Northants Round 6 - Blisworth to Bugbrooke (and back)

Tue, 2014 Apr 29 10:27 AM BST

With Marta. Fine weather mostly. 13.44 miles.

We manage to park near the canal in Blisworth, and head off down Gayton road. After about 50 meters we find the footpath, with an NR sign, leading up a sloping field. In the corner some chickens and a cockerel are vociferous in their coop.

Looking back to Blisworth

The first field is grass, then we cross a field of red earth, planted with a young crop. There's a clear path, and a signpost at the opposite end. The mud doesn't stick today - not wet enough. We pass a couple of people setting out some poles in the field. Too far away to enquire, we simply wave, and carry on towards what is still called Gayton Road, where we turn left and follow the road over the A43 to the crossroads. Another left turn, and a short distance down the road, just opposite the campsite and ponds of Gayton Wood Farm, our path goes to the right.

Spot the sign!

The signs are covered by the hedge, but I have to say talking and misjudged distance lead us to walk almost half a mile too far, before we realise and turn back! Once we find the route it's no problem to follow it across the field, turning left at the first hedge, then over the dismantled railway in its deep cutting.

Dismantled railway cutting

A little further and the path is enclosed by hedges and a fence as we come to Gayton Wilds House and New Wilds cottages. At the Tiffield Road we turn right and walk into Gayton, past some allotment gardens. We make use of the Golden Jubilee seat on the village green for a coffee break.

Gayton village green

We turn left along the road, and very soon, just before the village end our path goes to the right. Gayton is on a ridge, and before long we have great views - a little misty today - over the Nene valley.

Wide vistas

Couldn't resist the colours here

Skylarks are around too.   After this relatively high level walk, through oilseed rape, though with an excellent path, the land drops down steeply to the road, the West Coast mainline railway and the Grand Union Canal at Anchor Farm.

Toward the canal etc.

From here until close to Bugbrooke we simply follow the canal - and the nearby rail line, though very busy, is far less intrusive than motorway noise.  We see a heron, mallards with chicks, moorhen.

Boat porthole

First heron of the day

Very few boats, though there are plenty in the local marinas.

Just before reaching Bugbrooke we leave the canal, to follow the Northamptonshire Round into the village.  

Rail bridge behind canal aqueduct

Stream that goes below the canal etc.

We follow the hedge, then turn right at an aqueduct carrying the canal, with a bridge not far away for the railway. In the village we enquire at the pet shop about eating places, and the owner directs us to the Wharf Inn, back by the Canal. We've walked almost seven miles by now.

a second heron

After lunch we decide to take the most direct (and flat) route back to Blisworth, and follow the canal all the way.

Bridge at Gayton Junction

We have another short break on a conveniently placed seat at Gayton Junction, then almost take the Northampton Arm of the canal, but soon correct ourselves.

My best heron of the day

Another mile and we are back in Blisworth. This 13.4 mile walk feels quite enough for today!

Back in Blisworth

Map and details

Northamptonshire Round 4 (Salcey-Ashton) + Ashton-Blisworth (shortened)

Wed, 2014 Mar 5 11:28 AM GMT

With Marta. Around 9 miles in all. We shortened the route from Ashton because time was a little short. Next leg will start from Ashton and do it properly!

Not an auspicious start, when we both got caught up in traffic jams this morning. So what should have been a 10.15 ish start, ended up, after a coffee and teacakes for me, as an 11.30 start for the walk. 

From Salcey Forest Café we walked on to the road, turned left, then right at the junction towards the M1. We'd just decided that the path in the forest looked far too muddy, and were looking at the map when a helpful man appeared.  Funny how person looking at map = lost.  Still he did tell us about another path, which turned out to be the one we wanted.

It's very close to the M1, and quite noisy, but is open countryside and otherwise pleasant, then a section of woodland which takes us to a road under the M1. We turn right under the motorway, then left into more woodland which gradually leaves the noise and traffic behind us.

The path is marked pretty well and we walk along the path coming out at Hartwell End Farm and House. We walk past a large pond, and through a gate - at this point I switched my garmin off by taking my coat off, so the mileage recorded isn't accurate.How many times have I done this?

We follow the path, diverting slightly round a field edge and come out, as we intended at Stonepit Farm.  Here we turn left along Hartwell Road, and after a couple of hundred yards we take the footpath to our right, soon turning right again with the hedge.  We follow it to Chapel Farm, where we see our first outdoor lambs of the season.

