When it comes to keeping the kids happy, Northamptonshire comes into its own. From rural farm centres to hands-on museums, from pleasure parks to leisure centres, it offers a wide range of activities and interests for every age. And some of its delights are totally unique – try Rockingham Motor Speedway (the only one of its kind in the country), or Jeyes on the Square.

1 JEYES ON THE SQUARE, EARL'S BARTON
Close to Earl's Barton church is Jeyes on the Square. At first it might appear to be just a chemist outlet with an attached gift shop. But it's much more than that.
What started as a pharmacy (owned by a member of the Jeyes family, of Jeyes Fluid fame) grew and grew, as first the gift shop was added, then a café ('Apothocoffee'!). A doll and doll's house franchise was closing down, so Jeyes took it over. The Earl's Barton Museum of Rural Life was under threat – so Jeyes adopted it. A small collection of Jeyes family memorabilia was added, as was an exhibition of the Northants Miniaturist Society's fascinating tableaux. When the village's last remaining banking outlet was set to close, Jeyes took it on so you will also find Market Harborough Building Society here as well. There is just so much to see here, it's enough to keep children of all ages happy.

2 DANES CAMP LEISURE POOL
Northampton has three main leisure centres. The best for general leisure use, and for children, is undoubtedly the Danes Camp Leisure complex at Hunsbury, just south of the town centre.
At the heart of the complex is its excellent pool – large and irregularly shaped, with a small water slide for younger children and a flume. There's also a cloud that periodically rains cold water onto the those beneath it, a mushroom that provides a continuous cylinder of falling water, and a poolside jacuzzi.
Elsewhere in the complex is a gym, squash courts, a climbing wall, fitness classes and sun beds. So you can either take part in a variety of fitness activities with your older children, or go it alone and leave younger children in the on-site crèche.

3 BILLING AQUADROME
Billing Aquadrome consists of 235 acres of parkland, which contains nine lakes, a funfair, a jet-ski lake, a miniature railway and a go-kart track. In addition, it has a marina, a touring caravan park and static holiday homes, plus food outlets, a supermarket, public houses, shops, and caravan and boating sales outlets.
Thousands of water birds inhabit the lakes. Fishing is allowed here and on the River Nene, apart from one small section. There's a visitor centre just inside the main entrance and toilet blocks and picnic areas are liberally dotted around.
The front end of the park is due for refurbishment, so check which facilities are open before arrival.

4 KETTERING HERITAGE QUARTER
Kettering Heritage Quarter is the umbrella title for the town's Manor House Museum and the Alfred East Art Gallery. Admission to both – and to the very pleasant gardens that stand between them – is free.
The Heritage Quarter puts on excellent temporary exhibits, often allied to elated children's 'make and take' activities (for a nominal charge of 50p), and re-enactments. For example, until 26 March 2005, an Egyptian exhibition, with interactive exhibits, worksheets and artefacts, will be the basis of activities during school half-term and Easter holidays. From the beginning of April to the beginning of July, it's the turn of 'The Tudors' – a continuous display, with lots of related activities, and, on Saturday 21 May, re-enactments. Archeological collections, fine art exhibitions and photography are also on display.

5 WICKSTEED PARK
Just outside Kettering and set in 147 acres of parkland, Wicksteed Park is an outdoor leisure centre that is organised into six main areas. Closest to the main gate, the Playground and the Fairground offer a wide variety of rides and amusements – from crazy golf to laser tag, and panning-for-gold to a pirate ship ride.
Refreshment and retail outlets with a bandstand and sunken gardens can be found at the Pavilion. Across the park is the Lakeside, with boats, aviaries, a water chute, a seal enclosure and a small monorail. You can also take a cruise on the lake. Further rides and amusements can be found at 'The Arena'. Dotted around the park are nature trails, a fishing lagoon, pitch and put, and various picnic spots.
Wicksteed Park was established in 1913 and was Britain's first leisure park. It now attracts some 1.25 million visitors a year.

6 WEST LODGE RURAL CENTRE
Set in rolling countryside near Desborough, west of Corby, West Lodge Rural Centre is a farm-based attraction that offers a gentle day out for parents with younger children.
The main draw is of course the animals, which include sheep, goats, pigs, rabbits, guinea pigs, ducks, pheasants and lots more besides. There's a 'cuddle corner' where children can make friends with young animals, a wood with a witch's house, a fairy dell and osier (willow) beds. Also likely to be a big hit are the indoor and outdoor play areas, and mini tractor-trailer rides. Throughout the year there are special events – such as lambing during February half term, and sheep shearing at Whitsun.
A shop, a tea room and a licensed restaurant complete the facilities needed for a good day out.

7 ROCKINGHAM MOTOR SPEEDWAY
Northampton has a unique attraction, the American style Motor Speedway track at Rockingham. At the centre of what's on offer are the 'Thunder Sunday at the Rock' days, which take place on the first Sunday of every month from May to October.
A combination of fast track racing (cars doing 60 laps of the track at speeds of up to 170 mph), pick-up truck racing, top pop music acts on the 'Smash! Hits @ Rockingham Stage' (Peter Andre, Lemar, and Girls Aloud to name but a few recent performers), a variety of air displays, stunts, skateboarding and BMXing on 'Adrenaline Alley', and a fairground: 'Thunder Sundays' offer something for everyone.