Daventry Country Park is a country park in Northamptonshire, about 40 minutes from where we live in Milton Keynes. We’ve been there quite a lot since 2017 as it’s a convenient halfway location to meet one of my closest friends and her two children who live in Coventry. Until recently though, I hadn’t felt it was one of those places I really wanted to share on Milton Keynes Kids as a ‘must go’ to destination. However that all changed in the Spring of 2019 when part of the play area was revamped. Watch my video below and then scroll down for more information.
Where is Daventry Country Park and how much does it cost to visit?
Daventry Country Park is in Daventry in Northamptonshire, about 40 mins by car from where we live in Milton Keynes. The best postcode NN11 2JB and it’s easy to find and park. At the time we visited in May 2019, it cost £2 to park and that was payable by cash so make sure you take some with you. There are no other charges.
What are the best things about Daventry Country Park?
Daventry Country Park now has an excellent adventure play area that was installed in the Spring of 2019 in place of some fairly tired retro play equipment. There’s a fab large castle themed climbing frame that suited both of my sons who are the time of writing were five and three. Big enough for my eldest to explore – safe enough for the youngest to feel confident moving around it. There’s also a smaller climbing and a wobbly jeep which proved to be popular. There is a larger swing for children with disabilities as well as some musical sensory equipment. The zip-wire has been replaced but had broken when we visited. The play area is gated but is quite large so you would still need to keep a close eye on younger children as people are coming in and out of the gates.
What needs to be improved at Daventry Country Park?
Half of the play area has been revamped. The other half is much less exciting in comparison. That said, with several wooden houses, a small wooden boat, balance beams and swings my children still enjoyed running around it. I can’t see that there are any plans to improve that part of it. There is a large reservoir to cycle / scoot around which is very pretty in parts, but the paths are uneven – I wouldn’t recommend it for wheelchairs currently although off-road buggies may be ok. We’ve never actually walked very far around the reservoir – we generally spend a couple of hours around the play area and never seem to get around to going for a big walk. There are toilets but they are very outdated. There’s a sensory garden with a bridge and some stepping stones which is quite pretty but could be better. There are plans to improve the paths, loos and sensory garden later in 2019 – so they may have been updated if you’re reading this months after I have written it.
Any tips for going to Daventry Country Park?
Unlike some of the other big country parks, some of the play area at Daventry is quite shaded with big trees which is great on really hot days or if you have young children. There are some picnic benches but not loads so I’d definitely recommend taking a blanket to sit on. There is a cafe which sells some food as well as coffee and ice-cream so you will have to leave the play area and walk to it if you need refreshments. It’s worth taking a picnic and drinks anyway for a cheap day out. Do take coins for the parking machine. If you walk through the woodland area behind the car park it takes you to a little ‘beach’ area which is fab for photos, sitting, and seeing the ducks. The park recommends children don’t paddle in the water though as it’s muddy underneath.
Where else can we go after Daventry Country Park?
If you’re heading back to Milton Keynes then instead of going via the M1 I suggest you go via Flore. There’s a very small farm shop and selection of animals there which the children can feed for £1. The postcode is NN7 4LJ and it’s called Bliss Lane Nursery. Normally there are goats, chickens and horses. If you go in lambing season there’s also lambs which again the children can feed for £1. At the time of writing they weren’t open on Tuesdays.
We liked Daventry Country Park, where can we go that’s similar?
Northamptonshire has a number of fab country parks – you can find reviews of all the ones we’ve visited on the country parks section of my website.
I'm Laura, mum of two boys - aged six and four. I started this website at the end of Sept 2015 whilst on maternity leave. I now work four days a week and do this blog late at night once the little boys are sleeping. It's won several awards over the last four years and I continue to run it for free and mostly focus on free, cheap, and good value days out. Do drop me an email laura@miltonkeyneskids.com if you want to contact me. Don't forget to follow all of our latest adventures on facebook, instagram and twitter and have a look at all of the videos of the places we visit on the Milton Keynes Kids YouTube Channel - subscribe to it for notifications every time I add a new place. And remember... you may been reading this post months after we visited, do check with the destination you're visiting for up to date opening times and prices. If you find this blog useful then please do comment on my posts and leave me a Facebook review - it makes doing this all the more worthwhile.
