On a very welcome cooler day, with a lovely cooling breeze, seven of us set out on the longer walk from the Village Hall in Grendon. We welcomed 3 new walkers, Amanda, Louise and Karl to what was an unusually small Sunday group of four. Making Seven of us in all. Taking a footpath adjacent to the Hall we made our way to Chequers Lane and took the inter village path to Bozeat. The path, which crosses the shallow valley of Grendon Brook, has wide expansive views of the valley. We were soon discussing the likelihood of the views being overtaken by the proposed Greenhill Solar Installation which will fill the valley with Solar Panels. Moving on we crossed the three arms of Grendon Brook and made our way into Bozeat to a very welcome break on the green in the centre of the village. After our break we made our way through the older part of the village by climbing up Mile Street to pass the church on our way to Harrold Road – Here we took a footpath through an old quarrying area and on to the open countryside between Bozeat & Wollaston – We were soon following a farm track which led to Poplars Farm (this appears to have a different name of Green Field Lodge Farm on the Open Street Map). Here we took a footpath which led us through a paddock, close to the house, with two very friendly donkeys. Leaving the donkeys behind we continued on the footpath with some more open views this time of Wollaston. After crossing Wollaston Brook, we followed it into Wollaston walking through the industrial estate then making our way to the Nags Head Pub. Meanwhile a group of five undertaking the shorter walk left Duck Street to travel to Grendon. They started from the Village Hall and also their way to Chequers Lane. Here they followed the lane to cross over Grendon Brook and made their way to Blackmile Lane. From here they followed the former drovers track to the hamlet of Strixton. Passing through Strixton they then followed a footpath to the A509 road which they carefully crossed into the Wollaston Sports Area. Taking a footpath over the Wollaston Brook, they then walked up hill into Wollaston passing a futuristic ecofriendly house with Lamas and Alpacas then on to London Road. Turning right they walked to the Nags Head Pub where it was planned to join forces with the longer walk. With impeccable timing the shorter walk arrived at the pub just 10 minutes before the longer walk. After we had our lunch, we all set off together down London Road to a footpath which led us back to Wollaston Sports Area and the A509. Crossing over we entered into a Rape field with the crop ready to harvest. It stood at least 5ft tall and had fallen over the footpath across the field. All 12 of us decided to give it a go and try to walk over. With the Rape being taller than some us it was no mean thing for all of us to reach the other side of the field. We then made our way across a small pasture field only be met with another Rape field which, while not so daunting, still took a lot of navigating. Once over we made our way towards Grendon with the route opening up for a very special views over the Nene Valley. Soon we made our way back to Blackmile Lane where we turned right to walk through the Nether End part of Grendon and then across Grendon Brook to make our way back to the start. Here we all compared experiences re the Rape fields. Particularly those whose foot ware was walking sandals!

The walk started at the corner of the Avenue and Higham Park Road.  There were 9 of us walking. To start with it was chilly but as we walked up the hill it was coats off as the temperature rose.  There were lovely views across the cornfields and some blue skies along the way.  We all enjoyed a stop at Knotting Church where we were able to go inside this very old church.  On leaving the church we headed back along a very good track.  Paul was pleased to be able to complete this walk as this was his third attempt to do it. 

Five of us met outside the Bell Pub in Little Addington on a very wet & soggy summers evening. Just as the rain stopped, we set of on the Nene Way which took us through fields of very wet Winter Wheat. After de-clogging our boots, we took a path which dropped down to the River Nene where we crossed the river into Stanwick Lakes. As usual Gwen soon sampled the Zip Wire which was a bit damp. We then walked to the disused railway track and continued on to a gate and a road. Here we went left and passed the entrance to Blackthorn Lake Marina and then on over the Rive Nene by Ringstead Lock – We then walked on pleasant paths uphill back into into Little Addington where; after taking off our wet waterproofs, we had a very welcome drink in The Bell. The five of us agreed that although it had been a trifle damp it had been a very pleasant evening.

