Foxton Locks
Just a few miles out of Market Harborough and surrounded by Leicestershire’s beautiful countryside, Foxton Locks is a spectacular network of 10 canal locks just crying out to be explored. This impressive flight of Grade II listed locks is over 200 years old and formed from two separate ‘staircases’ of five locks, which together forms the longest set of staircase locks in Britain.
This famous landmark sees over 400 colourful narrowboats pass through its waters annually and it takes them around 45 minutes to journey along the entire flight – as many as 40 boats can make this trip daily. Whether to choose to hop aboard a boat or simply watch them from the river bank, you are guaranteed an intriguing experience – particularly if you explore the remains of the historic chair lift for boats!
Rockingham Castle
Less than 12 miles from Market Harborough and built under the instruction of William the Conqueror around 1070, this remarkable Norman castle was held by the crown until 450 years ago when it was relinquished as a royal Castle and occupied by the Watson family.
You can tour the castle grounds, beginning in the old kitchen which has been restored to resemble how it would have looked in 1895 and shows the preparation of a grand dinner. You can also explore The Panel Room, which was once used as a royal fortress and the Long Gallery, where Charles Dickens, a regular visitor to the castle, is thought to have performed during the 1850s.
Oundle
Famous for its Georgian-looking streets and characterful limestone buildings, Oundle is a historic market town with much to discover. The town itself offers many independent shops to explore and coffee houses, pubs and eateries to rest your feet. It’s surrounded by the river Nene where you can stroll the banks or enjoy leisure activities such as canoeing and sailing or you could explore the many picturesque villages and historical sites nearby, including Fotheringhay Castle where Mary Queen of Scots was executed in 1587.
This attractive market town is also home to our sister property, The Talbot Hotel, Eatery & Coffee House. Steeped in historic charm, The Talbot includes original brickwork from Fotheringhay Castle and the Mary Queen of Scots staircase!
The National Space Centre
Situated in the heart of the Midlands just two miles from Leicester city centre and about 45 minutes (20 miles) drive from the Three Swans Hotel, the award-winning National Space Centre has six interactive galleries covering space flight, astronomy and cosmology. It has one of only three Soyuz spacecraft in the west on display and is home to the UK’s largest planetarium, as well as the iconic 42 metre-high Rocket Tower.
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