Corby

Corby sits in the north of Northamptonshire, on ground that was quarried for iron ore long before it became known as a steel town. That industrial past shaped the place, giving it a flatter, more built-up centre than the surrounding countryside, which rolls away into woodland and gentle farmland once you head out towards Fineshade. It's a working town rather than a picture-postcard one, and its appeal lies in that contrast: a modern centre with an outdoor pool and boating lake close by, and proper woodland a short drive away.

Most visitors stay at the chain hotels near the main roads into town, such as the Hampton by Hilton, Holiday Inn Corby Kettering A43, or the Premier Inn, all straightforward bases for exploring. For something with more character, The Raven Hotel offers an inn stay, Spanhoe Lodge and Swallows Barn are B&B options with a quieter, more rural feel, and The Saxon Crown gives you a Wetherspoon's reliability in the centre. If you'd rather be under canvas, Fineshade Wood has the area's campsite, tucked into the trees a little way outside town.

Fineshade Woods themselves are the big draw for anyone wanting fresh air and space, with walking trails through mixed woodland that feel a world away from the town centre. Corby Boating Lake offers a gentler, waterside spot for a wander. For activity-driven days out, Adrenaline Alley and Gravity Active Corby cater to skaters and climbers, Iron Pit Woods Adventure taps into the town's industrial-era landscape for outdoor adventure, and Odyssey VR gives a very different, screen-based alternative when the weather turns. Families with younger children tend to head for Cheeky Monkees, while swimmers can use the Corby International Swimming Diving Pool, a proper facility for a town of this size.

Eating out in Corby leans towards the easy and varied rather than the fine-dining end of things. Ali Baba Pizza & Kebab House and Drop-in Diner are the sort of no-fuss spots you'd want after a day outdoors, Crust N Crumb covers baked goods and lighter bites, and Cafe Royale Bistro offers a step up for a sit-down meal. The Beefeater at Oakley Hay is a solid choice near the hotels for a familiar menu, while Brudenell Estates' Tea Rooms and the Autumn Centre are gentler options for a break between sightseeing.

Altogether, Corby works well as a base for a couple of days rather than a single afternoon: enough woodland and water to fill the daylight hours, enough activity centres to keep families entertained, and enough places to eat and sleep that you're not short of options once you're done exploring.