Crick brings together distinctive countryside and a clearly recognisable village history. Cracks Hill, historic buildings, walking routes and events offer different highlights. When choosing a hotel in Crick, it helps to decide first whether you are mainly interested in the countryside and nature, local history or a particular events programme.
Cracks Hill and the Grand Union Canal
Cracks Hill is a 22-acre glacial moraine formed during the last Ice Age. From there, you can enjoy 360-degree panoramic views of the surrounding countryside and the Grand Union Canal. The moraine is a distinctive geological landmark; the views also take in the present-day landscape and the canal.
The canal features can also be considered separately: the Leicester Arm of the Grand Union Canal runs east of Crick. Crick Marina is on the Grand Union Canal, along a 21-mile lock-free stretch. Visitors can also walk through wildflower meadows at Crick Woodlands. The geological landscape, canal and flowering meadows therefore offer distinct nature and countryside themes.
Village History and Historic Buildings
Crick’s surviving buildings dating from the 16th century onwards include almost 50 listed buildings. One notable historic site is St Margaret’s Church in Crick: it incorporates elements from the 12th century, has a Romanesque sandstone font and is listed as a Grade I building. These features provide tangible points of connection with local history through architecture and building design.
The village itself also offers ways to explore its history. Information boards about local history were provided by the Crick History Society. The Crick Historic Village Trail is a circular walk through Crick that points out historic sights. Visitors exploring the village on foot can choose the trail for its historical focus; the boards offer another connection with the village’s history.
Walks and Route Options
The circular walking routes in Crick pass through more than 40 acres of publicly accessible parkland and woodland. Walks through the wildflower meadows at Crick Woodlands complement this nature theme. For a historical focus, there is the Crick Historic Village Trail; routes EM10 and EM13 can also be walked in Crick and follow roughly the route of the Oxford Way. The approximate route of the Oxford Way is a guide, not an exact route description.
Free car parking is available at the entrance to Jubilee Wood. Check access information before travelling. This helps you plan the practical details around your preferred focus: circular walks through parkland and woodland, historic points of interest in the village, or routes EM10 and EM13, which roughly follow the Oxford Way.
Events as a Reason to Visit
The Crick Scarecrow and Music Festival is an annual village event. More than 50 creative scarecrows, made by villagers and featuring a variety of imaginative themes, can be seen at the festival. Dates and programme details may change from year to year, so check the dates of the relevant festival before planning your visit.
The Crick Boat Show offers seminars and masterclasses on boating and boat ownership. The Food and Craft Marquee features artists, craftspeople and gourmet food vendors offering tastings and product demonstrations. Exhibitors and the programme for this part of the event may also change from year to year. For a trip centred on an event, the offerings for that year are therefore a useful starting point for planning.
Plan Your Stay Around Your Interests
When looking for a hotel in Crick, you can start by deciding what interests you most: village history, walks and countryside, or an event. If you are visiting for the annual Scarecrow and Music Festival, take its dates into account; if you are more interested in history, you can focus on the trail, information boards and historic buildings. Countryside views, meadows and the different route options offer another way to experience the village. For a trip tied to an event, check the dates and programme for the relevant year, then check availability for your chosen option.
Discover more destinations: Rushden, Roade, Weedon Bec, Corby, Brackley, Whittlebury, Harpole, Potterspury.
For the broader travel overview: Northamptonshire.
