Discover Corby: Nature, History and Culture

Corby offers a range of options for a stay: nature at the Boating Lake and in the woods, local history around the old village, and culture and leisure. If you choose Corby as a destination for a hotel stay, you can plan your visit around the focus of your trip—such as an interest in the landscape, historical topics or events.

Nature and Landscape in Corby

Hazel and Thoroughsale Woods form a unique area of ancient woodland and open land in the centre of Corby. The total area is 76.86 hectares. The history of this landscape includes an extensive network of semi-natural ancient woodland, at the centre of which the Woods once lay. The network extended north and south to form Rockingham Forest. This former extent gives the present-day woodland a historic landscape connection.

Corby Boating Lake is also a place for nature enthusiasts. It has a wide variety of geese, ducks and other waterbirds; swans also live at the lake. This makes birdlife a distinct point of interest alongside the woodland areas, without equating the two landscapes.

Corby Heritage Trail and Fishing

The Corby Heritage Trail connects six areas: Coronation Park, East Carlton Country Park, Hazel and Thoroughsale Woods, Kingswood Nature Reserve, Weldon Woodland and West Glebe Park. The Love Exploring app offers various scenic routes for the trail. As app availability and route information may change, check them again before planning your trip.

Fishing is permitted at Corby Boating Lake year-round from dawn to dusk. Fish species found there include roach, rudd and carp. The lake is also suitable for young anglers and beginners. Check the current fishing rules and access information before visiting, as operational access may change.

History, Theatre and Events

Corby’s history can be explored through a range of topics. The Corby Heritage Centre offers talks about Corby Old Village and the Corby Steelworks. St John the Baptist, a medieval church, stands in Church Walk in the old village. Those particularly interested in Corby’s development can therefore find a connection both to the old village and to the Steelworks.

The Corby Pole Fair has a long tradition dating back to the 16th century. The fair takes place only once every 20 years. If this event is a deciding factor in your trip, check the next date independently before making plans; the recurring interval alone does not provide a specific event date.

The theatre at The Core at Corby Cube has 445 seats across three levels. Its programme includes music, comedy, dance, theatre and family shows; the specific performances change with the programme. This makes the events schedule a separate consideration if you want to include culture in your stay.

Leisure Activities and Travel Planning

Adrenaline Alley offers an indoor-outdoor pump track for cyclists, inline skaters, skateboarders and scooter riders of all ages and abilities. Access is weather-dependent. There is also a publicly accessible airbag landing area. Check operating conditions before you travel, as the description of public access does not provide specific opening hours.

Corby offers a choice of different themes for planning: a history-focused walk along the Heritage Trail, nature watching at the lake, fishing within the specified time window, or a visit that includes cultural and leisure activities. Consider which of these offerings matters to you, and check the latest information for activities that are time-dependent. This will help you decide the purpose of your trip before looking for a hotel for your stay.

Discover more destinations: Towcester, Syresham, Rushden, Kettering, Whittlebury, Hardingstone, Helmdon, Northampton

For the broader travel overview: Northamptonshire.