Towcester Museum

Roman coins glinting under display lights hint at Towcester's ancient past as the Roman settlement of Lactodorum. This local museum, housed in what was once the town's Victorian workhouse, tells the story of Britain's oldest continuously inhabited town with proper enthusiasm for the detail that matters.

History buffs will find themselves lingering over the Roman artefacts and medieval finds, while the social history displays capture life in a market town that's seen everything from coaching inns to motor racing. The Victorian workhouse angle adds a sobering dimension - you can still sense the institutional weight of the building itself.

Families with curious children should allow about an hour, though younger ones might find the displays a bit static after the initial wow factor of ancient pottery. The museum feels very much like a labour of love from local volunteers who clearly know their stuff.

With Silverstone so close by, it makes a decent rainy day alternative for families staying at nearby sites like Hamilton Fields Campsite or Silverstone Farm Campsite. The contrast between modern motor racing and Roman roads is rather fitting - Towcester has always been about getting from A to B efficiently. Just check opening times before you go, as smaller museums like this can be unpredictable with their hours.