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.

Stanwick Lakes wander

Fri, 2016 Feb 12 10:00 AM GMT

With Marta. 8.3 miles. Good tracks, bit of road, very flat. Long coffee stop, then walk. Lunch at visitor centre. Fine, dry, with a slightly cold wind.

Not so sunny as yesterday, but a lovely day for walking. We decided on this standby walk to avoid yet more soggy fields.
We set off from the Irthlingborough end, near the old football ground.

Reflection under the A6

When we reached the Stanwick Lakes Visitor centre, we were tempted by an early coffee - surprise, surprise!

Part of the Changing tracks art project

 The Changing Tracks European Art project from 2014.  Here it is following the old Peterborough - Northampton Line, which was closed in 1972.

and more

 We followed the railway path as far as the turn off to Woodford Mill cafe, walked past this and Willy Watt Marina. Too early for lunch, so we completed the loop by walking besdie the Ringstead road.

near Woodford mill

Light, water and sky

 Along the road to Ringstead they were chopping some trees

.

Moulton college training tree surgeons?

We turned right along old Station Road back to the railway line .We followed this, but turned off to take the slightly longer path to the visitor Centre.

Spot the green woodpecker

 After lunch it was a short walk back to the car.

Map and details

Thrapston, Denford, Woodford, Willy Watt and back.

uFri, 2015 Jul 10 9:51 AM BST

With Marta. Covered a lot of the same ground as Monday's walk. I know the mileage on this machine is incorrect. (Maybe it's the thick walls problem in church and cafe!) I'd say 7 to 8 max! Very warm and sunny.

We followed the Nene Way from opposite the Woolpack in Islip, by the fishing lake,  under the old viaduct and on under the uglier A14 bridge.

Soon after meeting the railway path we turned left along the official Nene Way footpath towards Denford Lock, and diverted over the bridge, through the cows in the meadow, into the village.

One cow thinks the grass is greener . . . or is thirsty.

There's a green with benches by the river. An early coffee was certainly in order on a fine day like today. The washed out effect in the first pic below makes me think American West!

 











Back to the footpath, across the railway at Woodford lock, and along the low level path to Woodford itself, with the thatched cottage decorated with animals, as seen on Monday, and some lovely gardens, including this one with lavender full of tortoiseshell butterflies and bees.

A brief call into Woodford church which was full of lively people, including some small children, decorating it for the weekend's flower festival. We asked someone about the mummified heart, and were shown the pillar niche and text about it.

No diversions into fields with no exit today, but back on the right track, along the road and then paths through tall weeds, including nettles - finally emerging at the sign for Woodford Mill Tea shop, at Willy Watt Marina. It's open on  a Thursday. Lunch beckons.

The water wheel, motionless now, though another one still functions. For the History of Woodford Mill click on the name. Seems Willy Watt comes from "Willow Ait" or Willow Island.

We took the easy way back along the railway path, hot with little shade.We are not sure what the tree below is.

We strode on, passing this opportunity for another break in the shade - yes, another break. It was hot.

Eventually we paused for a last coffee under the old viaduct, which was pleasant enough, in spite of the roar from the A14.  All in all something over seven miles, or maybe eight.

Map and details