Irchester Narrow Gauge Railway Museum

The railway line that once hauled ironstone out of Irchester is long gone, but someone had the good sense to preserve a chunk of it. You get vintage narrow-gauge locomotives, a handful of restored carriages, and enough track to actually ride on - which beats staring at static exhibits in a shed. The whole setup feels genuinely lived-in rather than museum-sterile, with volunteer staff who actually know their stuff.

It's worth a couple of hours if you've got any interest in industrial heritage or just fancy a short train ride through the Northamptonshire countryside. Kids under ten will probably enjoy it more than teenagers, though the hands-on element keeps it from feeling like a slog. The rides themselves are short but proper fun.

Location-wise you're between Northampton and Wellingborough, which makes it an easy addition to a broader park holiday in the area. Sywell Country Park and Grendon Lakes are both close enough for a combined day out - knock around a lake in the morning, potter about the railway in the afternoon. Overstone Lakes is another option if you're staying that way.

Free to walk round and have a look, though the train rides cost a few quid. Best visited on a weekend when the volunteers are running the trains. Summer is obvious, but honestly a dry autumn afternoon works just as well and you'll dodge the school holiday crowds.