The ‘Needs to Know’
Distance: 8 miles (12.9 km)
Time to walk: We did this walk in November 2013 & in parts it’s very, very muddy so careful as you go & in the winter wear wellies! Even so, with stops for photos & chats to ‘twitchers’ etc we still managed it in just under 3 hours.
Difficulty: Fairly flat, mainly on woodland paths & grass. Like we said above it was very muddy in winter
Parking: If you buy some refreshments at the end, the Woolpack at Islip are normally happy for you to use their car park
Public toilets: There’s some in Oundle Road, Thrapston, but not much else en route
Map of the route:
So….wellies on….Let’s Walk!!
1. Leave the Woolpack & cross the old bridge towards Thrapston…
Just over the bridge turn left along the small path
2. Follow the path round past the new houses…
& then along a lovely stretch of the river…
3. At the lock walk along the smaller stream round to the right past the weir…
…& through the gap in the hedge & head towards the lake…
4. At the path turn right & cross the bridge…
Have a look at the view of the lake to the left…this is an early example of all the different kinds of birds we’ll see today…
5. Now carry straight on past a car park on the left & upon reaching the gate below, turn left into the reserve along the clear path
The path just keeps going straight now for probably 15 mins & you’ll get glimpses of the lake on your left
6. Eventually the track arrives at a gate. Walk around this & then, after about 50 yards at the junction take the left hand path….
Although it’s muddy this is a great little stretch with an opportunity to see some more species of water birds
7. At the end turn left &, for the next stretch the river’s on our right & a lake on the left
Eventually just before the path turns into tarmac, turn right onto a footbridge over the river…
8. On the other side of the river turn right & head back along it, ignoring the path that goes off to the left. We’ve now entered Titchmarsh Local Nature Reserve. & there’s another lengthy stretch of grass (& mud!) path but just follow the river…
Eventually you’ll come to a gate into open land…
9. Go through the gate & keep heading for the bridge…
On your left you can see the church spire at Aldwinkle which is your next target
10. Follow the grass track round to the left & head for the bridge but don’t cross it but follow the grass around to the left…
On the left is one of many hides…
11. Keep heading straight on with the river tributary on your right…you’re on the Nene Way now
Head for the gate…
12. Pass through & follow the track for a short way through the woods – there’s an owl box on the right here. This really is a great conservation area
At the gate turn right & head up the hill…
13. At the top turn right into the car park & then right again on the road down into Aldwinkle…
Head left up Baulks Lane to reach the upper part of the village…
14. So turn left & explore Aldwinkle…
15. We had a real treat when we did this walk…….we were just passing the school & met a great character who was taking Orla, a 14 year old Harris Hawk out for her daily walk – how stunning is she?
16. Well walking never fails to turn up treats, but it’s time to move on. On the right here is another beautiful church, All Saints’ (the one with the spire).
17. Cross the road & head down Lowick Road…
Be careful now as the next 1/2 mile is on a narrow road…jump on the verge if a car comes along. Ignore the footpath on the left
18. On reaching the top head straight on towards the Fishery
Follow the track down to the entrance…
19. You can stay at the holiday cottages here, but turn right through the gate into the field
Walk around the lake, keeping it on your left, heading back towards Islip….
20. At the far end walk towards the gate & bridge in the corner. Go through & over & head straight up the lane…
21. Continue to the top of the lane…
& then turn left down Mill Lane…
22. At the bottom bear right past the Mill House…
& go over the bridge & turn right.
23. Now you’re back near the weir, so follow the river back to the start point.
This is a really good walk, but probably best done in the summer months when it’ll be a lot drier under foot
It’s a great one though so…
Go Walk!
Just to let you know the swamp path is now closed for winter , however if you continue straight on you can hang a left right at the end and get to the top of the reservoir.
Thank you Rose. That’s kind of you to let me know