The ‘Needs to Know’
Distance: 4 miles (6.44km)
Time to walk: Roughly an hour & a half
Difficulty: A mixture of surfaces &, please note, this is a hilly walk
Parking: Carefully & considerately on the road in West Haddon
Public toilets: The Crown & The Pytchley in West Haddon
Map of the route:
West Haddon lies in West Northamptonshire, England about 11 miles north-west of Northampton & 7 miles (11 km) east of Rugby. The name means ‘heath hill, where heather grows’
People have been living in the village since before the times of William the Conqueror & it was chiefly known as an agricultural village
The fields of West Haddon were the location for an enclosure riot in 1765. An advertisement was made in the county newspaper for a football game that was to be played in those fields. The football game was a means to assemble a mob which tore down fences & burned them, protesting against the laws that were then being enacted that allowed wealthy landowners to lay claim to land that was once public land
No such welcome awaits the walker today! Thanks to 003.5, Richard Parkes for putting the leg work in on this one for me
Let’s Walk!
1. Our walk starts in the High Street outside the Crown Inn (postcode NN6 7AP), one of the old, original pubs in the village. Facing the pub turn head left & literally next door’s All Saints Church…
The church is a work of many periods. The main parts of the building you see today were built between the 12th & 14th centuries, with further additions being made during the 17th & 19th ones
2. Enter into the Churchyard, making your way to the back right & exiting through the gate below…
Now follow the fingerpost, just outside the church, in the direction of Winwick
3. Pass through the kissing gate to join an old friend… The Jurassic Way Footpath…
This is a really huge field. Make your way to the very top left of it
4. Our exit from this massive field is under the big trees in the left corner…
Go through the gate & the next one directly opposite, making your way under the road tunnel…
5. Our path is clearly marked directly ahead &, even in March, it’s nice & clear where we are going…
The views up here are amazing!
6. Go through the next gate…
…& then, just ahead on the left is the next one in the picture below
7. After passing through the gate the path heads diagonally right (as above). You should now start to see the village of Winwick peeping through the trees
The grass path arrives at a track. Cross it to rejoin the grass path opposite & head towards the gated track just in front of you…
8. Pass through the gate & now follow this track all the way into the village…
Go through the gate in the picture below & now the track as it becomes more of a road. Follow this up into the village
9. Look at what’s in the garden over to your left…
Keep following the road & stream into the village
10. For those of you that have done the excellent Honey Hill Walk 64 from the website you will now be on familiar ground!
On reaching the beautiful white cottage turn right & head up the hill…
11. As the road splits at the “nice to have lunch bench” head right, passing the gates to Winwick Hall…
Please see Walk 64 for all the details about the Hall. However it’s worth pointing out the excellent Polo Pavilion Tea Room in the grounds. In 2022 this is open every Saturday & Sunday from 23rd April between 12 noon until 5pm
12. Pass over the cattle grid & turn immediately right on the track towards the water…
Note the sign…you have been warned!
13. Now it’s best foot forward, heading up the hill to White House Farm. Can you see it in the distance? See you at the top!
Pass through the gate & keep climbing…
14. The track eventually starts heading down hill, through another gate, before going back up the other side to the farm
Nearly there…
15. On finally reaching the top, turn round & look at the views behind you…
Walk through the gate & then turn immediately right through the next one
16. Walk along the edge of the field, with the paddocks on your right…
At the end of the paddocks you can see West Haddon ahead of you. Exit the field through the gate in the picture below…
17. Head across the field & again, the path is clearly marked…
After crossing it, go through the gate & continue down the hill
18. Follow the well-marked path around the edge of the paddocks…
…& at the end go through the next gate & carry on over the bridge on your right…
19. Now follow the field edge, keeping the hedge on your right…
…&, after passing the derelict farm buildings, head towards the road
20. On reaching the road, go down the steps & carefully cross the road & walk up the other side…
Now walk straight towards the houses
21. On reaching the alley turn left & continue up to the road…
The alley emerges onto the road. Turn right, passing the bus stop & continue down into the village. This was my first visit to this village & I look forward to coming back
Pass, or stop as we did for a quick drink, at the Pytchley Inn…
To finish this walk just continue down the road which leads to the Crown Inn
So what did 003.5 think of this walk I set him?
“WOW WOW what a walk – I loved this mission, So much to see & the views were incredible”:
If 003.5 is that impressed I’m sure you will be too 😉
Go walk!