Santa Pod Raceway

The moment you walk onto Santa Pod's tarmac, you know you're somewhere serious about speed. This is a proper drag racing strip, the sort of place where the air shakes when a car launches from the line. Located just outside Northampton, it's been the UK's premier drag racing venue since 1966, and it still draws crowds who come to watch quarter-mile sprints that are done and dusted in under ten seconds.

What you're actually doing here depends on when you visit. Race days are the real draw - you'll stand in the grandstands and feel the ground vibrate as souped-up cars barrel down the strip at eye-watering speeds. The noise alone is worth the trip if you're into that sort of thing. They also run car shows and autotesting events throughout the year, so even when there's no drag racing on, there's usually something happening.

Families with older kids who love cars will find it genuinely exciting. Younger children might find the sitting-and-waiting aspect a bit tedious, and it's honestly not the sort of place you'd bring toddlers expecting entertainment. Petrolheads and motorsport enthusiasts will lose themselves here for hours.

It's free to roam the spectator areas on event days, though you'll want to check their schedule before heading over - this isn't an attraction you just rock up to. Pair it with a stay at Grendon Lakes, just five miles away, and you've got a solid weekend lined up if you're after a bit of speed and adrenaline.