Wednesday 01 August. Lyveden Way from Wadenhoe

With Marta. 7.3 miles.  We set off at about 10.30.

The same route as July 09.

The River Nene at Wadenhoe

 By the time we reached Lyveden New Bield it was after midday, so we had lunch there.

Wisteria pods at Lyveden New Bield cafe

The river again

We missed the path around mile 3, so continued around the edge of the wood.

09 July Lyveden Way - from Wadenhoe

Monday 09 July. Maureen and Norma. Just over 7 miles. Still fairly hot, but some shady sections.

The same walk as this one.

We parked in the car park at the bottom of the hill past the Kings Head.

We took the path past the church and walked in a clockwise direction.  The route is well trodden and well signposted. 

From Wadenhoe church we followed the path over a couple of cattle grids to the road to Aldwincle, turned left along the road, then right on a path which took us along a field edge to another small road. Here we turned left through a metal gate and walked along a wide grassy track, which used to be part of the road from Thrapston to Oundle.

Just over half a mile down this track, a footpath goes to the right, heading for the woods. Walk along the edge of the field and take the path along the edge of the woods.

After another half-mile or so the path becomes wider, and joins a track.  Follow this to the right almost through the woods. The sign for the next turn-off is slightly hidden, but if you come out of the woods on to the big track, you'll need to retrace your steps for a hundred yards or so. The small track cuts through to the right, and emerges at the edge of a field.  Or you can simply continue and turn right just after the wood.

Turn right towards Lyveden New Bield. The marker posts are clear and the path goes behind the New Bield, with its car park and you should be able to get a drink and snack at the tea shop, even without making an official visit.

For more details about the New Bield - see this post.

From the New Bield the path goes across a field and directly through Lilford Wood.  At the other end of the wood, we crossed a small grassy field, then a footbridge, walked uphill through another field, until we reached a metalled track. This took us  for a couple of miles or so back to the small road we crossed much earlier in the walk. Here we turned right, then left soon afterwards, taking a footpath alongside a hedge. 

The path is well signed and leads into `Wadenhoe village, coming out between two houses and on to the main street.

Up to Wadenhoe church

Through the woods

Lyveden new Bield

Peace by the river Nene

Lyvenden Way - from Wadenhoe to Lyveden New Bield - circular

With Norma, Marion and Steph. Grey, but brightened up as we walked.  A little over seven miles in all, with a coffee/tea stop after almost five miles at Lyveden, and lunch at the Old Barn, Wadenhoe.

We took the path past the church and walked in a clockwise direction.  The route is well trodden and well signposted. 

From Wadenhoe church we followed the path over a couple of cattle grids to the road to Aldwincle, turned left along the road, then right on a path which took us to another small road. Here we turned left through a metal gate and walked along a wide grassy track, which used to be part of the road from Thrapston to Oundle.

Just over half a mile down this track, a footpath goes to the right, heading for the woods. Walk along the edge of the field and take the path along the edge of the woods.

After another half-mile or so the path becomes wider, and joins a track.  Follow this to the right almost through the woods. The sign for the next turn-off is slightly hidden, but if you come out of the woods on to the big track, you'll need to retrace your steps for a hundred yards or so. The small track cuts through to the right, and emerges at the edge of a field. 

Turn right towards Lyveden New Bield. The marker posts are clear and the path goes behind the New Bield, with its car park and you should be able to get a drink and snack at the tea shop, even without making an official visit.

For more details about the New Bield - see this post.

From the New Bield the path goes across a field and directly through Lilford Wood.  At the other end of the wood, we crossed a small grassy field, then a footbridge, walked uphill through another field, until we reached a metalled track. This took us  for a couple of miles or so back to the small road we crossed much earlier in the walk. Here we turned right, then left soon afterwards, taking a footpath alongside a hedge. We had to persuade the cows to move - they were taking shelter just in the gateway, but were no problem.

The path is well signed and leads into `Wadenhoe village, coming out between two houses and on to the main street.

Lots of butterflies around, mainly meadow brown and ringlets, though we saw one comma and tortoiseshells as well.