The day started with 22 of us meeting at the Cattle Market Car Park in Stamford, from which we made our way to the Town Hall to join our guide, Nicola. After a brief explanation of the history of the town, we set off and followed our guide on a very informative and interesting tour. Highlighting the many churches and religious buildings, at one time over 14, that have been used in the town. We visited the location of a wide variety of buildings ranging from Medieval, Tudor, Georgian and even the 1960’s. We also heard many interesting tales and stories from our guide. The tour also visited the site of an Eleanor Cross on which a very modern version had been erected. On finishing the tour at the Town Meadows we then took a break for lunch before meeting at the meadows for our planned walk in the afternoon. Four of us decided not to join us so 18 of us set off through the Meadows and then walked through some of the town that was not on the tour – This led us to a backwater and then by some very exclusive allotments. We crossed over some fields that had lovely views across the Welland Valley before dropping downhill to the river. After crossing the river, we made our way back through the wetlands to the car park where we regrouped and made our way back home having a had a great day with perfect weather.

On a beautiful spring evening 13 of us set off for Stanwick Lakes from Riverside House on the old A6 road in Irthlingborough – Crossing over the River Nene we took the disused railway path into Stanwick Lakes. On reaching the River Nene by the Assault Course two of the group stopped to return to Irthlingborough. The remaining 11 of us took a path to the right around Solstice Lake. Passing the open-air theatre we soon reached the main access road. Here we made our way through the wooded area and walked with Celtic Lake on our left until we reached a path that followed a causeway across the lake. We soon arrived at the reconstructed Iron Age Round Houses on the main track. Here we turned left to walk to the Visitor Centre passing the Adventure Playground, Craft Barn and Gardens on the way. From here we retraced our steps back to the start. From here we made  our way to the Rumbles Fish & Chip shop in the centre of Irthlingborough to enjoy our Fish & Chip supper.

On a lovely spring day 6 of us met at the Village Hall in Lower Benefield and set off across the fields to Upper Benefield. With the parish church being in Lower Benefield this path would have been well used in the past and we noted that is tarmacked all the way. The path led us to the busy A427 Corby to Oundle road which we walked alongside through the village. On reaching the aptly named Coronation Cresent we made our way to a footpath which crossed several fields to Spring Wood. Here we skirted around the wood and made our way to the Brigstock to Benefield road. After stopping for a coffee break we then walked on the road towards Benefield for a short distance. Turning right on to an access road we walked to the strangely named farm of Banhaw Lodge. Passing the farm, we walked through fields of Oilseed Rape which was in full bloom and bright yellow. We soon passed his by and dropped downhill into Lyvden New Bield where we stopped for lunch at the National Trust Café. After lunch we climbed up to the lodge. This is a unique, unfinished Elizabethan "banqueting house" (lodge) designed by the staunch Catholic Sir Thomas Tresham in 1595 as a Greek Cross and represents the Passion of Christ. Intended as a private retreat, construction stopped abruptly upon Tresham's death in 1605, leaving a symbolic, roofless building. It is adorned with religious symbols, friezes, and inscriptions. The site includes a remarkably preserved 16th-century landscape featuring moats, prospect terraces, and a labyrinth. Tresham’s son, Francis, was one of the conspirators involved in the 1605 Gunpowder Plot. On leaving Lyvden we made our way through Bearshank Wood where we found Bluebells and Primroses un full bloom. On emerging from the wood, we dropped down the mysteriously named Winning Foot Hill to the Harley Way where we turned right and walked to a byway which climbed up towards Brickyard Cottage. Just before the cottage we took a footpath which made its way back to Lower Benefield passing through more Rape fields and then giving us magnificent views of Benefield church at the end of the walk.

On a grey and cold Saturday morning 10 of us met at Grendon Village Hall to set off uphill through the village to a footpath which opens out with a lovely view of Castle Ashby House and Church. The path led us to Park Hill Road where we turned away from Castle Ashby and climbed up Park Hill past the wild swimming lake and the equestrian centre. Turning right at the Grendon/Yardley Road we walked to a bridlepath on the left which led us down to the Yardley Hastings arm of Grendon Brook. Crossing over and climbing up the other side the path opened out with expansive views over Easton Mauduit and the shallow valley of Grendon Brook. Comment was made that this view would change dramatically if the proposed massive Solar Installation is approved. We walked on crossing a back lane which is called Golf Course Road because the Castle Ashby 9-hole golf course was located nearby. This is now long gone; however, it does have a public footpath across it. Moving on we made our way into the village of Easton Maudit and walked up Main Street with its magnificent view of the Church. Here we stopped for a welcome break and find the location of the grave of Derek Nimo who was an actor famous for his betrayal of priests All Gas & Gaiters, Oh’Brother and Oh’Father and had a weekend cottage in the village. Moving on we took a footpath by the church which led us to a stone barn, in which, in living memory, lived a Sheppard. Following the Easton Maudit Arm of Grendon Brook we soon branched off to make our way back to Grendon. Passing through medieval Ridge & Furrow fields on the way. Making our way to Chequers Lane we admired the view of the church before making our way back to the village hall. 

