The ‘Needs to Know’
Distance: 5.4 miles (8.69km)
Time to walk: Just over 2 hours depending on the weather
Difficulty: Mostly flat on a mixture of surfaces. There is some minor road walking &, whilst this is normally quiet, vehicles can move quickly along it. Please note that this walk could be muddy in winter, so we’ve included a summer & winter option
Parking: On the road in Croughton or in the Blackbird pub car park if you’re giving them your custom
Public toilets: The Blackbird or the Tea Room in Croughton
Map of the route:
This is another walk that I set ‘Special Agent 003.5’ Richard Parkes off on & he’s done another great job
Much of Croughton is shrouded in mystery, but has recently been thrown into the world’s spotlight following the tragic death of Harry Dunn & the ensuing battle for justice for both him & his family. The name ‘Croughton’ comes from ‘Farmstead or village in the fork of land’
Croughton is Northamptonshire’s second most southerly village, second only to neighbouring Aynho
It’s most famous for the RAF base which you cannot miss as you probably drove past it on the way into the village. You’ll also know it for the large “Golf Balls” you can see from the A43
RAF Croughton is home to the 422nd Air Base Group which develops combat-ready professional Airmen, delivers worldwide communications, enables global strike operations, & supports mission partners. The 422ABG provides command, control, communications, & computer support to Department of Defence & civilian agencies across Europe
Shall we have a look then?
Let’s Walk!
1. We start this walk facing the Blackbird Pub. Now at this point it’s worth giving a mention to the excellent Tea Room which is next door (based in the reading Room)
So a choice of a pub or a tearoom awaits us once we finish this walk….
From the pub turn left & walk along the High Street, knowing we have either cake or beer awaiting us at the end of this walk…
2. Pass Croughton Lodge on your left…
…& turn left up the hill into Mill Lane
3. Follow Mill Lane all the way down past the houses…
As we reach the fingerpost it’s worth walking the extra 100 yards down to the ford, it’s a beauty!
4. After visiting the ford return to the finger sign. Turn left over a rather attractive looking stone stile…
Now just follow the woodland path. This whole walk is very popular with the locals I’m told
5. Pass through the gate & over the stile, continuing in the same direction along the field edge…
Today was a rest day for the locals mind!
6. Cross over the cattle grid & walk up towards the stable block
Ahead now’s All Saints Church, the oldest parts of which are 12th century Norman. In the 13th century a series of murals were painted inside the church including numerous scenes from the life of Jesus & a Doom painting. The wall paintings were painted over during the Reformation in the 16th century, but were rediscovered in 1921 & restored in 1960
In the churchyard southeast of the chancel are the base & broken shaft of a Medieval stone cross
7. Enter the churchyard & make your way to the opposite side of the church in the right corner. Take the path to the road…
Turn left along the High Street. Just after the school go right up Wheelers Rise…
8. Follow the fingerpost pointing towards Brackley…
When I did this walk in December 2021 the grass path below was dry & even. Follow the fence to the road
9. At the end of the field, exit through the gate (below) & turn left up the road…
This is a very quiet road & popular, as I said earlier, with walkers. Just keep an eye out for traffic as what vehicles I did see zipped along here pretty fast
10. Pass the entrance to the Rowler Manor Farm Estate…
…& finally arriving at a fork in the road. Turn left & continue along the road
11. At the crossroads turn left & follow the wide verge for a short time…
Once you reach the bridleway fingerpost, turn head left & back towards Croughton…
12. The next part of this walk is alongside some paddocks…
This nice tree lined walk eventually opens up into some fields. Just keep following the bridleway
13. From this point onwards this walk is pretty well signposted, Just follow the way markers & stay on the track…
…up the hill
14. At the top we reach & pass through the gate & head left back towards the village…
As you move along the road you’ll soon come across some fingerpost signs
If the weather is good & the field paths dry, take your pick, as both of these footpaths lead back to the village
15. However when I did this walk they looked very muddy, so I continued along the road & turned left at the junction to follow the hard path down the hill
Cross the bridge & continue all the way back to The Blackbird
So that’s the end of this really straight forward walk &, for me, it was quite enjoyable & one that kept me mostly dry underfoot
Now…there’s an important decision to be made…
Beer or Cake??!!
Go Walk!!