Northants, Leics &amp; Rutland


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-arts-amp-culture">ARTS &amp; CULTURE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2026/04/GIRLSWILL.jpeg" alt="Girls Will Silverstone Museum" class="wp-image-65796" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2026/04/GIRLSWILL.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2026/04/GIRLSWILL-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2026/04/GIRLSWILL-768x511.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>As part of the <a href="https://www.silverstonemuseum.co.uk/whats-on/latest-news/girlswill-campaign-returns-to-silverstone-museum/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Girls Go Free </a>initiative, girls under the age of 16 can enjoy free entry to <a href="https://www.silverstonemuseum.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Silverstone Museum</a> when accompanied by a full paying visitorm (ok it&#8217;s not totally free but that&#8217;s a pretty decent discount). Visitors can explore the Museum’s amazing immersive exhibits, discover the science behind speed and innovation, and learn about the people who have shaped the world of motorsport, all while celebrating the growing role of women within the industry.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="900" height="525" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/02/Nton-museum-atrium-1-1.jpeg" alt="Northampton Museum and Art Gallery" class="wp-image-39902" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/02/Nton-museum-atrium-1-1.jpeg 900w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/02/Nton-museum-atrium-1-1-300x175.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/02/Nton-museum-atrium-1-1-768x448.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Northampton Museum&#8217;s atrium space</figcaption></figure>



<p>One of our favourite hangouts – for its world class shoe collection, if nothing else – <a href="https://www.northamptonmuseums.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Northampton Museum and Art Gallery</a><strong> </strong>houses the largest collections of shoes and shoe heritage in the world, representing Northamptonshire’s historic shoe industry. There are more shoes here than in Carrie Bradshaw’s closet – a whopping 15,000 – plus loads more historic collections, modern art and a fab cafe and shop. Whilst you&#8217;re here, ever wondered what comics and fine art have in common? A new exhibition here, <a href="https://www.northamptonmuseums.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Art and Comics Unwrapped: Exploring the Line Between Comics and Fine Art</a>, dives into the creative process behind comics, revealing how they blend drawing, painting, and even poetry and drawing connections between traditional fine art and the world of comics. Perfect for art lovers, comic fans, and the curious alike. Running until 21 June<strong> </strong>and free to enter.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="651" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2004/03/Leicester-Guildhall.jpg" alt="Leicester Guildhall" class="wp-image-45292" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2004/03/Leicester-Guildhall.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2004/03/Leicester-Guildhall-300x195.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2004/03/Leicester-Guildhall-768x500.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Leicester&#8217;s historic <a href="https://www.leicestermuseums.org/Free-Tours-2026" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Guildhall</a> is the oldest building still in use in the city, &nbsp;dating back 600 years. William Shakespeare is said to have performed here and, as luck would have it, guided tours of the building are free (booking ahead recommended). </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-outdoors">OUTDOORS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/02/BLUEBELLS-FEATURED-1.jpg" alt="Bluebell walks" class="wp-image-39478" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/02/BLUEBELLS-FEATURED-1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/02/BLUEBELLS-FEATURED-1-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/02/BLUEBELLS-FEATURED-1-150x150.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/02/BLUEBELLS-FEATURED-1-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/02/BLUEBELLS-FEATURED-1-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Stretch your legs and grab a dose of fresh spring air &#8211; bluebells are currently in bloom. Want to know where to bathe in blue? <a href="https://northantsleicsrutland.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/walks-near-me/beautiful-bluebell-walks-in-northants-leics-rutland/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Here&#8217;s our guide</a> to where to find them near you and most are completely free to visit. </p>



