Sykes Lane to Barnsdale and back

 Tuesday 2nd April 2025

A walk with Marta from Sykes Lane to Barnsdale and back. 6 miles approximately. 

We admired the bluebells.

We walked down through Stamford Community Orchard, where trees are in bloom just now.

Returned - and had lunch at Harbour Cafe - not brilliant -  white bread a bit sticky. Note to self - remember to specify!

Drawing and a stroll at Rutland Water

 Tuesday 18th February

With Harry, Esther, Joseph and Hazel.

First a coffee at Whitwell’s Harbour cafe, where we all sat and drew for a while - the cafe was busy but not crowded.

Then we walked round to Sykes Lane, into the cold wind, and back with the wind behind us. Not far, but enough for an airing.

Aconites near Edith Weston village shop.

Rutland Water - Sykes Lane to Barnsdale and back

Monday 29 April 2019, with Maureen, Norma and Eddie. Bluebell time, glorious though the weather was a little dull. About 7 miles.

Empingham to Barnsdale Woods

Thursday 26th April with Maureen. In search of bluebells. About 8.5 miles. Chily and mostly cloudy with a few glimpses of sunshine.

From Empingham village, we crossed the main road and walked down Nook Lane to the footpath between two houses. Through a gate and down across the field. we climbed a stile and followed the path to the entrance to the woods. Then it was over a stile and a plank bridge, through the woods, over another stile, across a field and another stile. This brought us out below the dam.  We kept the fence on our right and headed for the gate which meets the entrance road to Sykes Lane car park.

After this we followed the path to Whitwell and then to Barnsdale. The bluebells were out in force.

 We then returned to Empingham and lunched at the Orchard cafe, Welland Garden Centre in Uppingham.

Empingham, Rutland Water to Barnsdale and back

Monday 26 March 2018, with Marion and Kate. 7.7 miles. A beautiful morning, sunny with very little wind.  Spring in the air, for the moment.  Almost the same walk as last Thursday, but slightly shortened.

The Great Tower

Trees and reflections

A well-earned break

Ready to move

That looked fun this morning

Empingham to Rutland Water to Barnsdale and back.

Thursday 22 March with Maureen. 8.4 miles. Fine morning's walk, with a break at the bottom of the hill near Barnsdale Lodge, then back.  This was followed by lunch at Wellies (again!).

Barnsdale bluebells

Monday 1 May 2017. A seven mile walk with Norma, begun at 9.30. Dry, not cold. One mini shower.
From Sykes Lane car park , past Whitwell, through Barnsdale wood and to the road past Barnsdale and back, following the small path through the woods, and by the lakeside back to the normal track.

I have been out here three or four times in the last two weeks and the photographs are from several visits. A stunning display of bluebells, alongside red campion, cowslips and stitchwort.

Today we saw several house martins by the reservoir.