Welford - Canal - Hemplow Hills - Welford

Led by Barry, with Maureen, Gordon and me. Fine - dry underfoot. Just over 6 miles.

Covered some of yesterday's route as well. 

We parked in Welford opposite this cottage.  We took a path to the west north west and walked along a path in a field behind houses.  This soon turned south west towards Hall Lane, which we crossed and turned right, along a path which diverged from the lane, slightly more to the west. 
The path crossed several fields before reaching the Grand Union Canal - a quiet stretch here. At first the canal was on our right, then we crossed to take the towpath with the canal on our left as we headed more or less south-west.

We followed the canal round a fairly large loop for a good two and half miles as far as Bridge 31.

 The Old Union Canals Society plants living milestones along the Leicester Line of the Grand Union. You know the ones, the trees with black painted steel plaques next to them. Thank you to jakepithf and his blog 

The path goes uphill through a field of growing crops, then into the woods of Hemplow Hills.

A snack-stop with a great view - Wood Cottage in the background.

Another 'permissive path'

Through the woods, - after the steep climb!

The tower-adorned gatehouses of West Hill Farm.

From Hemplow Hills we walk past West Hill Farm, and along Hemplow Drive. At the crossroads, straight on into West End and back to Welford.


We saw terns diving into the canal, a heron, and a hare in the field going up to Hemplow Hills.

Map and details