Barby Sporting Club

Rugby's the thing at Barby Sporting Club, a no-frills venue just outside Daventry where the local side plays. If you're staying at one of the nearby caravan parks - EWE Glamping or Manor Farm are both close by - and you fancy catching a match on a Saturday afternoon, it's a solid way to soak up some proper grassroots sport. The ground itself is functional rather than fancy, the kind of place where you'll hear proper rugby chat and actually see the game unfold without corporate hospitality getting in the way.

It's mainly for rugby enthusiasts, really. Families with kids who play the game might enjoy it, especially younger ones who find the big stadiums overwhelming. You're looking at a couple of hours for a match, plus time for a pre-game pint at the clubhouse if there's one. The atmosphere tends to be friendly enough - local crowd, no aggro.

Best time to go is during the rugby season, October through April, when fixtures are regular. Worth ringing ahead to check match schedules before you trek over from your holiday park. On non-match days, it's not really worth a special trip unless you're keen on training sessions or club events. The surrounding area around Daventry has better attractions if the weather's decent and you want to do something beyond sports - though if you're staying at Stanford Hall or nearby, you've got history on your doorstep anyway. Barby's the sort of place you tick off if you're rugby mad, not if you're after scenic strolls.