Harringworth circular, via Seaton, Morcott and Barrowden.

Mon, 2013 Jul 29 9:35 AM British Summer Time

Led by Mel, with Norma, Brenda, Kate, Shirley, Maureen, Marion, Chris, Barry, Gordon, Terry, Jill and me. Weather fine and warm. Looked as though it would rain as we reached the cars. 8.5 miles approx. 488 ft of climbing.

Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, we set off from the middle of Harringworth - the steps of the cross make a comfortable seat for girding ones feet.  Our first choice of route is rapidly aborted  since nettles and shorts make a poor combination.  
We take the second path on the Gretton Road out of Harringworth, turning right across the Welland valley, heading northwest over fields, with the viaduct to our right.  We cross the river  - higher than it has been after recent rain. We make for the big farmhouse,  take the path round this and to the road. Over the road we go up the steps to the dismantled railway and head uphill to Seaton.

Here we turn right and walk to the crossroads, heading east.  We take the road ahead, which follows the ridge, and gives great views over the valley and viaduct. 

Just after the road starts to go downhill, and at a right hand bend we take the path to the left,  - marked Rutland Round.  It takes us downhill and under the dismantled railway.

The merry throng - about to turn on to the path

under the old railway

Coming up towards the A47

After a few more fields we climb up to the A47 and cross over before taking a footpath which crosses a field diagonally (northeast). When we reach Morcott High Street we turn right. We cross the Stamford Road near the White Horse, and head southeast towards Barrowden.  

Beware though. in the wooded section there be wasps, and two were stung. I think they had the bad luck to be at the back after the rest of us had disturbed the insects.
We have to cross the A47 again here, and it's an awkward spot.  Once over we walk along the road due east into Barrowden.

This plaque catches our eyes.  Mr Google helps answer our questions with info from Maurice Kellner's Genuki page about Barrowden:

In 1829, a Thomas Cook met Marianne Mason, a farmer's daughter living at West Farm, Barrowden. He was an itinerant Baptist missionary, but due to a lack of funds, he became a wood turner and cabinet-maker. They married in 1833 and moved to Market Harborough. On 5th July 1841, they hired a special train to take some Leicester Temperance supporters to a rally at Loughborough. This was the foundation of the Thomas Cook travel agency.

The community shop makes an excellent coffee stop, with outdoor tables. 

First aid for wasp stings

Time to relax

From here it's a gentle downhill walk, once we've retraced our path back out of Barrowden. At the junction we take the (left-hand) Seaton road not the one to Morcott, and at the next farm road turn left and then right along the Jurassic Way - over a stile and across fields - all pretty dry with clear paths. We go diagonally over the fields, then follow the hedge south west. We reach a track and cross over so that the hedge is now on our right.  After another four fields or so we meet another track and turn left, downhill to the Welland and Turtle Bridge.

What the stylish walker is wearing this year

and more stylish walkers

leaving Rutland for Northamptonshire

We turn right alongside the river and follow its course for a while

The other side of the viaduct

We cross the fields belonging to the riding school, and reach the road into Harringworth. A change of footwear, and into the recently re-opened White Swan for a very good sandwich lunch. A few drops of rain threaten, but we've had a fine dry walk.

Map and details