Things to Do

An arts academy for people with learning disabilities in Northamptonshire is holding its first showcase at Royal & Derngate. Performed by Cube Disability Arts Academy, the show on Saturday 20th April has a ‘Night at the Movies’ theme. It will feature special guests from the West End and be hosted by Liam McHugh, who also tutors the Academy on Fridays. The Cube Disability Arts Academy was established in 2017 by Northamptonshire’s largest independent care provider for adults with autism and learning disabilities, Cube Disability, to embrace everyone’s talents and abilities and provide a space in which people with learning disabilities and autism can truly shine. The Academy and showcase are also being supported by partners Front and Centre, a company founded by Alex Hetherington and Charlotte Warren to bring West End professional training to children up and down the country. Tom Stevenson of Cube Disability said: “This is more than..

Racers, motorsport fans and avid gamers can get behind the wheel to race the iconic Silverstone circuit at Silverstone Museum’s all-new Sim Suite At Silverstone. The Museum has launched its latest attraction, announcing the arrival of the Sim Suite At Silverstone, equipped with the UK’s leading racing simulators geared to offering a hyper-realistic racing experience.  Sky Sports F1 analyst and Mercedes-AMG Petronas Simulator driver, Anthony Davidson, visited Silverstone Museum to officially unveil its new bespoke, purpose-built space at the home of British motor racing. The state-of-the-art sims are situated in a new futuristic style, custom-built space at the Museum, which is located trackside of the world-renowned Silverstone race circuit.  The new Sim Suite At Silverstone, which is also available to hire for private events, parties and corporate bookings, is exclusively designed to entertain everyone from motorsport fans and pro-gamers to Museum visitors seeking an exhilarating and adrenaline-fuelled unique experience. Silverstone..

Grime rapper Dizzee Rascal will be playing in Northampton at Delapré Abbey on Friday 9th August 2024! Dizzee Rascal, is a British MC and rapper. A pioneer of grime music, his work has also incorporated elements of UK garage, bassline, British hip hop, and R&B. He released his debut album Boy in da Corner in 2003. It earned him the 2003 Mercury Prize, and has since been considered a grime classic. Follow-up albums Showtime, Maths + English, and Tongue n' Cheek were critically praised and certified platinum, with Tongue n' Cheek going platinum for sales exceeding 300,000 units in the United Kingdom. He has achieved 5 UK number-one singles, "Dance wiv Me", "Bonkers", "Holiday", "Dirtee Disco" and "Shout”. UK music icon Dizzee Rascal returns with the electrifying new album “Don’t Take It Personal”, out February 9th, 2024 via Big Dirtee Records Ltd.  The announcement is paired with the release of new single “How Did I Get..

Get a Pi-ece of the action! New versions of classic shows, a special anniversary for Northampton’s G&S Society and one gag after another with funny folks showing out all over. Sammy Jones leads you through April’s theatre business... Universally acclaimed in theatreland, Life of Pi comes to the Derngate stage (April 2-6) with amazing visuals and world-class puppetry for your eyes to devour. After an epic storm in the Pacific Ocean, Pi is stranded on a lifeboat with four other survivors – a hyena, a zebra, an orangutan, and a Royal Bengal tiger. The story of a true journey of endurance and hope. There is more drama on the high seas with Moby Dick (April 5-13) at The Royal ready to make a splash. In search of fortune and adventure, a humble schoolmaster boards a whaling ship due to sail East off Cape Cod, only to find a Captain hell-bent..

He is the God of Hell Fire and he’s coming to Northampton... ‘Iconic shock rock and theatrical rock legend’ is how Arthur Brown is described on his social media channel. It’s accurate and to the point. When the God of Hellfire increased temperatures with his 1968 Hammond-driven delivery Fire, his innovation and exaggerated delivery was without comparison. Quite simply, he was a unique offering in a sea of rock n roll and pop. Fire took the top spot in the singles chart in the UK and fared fabulously well on the other side of the pond, and his flamboyant theatrical performances, paired with his wide-ranging operatic voice ensured staying power. A true pioneer of the shock rock movement, his influence on the hard rock scene has been immense too, and he had associations with Hendrix, The Who, Frank Zappa, Hawkwind and Alice Cooper. Collaborations? There have been more than a..