Seven of us met at Houghton Conquest on a grey but dry Sunday morning – We parked opposite the church and walked past the Knife & Cleaver pub with the delicious smell of Sunday Lunch cooking. Having passed the pub, we took a footpath to the right and walked to Rectory Lane where we turned right to walk out of Houghton Conquest – We soon branched right and walked through a number of fields and skirting Kings Wood on the left we walked on to the B530 road. Crossing over by a dog leg route we then continued on across a couple of more fields to a small wooded area where we had our coffee break. After our break we continued on skirting around Ampthill Park House then climbing up to the Greensand Ridge into the lovely Ampthill Park. We then walked through the park on the Greensand Ridge Way. Passing various memorials to a Rangers Lodge and a café here we stopped for our lunch. After lunch we continued on the Greensand Ridge Way passing through Laurel Wood back to the B530 road. Turning left then right we followed the way to the ruin of Houghton House which is an English Heritage property and has free access. Today it is the shell of a 17th-century mansion commanding magnificent views, reputedly the inspiration for the ‘House Beautiful’ in John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress. It was built around 1615 for Mary, Dowager Countess of Pembroke, in a mixture of Jacobean and Classical styles: the ground floors of two Italianate loggias survive, possibly the work of Inigo Jones. Leaving the house we soon made our way into Kings Wood and walked on a path which had a multitude of spring flowers including Bluebells, Primroses, Violets and Wood Anemones. The path the exited the woods and we made our way back to Houghton Conquest and the end of the walk. Highly recommended walk for its views and interest.   

Six of us set of from near the currently closed Bedford Arms and walked left on the High Street to the Sharnbrook Road. We soon came to the entrance into the church and branching right we walked to church. As the church was open, we took the opportunity to look around. After our visit we continued on the footpath which entered a field. The path dropped downhill towards the railway. Before the electrification of the railway there was a crossing over the tracks now, we had to divert along the railway, through some woods to join Back Lane. Turning left we climbed to the bridge over the railway and then took a footpath to the left. Following the path around the edge of the field we walked into Round Wood. Here we turned right and walked through the lovely woods which have masses of bluebells in the spring. We emerged out of the woods to join Back Lane again. Here we turned left and dropped downhill then up to Lee Farm and some houses. At the crossroads we turned right and walked past the farm and Ash Hill Spinneys. Turning right at a T junction we then walked to a bridge back over the railway. Having crossed two tracks, we made our way past Berry Spring Wood and continued back to Souldrop and the end of a lovely walk.

On a bright sunny winters day four of us undertaking the longer walk set of from Duck Street at 9.30am. We were followed by six of us, doing the shorter walk leaving at 10.15am. The journey to Chelwelton takes at least ¾hr from Rushden and the group which left 1st immediately hit a problem with the A45 being closed to west bound traffic. We where diverted off and had to go through Earls Barton to rejoin the route. This added on 30min to the journey. At least we could warn the 2nd group who travelled via Wollaston and then the A428 to Northampton – The group doing the longer walk parked on a very wet and muddy grass verge and set off by the old Central Railway line which soon came to Catesby Tunnel which has been converted into an aerodynamics testing facility specifically for Formula1 cars (although looked unused now). Continuing on we passed Arbury Hill which is the highest point in Northamptonshire (738ft) and is where the rivers Nene, Cherwell (tributary of the Thames) and Leam (tributary of the Severn) rise. Walking on to Upper Catesby which is linked to Robert Catesby the leader of the gunpowder plot. The village, divided into Upper and Lower Catesby, is historically linked to his family they held most of the land in the region. Passing by Catesby House and its very ornate stables we walked up the hill into Hellidon. In the meantime, the group doing the shorter walk had taken a similar route passing the aerodynamics testing facility. Their route cross over the tunnel by an airshaft went on to Stockwell Lane which led them to the The Red Lion pub in Hellidon for lunch. Here they waited for the longer walk to join them. Having all met up at the pub and after lunch we all set off over two very tall ladder stiles and made our way towards the striking feature of Charwelton TV mast which is sited on a 722ft hill. Taking our time to climb the hill we were soon rewarded fantastic views over the Northamptonshire, Warwickshire and Oxfordshire countryside. We then moved on making our way back to the village of Charwelton and our cars. We all agreed that it had been a lovely day in one of the most picturesque areas of Northamptonshire. The weather had been very kind with sun all day and conditions underfoot although very muddy where passable despite all the rain we had in the days leading up to the walk.

