My Northamptonshire Bucket List 2020

I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again: there are so many places to eat and navigate in Northamptonshire.

So it’s no wonder I haven’t managed to tick them all off my list!

2020 is well and truly in full swing and as I mentioned in my last blog post, this is a great time to sit and reflect on what we all want to do and achieve this year.

I’ve always been open with the fact that I am not an expert when it comes to Northamptonshire and what is on offer. I love sharing where I navigate to and eat in hopes I can inspire and educate those who live here and beyond.

But I also love bringing you guys with me on new navigations of which I have never been to, as well as give you my first-time experience and opinion on somewhere.

And believe it or not, there are still places I haven’t visited yet here in Northamptonshire.

And I want to change that.

Therefore, I have decided to make a list of all the places I haven’t visited in Northamptonshire, but want to this year. This includes places to eat & drink such as restaurants and cafes, tourist spots, shops and much more.

It’s kinda like making a travel bucket list, which I have read plenty of from other travel bloggers and get so inspired by – expect this one is just for Northamptonshire!

So I hope this blog post can also inspire you guys to check these places out too!

So here is my Northamptonshire Bucket List for 2020. Let’s hope I can tick these places off:

Northamptonshire Eats

#ashtag Justin Chef

66 Wellingborough Rd, Northampton NN1 4DN

This restaurant looks AMAZING! #ashtag Justin Chef is Mediterranean fine dining and the food presented on the plates look incredible and their decor is really classy from what I’ve seen on photos.

Not only do they do dinner, but they do some colourful looking breakfast and brunches too where they make eggs benedict look like a work of art!

I can’t believe I’ve not visited yet, but I am making 2020 the year that I do!

Spice of Bruene

The Canalside, 5 Bridge Rd, Stoke Bruerne, Towcester NN12 7SE

Who doesn’t love a curry!?

We love taking walks around Stoke Burene around the canals and taking in all the river boats and scenery, plus we have visited The Boat Inn a few times.

But I’d like to make 2020 the year we visit Spice of Bruene for their yummy curry for an evening visit to the canals. Described as a Modern Indian Restaurant with a Contemporary British Twist, apparently, it’s all cooked on a live charcoal grill.

We have Josh’s mum coming to stay with us in February and she loved Stoke Bruene when we took her there, so I think this could be a good excuse to go with her!

Pinch My Bun

159 Wellingborough Rd, Northampton NN1 4DX

I need some Pinch My Bun in my life!

Those who remember where the old Frank’s Hamburger House was on Wellingborough Road, Pinch My Bun has taken over and they specialise surf and turf street food, cocktails and craft beer.

Basically, think of lobster but in burgers! Everytime I see them post on Instagram it just makes me hungry. They also do a bottomless munch on Sunday’s where you can get 2 for 1 cocktails.

Food includes lobster roll, smoked short rib & brisket burger, spicy crayfish roll, buttermilk chicken burger. All stuff I can’t wait to try!

The Griffin’s Head

28 Wilby Rd, Mears Ashby, Northampton NN6 0DX

I am desperate to make one of their Burger or Steak nights!

The Griffin’s Head is located in Mears Ashby and has won numerous of local awards, including being a finalist in the Carlsberg Food & Drink Awards. They are a classic English pub who thrive on serving fresh, local & delicious ingredients in all their dishes.

Head Chef and Manager, Adam Church, is also very passionate about good food and beer in Northamptonshire and I don’t know why it’s taken me so long to visit him and his restaurant.

The Kings Head Syresham

2 Abbey Rd, Syresham, Brackley NN13 5HW

Syresham is a quaint, lovely little village just off from Silverstone and Brackley and last year, The Kings Head made a comeback after a refurbishment and new management came in.

The Kings Head is a traditional freehold village pub offering the warmest welcome, great local ales, great quality homemade foods and bed and breakfast facilities.

They are also known to host quiz nights and open mic nights for the village too, plus their menu always looks mouth-watering.

There is no excuse for me not to come here, since I visit Syresham a lot during the months of September to February for pantomime rehearsals.

Visited on Saturday 11th January

The Workhouse Brixworth

35 Spratton Rd, Brixworth, Northampton NN6 9DS

I have been recommended to visit here so many times! So could this be the year I finally go?

The Workhouse in Brixworth is known for being the perfect place to meet for brunch, lunch and sweet treats. Their brunch menu is something I am super keen to go and try, especially their sweet waffles with Nutella and Mexican eggs!

I fully trust that the food will be divine, seeing as one of their chefs has a fine-dining background and it’s been one of the places lots of people have messaged me about!

The Plough at Shutlanger

5 Main Rd, Shutlanger, Towcester NN12 7RU

If a place wins Booker Food Pub of the Year at the Carlsberg Food & Drink Awards, then you know the food is going to be good!

The Plough is based in Shutlanger, just off Towcester and is a gastropub that serves award-winning food from mains, burgers and Sunday lunch.

It’s in such a remote location that many could miss it, but its reputation is so outstanding, hence why it’s made it on my list of places to go!

Bread & Circus

28 Sheaf St, Daventry NN11 4AB

Pizza and pastries all in one place? Yes please!

