West Northamptonshire

A first visit to West Northamptonshire usually starts with a walk around one of its market towns before heading out to the surrounding villages and country houses. Daventry makes a good base, with its reservoir and easy access to the wider countryside, while smaller villages give you a quieter, slower-paced few days. If motor racing brought you here, Silverstone's presence is felt across the area, and a Racing Retreat stay puts you close to the action.

Most visitors base themselves in one of the self-catering cottages scattered around the county rather than in the towns themselves. Properties like Farndon Grange, Freestone House and Queens Manor sit out in the countryside, while others such as Birch Hollow, Grace and Jasmine Cottage suit couples or families wanting somewhere smaller and closer to a village centre. Heron Lodge is another good option if you want space to spread out after a day of sightseeing.

History is one of the strongest reasons to come here. Canons Ashby House, a National Trust property, gives a real sense of the grand houses this part of the county is known for, and a morning there pairs well with an afternoon exploring Brampton Grange or one of the smaller estates nearby. Beyond the big houses, the appeal is really in pottering between villages, stopping at churches and pubs, and taking in the gentle Northamptonshire landscape.

Whether you come for the racing, the history, or simply a few days in the Northamptonshire countryside, the combination of well-placed cottages and a genuinely varied restaurant scene makes it easy to fill a short break here without much planning.