After you have watched some of the fastest circuits at Silverstone, you might enjoy golf at www.silverstonegolfclub.co.uk or seeing the Grand Union Canal at Stoke Bruerne. Just 9 miles away from Silverstone, it’s also home to the fascinating www.stokebruerncanalmuseum.org.uk 

This is a working canal and there's always lots of action, with the narrow boats both pitched and travelling through the locks. A trip in a boat up to the Blisworth Tunnel is always fun, and chatting with the resident blacksmith, and watching the varieties of water birds makes for an enjoyable visit. You can enjoy a walk along the excellent towpaths, and then be spoilt for choice for places to eat later, see Eat below.

Northamptonshire is full of historic houses, some palatial, and some more humble, but the one that I would most like to live in is Canons Ashby, just 11 miles from Silverstone. It’s a warm and welcoming Elizabethan mansion built from toffee coloured Northamptonshire ironstone. The quirky interior is full of unusual features and it is presented as it was during Victorian times, so sitting on the sofa, listening to the live piano music you can feel quite at home. There’s plenty to do and see, with formal gardens, wild parkland, a mediaeval priory to explore and lots of family friendly activities. There’s a lovely cafe and shop in the old stable block too. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/canonsashby

Sulgrave Manor is just around the corner from Canons Ashby. It’s of a similar age, and is of special interest as it is the ancestral home of George Washington, first President of the United States. You can tour the house and learn why the family emigrated, (nothing to do with the house, which is lovely!)  Sulgrave Manor is open at the weekends, and has pleasant gardens and a courtyard cafe. If you’re lucky you may catch the costumed interpreters who may be cooking, or playing engaging games with visitors. www.sulgravemanor.org.uk for more information.

If you want to stretch your legs, and perhaps those of your kids or a dog, then beautiful Salcey Forest is only 15 miles away. There are lots of trails to follow, and a fabulous treetop walk which takes you above the tree line to enjoy some great views. There’s a cosy cafe and a kids play area to blow off some steam.

www.forestry.gov.uk/salceyforest NN7 2HX

And as a little unexpected extra, if you’re into golf, and if you are staying anywhere very close to Whittlebury Park, there will be availability on the golf course. It’s the quietest weekend of the year as the area is so full, and access is difficult. If you can get to the course then you will be able to play on these premier greens. Call 01327 850000 for details.

You might also like to spend time in Brackley, a handsome market town at Northamptonshire's southern most tip. The market square has a good range of shops (including the excellent Old Hall Book shop), cafés and a hotel The Crown, which sports a handsome Regency front. Popular places to eat include the Green Room and Hummingbirds Bistro.

To round off a memorable weekend, ecclesiastical enthusiasts will enjoy local churches in Slapton, Croughton and Steane.

Shop and Eat Lunch

There are loads of great places where you can enjoy a great lunch and indulge in a spot of retail at the same time.

The Bell Plantation www.bellplantation.co.uk is just 6 miles away on the edge of Towcester - it’s a fabulous garden centre surrounded by interesting shops. As well as a huge selection of plants, you could also buy a hot tub, a wedding dress, antiques, locally brewed beers, poultry and fish, reptiles and huge spiders. Not sure about the last one personally! But if you need refreshment, there’s a very good cafe selling freshly cooked meals and excellent cake, as well as a farm shop selling all sorts including freshly baked breads.

An easy 15 miles north on the A5 there’s an amazing place to shop, www.heartoftheshires.co.uk The place started life recycling architectural salvage, and the owners have re-created a Victorian style shopping village complete with bandstand. My favourite shop is the award- winning Abraxas, full of gorgeous cooking and dining equipment, with home accessories, fashions and equestrian stuff thrown in too. There’s an old fashioned sweet shop, antiques, bridal and plant sales and a traditionally English cafe with a lovely outdoor area.

If you’re into riding, racing or hunting with horses, then 16 miles away, deep in the heart of the beautiful countryside, there’s a fabulous equestrian supplier www.harleyequestrian.com who will supply all your needs, new and second hand. They also sell quirky home accessories and country clothing, so you can at least look right even if your seat isn’t perfect! They also have a very good cafe where you can have a freshly cooked lunch made from local produce.

Evening Eats

Silverstone GP weekend is always very busy for local pubs and restaurants, so I recommend making a booking to be sure of your table. Here are some of my favourite places locally.

Towcester has many good places to eat, with several pubs, takeaways and fast food places. My favourite takeaway is Milano’s, which bakes huge and fabulous pizza to order, burgers and proper kebabs with all the trimmings. (122 Watling Street, NN12 6BT tel 01327 358500)

If you want something special, try The Folly which serves really excellent traditional British food with local produce. It’s a charming thatched pub, nearly 300 years old next to Towcester Racecourse, very popular with locals especially for the mouthwatering Sunday roasts. Visit www.follyinntowcester.co.uk

If you’re looking for somewhere a little more upbeat and modern with a great atmosphere in the heart of Towcester, then 185 Watling Street is great fun. It’s an 18th century town house furnished like a gentleman's club, apart from the restaurant which has a plate glass and steel modern vibe, and a lovely dining garden. You can expect awesome cocktails, a modern cuisine and great service. Booking is essential! www.185watlingstreet.com

If only a curry will do, locals love the Ganges for authentic and fresh Indian food. You can expect great service and reasonable prices at www.gangestowcester.co.uk

Stoke Bruerne is a great place to eat, as the restaurants are set alongside the canal towpath so you can enjoy a  gentle constitutional stroll afterwards. My favourite Indian restaurant is www.spiceofbruerne.com but you might enjoy the traditional ales and great pub atmosphere at www.boatinn.co.uk. The Navigation has a canal side beer garden and a good varied menu at reasonable prices. www.navigationpubtowcester.co.uk

Local Village Pubs

Most of the local villages have very good local pubs. Here are a few of my favourites.

For award-winning food and service to match, try the Plough Inn at Shutlanger www.theploughshutlanger.co.uk

For really good modern-traditional gastro pub food set in a spacious old house www.thefoxandhoundswhittlebury.co.uk is terrific.

For great atmosphere and a beautiful location hidden away in the heart of the countryside, the ancient Royal Oak in Eydon is hard to beat, the food is delicious too. www.theroyaloakateydon.co.uk 

And the same could be said of gastropub The Red Lion in Culworth village, with the added benefit of a great beer garden www.theredlionculworth.co.uk

The New Inn at Abthorpe is always very welcoming to all, and is more of a traditional style pub rather than gastro dining. Traditional good food, Hook Norton ales, pub games and dogs complete the proper English village pub vibe www.newinnabthorpe.co.uk

Why not stay longer?

You might discover that there’s so much to do near Silverstone that you want to extend your stay by a night or two. If you have accommodation already booked then it’s worth asking if you can stay on to enjoy the area, or even better, beat the traffic and come early!

For more information on accommodation visit the where to stay section on this website.