Time for tea

In the teashop garden

Wadenhoe, Aldwincle, Pilton, Achurch

Monday 13 February 2017, 9.45. Maureen, Steph, Norma, Tommy and me. Fine sunny morning after the wet weekend. Same route as last Thursday, though we took the road from Lilford bridge to Achurch instead of the Nene Way through the woods.  Not too muddy underfoot.

Swan on the Nene near Wadenhoe

Is this alder??

Aldwincle church

The track from Cross Street

The bridleway was probably the worst section for walking

Another buzzard, too distant to get a decent photo

Pilton church

A break in the sun!

Snowdrops

Back down to Wadenhoe

The mill with blue sky.

Ignore anything after the 7 mile point! 

Wadenhoe, Aldwincle, Pilton, Achurch

Thursday 09 February 2017.  With Maureen.  The reverse of Tuesday's walk, with a little extra.  7 miles in all. Muddy in patches.

We parked near Wadenhoe village hall, and walked along the Nene Way path, below the church towards Aldwincle.

 On the way we passed this fire-pit, perhaps for scout camps?

 We followed the path into Aldwincle, emerging near the church, where we turned right and shortly afterwards left along Cross Street. This becomes a farm track - with puddles, but easy enough to walk along. We turn right when we meet the bridleway (once the Thrapston to Oundle Road . . .). When we meet the metalled road we turn right again on a footpath  beside the hedge. this leads to the road between Aldwincle and Wadenhoe.
A short section of road walking and we arrive at Wadenhoe War Memorial. We make good use of the bench!

We followed the road past the houses on the way out of the village, and at the bend took the footpath signed to the right. There are two paths, and we took the one through a gate and fence, then across the field to the opposite corner, where the path goes into a short section of woodland before rejoining the road towards Pilton. 

Carvings on the Bede House

We went through Pilton, past the Bede House, and to the church, before turning south across fields.  One gate and a stile and we reached the road heading to Lilford and Titchmarsh. We turned left over the two bridges across the Nene, then picked up the Nene Way footpath through the Linches. There are a few muddy patches here.

Up through the Linches

Almost an owl

Just as we reached the road to the church at Achurch, there were snowdrops everywhere.

The Nene Way goes through the churchyard, then downhill over a grass field, crosses a branch of the river and another field before arriving back in Wadenhoe near the Mill car park.

On the way we saw a red kite. As always it was too quick for me to get a decent snap!

And finally a few exotic chickens.

Wadenhoe, Achurch, Pilton, Aldwincle

Tuesday 07 February 2017.  With Marta. Dull weather, but dry.

We parked near the village hall and began by walking trough the village to the mill, then across the river, following the Nene Way over another bridge and up towards St John the Baptist church at Achurch.  Just over six miles.

The Nene is quite high

Looking up from the car park to Wadenhoe church

This looks like Mr Toad - or a friend

We parked near the village hall and began by walking through the village to the mill, then across the river, following the Nene Way over another bridge and up towards St John the Baptist church at Achurch.  Just over six miles.

Towards Achurch St John the Baptist

Ferns in the churchyard

From the churchyard we made our way through the Linches woodland, emerging just before the road junction, where we turned left and downhill towards the road bridges over the Nene.

Snowdrops in the woods

By the road to Lilford bridge

Soon after the traffic lights we turned right over a stile in the hedge to take the path to Pilton. From there we could see Lilford Hall.

Lilford Hall on the other side of the river

We followed the path and made a short diversion to the church, which has connections to the Tresham family, and possibly the Gunpowder Plot.  We were able to look inside, as one of the key holders was near by.  We had a pause for coffee and cake too, and the sun came out.

Then we walked back through the village, and along the road towards Wadenhoe, taking the footpath to our left through some trees and then across a field with a few Jacob's sheep. We aimed for the gate between two sheds and came out on the road near Wadenhoe War Memorial, where there's another bench. 

Noisy rooks

Curious sheep

At this point we decided to break for lunch at the Old Barn, before deciding on further plans. 

We agreed to go up to the church and "see how we felt". We were energetic enough to walk along the road to Aldwincle, which isn't bad as it has a pretty wide grass verge and not a lot of traffic. We made our way back along the Nene Way path to the car park.

Sunlight and blue sky