Starting from the Warth Country Park near the Industrial Area in Raunds nine of us met at the car park to walk through the old medieval village of Mallows Cotton and on to the disused railway line at Ringstead to lead us back to Raunds via Hogs Dyke. The messages went out that its was likely to be very wet and that wellingtons would be best to walk in. However, the both paths from Stanwick Lakes were flooded and impassable. In the end, we had to retrace our steps which made the walk approximately 6 miles. At least it was a dry day and not too cold for this time of the year.
 

Eleven of us met at Woodlands Country Park in Brickhill, Bedford on a very dank, misty, damp day with a light drizzle which was forecast to be heavier later in the day. Leaving the football pitches with multiple games going on we walked through the Country Park out into the open countryside with what would have been wide expansive views on a clearer day. We soon got into a rhythm of walking on very wet and muddy bridlepaths and made our way to a convenient log where we stopped for a coffee break. Following our break, we walked on to the site of RAF Twinwood Farm which opened in mid-1941 when the RAF began to use the grassed field. By April 1942 it had three concrete runways and additional temporary buildings. From then until the end of the war the airfield was used as a training base. In 1944 the airfield was transferred to the U.S. Eighth Air Force and operated in conjunction with the nearby RAF Thurleigh. This gives the link with Glen Miller and the Army Air Forces Band (Special) which was based around Bedford and which there is a museum dedicated to Glen Miller at Twinwoods. Passing by the modern-day pig farm and Biogen plant we made our way to what was the war time access road which now is used to gain access to Yarls Wood Detention Centre and Industrial Estate. We soon made our way on the road down into Clapham and our lunch stop at the Fox & Hounds Pub. Conveniently the forecast heavy rain came down while we had our lunch under cover in the pub garden. After lunch and as the rain eased, we made our way through Clapham to negotiate glutinous mud to get to Clapham Green and then on dryer roads and paths to Clapham Park. On through more mud in Clapham Park Wood back to the country park and the end of the walk. We all agreed it had been a great walk. Many thanks to Jay & Andy who led the walk.

Twelve of us met up in the Higham Ferrers Market Square for a pre-Christmas Lunch Walk around Higham. We set off by walking along Midland Road to visit the 3 plaques located there. On reaching Kimbolton Road we turned left and walked to the roundabout and then made our way through Windmill Banks and York Close to York Road. Crossing over into King Meadow Lane we walked to Saffron Road. Here we turned left and walked to the Cemetery and Cemetery Road on the left. Turning right into College Street we walked past Chichele College and into the gardens. We then made our way back towards the Market Square passing the Green Dragon on the way. On reaching the square we made our way to St Marys Church for a very interesting visit. We then made our way to the Carriage House for a well-earned Christmas Lunch.

Meeting opposite the old Red Lion which is now an Indian Restaurant called Mooche Wala eleven of us set off up the short steep footpath to the doctor’s surgery and village hall. At the top of the hill, we took a footpath which led us out into open countryside. We soon dropped down to Denton Brook which we walked alongside for a few metres until we came to a bridge. Crossing over we began to climb again across some very muddy fields. Passing Castle Ashby Lodge on our right we soon made our way into the picturesque estate hamlet of Chadstone. On reaching a road we turned left to drop downhill to Denton Brook on which there are a series of manmade ponds. These are called Paradise Ponds, and are an elaborate arrangement of ponds and water-courses, probably constructed in the 18th or early 19th century (and existing in their present form in 1840) but which may have originated as medieval fishponds. Chadstone appears in the Domesday Book when it had a total population of 14 people. Moving on we followed the access road to Chadstone Lodge. Here the bridleway led us through some trees to a minor road. Turning left we walked along the road to a footpath on the left. Taking this we followed the access road to Whiston Slade. Tracing our way round the farm we then headed back across more very muddy fields to arrive back at Denton. Fortunately, the walk was done with no rain with some lovely views across the fields.  It was a bit hard going because our footwear got clogged up and heavy but it was well worth doing.