<p><a href="https://le.ac.uk/botanic-garden" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Leicester Botanic Garden and the Attenborough Arboretum</a>&nbsp;in Oadby are part of the Uni of Leicester and have a strong focus on global biodiversity. Visitors can run about and explore a huge range of plants in the collections from around the world in 16 acres of grounds and greenhouses, with activity sheets available for children to get in on the action. There is free parking on Glebe Road and entry is free to the garden except on some specific days (so do check ahead). </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/08/Stoke-Bruerne-boats.jpg" alt="Stoke Bruerne" class="wp-image-49607" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/08/Stoke-Bruerne-boats.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/08/Stoke-Bruerne-boats-300x225.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/08/Stoke-Bruerne-boats-768x576.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Located canalside (obvs) in a historic corn mill, the free to visit&nbsp;<a href="https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/places-to-visit/stoke-bruerne" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Canal Museum</a>&nbsp;at Stoke Bruerne explores waterways history and culture. You’ll learn about the engineering and construction of the Grand Union Canal, boatbuilding and the industrial and cultural history of the canals. You can even go on a boat trip into the Bilsworth tunnel (for which there is a small fee), the longest navigable tunnel in Europe. Spoooky!</p>



<p>Make the most of sunny days by stomping through our woodlands and countryside. <a href="https://stanwicklakes.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stanwick Lakes</a> boasts a whopping 750 acres of wilderness and nature to explore, as well as a massive adventure playground. Despite its size, this wooden play area blends into the lovely surroundings. It includes water play with small stream and water wheels, a large sand play area, a climbing tower with giant slide, tunnels, stepping stones and a sunken ship. There’s a small fee for the car park, which also offers a yearly membership fee, ideal if you’re a regular visitor.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/04/rutland-water.jpeg" alt="Rutland Water" class="wp-image-45487" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/04/rutland-water.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/04/rutland-water-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/04/rutland-water-768x511.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Saddle up for a family pootle around&nbsp;<a href="https://anglianwaterparks.co.uk/rutland-water-park/cycling" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rutland Water</a>, where there’s a choice of cycling routes around the picturesque lake and neighbouring villages. You can even hire a bike on site if you need to, so no need to load them all up onto the car before you set off, though that’s obviously not free). We did this very route on a hot sunny day last year and loved every minute, especially the pitstops at the Horse and Jockey in Manton and the ice-cream kiosk at Normanton church.</p>



<p>Get pedaling at <a href="https://www.forestryengland.uk/salcey-forest/family-cycle-trail-salcey-forest" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Salcey Forest</a>, where you can cycle along the flat, smooth cycle route, which is great for beginners and novice cyclists. The trails around Salcey Forest are a great way to develop skills and build confidence, so extra good for wee ones who are just getting comfy in the saddle, or even big ones who want to ride their bicycle but don’t want the hassle of navigating road traffic. Again there is a fee for the car park here.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-music">MUSIC</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2026/04/All-Saints.jpg" alt="all Saints church northampton" class="wp-image-65789" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2026/04/All-Saints.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2026/04/All-Saints-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2026/04/All-Saints-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Why not spend your lunch break doing something a little bit out of the ordinary? All Saints&#8217; church in Northampton hosts <a href="https://www.allsaintsnorthampton.co.uk/music_lunchtime-live.php" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lunchtime Live</a>, a regular lunchtime recital series with a diverse range of musicians. The events are renowned for attracting incredible vocalists and musicians performing on a variety of wind and string instruments, piano and organ. Then Leicester Cathedral&#8217;s ever popular <a href="https://leicestercathedral.org/lunchtime-recitals" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lunchtime Recitals </a>help to add a little music to the start of your week with musicians from the city, county, and beyond. Each performance lasts around forty-five minutes, starting at 12.30pm and is free to enjoy, though donations are encouraged to support the work of the Cathedral, with no booking required. Next up on Mon 13 April, The Juliet Consort, a vocal quintet and lute, then on Mon 27 April Emilija Karaliute on Kankles (the national instrument of Lithuania). </p>



<p>You can also enjoy live performances at the <a href="https://www.northamptontowncouncil.gov.uk/bandsinthepark" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Abington Park Bandstand</a> between 2 &#8211; 5pm every Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday from 5 April to 27 September, including traditional brass, silver, concert and wind bands, singers, choirs, party bands, tribute acts and musicians, many hailing from Northamptonshire and the surrounding areas. Bring your own chairs,<strong> </strong>picnic blankets and relax within the picturesque surroundings of Abington Park. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-want-more-like-this-try-these">Want more like this? Try these</h2>



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I’m free! 10 things to do near you this month – and they’re all FOC

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