a good while. Picnic tables and benches mean you can actually sit down and eat without balancing food on your lap, and the cafe nearby saves you if you’ve forgotten to pack enough. What really makes it though is the setting — you’re right by Pittsford Water, so the views across the reservoir are genuinely lovely while the kids do their thing. There’s even a bike track if yours are at that age where they want to be pedalling everywhere.