Fairfax's Viewpoint

The view from Fairfax's Viewpoint stops you dead. On a clear day you can see right across Northamptonshire's rolling landscape - proper expansive stuff that makes you remember why you left the motorway. It's a straightforward spot: a high vantage point that does exactly what it says on the tin. Worth a twenty-minute stop if you're in the area, though don't expect facilities or crowds.

Walkers and landscape photographers get the most from this one. You're looking at fields, distant villages, and that gentle dip and rise of East Midlands terrain that builds character slowly rather than shouting about it. Bring binoculars if you're interested in picking out landmarks - spotting Northampton itself in the haze becomes a proper game. Families with young kids might find it a bit of a one-note visit unless they're keen on the walking itself.

Since it's open to the elements year-round and appears to be free, timing matters. Spring or early autumn beats the winter drizzle, and you'll want to go mid-morning when the light's behind you rather than at dusk when everything goes flat and grey. If you're staying at one of the nearby sites - Lakeview Glamping is less than a mile away, or Buttercup Meadow if you're touring with a van - it makes an easy morning walk before breakfast or a quiet end-of-day detour. Don't bank on it being the highlight of your trip, but as a breath of open air between two proper activities, it works.