May 18th Uppingham, Stoke Dry, Lyddington

 Sunday 18th May 2025m

Slightly grey morning. Brightened later.

Coffee and lunch, then out - we went to Uppingham

and did the walk above Eyebrook Reservoir

, and back via Lyddington,

a break for coffee at the White Hart,

and we followed the pavement next to the road from there.- around 7 miles in all.

Some of the cows were lying down, but so far no rain.

Gretton, Thorpe by Water, Seaton, Bisbrooke, Uppingham, Stoke Dry, Lyddington,

 Monday 28th August, with Harry, 14 miles approx.

From Gretton we took the public footpath from Church Gap, crossing the field 

and making for the gate to the enclosed path to the railway line.

We crossed the railway and walked down over the next field where the path is clear - the crop has been harvested. At the bottom we turned right and followed the hedge to the footbridge through the hedge.

The bushes were resplendent with blackberries - and nightshade flowers.

We turned right after this and followed the way marked route with the river on our left.

Looking back towards Gretton

Another footbridge

 We crossed a couple of large fields, some with rolls of hay. 

Across the river a cow observed our progress.

We crossed the river at the large footbridge, just before the track goes under the disused railway .

Over a stile into the next field, and very soon turning right through a gateway to a path between hedges and fences which leads into Thorpe by Water itself.

We walked through to the B672, and turned right, walking for half a mile or so along the road, which wasn’t too busy, as far as the turn to Seaton.

The sunlit village was straight ahead.

We made for our favourite seat in the sun in the churchyard, perfectly timed for eleven o’clock coffee and a biscuit.

From the church we turned left, then left again at the main road, continuing until we reached the path up four steep steps and heading north before crossing a disused railway and heading north west towards Bisbrooke.

We resisted the temptation to help ourselves to a marrow, 

or to have another contemplative pause at the church.

We took the high level footpath into Uppingham, where we sat down for a few minutes among the flowers in tubs opposite the market place.

We left Uppingham along the Stockerston Road (B664). and shortly after the town sign took the Rutland Round footpath, over a stile through a hedge and across a field where the hay was being collected on to trucks. 

The path soon goes along an enclosed section between fences. Another field leads to views over Wardley Wood. We turn left after a stile and head towards Beaumont Chase Farm and back to the B664 road.

Another left turn and a short distance further on we took the bridle way on our right (Rutland Round again) past Stoke Dry Wood. We had to outpace a couple we’d passed earlier, so that we could bag our favourite lunch spot on this walk.

Rested and fed, we continued along the Rutland Round as far as Manor Farm above Stoke Dry.

We crossed the A6003 and took the path slightly to the right through the fields down hill towards Lyddington.

Lyddington church

On the other side of Lyddington we walked along Thorpe Road, and crossed the B627 to join the path back to Gretton completing the circle, and then returning home.

Cat on a cool thatched roof

The Welland

Gretton church peeping through

Slightly further than our recent walk near Lyndhurst , rougher terrain, but nowhere near as hot.

Gretton to Eyebrook by bike

Just over 12 miles on a fine  and sunny afternoon.  Via Lyddington, Stoke Dry, round the reservoir to Great Easton and back via Caldecott. 

Around 500 feet of ascent. 

Stoke Dry Pumpkins

Cows by Eyebrook Reservoir

By bike to Eyebrook Reservoir

Wednesday 14th September

 After lunch another bike ride - Lyddington.,( 3 pauses on the long hill up to the A6003!)  Stoke Dry, Great Easton, Caldecott, Gretton. 12.2 miles. 600 feet of ascent.  Paused at bottom of Station Road Hill, and got up it in one go.

At the bench near Eyebrook, someone had parked their car with boot open directly in front of it, and there were two young men looking at their phones - looking slightly sinister!

This looks a bit odd!

Just over 12 miles.

By bike to Eyebrook

 Saturday 09 October 2021 with Harry. 12 miles.

Gretton to Lyddington, up the hill to A 6003, then down to Stoke Dry and along the road round Eyebrook to Great Easton.

We returned via Caldecott and Mill Road, 

finishing

off with the Station Road hill into Gretton.

Uppingham to Lyddington via Stoke Dry then return to Uppingham

 Tuesday 1st June.

With Harry, Esther, Joseph and Hazel.  Just over 7 miles.

Warm sunny day and we were pleased when clouds took some of the fierce heat out.

Harry and I cycled over to Uppingham, and then we decided to do the walk. After coffee and slices of cake.

It’s part of the route we’ve done several times before, most recently on March 21st this year. It involves  following the Rutland Round path from Uppingham past Beaumont Chase Farm.

Then we turned left and walked short distance along the road until we reached the bridleway on our right opposite a couple of houses. 

This way round is ideal for showing someone the route. After a mile or so, we reached the end of Stoke Dry Wood, and turned the corner for the “surprise view” over Eyebrook Reservoir. Lunch in our favourite spot. then onwards to the road above Stoke Dry. Across the main A6003, and thought the fields, with the nettles making stiles a little more uncomfortable than usual, and into Lyddington.

We took the footpath through the fields on the road towards Uppingham, climbed uphill, crossed the road and followed the path past the community college playing field. The next path goes down and up twice quite steeply, and in winter or wet conditions it is a mud bath. Today was no problem as everywhere was dry. It was so hot that the pigs and goats were sheltering inside in the shade.

After welcome cups of tea and yet more cake Harry and I cycled back home, before the others drove over for the evening meal in the warm garden. 

Gretton - Lyddington - Stoke Dry - Uppingham - Bisbrooke - Seaton - Thorpe by Water - Gretton

Sunday 21st March, 13.5 miles approx.

Beautiful sunny morning, but greyed by midday.

The trees no longer have their feet in the river

We walked from Gretton by road down to the Welland and on to Lyddington.  

Blackthorn

Lyddington

We turned left up the Stoke Dry road, taking the footpath to our right through 5 fields, up hill to the A47.  We crossed the road and at the bend took the footpath to our right , part of the Rutland Round.

First view of Eyebrook reservoir

Just before reaching  Stoke Dry Wood, we paused at our usual spot for coffee with a fine view over the reservoir. Along muddy bridleway to the Stockerston Road.  We turned left  and walked downhill a short distance before picking up the Rutland Round footpath to the right at Beaumont Chase Farm.

Who are you looking at?

Wardley Wood

It was easy to follow yellow posts and RR signs back round to Stockerston Road just outside Uppingham. It was much pleasanter than walking along the road, which had a fair number of Sunday drivers and motorcyclists. We continued through Uppingham, and out via the high level footpath to Bisbrooke, where we took a breather behind the church.

Du Cote de chez Swann ...

Then it was downhill and up again through the fields and across the disused railway line towards Seaton. 

We had a late lunch stop at the church, but the bench was not such a sheltered sun trap as last time we were here! No crocuses left, but mini-daffs still glorious.  With bellies full and caffeine levels topped up, we headed down Baines Lane, and the road down towards Thorpe by Water.

We had a very good view of viaduct with a freight train. 

We made our way through Thorpe village and across the valley and the river

and back to Gretton up the muddy field , over the railway line and across the field behind the church.

Marsh marigolds/ kingcups at the pond behind Gretton church

Approximately 13.5 miles.