The Hall and gardens will be open on Wednesdays and Thursdays for the 2024 season. The Stableyard Café will be open with an extended menu still promoting local and ethically sourced produce as well as a brand new snug area for a comfier experience. The gift shop has also expanded, selling affordable gifts, local artisan products and a wider selection of books. The Hall also welcome weekday group bookings by appointment. In addition, join them in 2024 to celebrate 50 years of the Lamport Hall Preservation Trust. Set up by Sir Gyles Isham in 1974, the Lamport Hall Preservation Trust was established to continue the lengthy restoration programme of the hall, gardens and estate which Sir Gyles started to ensure its survival for the enjoyment of visitors and as a centre of culture and education. 2024 marks the 50th anniversary of this momentous occasion in Lamport’s history. This specially curated..

The new season has officially arrived at Rushden Lakes. The deckchairs are coming out, the lake will soon be covered in canoes and the shops are bursting with pastel shades. This spring, Rushden Lakes wants to highlight that it's the perfect time to enjoy the simple things in life and how the destination offers a space to connect, indulge in joyful fun, and seize the latest seasonal trends. It's time to pause and discover how we can all make time for spring. Donna French, Rushden Lakes Centre Manager said, "We're always excited to welcome a new season at Rushden Lakes. This spring, we've launched our 'Let's Make Time For' campaign, to highlight how visitors can ensure they're making time for self-care, nature, eating well, and enjoying each other's company. At our destination, Shop, Eat, Explore is the motto, and the springtime calendar is full of ways to do just that."..

Swansgate Shopping Centre in Wellingborough, is excited to bring a Dino Eggstravaganza to the town this Easter holiday. A herd of dinosaurs will take over the centre and all the children of Wellingborough are invited to join the ROARSOME event! On Friday 5th April children will be able to come along and meet some dinosaurs from towering prehistoric performers to adorable baby dinos, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Families will also be able to embark on a trail around the centre in search of clues on the dino trail and find the hidden letters, which spell out the secret word when put together. All budding archaeologists should head to the kids club area where they can dig for bones and dust down their discoveries, there will also be a display with some fun facts about fossils. But the fun doesn’t stop there! Children can also join in with the..

The UK’s leading Japanese food brand, YO! Is opening its doors at Rushden Lakes on Good Friday, 29th March 2024. The retail and leisure destination will be home to a new format of the famous YO! sushi restaurant. YO! promises to be a quick and convenient option for visitors, who can find the new store between neighbours, Five Guys and Greggs. On the extensive menu will be new customisable donburi rice and noodle bowls inspired by the Japanese food scene, you will find, restaurant quality, sustainably sourced, hand-crafted sushi, and the best of Tokyo Street food. Ramen, poke, and salads will also be readily available, as well as Kid’s Bentos and dessert options including Little Moons Mochi. Visitors will also have the option to click and collect. Donna French, Rushden Lakes Centre Manager said, “We’re delighted to welcome YO! to Rushden Lakes. YO! is joining an already impressive line-up of restaurants..

Grab your walking shoes and your sense of adventure because English Tourism Week is back! From the 15th to the 24th of March, it's time to celebrate all things British. Whether you're a local looking to explore hidden gems, or eager to soak in the rich tapestry of English culture, we've got it all here across the county. Lamport Hall Nestled in the picturesque Northamptonshire countryside, Lamport Hall stands as an attraction of history and elegance. Its origins trace back to the late 16th century when the mansion was built by the Isham family. Over the centuries, Lamport Hall has witnessed lots of historical events and societal changes. Today, visitors can stroll through its grand corridors, marvel at its exquisite architecture, and find out all about  the rich history through guided tours and special events. Chester House Estate Chester House is a testament to Northamptonshire's architectural heritage. Originally built in..

