From chocolate box villages to historic gems, Northamptonshire is brimming with places to see.
We’ve scoured the rolling countryside to find a dozen pretty villages in and around the town that are perfect for an afternoon out.
Whether it’s a pub lunch, a spot for a picnic or a stroll by the river, all 12 of our local villages are a must-visit.
Do YOU know of a great place we’ve missed? Email [email protected].
5. Maidford
The small hamlet of Maidford had a population of just 168 but was once the centre of local lace making in Victorian times. It retains the pretty charms of its bygone past. Photo: NA
6. Grafton Regis
A hamlet south of Northampton en route to Milton Keynes, Grafton Regis is famous for its role in the Wars of the Roses as the seat of the Woodville family, who are commemorated in the parish church (pictured). It is served by the White Hart pub. Photo: NA
7. Wootton
The former village of Wootton may have been subsumed by Northampton, but its village green and Grade I-listed Church of St George The Martyr are a delight to behold. Photo: NA
8. Yardley Hastings
Yardley Hastings is located southeast of Northampton on the main A428 road to Bedford, an ancient village with innumerable stone buildings of antiquity. Photo: NA