The Wellingborough Museum

The Wellingborough Museum sits in the market town itself, telling the story of what made this corner of Northamptonshire tick. Inside you'll find the expected local history - Roman finds, Victorian ironstone mining equipment, bits of the town's shoemaking heritage - but what strikes you is how earnestly it's all been put together. There's genuine care in the display cases.

It's really a spot for history types and anyone with a genuine interest in small-town England rather than casual visitors after a quick thirty-minute wander. Families with older kids who can read placards will get something from it; younger children will be bored within twenty minutes. The museum doesn't overwhelm - you can do it properly in an hour or so without rushing.

Admission is free, which is refreshing. The opening hours and exact location are worth checking before you head over, as smaller museums can be temperamental about when they're actually staffed.

If you're based at one of the nearby parks - Sywell Country Park is genuinely excellent and only four miles away, while Grendon Lakes and Overstone Lakes both offer decent facilities - the museum makes a solid rainy afternoon option without being the sort of thing that justifies a special trip on its own. Combine it with a wander around Wellingborough's town centre or a walk along the Nene Valley and you've got a half-day sorted.