Outdoor pursuits are widespread throughout Northamptonshire. On canals, rivers and reservoirs the potential for water sports has been fully realised, while walkers and cyclists can take advantage of some of the great national footpaths and cycle tracks that thread their way through the county. Add beautiful countryside and impressive formal gardens into the equation, and you have as comprehensive an outdoor experience as you could possibly hope for. And if that's not enough – how about llama trekking?

1 STOKE BRUERNE CANAL MUSEUM
There can be few more pleasing places on a sunny day than Stoke Bruerne, near Towcester. To quote Pearsons Canal Companion: “This is a canal village without equal, and the Grand Union runs through it like a high street.” With seven canal locks on one side, and the famously long (1.75 miles) Blisworth Tunnel on the other, Stoke Bruerne is defined by its setting. Three lovely canalside walks start here (two are suitable for pushchairs), as do boat trips in both directions.
The Canal Museum, which along with the shop is housed in a restored corn mill, has terrific presentations that cover all aspects of canal building and use, with photographs, videos, working models, artefacts and 3-D displays.

2 CATANGER LLAMAS
Also located in the Towcester area is an attraction that is a real one-off. Catanger Llamas offers llama treks through the countryside of western Northamptonshire. A half-day trek starts with an introductory talk on llamas and how to handle them, followed by the trek, where you lead your llama (which will carry your backpack) along bridleways, across pasture and through woodland. The route is just over four miles long, and takes approximately two hours. The whole-day trek doubles the distance and the time, and includes a lunch break at the Sulgrave Star Inn.

3 CASTLE ASHBY RURAL SHOPPING YARD AND GARDENS
Just east of Northampton is Castle Ashby, where you can combine gentle exercise, lovely scenery, and a spot of shopping. The castle's gardens, designed by Capability Brown, are open to the public and are balm for the soul – as are the views from the village across tranquil rivers and lakes.
But if it's retail therapy you're after, housed in converted farm buildings is the Rural Shopping Yard. This collection of shops offers country-style products – furniture, paintings, leather goods, foods, gifts, jewellery, and children's clothing, along with a health and beauty clinic and a licensed restaurant.
The castle itself is open to the general public only for booked functions, but the village is a picturesque collection of stone houses that's well worth a visit.

4 ANGLING
Throughout Northamptonshire, you will see people fishing. Come rain or shine, its rivers, lakes, reservoirs and gravel pits have people sitting patiently, waiting for the fish to bite.
Northamptonshire's lack of coastline means, of course, that all the fishing is of the fresh-water variety. The Freshwater Angling Directory (www.go-fish.co.uk) has 37 separate entries for the county, covering everything from small gravel pits to enormous reservoirs.

5 WALKING
With its lovely countryside and few steep hills, Northamptonshire is ideal walking country. Many towns run urban walks during the summer led by trained Blue Badge guides (check with local tourist offices for details). Alternatively, the county council has prepared a series of short walks to follow on your own. In addition, Northamptonshire is crossed by seven long-distance county paths: the Brampton Valley, Grafton, Jurassic, Knightly, Macmillan, Midshires and Nene Ways. Details of both shorter and longer paths can be found at www.focusnorthampton.org.uk If you'd rather plan your own route, the local authority website (www.northamptonshire.gov.uk) has an interactive map that allows you to check on rights of way throughout the county – click on 'transport and streets', then 'rights of way', then 'interactive mapping'. Both of the above websites are superb.

6 CYCLING
The National Cycleway crosses the county, and many country parks offer cycling routes (and frequently bicycle hire). Why not try Brixworth Country Park, surrounding Pitsford Reservoir? Next to its new visitor centre (which contains a nature centre, café and shop) is Pitsford Water Cycle Hire, which offers a wide variety of equipment for hire. It also sells bikes and accessories.
You can follow one of two trails: the 7.5-mile Pitsford Reservoir Cycling Track and the 14-mile stretch of the National Cycleway along the Brampton Valley. Both are mostly off road, and have no steep hills.

7 WATER SPORTS
Northampton might be land-locked, but you don't have to travel far to enjoy a variety of water sports. Take jet-skiing. At Billing Aquadrome there is a lake dedicated to the sport, with its own recently remodelled jet-ski centre catering for everybody from absolute beginners to old hands. Here you can hire a jet ski, sign up for lessons, buy equipment, or relax with refreshments. Open all year, the centre can be accessed by day-payment or annual subscription.
Other water sports are handsomely catered for at Pitsford Water. Northampton Sailing Club and Water Sports Centre offers windsurfing, power boating, sailing, canoeing, kayaking and activities such as raft-building for all abilities. Multi-activities are also available to children. You can book one-to-one or group tuition. Disabled access to activities is excellent.