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The great outdoors
Northamptonshire is known for its rolling green fields and lush open spaces.
Here we take a look at some of the country parks we have on offer.
Fineshade Woods
Fineshade Woods could well be Northamptonshire's best-kept secret.
It is perhaps best known as the place where the once near-extinct red kite was reintroduced. Now Top Lodge at Fineshade has become a breeding centre for the bird of prey.
But with a new 1m visitor centre, featuring a cafe, information boards and education rooms, people are starting to go to Fineshade to enjoy its woodland walks and open space.
Martyn Shearing and his wife Anne, of Sleaford, visited Fineshade during a holiday at the caravan park close to the woods.
Mr Shearing said: "We never expected anything like this. It's beautiful."
Top Lodge, the 1m eco-centre, used local and natural materials and renewable energy technology to develop the existing 18th century buildings into a state-of-the-art visitor centre.
Sheep's wool has been used as roof insulation material, rain water is used to flush the toilets and there is a wood-fuel heating system supplied from the surrounding forest.
Outside there are more than 26 kilometres of cycle trails and walks through the forest, with interpretation boards outlining the history of the forest.
Fineshade Woods visitor and community services manager Susan Taylor said: "First and foremost we are an ancient woodland within the whole Rockingham Forest area. The trees themselves are ancient oaks and ashes mixed with conifers."
She said: "Our birdlife is vast and wide and specifically people know Fineshade for the red kites. We also have very good archaeological roots and we have put up signs and are holding events and demonstrations to make the most of this. We think we have the whole package of conservation and history, plus it's just a really nice place."
So what does the future hold?
Miss Taylor said: "We now want people to come and use it.
"In the longer term the play area is not very big so we would like to expand what we have got and there is potential to do more work on the big barn so we can make more use of it for education."
Irchester Country Park
Irchester Country Park is often dubbed the real jurassic park.
One of the oldest country parks in the UK, Irchester still has signs of its heritage. As well as the old ironstone quarry, the park is home to a narrow gauge railway.
But this is not the only reason why thousands of people flock to Irchester every year.
Irchester Country Park has a unique combination of open meadows and woodland walks that make it the perfect place for dog walkers, cyclists and families alike.
Royal Meadow is an ideal spot for a Sunday afternoon kickabout or a family picnic, with a children's play area nearby.
For the thrillseekers among us, the Jungle Parc high-rope adventure course opened this year, where you can glide through the trees on rope bridges, zip lines and cargo nets.
The park is also a great place to spot wildlife. Walking through the woods you are sure to hear the "laugh" of the green woodpecker and may even be lucky enough to spot a muntjac deer.
The park attracts around 300,000 visitors a year and is in the middle of its busiest season.
Ranger Helen Tims said: "We are very much a dog walking park and we are seeing more and more families.
"We get lots of young adults on bikes or playing football, young children come with their parents for picnics and senior citizens come here for a stroll or to sit on the benches."
Irchester is one of six country parks run by Northamptonshire County Council.
Helen said: "We have an exciting year planned. The county council has decided to keep control of its country parks and is now pumping funding into them.
"We are seeking to get a cafe here. We are also hoping to get a new children's play area which will be an additional play area and cover more of an age range of children."
Gerald Hinds, who regularly walks his dog at Irchester Country Park, said: "I think we are very lucky to have a park like this on our doorstep."
Stanwick Lakes
Stanwick Lakes was created out of 240 hectares of disused gravel pits.
When Hanson Aggregates quarried the last load of gravel in 2004, the lakes were transformed into a unique park and wildlife reserve.
It has become one of the best visitor attractions in East Northamptonshire as well as being an internationally recognised bird watching spot.
Sitting alongside the A45, Stanwick Lakes offers a mix of walking and cycling trails, children's play areas and picnic spots.
It also has a number of bird hides to make the most of the birdwatching opportunities the lakes offer.
Ranger Jacquie Grocott said: "We attract a wide sector of the community to Stanwick Lakes.
"We get everyone from people with young children to adults who come here to run or cycle. Then, of course, there is the wildlife side as well.
"It has really taken off as a visitor attraction. It particularly attracts a lot of disabled people because it is quite flat and easy to get around on the paths. Also, because we are a new attraction that helps."
So what is it that makes Stanwick Lakes different from other places in Northamptonshire?
Miss Grocott said: "Our three big play areas certainly make us popular with families, but it is also the mix of being a park and a wildlife reserve that gives us something a bit different.
"The idea really is to offer something that everyone might like."
Stanwick Lakes has a network of more than seven miles of footpaths and cycle paths.
There is also a four-mile linear walk along the former railway line from Irthlingborough to Thrapston which can be used by horseriders on a permit basis.
Its adventure playground is a big hit with younger visitors and the wooden structure blends into the surroundings well.
It has a water play area with a small stream and water wheels, a large sand pit, climbing towers and giant slides.
There is also a full-size assault course on the south-west side of the site which is great for children and adults.
An adventure trail, which features a climbing rock for older children, a rope bridge over the water, a giant tyre swing and a zip wire are also among the attractions.
For the nature lovers, Stanwick Lakes is home to a huge number of waterfowl species including widgeon, gadwall, teal and pintail ducks.
The main bird hide offers excellent views over one of the largest lakes through special one-way glass windows.
Dave Munday is a regular visitor to Stanwick Lakes and also helps out in the rangers' office.
He said: "I think Stanwick Lakes is great. The reason I like it above all others is that, in my view, nature comes before the people, whereas you go to other country parks and you are lucky to see something.
"Here there is the hub where children can play, but the rest of it is for nature.
"One of the best comments I ever heard about it was last year when one chap said: 'It's lovely to come to a place and listen to children laughing.'"
This year a visitor centre opened which houses a cafe and shop and provides a new source of income.
There is also bike hire and an outdoor theatre.
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Thursday 09 February 2012
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