2024/06/11 - Thrapston to Stanwick Lakes

 

Tuesday 11th June

I drove to Geddington, then Marta drove us both to Thrapston and we asked permission to park in the pub car park.

“Yes, of course, no problem!”

“We were thinking of buying a coffee, “ says Marta, ‘What time does the pub open?”

“Not until 12,” replies the woman, “So it’ll be a long walk”

In fact we didn’t get back until 3pm, since we walked the 5 miles to Stanwick Lakes Visitor Centre and had lunch before walking back. 

 

11 miles in all - legs are complaining, even though it’s one of the flattest walks around!

A cuckoo accompanied us as we approached the Visitor Centre, and we heard it again, very close on the return leg. Also a black cap. 

Very few drops of rain.

Thrapston to Stanwick Lakes and back

 Tuesday 13th September

With Marta.

I drive to Marta’s at 9.30, and on to Thrapston, where we parked near the Woolpack pub. 

A smoke tree 

We walked alongside fishing lakes taking the left hand path.

Remains of a railway bridge?

Then we followed the railway track path. 

We diverted for a coffee and cake at the Willy Watt Water Mill cafe ( you still get the occasional whiff of sewage!).

I chatted to a couple of elderly (!!) cyclists with electric bikes on the way in to the cafe.

There were lots of blackberries, but we didn’t pick any apart from the odd one to eat.

Continued to Stanwick Lakes visitor centre, where we saw lots of swallows and house-martins around the lake.

We bought a sandwich each and ate at an outside table.

 We retraced our steps (more or less) arriving back at the car at 4pm. Dry and warm, though not always sunny.

11 miles, all flat. 

Wednesday 20 Nov - Thrapston to Stanwick Lakes

With Marta. 11 miles there and back. Very flat. 

We set off at about 9.30 from close to the Woolpack Inn. The first section was very soggy, either mud or wet grass.
We were quite shocked to see the number of trees that have been cut down close to the A14. 

Once we were beyond the road conditions improved, as we walked along the old railway track, where there were a few puddles but nothing serious.

Looking towards Woodford

Inside the roundhouse

View from the visitor centre's cafe.

We diverted a hundred yards or so to the Water Mill Cafe at Willy Watt marina.

One of my favourite views when the river is still.

Wed 08 August Islip to Aldwincle

Wed 08 August.  With Marta. Just under 5 miles. It's Monday's route in reverse, more or less. We started from Islip, and walked the Ridge Road first, past the holiday cottages and on into Aldwincle coming out near Pear Tree Farm, then picking up the Nene Way ad following it through Titchmarsh Nature Reserve. Lots of herons in evidence today. We picked a few blackberries as well.

 An unripe walnut.

Changing skies.

More Himalayan Balsam

Swans on the lake

 We didn't cross the footbridge this time, but stayed on the west side of the river, walking through a shady section of woodland, and over a large field with cows, following the Nene Way.

 At Islip Mill we crossed Mill Lane and followed signs fro the Nene Way through a couple of fields and the pub garden and back to the High Street.

We picked up a sandwich at the Cafe at 34 in Thrapston.

Islip, Denford, Woodford Mill, Ringstead

On a very fine, bright and frosty morning five of us set out on this gentle walk from near The Woolpack Inn in Islip, just before the bridge into Thrapston. The walk was extended for an extra mile or so from the original as the weather was good, and there were only five of us.

We followed the Nene Way over the field, across the disused railway and turning east alongside the A14. It goes under this noisy road and turns west, following the road for a short distance before turning on to the disused railway track path toward Stanwick Lakes.

Very soon the footpath which forms part of the Nene Way turns off to the left, just after a bridge. You keep close to the hedge, on your left. A footbridge takes us into the next field, and now we keep the hedge on our right until we reach a gap. We turn right across the field. On the OS map the track goes diagonally over this big field, but on the ground it's slightly different. We come to another bridge/stile and in the next field take a diagonal path for the bridge at Denford Lock. 

We cross the bridges towards the village.

We wander through the village of Denford and then back to the river.

A pleasant spot, but too early for a break!

Just after the third bridge we turn left along the footpath which follows the river as it curves round to Woodford Lock. This is very pleasant walking, and easy underfoot apart from the odd wet gateway. We turn left along the track towards Stanwick Lakes, crossing the viaduct, then going through the bridge carrying the Ham Lane track, and over another viaduct. In about a mile we reach the sign for the Woodford Mill tearoom, and head over there for coffees and teas.

After a break we agree to extend the walk by a mile or so, and take the road toward Ringstead, but turn off to the left and follow a footpath alongside Kinewell Lake.

We pass the car park on our right, and soon afterwards walk through a kissing gate and along a fenced-in path which comes out near the Axe and Compass pub. We walk through the village, past the Post Office and shop, and up a short hill past a building site, to pick up the path leading to Denford. This follows a hedge to our left, some allotments on our right, and there is one sticky field to cross downhill, and back into Denford.

We pick up the route over the river (third crossing of the bridges today), and the Nene Way back to the railway track. We turn right this time and head under the A14 and directly back towards Islip.

Thrapston Denford Ringstead

Fri, 4 Mar 2016 9:51 GMT

With Marta. Cold day with wind, but warm sunshine too. Just under 7 and a half miles. Flat. Some mud.

From Thrapston, just by the Woolpack, along the Nene Way then into Denford. (A little wetter than yesterday.)Turn right through the village, and follow Ringstead Road until a footpath leaves where the road bends left.  Follow the clearly marked footpath as it climbs uphill across a muddy field, though this was firm today. 

The path then goes by the hedge over grass, and alongside some allotments before reaching Ringstead. We walked towards the church, and turned right along Church Street. We found a suitable place for a break at the Memorial Playground, with benches and tables. 

Then we continued along Station Road, and crossed over on to the track leading all the way to the disused railway track from Stanwick Lakes. We turned right and walked the three miles back to Thrapston along the track.

Map and details

Thrapston, Denford,Woodford Mill

Thu, 2016 Mar 3 9:57 AM GMT.

With Maureen. Break at Woodford Mill Tea shop. I reckon about 8 miles. Lovely weather.

A further recce to check distances and conditions! We followed the Nene Way, then diverted into Denford.

Sunlight on water lifted the spirits.

The Nene from the bridge near Denford

A springlike scene today.

Denford church has a beautiful position near the river

This swan rivals the model for the village sign.

We walked back to the Nene Way, then followed the footpath alongside the Nene until it met with the disused railway track which goes to Stanwick Lakes.

One of the places where the old railway crossed the river.

We left the railway track to visit Woodford Mill tearoom.

Behind the tearoom at Woodford Mill.

Finally we walked along the road, turned right into Station Road and rejoined the railway track. We followed this all the way back to Thrapston.

Map and details

Thrapston - a recce walk

With Gordon and Maureen, starting at 9.20, Mon 29 Feb. 6 miles.

An exploratory walk from near the Woolpack, involving a walk along the disused railway track over the Nene and back, part of the Nene Way, the foorpath near Woodford Grange, and the track from Stanwick Lakes. All pretty well flat, and no big mud today.

Titchmarsh Lake, Thrapston

Tue, 2016 Jan 19 10:07 AM GMT

With Marta, fine and dry. very cold but no wind. Decent underfoot though some mud where the ground had thawed. We did an extra three miles at the start, before I switched the machine on to track the walk. Starting time is accurate.

Total around 7 miles.

Remarkable sky even around midday

Two of the many swans on the lakes

Can this be right?

This heron was still for so long that I was convinced it was not real . . .

. . . then it moved

Map and details of the second part of the walk. The first three miles were round the lake immediately to the right of our starting point!