We turn right along the farm road and at the next bend take the footpath to our left.  We ignore the first footpath coming in on our right, and carry on until we cross another path. Here we turn left, and follow this path just north of west, across a minor road, then as far as the Hartwell Road coming out of Ashton.  We turn left and walk a short distance along the road, then take a bridleway heading northwest at a left-hand bend in the road. This makes a right-angled turn left and brings us under a railway bridge and into Ashton near the school and church.

We turn right at the Old Crown and walk through the rest of the village.

Spring is springing!

At this point we have a rethink of the original plans for the walk and decide to take the shorter route to Stoke Bruerne by minor road.

 A good move - it's already well past two when we stop for lunch at The Navigation, right by the canal. It's warm enough to sit outside in a sheltered and sunny spot, the sandwiches arrive very quickly and taste good - ideal!

We take a short route to Blisworth, leaving out Shutlanger (until next time, anyway) and taking the Grand Union Canal walk, along the canal and the road.

When we reach Blisworth Tunnel entrance we have to climb up to the road, which is a little busier than I like, but nothing too bad.

We pass several farms and just before we go downhill towards Blisworth we pass this air shaft for the tunnel.

At Blisworth Tunnel car park we go back down to the canal. At this end of the 2821 meter long tunnel the tunnel hut has been restored and decorated inside.

We walk along the towpath until we reach Blisworth Mill (once a spice mill), and the road to the car.

Approaching Blisworth

The church stands on a rise and there's an overspill cemetery with fine gates just across the road.

We reach the car, and have plenty of time to pick up the other one from Salcey Forest well before they shut their gates at 5pm.

So, not entirely Northamptonshire Round, but a fine walk in beautiful weather. 

Map and details

Newton Harcourt to Foxton Locks

A linear walk along the canal - just over 8 miles. Led by me, with Barry, Gordon and Maureen. Some muddy patches of towpath. Fine, cold wind, some sun. Some lying snow.

We set off from Newton Harcourt church and cross the canal bridge to reach the towpath. For much of the way we have mud and some snow to contend with, so it's as well I've taken the trusty trekking pole.  The conditions underfoot make for some hard going.  Navigation, on the other hand is a doddle. Just follow the canal, crossing it as necessary until you get to Foxton Locks.  

Idyllic - or just cold?

We have to leave the towpath a little way before Saddington Tunnel - it's been fenced off, as it's in a dangerous state.  There's a clear alternative path along the field edge above the canal.  We continue uphill over Saddington Tunnel,  but this presents no navigational problems either.

There's very little in the way of bird life this morning - a couple of Canada geese, a pair of mallards and two swans are all we spot on the water.  The are a few little birds around, and some starlings in the fields.

We take a break at just over 4 miles in, and find a surprisingly sheltered spot.  The sun's out too, so we're quite happy. 

Hurry up - the sun's in my eyes!

There are a few hardy boaters enjoying the fine cold morning. 
When we reach Debdale Wharf the condition of the towpath improves dramatically.  Hard, firm and non-slippery.  We spot one or two footpaths we have walked before.
We negotiate Bridge 61 safely - this is still quite icy, then let ourselves be tempted by coffee and a sandwich in the "Bridge 61" pub. 

Is this for the tea?

A short walk up past the flight of ten locks and the lock-keeper's cottage and the stable with their historical information displays, and we are back to Foxton Locks top car park. I think we must have used two cars for this walk!
Just under eight and a half miles.


map and details

Wistow - Kilby - Foston - Wistow

Wednesday 8 June 2011, with Marta - between 7 and 8 miles. Weather showery, but mainly fine. 
Walk taken from the October 1997 issue of Country Walking magazine.

Wistow Hall from the road

We were so keen to look through the bridge that we missed the footpath by the church and had to turn back to it.  Then we failed to take the left turn we should have taken just across a footbridge, and continued to the Grand Union Canal at bridge 78 (I think).

Lock keepers Cottage

Tenth Century church at Foston

Foston has been a deserted village for about 400 years, but St Bartholomew's church, dating from the tenth century is still in use.  People had arrived to prepare for the Flower Festival when we got there.

Keep on the strai(gh)t and narrow!

A pleasant walk - a good lunch at the Dog and Gun in Kilby, but a little too much arable field walking, at low level with no real views, in the middle part of the walk - between Kilby and Foston,  and a tad too much road walking - narrow verges and more traffic than I expected.  The beginning third and the final third were better.
tbc


For details and map click this link