It’s quite often said “You don’t know what’s on your own doorstep”
Until the 1890’s where you’re now standing was all agricultural land. From 1897 this area was mined for iron ore, which was taken to the smelting works by train, across a large viaduct, close to the River Nene, to the south of Duston
Quarrying ceased in 1921, but the land remained scarred by it until the large housing estates that we see today were built. Although they are large the estates were built around pocket parks that we’ll visit on this walk. And, because they flow into each other, it’s possible to completely forget you’re on a large housing development
This walk’s all about exploring & the instructions are written in pictures for two reasons:
- To allow a young child to lead it by spotting where to go next
- To allow people who, for whatever reason, can’t or don’t want to walk anymore to visualise they are on the walk
And…you don’t have to do the full walk which is 4.3 miles long, but it’s not about rushing round as quick as possible. It’s about taking your time; sitting on some of the many benches; looking, listening and tuning into what’s going on around you
Each of our green areas are unique, with different habits, flowers and fauna, birds and animals. The parks can be accessed from many different points and, although the whole walk starts at the Library in Overslade Close, you can pick it up from anywhere en route, or simply explore one area at a time
Don’t forget…
- To visit the parks at all times of the year as you’ll see many different things. Whilst we wrote it during March we’ll try and give you a whole year perspective as we go as to what to see when
- Whilst much of the walk is on good surfaces, we recommend a pair of trainers as some areas can get slightly muddy during wet weather – we will point out which areas in the directions
- The route is accessible for all…there are some gates, but no stiles or other obstacles
Shall we go and explore then?
Let’s Walk!
1. Our walk starts at the Library in Overslade Close where, as well as the usual library services, you’ll find the office of East Hunsbury Parish Council
With your back to the library turn left along Clannell Road for about 50 yards and carefully cross the road into the first, and largest of our parks Grangewood
2. Many people simply don’t realise the size of Grangewood or all of the different areas within it. The main path, which most people stick to, runs straight and connects Clannell Road with Rowtree Road
Follow our route and we hope to show you some aspects you may not have explored before. We’ll also return to complete our route around it at the end of the walk
As you enter the park look down over the fence on your right. Here you’ll see the remains of brick work & slightly further on is what looks like the entrance to a tunnel. It’s highly likely that this is part of the transportation system for the iron ore
3. Keep straight ahead, close to the edge, passing the children’s playground. The equipment is inspected regularly and the safety flooring replaced…
Did you know?…the spongy matting is made from recycled old tyres. And when it needs replacing it goes off to be recycled into something else
4. Keep to the right side. Ahead of you now you can see the ‘Community’ Orchard…
This selection of fruit trees was planted a few years ago and is quickly becoming established. There are several other fruit-bearing trees in the park, some of which we’ll see later
5. Continue ahead down the small path which forms the park boundary, passing one of the other entrances
Several playful squirrels can normally be seen scurrying in & out of the bushes, along with blackbirds and a couple of very tame robins
The trees in the picture below are also some of the most colourful in autumn
6. At the bottom of the slope the path bears sharp left (to the right’s a further entrance from an estate)…
It’s now time to show you a beautiful little path that you may not have walked before but it’s certainly my favourite one in the park & looks very different when walked from both ends
So as the path bears sharp left do not go down to the bridge, but turn immediately left up the narrow track as in the picture above
7. This path runs parallel to the main hard path, which is only a few yards away, but you could be in a different world…
See how many different species of trees you can spot along here…hazel, ash, birch, conifers to name just a few. In summer when the leaves are fully out it’s like walking through a tunnel (see the picture below)
Look at the difference in the bark of the various trees. Along here the shapes and colours of the silver birch bark is amazing
8. Eventually the path comes out into the open once more. Don’t forget to turn around and see where you’ve just walked from a different perspective and maybe walk down it again
In front of you now is an area with some larger trees including a cherry and a large, and very productive, walnut tree. It’s actually one of two in this area and we’ll see the other one towards the end of this walk
A word of warning though…walnuts on the tree are encased in a green shell, very much like a conker. You can always see who’s been picking them as their hands will be stained brown from the oil and it’s almost impossible to remove!
9. Turn right and walk towards the gate but don’t go through it…
It’s time to explore the other side of the hard path so, at the gate, take the small track to your right that disappears down with the fence on your left
10. There are two beautiful tracks through this section of the wood. For now we’ll take the Upper one and then the Lower one towards the end of the walk. If you’re just exploring this park then be sure to do both
This is the wood which, in February, is covered in snowdrops and then carpets of bluebells from mid April onwards
11. Follow the track as it climbs and bears right before dropping down. Here in spring you’ll find early displays of daffodils, standing over the shoots of bluebells
At the junction in the picture below bear left…
…passing the remains of the fallen tree
12. This is a very quiet little corner of the wood so stand still for a few moments and look and listen. If you come early in the morning the birdsong, especially in spring is incredible
We do have a resident Song Thrush…listen if you can hear it. It’s been here for the past couple of years and has four different short songs which it repeats regularly
Click on the play button below to have a listen & then see if you can hear the real one!
13. There’s also lots of Holly bushes in this area that are often frequented by Robins. The wood also has a family noisy Jays, Magpies, Woodpeckers; Tree Creepers; Nuthatches and many more
If you come at dusk you may also be lucky to see Muntjac
The path continues passing through the area where you’ll see the most snowdrops and bluebells
When the bluebells are out this whole wood is covered in an incredible blue haze. If you do go to visit then a polite request please to stick strictly to the paths & not trample the flowers to get photographs
Question: How many faces can you spot in the tree trunks along here?
