Jeyes of Earls Barton

The old Jeyes works in Earls Barton is one of those industrial landmarks that catches you off guard - a proper brick Victorian factory that once churned out disinfectant and cleaning products for the whole country. You can't miss it driving through the village, this hulking red-brick structure with its distinctive chimneys and period architecture still standing proud despite having stopped production decades ago.

It's honestly more of a 'stop and photograph' sort of spot than somewhere you'd spend hours. Industrial heritage buffs will appreciate the craftsmanship in the brickwork and the scale of what was clearly a major employer around these parts. The building itself tells you everything about Victorian manufacturing - solid, functional, built to last. If you're doing a drive round Northampton's industrial past, it's worth a detour. Kids won't get much from it unless they're the type who find old factories fascinating, but architectural enthusiasts and photographers do well here.

You're only a few miles from some solid holiday parks - Sywell Country Park sits just 1.5 miles away, with Grendon Lakes and Overstone Lakes also within easy reach if you're basing yourself in the area. The village of Earls Barton itself has the sort of quiet charm that makes for a peaceful stop, and you're close enough to Northampton proper for a proper day out. The site itself is viewable from the road, so there's no admission issue - just pull up and have a look. Best visited in dry weather when the brickwork photographs well.