Daventry is thriving with lots of independents which I am keen to explore, but one place I really want to visit is Bread & Circus; a daytime bakery and an evening pizzeria all in one!

Bread is at the heart of what they do and their cake and pizza creations make me hungry to visit them, including their homemade Cruffins!

Hopefully in 2020, I’ll have more opportunity to explore what Daventry has to offer!

Northamptonshire Navigations

Irchester Country Park

Gipsy Ln, Little Irchester, Irchester, Wellingborough NN29 7DL

In 2020, I want to visit more country parks and lakes to walk around every other weekend as getting out and about does wonders for mental health.

Irchester Country Park is an adventure course with zip lines, a playground and a network of trails in a 200-acre area of woodland including the Woodpecker trail, Woodland trail and Ironstone trail.

You can also check out the steam trains on Sundays that pass by. Definitely one to head to when the weather is nice!

Vintage Retreat

Northampton Business Centre, Lower Harding St, Northampton NN1 2JL

Yes. I hold my hands up and say I have yet to visit Vintage Retreat!

Vintage Retreat is Northamptonshire’s biggest vintage emporium that’s complete with a tearoom and is a treasure trove for all things vintage!

It opened back in February 2013 when the owner of the Northampton Business Centre wanted a dedicated space having long admired Northampton’s Art Deco architecture and possessing a passion for Vintage and Antiques – that’s when Vintage Retreat was born.

I love all things vintage and pre-loved and they always have some fascinating events on that tie in with their niche. They sell items from furniture, homeware, clothing, arts & crafts and much more!

I can sense the many people probably reading this going “Nicole, how have you not visited yet!?!” oh, I will now, don’t worry!

Kirby Hall

Kirby Ln, Deene, Gretton, Corby NN17 3EN

Kirby Hall is one of England’s greatest Elizabethan and 17th-century houses, once owned by Sir Christopher Hatton, Lord Chancellor to Queen Elizabeth I.

You may recognise the name Hatton from one of our local schools in Northamptonshire.

It’s one of Northamptonshire’s most vast mansions which I am keen to explore and walk around the stunning grounds. All the rooms such as The Great Hall and state rooms remain intact, refitted and redecorated to their authentic 17th-18th century specifications.

Opening times may vary, but it’s currently only open on weekends from 10am – 4pm and prices for adults are from £7.90 and children £4.70.

I hope to make it on a weekend soon!

Catanger Llama Trekking

Wappenham Rd, Weedon Lois, Towcester NN12 8FN

Have you ever wanted to walk with Llamas? YEAH SAME!

Catanger Llama Trekking is a 3 hour experience where you can literally walk through the countryside with a Llama in tow.

I have no excuse not to do this, as it’s literally up the road from me and the idea of walking with Llama’s is SUPER COOL! I think this would make an awesome present for someone and is such a unique experience.

Kara from Heels In My Backpack was lucky enough to experience this. Read her blog post here.

Northampton & Lamport Railway

Pitsford Rd, Chapel Brampton, Northampton NN6 8BA

Have you ever wanted to dine on a real-life heritage rail train?

Northampton & Lamport Railway is a standard gauge heritage railway in Northamptonshire, based at Pitsford and Brampton station.

The railway has always been so hyped up due to the many events they hold, plus all the Railway dining specials they put on throughout the year.

They are currently advertising for their Valentine’s Day specials where you can have Afternoon Tea on the trains themselves – which I think is such a beautiful way to spend Valentine’s!

But overall, I just want to visit because I love finding out the history of my local area and I have a weird fascination for trains!

Jeyes of Earls Barton

26-28 The Square, Earls Barton, Northampton, NN6 0NA

The home of the Kinky Boots showcase, where literally the well-known film turned West End and Broadway show came from Earls Barton!

I am a HUGE fan of both the film, stage show and soundtrack, so this would be so awesome to actually visit the showcase itself and discover the true story behind Kinky Boots at Jeyes of Earls Barton.

But there is a lot more to Jeyes than just that; it’s an award-winning Apothocoffee shop where they serve breakfast, brunch, afternoon tea, lunch and much more.

You can also browse their shop, which obviously has Kinky Boots merchandise, plus discover lots of Northamptonshire collections which I imagine are very fascinating!

Overall, I want to make the trip here because I think it would make a nice weekend day out.

Pastures Poultry Farm Shop & Cafe

Olney Rd, Yardley Hastings, Northampton, NN7 1HL

There’s nothing more satisfying for me than visiting a farm shop and picking up lots of local produce and bits and bobs. So it’s strange why I haven’t taken a trip up to Pastures.

Pastures Poultry Farm Shop & Cafe is run by the Evans family who has been farming poultry for over 40 years and have selected meats available all year round.

Their farm shop is open on Wednesday-Saturday from 9-5pm where everything is prepped and ready for you to take home, or you can enjoy a range of homemade sandwiches, cakes, pastries and more in their cafe.

I’ll make sure we take a trip one Saturday!

As you can see, I still have a fair bit of navigating to do – and I know I’ve basically just admitted that I’ve not been to these places, but hey, the county is HUGE and I’m only one girl – so I hope you can join me this year as I navigate even more!

Have you been to any of these places in Northamptonshire? Let me know in the comments below as I’d love to make 2020 the year I finally visit them and share my experiences with you!