Gretton to Rockingham via Jurassic Way

 Thursday 17th April . With Marta.

A six mile walk on a fine sunny morning, with very little wind. The route was there and back from Gretton to Rockingham along the Jurassic Way footpath.

Our route out was across the field to the top of West Hill, and down the steep slope to the path alongside the railway.

Mind your head!

It’s a lovely route now that it is dry, but one huge field halfway along is always a drag, and at the moment it’s planted with rape, not my favourite crop to walk through.

Rockingham village was looking splendid in its late spring clothing, though spoiled a little by the heavy traffic on the main road.

The Barn Tearoom provided us with good coffee and a tea cake each to sustain us for the return leg.

We varied the route back, by heading along the bridleway, which takes us into Gretton more gradually than the path directly up West Hill.

Map incomplete - 

Gretton, Rockingham,Earlstrees

 Tuesday 24th January

Eight and a half miles with Marta.  A very fine, but icy morning.

From Gretton across to Rockingham via Arnhill Road and tracks, joining the Jurassic Way path. 

Rockingham tea shop is closed on Tuesdays at present, so we continued up the hill on the footpath next to the road, and followed the road past the cemetery and had a coffee at Greggs.

We returned to Gretton,via Princewood Road, Gretton brook Road and the footpath through the plantation.

Gretton to Rockingham, return via Earlstrees

 Tuesday 11th October

I walked with Marta to Rockingham via footpath over railway and Jurassic Way.

Pause for coffee and tea cakes. The cafe had only us and one more woman as customers. 

We returned by walking up Rockingham Hill,

past the Old Forge

and past the cemetery , the. along Earlstrees Road

and Gretton Brook Road, taking the footpath through the plantation to return to Gretton.

9.5 miles in all. Beautiful weather again, though it began chilly, it warmed up. 

Gretton to Rockingham via Plantation and Earlstrees

 Tuesday 21st June

About 8 miles.

Beautiful early morning weather. Marta round at 9.30. She parked her car at the rec and we walked along the track

and across to the plantation. Ended up following the public footpath after 

remembering that the other end was closed because of police dog training.

We walked the short section on Gretton Brook Road - very busy with traffic 

- not recommended. This footpath needs extending.

We found this purple orchid growing in the grass verge on Princewood Road on the industrial estate. 

As it was already very hot, we decided to get a coffee and a sandwich in Greggs.

Then walked past the cemetery and down Rockingham Hill to the Jurassic Way 

path, without visiting the Tea shop at the bottom of the hill.

We followed the Jurassic Way path back with another pause in the shade. 

At one point the path has not been made good through the crops, as you see from 

the photograph looking back.

The flowery field edges were lovely.

Unfortunately a bee managed to get into my sock and stung my foot.

Later Marta got stung on the face by something.

We walked up West Hill in the heat.

Got home and had orange juice!

Gretton to Rockingham and back via Caldecott.

 Tuesday 05 October 2021. With Marta. 9 miles.

We took the path which crosses the railway line near Corby Tunnel, 

The valley was looking moody, but we had no more than a sprinkling of rain while we were out.

We stopped for a coffee at Rockingham tea-shop, then followed out usual route along the Jurassic Way   then to Caldecott and across the valley floor by the Welland, returning to Gretton by Mill Road and Station Road.

Gretton, Caldecott, Rockingham, circular

 Saturday 7 November , almost 10 miles.

Down to Middle Bridge on the road from Gretton to Lyddington, turn left and follow the footpath with the river on your left. 

Some of the walk involved a diversion to follow the river and also into Fairchild's wood. The direct walk is a little shorter.

Normally we walk along the road to Great Easton, to pick up the Jurassic Way footpath. This time I braved the A6003 - there is a fairly wide cycle lane and verge, and good visibility, but I wouldn't walk there with a group! Shoulda done it during serious early lockdown!

After less than half a mile, I took the bridleway to my right, which leads directly to the Jurassic Way.

 From there I followed the Jurassic Way to Rockingham, and then along the south side of the Welland valley, and up West Hill into Gretton.

Circuit of 13.5 miles

With Harry.  13.5 miles.  Even hotter than we expected. 
We heard and saw a cuckoo in the Welland valley. In fact we heard both the male's well-known call, and the female's "bubbling chuckle", something I hadn't even known existed. You can hear it in the short video. 
We caught sight of a reed bunting flying over the water, and saw a couple of red kites backlit by the sun.

From Gretton, along the footpath which crosses the railway line, and the Welland, to Thorpe by Water.

Along Thorpe Road to Lyddington







Up the hill and over the A6003 to Stoke Dry and Eyebrook reservoir





A pause for a slice of ginger cake, then on to Great Easton, and a village shop!

Over the river again and on to Rockingham, where we had another pause in the churchyard.


Then back along the valley to Gretton.