Wicksteed Park Model Boat Pond

The Model Boat Pond sits at the heart of Wicksteed Park, just outside Kettering, and it's genuinely one of those spots that stops you in your tracks. You'll find yourself watching a dozen or more remote-controlled boats cutting through the water with surprising speed and precision - some look like tiny warships, others are sleek racing models that zip across the pond in seconds.

It's the sort of place that appeals most to families with younger kids and boat enthusiasts who actually know what they're looking at. A good forty minutes to an hour is realistic if you're not one of those devotees who'll stand there all afternoon timing lap times. The pond itself isn't large, but it's well-maintained and the surrounding park grounds mean you're never just standing at a muddy edge.

The whole Wicksteed Park experience ties in nicely with a wider holiday in the area - it's free to wander the park itself, and if you're based at Lakeview Caravan Park just three miles away, it makes for a solid afternoon activity. Fair warning: the boat pond isn't quite a destination in itself. It works best as part of a broader visit to the park's other attractions, which include a playground and miniature railway. Go mid-week if you can - weekends get a bit crowded with families.

Worth the trip if you're already in Northamptonshire? Absolutely. Worth driving an hour out of your way solely for the boats? Probably not.