Visit North Northamptonshire country parks virtually

04 December 2024

A new project from North Northamptonshire Council, using funding from Public Health, will help make green spaces across the local area more accessible.

The Country Parks and Woodlands team have just taken delivery of new virtual reality headsets which show footage filmed over the last year, throughout the seasons, in five country parks across North Northants and Corby woodlands.

From the morning mist and sunrise at Sywell Country Parks, to strolling through the woods in Corby and views over the countryside, users will be able to virtually experience all aspects of the council’s five country parks.

The parks are Barnwell Country Park, East Carlton Countryside Park, Fermyn Woods Country Park, Irchester Country Park and Sywell Country Park, alongside the ancient woodlands in Corby.

Using the footage and the new headsets, the team will now work with community groups to hopefully increase participation and confidence to visit any green space. The team also plan to work with groups who may be unable to visit the parks and do the next best thing, by bringing the parks to them.

The benefits of being outside and exercising are well known, but it can sometimes be difficult to find the confidence to get out and experience the great outdoors. It is hoped that this project will help residents find that confidence to visit our green spaces and the subsequent benefits.Cllr Gill Mercer, the council’s Executive Member for Adults, Health and Wellbeing

Our parks are wonderful assets and every day is different with the scenery changing across the seasons. The footage filmed across the past year really highlights and showcases the landscapes in a new way to a whole new audience.Cllr Harriet Pentland, the council’s Executive Member for Climate and Green Environment

As a modern council, we’re always looking to be innovative and embrace technology in a variety of ways - this project is one example of this, and I look forward to seeing more about how its benefiting those who may have previously thought our parks were inaccessible for them.Jason Smithers, Leader of the Council

More information about country parks across North Northamptonshire is available on the council’s website.