14. Continue along the path in the same direction to the T junction…
If you wish to explore the Lower path now turn round & follow it from the instructions from Point 35
15. To continue the whole walk turn left & follow the track east. In wet weather this small area could be slippery as the path’s on a slope so please be careful
There’s a rather lovely bench here and just before it is a splendid horse chestnut tree that normally produces some excellent, large conkers in the autumn. In spring the bench has a fine view of a swathe of daffodils at the bottom of the slope. There are further exits from the park here
16. The daffodils along the path are usually amongst the first to appear in the Park each year and a fine indication that Spring is on the way
Exit Grangewood through the fine gate…
17. Carefully cross Hilldrop Road. An entrance into Penvale Park is directly ahead, but to give a full picture of the Park our route heads down the hill past the bus stop. For accessibility concerns we would recommend using the gate ahead of you
After crossing the end of Penn Gardens, after a further 50 yards look for steps heading down on your left
18. Excellent flood prevention work has recently been carried out in Penvale Park with additional ‘bunding’ and hard paths. Follow the path…
Look to the left to see a small stream which runs through the park. It runs underground across the gardens in Thames Road and surfaces in Penvale Park before disappearing again to later join other streams flowing into the river in West Hunsbury
18. Ignore the path on the left going up the hill and continue ahead. Maybe consider a pause here to try out the exercise equipment…
You can always have a rest on the beautiful ‘remembrance’ bench afterwards
19. All along the stream you’ll see more flood defence measures including wooden ‘dams’ to hold back and stagger excess water flow
Penvale Park is much hillier than Grangewood and, like that one, there are several entrances into it. The path now splits…
20. Our route bears slightly left over the bridge and up the hill (ignore the smaller ‘Troll Bridge’)…
There’s a basketball hoop on the right if you have a ball with you
21. Exit Penvale through the gate at the top of the slope
…and turn right along Penvale Road, passing the bus shelter. We’re now going to do a loop on hard pavements that will take you down towards Collingtree Park before cutting up into Blacky More
22. Continue up the hill and cross over the zebra crossing outside East Hunsbury Primary School
Challenge! Who can take the best selfie with this little chap?
23. At the mini roundabout turn left and walk along Rowtree Road with the school fence on your left. Cross the road at the zebra…
Turn right back along the other side of the road and turn first left down Spyglass Hill
24. At the junction bear left & walk towards the end of the close looking for a gap with a post to the left side of the gates in the picture below
Note the very large Monkey Puzzle tree. These strange, evergreen trees are native to Chile where they can live up to 1000 years old. They are actually quite slow growing so the one you see here is probably quite old. The leaves are hard and very coarse so touching a Monkey Puzzle Tree is not recommended
25. Walk down the narrow alley in the corner and turn left and follow the road through the estate…
Eventually the road arrives at Windingbrook Lane
Although this walk stays within the Parish Boundaries, if you turn right you will find footpaths that take you to Collingtree and Milton Malser
26. Turn left up Windingbrook Lane…
And at the dog bin you could go & explore the small park on your left. Originally this area was scheduled to be built on but there’s several badgers sets in the area so it’s well protected
So why not just walk up the avenue of trees
27. On reaching the road carefully cross via the island & walk a few yards up Butts Road & then turn left into Blacky More Pocket Park
Challenge….Can you utter the words Blacky More without doing it in a Pirate accent?
Go on…bet you can’t!
28. Carry on past the basketball court…
…& bear right up the hill
29. If you fancy a refreshment stop the Collingtree Pub’s on your right
Our route bears left at the junction below & heads to the road…
Carefully cross Butts Road & continue through this small park to reach Granary Road
30. This is another beautiful little park that links Granary Road with Thames Road – we are so lucky to live here. Again the path is superb & accessible for all…
On reaching Rea Close turn right, cross Thames Road, turn left & follow the path down to Penvale Road once more
31. Carefully cross Penvale Road & now it’s time to enter the Park once more this time through the gap in the fence
At the bottom of the slope turn right & cross over the bridge again but…instead of going up the hill once more….do you fancy being brave as we have a Troll that lives under the old, arched bridge on the left as that’s your route now….
32. If you survived then pass through the small copse up the hill. There are a few small paths through the copses on your right to explore
When this Park was first built there was a small playground on the left that had the most amazing bumpy slide – who remembers that?
Today though…who loves a swing?
33. Again there’s a wonderful bench with a view to spend a few peaceful moments on which really gives you a perspective of how hilly our Parish is…
Continue ahead to reach the junction & turn right up the hill
34. This area used to be so boggy after rain but now has been addressed by a drain-away & small gravel path. Continue to the gate
You’re now looking at the view from Grangewood in reverse so carefully cross the road & enter that Park again
35. Retrace your steps to Point 15 & turn right again…
But now it’s time to follow the Lower path so ignore the track going off to the right & pass the small log in the picture below
36. Ahead of you now is what we call the ‘Squirrel Table’ Have a look inside it…can you see remnants of squirrel feeding here?
After a few yards bear left & cross the bridge. I’ve always wanted to walk across the fallen tree beside it but have never been that brave
37. We haven’t walked up the main track yet so why don’t we finish this walk by doing that…turn right
Pass the fruit tree area we showed you earlier where you’ll see a second walnut tree
38. Slightly further on is a reflective area with beautiful benches where such events as Remembrance Sunday are held…sit & reflect a while
Exit the gate at the top of the path & carefully cross the road & turn left to retrace your steps to Hunsbury Library
So that’s it…a walk around our wonderful East Hunsbury and hopefully we’ve been able to show you a few areas you may not have seen before and also how our community links together
Look out for further posts and videos as we go through the changing seasons.