If you have never consideredNorthamptonshire as a holiday destination youmay want to think again. With more and more

people choosing to stay in the UK this summer,Northamptonshire has much to offer, whateveryou’re into.

Those who like to live at a more leisurely pacecan enjoy a picnic and a stroll through the manycountry parks including Fermyn Woods CountryPark, Irchester and Brixworth Country Park. For amore exhilarating way to experience the primeBritish countryside there are 15 cycle tours tochoose from including The Brampton Valley Way,The Nene Valley Way and The Bluebell Line. Ifyou fancy living the “high life” take the ‘Tree-topwalk’ in Salcey Forest, it’s 20 metres up in thetrees and 300 metres long with look out towersand a rope bridge.

For the culture vultures among you there isan array of cultural heritage events andmodern art galleries on offer. For something abit special take a trip out to FermynwoodsContemporary Art Gallery. This delightful,unusual and intriguing gallery has beendescribed as a “jewel in Northants and inEngland”. Set in beautiful countryside andwith fascinating exhibitions that changethroughout the year you will leave trulyinspired. Other cultural attractionsinclude the Northampton Museum andArt Gallery housing fascinatingfootwear throughout the ages, andthe beautiful Grade 1 listed AbingtonMuseum and Art Gallery. The

county is also home to the biggestconcentration of stately homes

and castles in England. Standing

on the edge of an escarpment giving stunning views over fivecounties and the Welland Valley below, Rockingham Castletakes you on a fascinating journey through history, fromWilliam the Conqueror right through to the SaundersWatson family who live there today. Enjoy 12 acres ofgardens including the rose garden, magnificent wild garden,and the curious “elephant” hedges. There are plenty ofevents lined up this year including open-air theatre, battle re-enactments and a Craft & Food Fair.

For those who choose to live life at a faster pace youwill find all you need in Northamptonshire foradventure and adrenalin. You could find yourself tank

driving at Tanks A Lot in Helmdon, Skydiving at Hinton-in-the-Hedges Skydiving Centre, White Water rafting at NeneWhite Water rafting centre or cycling off road at Get

Further information: www.britainonshow.co.uk

Whittlebury Hallwww.whittleburyhall.co.uk0845 400 0001Whittelbury Hall Say Spa0845 400 0002

Silverstone Racing Experiencewww.silverstone.co.uk08704 588270

Royal & Derngate Theatrewww.royalandderngate.co.ukBox office: 01604 624811

Fermynwoods Contemporary Art Gallerywww.fermynwoods.co.uk01536 373469

Rockingham Castlewww.rockinghamcastle.com01536 770240

Out & AboutMountain Biking. Those with a need for speedwill not be short of stimulation in the home ofBritish Motorsport. Four major racetracks canbe found here including the Silverstone Circuitwhere you can try your hand at Lotus Driving.

With award winning hotels andcountry houses, camping andcaravanning sites, self-catering and

B&B accommodation, you will find the digs tosuit your needs. For those seeking luxury and relaxation, indulge in a stay atWhittlebury Hall; an impressive four-star hotel with three restaurants and leisureand spa facilities. The hotel has 211 spacious double or twin bedrooms and 3 suitesand is located adjacent to the Silverstone Circuit. The award-winning spaincorporates a unique heat and ice experience and facilities include a sanarium, softsteam bath and ice cave. Other facilities include a Hydrotherapy Pool, Roman SaltSteam and a Hamman Steam Chamber. Check the website for more informationand for spa package offers.

Northamptonshire is only an hour from London and is within easy reach of allmajor UK rail/road networks. With stunning countryside, world class action andadventure, culture, history and events throughout the year, Northamptonshirewould be a great choice for your UK holiday.

Win a fantastic theatre break to Northampton

Prize includes a double room with bed & breakfast at HolidayInn Northampton, two tickets to see one of the plays in the

Ayckbourn at 70 season and transfers from the hotelto the Royal & Derngate theatre and back.

Alan Ayckbourn has made anunparalleled contribution to populartheatre, and as he reaches his 70th

birthday, Royal & Derngate celebrates his life andworks, in a season of events including threemajor productions of plays from different periodsin his writing career: Just Between Ourselves 22 May–13June; Private Fears in Public Places 22 June–11 July; andMan of the Moment 27 July to 15 August.

Holiday Inn Northampton is offering a fantastic hotel andtheatre package for the Ayckbourn at 70 festival. For just£99 guests can enjoy a room for two, bed and breakfast, two theatre ticketsand transfers from the hotel to the show.

To book for the hotel and theatre package, call Royal & Derngate on 01604 624811. www.royalandderngate.co.uk www.holidayinn.com/northamptonuk

Music, Comedy, Theatre,Cabaret, Literature, Art,

Film, Poetry, Dance,Children's Art Theatre

The pioneering, award-winningLatitude Festival returns toEngland’s Sunrise Coast foranother spectacular year. Takingplace on 16–19 July, near Suffolk’sstunning seaside town ofSouthwold, organisers FestivalRepublic are promising Latitudewill be the perfect Britishsummer destination.

The open-air Obelisk Arena hasbeen the stage of some epicperformances over the past threeyears and Latitude 2009 will beno different. Lay out your picnicblanket, bask in the sunshine andget down to some of the bestmusic around.

Pet Shop Boys, ReginaSpektor, Grace Jones, Doves,

Editors, Pretendersplus many more

Tickets: Weekend tickets £150plus booking fees • Day ticketsFri, Sat, Sun £60 plus booking fee.Weekend ticket prices include carparking and camping.Days include car parking only.Credit Card line: 0871 231 0821Online:www.festivalrepublic.comwww.seetickets.comwww.latitudefestival.co.uk

Images: © Jon Appleyard

How to enterTo be in with a chance of winning this fantastic prize simply go to

www.choicetravelinfo.com before Friday 3rd July2009 and enter your details under ‘competitions and giveaways’.

Terms and conditions on the website.

Rockingham Castle

Just Between

Ourselves

Private Fears in Public Places

Man of the Moment

Royal & Derngate Theatre

Choice Days Out & Attractions Summer 2009 13