Flip Out

Flip Out is an indoor trampoline park in Northampton where gravity becomes optional for a few hours. You're bouncing on interconnected trampolines, launching yourself into foam pits, attempting wall jumps, and generally flinging your body about in ways you'd never manage in a gym. It's daft fun, the kind of place where adults grin like they've had too much sugar.

Kids absolutely love it - the under-tens especially get hours out of this place. Teenagers work out frustrations. Parents can either join in (and feel briefly ancient) or sit it out with a coffee and watch the chaos. The key thing is you burn serious energy, which means either a brilliant night's sleep or complete exhaustion by teatime.

It's paid entry, though I'd budget for an hour and a half to two hours if you're serious about it. Go on a weekday morning if you can - weekends get rammed with school groups and birthday parties, which transforms the vibe from fun to frantic. During term-time afternoons it's heaving.

If you're staying at Grendon Lakes nearby, Flip Out makes sense as a rainy-day or hot-day activity - something to do that gets everyone moving without trudging about outdoors. Combine it with a trip into Northampton town centre if you've got time, though the park itself is the main draw. Wear socks (they're usually mandatory) and leave your dignity at the entrance.