Stoke Albany, Ashley,Brampton Ash,Desborough

9.33 am, Monday 21 March 2016. Led by Tommy, with me, Maureen, Gordon, Marian, Chris, Terry. Dry, but not sunny. fields are drying out. 9.5 miles, and around 660 feet of climbing, though none of the hills were very long, and the views were good, in spite of some mist.

We parked at the village hall, near the church in Stoke Albany, and took the footpath heading north west by the church. it turns more or less north, past Lower Lodge farm, and under a row of pylons, joins a path from Wilbarston and heads north west again.  

A hardy band walks along the corridor in the fields

  On the outskirts of Ashley, we take a path east, cross a minor road and climb steadily up across field paths to the finger post where six paths join.

Six ways finger post to Stoke Albany (x2), Brampton Ash, Sutton Bassett, (hidden away at the back), Weston by Welland and Ashley

 We join the Midshires and Macmillan Way and follow the footpath towards Brampton Ash. We have a break - fairly high up, but sheltered between two rows of trees.

Renewed enthusiasm after a break - and we found a spot out of the wind.

 We cross the Harborough Road, and walk across a field near Brampton Ash church to reach Hermitage Road. A turn to the right and a short section on the road takes us to another footpath, on our left,leading to Red Hovel, and then alongside Brampton Wood. This is on our left.

Brampton Ash church, and lots of new lambs.

More new life

 Our route takes us through an industrial estate on the outskirts of Desborough, and along a public footpath over a locked gate, then across a field with a few horses, before following the other side of the wood - it is now on our left again as we walk north. We skirt Stoke Wood, and reach the minor road between Desborough and Stoke Albany. A mile or so and we arrive back at the church, and the cars. 

Back to Stoke Albany church

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Ashley circular via Stoke Albany

Mon, 2013 Sep 2 9:37 AM British Summer Time

Led by Barry. With Chris and Marion, Vera and Barrie, Gordon and me. Some dry ploughed fields made paths unclear. About 6 miles.

From Ashley opposite the George - the route is the same as the walk we did on July 8 2013, but without the diversion round Stoke Albany, and without the wrong turning after "John" Tugwell's grave.  He has a fine new slate stone since our last visit. I didn't snap it, but from memory it finishes with "Right. I must be doing."

The paths are not so clear at this time as the rapeseed has been harvested, so we had a few dry ploughed fields to negotiate.

Fine views, and a good six-mile walk in great weather.

We did spot masses of tiny frogs heading across dry soil - towards the stream?

Map and details

Ashley circular via Stoke Albany

Mon, 2013 Jul 8 9:16 AM British Summer Time 

With Barry and Gordon. Another hot and sunny walk, after early mist. Pleasant breeze. Uphill to begin, then undulating - good views. Dry underfoot. 8 miles, and 589 feet of climbing.

The mist is in evidence when we set off from Ashley, just opposite the George pub. We walk along the road past a couple of houses, through a gate, and then take the footpath which leads directly uphill along the side of a field of cows. 

At the top end of this field are two footpath signs - the most obvious is a stile straight ahead. We ignore this and take the path through a gate to the left. This is a bridleway, and goes diagonally downhill, then crosses a brook, and joins Brig Lane.   The track goes uphill for a while, and after almost a mile arrives at the road on the edge of Wilbarston. We turn right towards Stoke Albany.  

In this wall are traces of former archways and windows. It bears the date 1684.

St Botolph's church, Stoke Albany

Although we've not walked three miles yet, the bench opposite the church tempts us to take an early snack break.

We manage to add a mile to our route, but this gives us the bonus of a fine field of poppies, a kite, a flying pig, and some more views of Stoke Albany.

OK, not quite flying

Brampton Ash spire in the distance

lamp post leaning

Back on the correct route, we follow the road down to the right from the old village hall, until the footpath leaves to the left, on a right hand bend.  The path takes us over a field to cross the drive to the golf club.  We walk in the same direction along the next field and cross the field boundary into a very big field. The path heads uphill past a derelict shed, to the end of the field.  There are lots of blue damsel flies shimmering around the path.

At this point we have to go through what looks like a tunnel of vegetation in the corner of a copse. It's not quite the obstacle that it looks.

The next field has a clear path through the ripening barley

It leads up to a private burial ground, with railings and a seat with a lovely view.

At this point we stray slightly from our route - basically turning the wrong way when we meet the Macmillan Way.  Luckily we soon realise and put ourselves straight, heading for the six-way signpost on the ridge.

We follow the sign towards Ashley, through a field of wheat, then have a choice of two routes. The right hand one looks more user-friendly, though we have to walk through very high grass towards the end.

It isn't long before we emerge into Ashley, cross a road and take the path opposite, which eventually comes out at the road we started from.

From here, it is a short walk to the car.

Map and details

Jurassic Way 7 - Braybrooke to Cottingham

Braybrooke Church seen behind the site of the castle

The path leads under the mainline railway

The Jurassic Way goes behind a plant nursery, and through paddocks

then leads uphill through a wheat field

This bridge is rotting, but there may be a gate nearby.

The woodland is on our right. Over to the left we can see Brampton Ash Church

We had to walk through a corner of Stoke Wood

In Stoke Albany

Manor House

Remains of moat

Saint Botolph's church, Stoke Albany

Wilbarston Church

Map and details