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!

Bluebell time at Rutland Water

 Monday 21st April

With Harry, Kate and Norma.  We parked at Whitwell, and strolled gently through Barnsdale Wood,

admiring the bluebells ..

…and red campion

and someone’s wild-ish garden

We walked as far as the bottom of the lane at Barnsdale, had a brief pause to admire the lake, then returned. 

The weather was grey, mainly drizzly, then a bit heavier, but still light rain.

We finished with coffee and tea cakes at the Harbour Bar, which was quite full - as expected on a damp Easter Monday.

Around 4 miles.

22nd April 2024 - Bluebells at Barnsdale

22nd April 2024

Kate drove us (me, Norma and Maureen) out to Sykes Lane, and we walked to Whitwell and then Barnwell car park, through the bluebell woods

and up along the access road to the car park, back via the heritage apple orchard.

On the way back we stopped at the Harbour Cafe in Whitwell for coffee and teacake. The walk was around 5.5 miles today.

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.