2026 May 22nd - Northampton. Becket’s Park to Delapre Abbey and back

Friday 22nd May 2026

The car was parked at Midsummer Meadow Car park. From there we walked through Becket’s Park and across the Nene to the University of Northampton Waterside Campus.

We passed the Student Union in the Engine Shed 

and on to Delapré Abbey via tree-shaded paths and a walled garden.

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We had a decent coffee in the Orangery cafe.

We returned and sprawled on the grass for a while, then picked up a lunch at the Pavilion cafe in Becket’s Park.

A gentle three miles or so. The map shows just our return walk.

2026 - May 21st - Gretton to Kirby Hall

 

Thursday 21st May

Bright morning. 

I walked with Marta to Kirby Hall along the usual track, and through a field of young cows who showed little interest in us. 

We returned via the public footpath from Gretton brook Road, across the fields, then round to the pocket park. 

We stopped at Lydia’s for coffee and Eddie and Charlotte were there. 

2026, May 18th Rushton to the Bull Pen via Barford Meadows

 Monday 18th May

Walk with Norma, Maureen and Kate from Rushton round the Barford Meadows Nature Reserve, and to the Bull Pen. 

The cafe was very full, warm and noisy. Back via shorter direct route.

About 4.5 miles in all.

We took our routine evening walk round the village. A few swifts were flying around, and just as we’d decided to go home, we saw quite a crowd of bats in the chapel graveyard.

2026, May 12th - Lyddington to Uppingham

 Tuesday 12th May

With Marta, Lyddington to Uppingham and back.

The route there was up the hill along footpaths, then over the road and behind the community college playing field. 

The path then goes more or less parallel to the main road, past the donkeys.  

Then downhill again through a field of sheep and lambs and into Uppingham just below the church. 

We had a coffee break (surprise!) with toasted teacake in Esquires.  To return we walked along the road, which has decent pavements for walkers. 

Almost 4 miles. Well, it’s a leg-stretch!

2026, May 11th - Irthlingborough to Rushden Lakes

 Monday 11th May

We picked Norma up at 9.10 and drove to Irthlingborough. We parked near St Peter’s church (free), and met Kate and Maureen. 

We took the path through the churchyard and down the greenway track to the Rushden Lakes shopping centre for coffee. We took the same route back(just over 5 miles in all today)

Quite a few water birds, tufted ducks, swans, coots and mallards. There was a cuckoo calling more consistently and closer than we’ve heard so far this year. Also song thrushes, blackbirds, robins.

It rained  a bit from time to time, but was perfectly walkable, though the wind was chilly at the start.

2026, May 10th - Ring Haw, Old Sulehay,

 Sunday 10th May

After lunch we went to Ring Haw nature reserve, close to Old Sulehay Forest.  We  saw a herd of deer, 

and heard a cuckoo several times. 

 

2026 - May 9th - Old Sulehay Forest and Nature Reserve, near Wansford.

 Saturday 9th May

A warm and sunny morning, coffee outside in the sun, and then lunch before going to Sulehay Old Wood. 

 

We walked around 3 miles - the nature reserve and woodland was full of spring flowers - loads of speedwell, and masses of wild garlic in places as well. In the warmth, we even appreciated the shady woodland.

We will investigate the area to the south (Ring Haw etc.)

In the evening we saw a couple of swifts, and some swallows and martins too.