Are you searching for the perfect way to keep the little ones entertained during the Easter half-term? Look no further! We’ve got you covered with everything from Easter egg hunts, pottery classes, meeting the Easter bunny, face painting and lots more! Delapré Abbey Delapré Abbey will show you how to make good use of the natural materials sourced from its grounds at its Spring Wreath Making Workshop. There are two sessions – 10am-midday and 2pm-4pm – on March 22 and March 24, so that you can learn the art of making a wreath from scratch using buff willow as the base, before decorating with natural foliage and pretty spring flowers. The historic setting also has its Easter Eggstravaganza from March 29 – April 1, with a Walled Garden egg hunt, or a house trail including a petting zoo. Or purchase the package that entitles little folks to do both activities...

With zero chance of seeing the real mccoy play live again, fans of Brummie based genre creators Black Sabbath have no choice but to embrace the tribute thing to get their live fix these days, and SBD Promotions has booked Sabbra Cadabra (March 2) to give it to you. They will be cutting loose a fiery set of Ozzy era excellence with a two-hour long set. Get set for masterpieces including Planet Caravan, Fairies Wear Boots, Sweet Leaf and Paranoid. “The finest of the Black Sabbath tribute bands, Sabbra Cadabra were magnificent,” said Jim Simpson, following a show, “As Black Sabbath’s original manager, I can vouch for their uncannily authentic performance, taking me right back to the ‘Henry’s’ of 1969.” SBD hooks up with Headcharge Club (March 22) for a night of new sounds over at The Lab on Charles Street. Dig The New Breed will deliver ‘dream pop from..

What started in our local pubs more than 25 years ago, has grown and evolved into the UK’s premier festival for fans of psychobilly. As the 2024 instalment of Bedlam Breakout prepares to go live at the Northampton Roadmender, festival founder Tobe Wright spoke with Pulse’s Sammy Jones about his passion for the sounds... “The scene was pretty hit and miss in the mid-noughties so we decided to do something to keep it going,” Tobe said, recalling the idea to put on a series of shows at the Racehorse. Plenty has changed since those days; the venue still exists, but has been spruced and relaunched as The Black Prince, of course, and what started as the occasional live show is now a full-on weekender hosted at The Roadmender. Bedlam is all about the psychobilly, rockabilly and garage sounds, and Tobe’s ears were tempted by the genre while he was at..

The Derngate has so many comedy nights ahead this month that Sammy Jones has had to write her own one-liners to give them all a plug! It’s not all comedy though; death and disease in the Middle Ages gets a mention, and The Old Savoy is bringing smart lady Coleen Nolan to the stage. Here’s the lowdown... The giggles start with Stewart Lee (Derngate, March 1) who returns for another outing of Basic Lee. The man who is known for his groundbreaking high concept shows involving overarched interlinked narratives, massive sets and enormous comedy props, is doing an about turn with this delivery; just one man and his mic. Al Murray is back as The Pub Landlord in Guv Island (March 2), Axel Blake, 2022’s winner of Britain’s Got Talent will be In Style (March 3, Royal), and Miles Jupp (March 5, Royal) presents On I Bang, ‘a tale about..

Families are invited to join this year’s St George’s Day celebrations, with free children’s activities and traditional dancing taking place at Northampton Guildhall on Saturday, 20th April between 11am and 2pm. The Mayor of Northampton, Cllr Stephen Hibbert, will officially open the event by the Old Guildhall steps at 11am, before activities begin in the courtyard, with St George and his giant friendly dragon entertaining visitors throughout the day. Juggling Jim’s Silly Knight School is set to open from 11am - 12.30pm, where children can try challenges to become a knight of the castle, followed by Circus Workshops from 12.30 – 2pm, teaching juggling and balancing skills. Adventure education company The Wild Tribe will run themed crafts and storytelling between 11am and 2pm, while face painting, glitter tattoos and balloon modelling with Agin will also be available for the duration of the event. Councillor Daniel Soan, member of Northampton Town..