The ‘Needs to Know’
Distance: 7 miles (11.3km)
Time to walk: Just under 3 hours
Difficulty: A mixture of field & some road walking that may be wet in winter. There are a couple of monster hills which are great cardio exercise. Some of this walk is on “permissive” paths
Parking: Carefully on the street near the church
Public toilets: None
Map of the route:
Well…we thought we knew about most of the places in Northamptonshire, but who’s heard of the Hemplow Hills?
No…well let us introduce you to them &…yes they’re in our County & situated between Welford & Stanford on Avon.
Our starting point for this walk, Stanford on Avon lies next to the River Avon which, at this point, forms the county boundary between Northamptonshire & Leicestershire. On the Leicestershire side of the river is Stanford Hall, a historic house. Stanford Reservoir is one mile north of the village
The hamlet’s name means ‘Stone ford’ situated on the River Avon
In a field just north-east of the village there is a stone monument to Percy Pilcher, a 19th century aviation pioneer who died in a glider accident at the location of the monument in 1899
The village was formerly served by Yelvertoft & Stanford Park railway station on the former Rugby & Stamford Railway which closed in 1966. The station is now a private house
I sent 003.5 out with a route I’d devised to take in this unknown area. Shall we go & have a look?
Let’s Walk!
1. This walk starts outside the Church of St Nicholas, which dates from the 14th century. It contains the oldest metal organ pipes surviving in Britain. The upper part of the organ case appears to be related to the Dallam organ at Tewkesbury Abbey, & therefore the pipes probably date from the 1630s, which is before the Cromwell era when many organs were destroyed
2. Facing the church turn right & walk carefully along the road towards Clay Coton. There’s some some amazing properties along this road…
Follow the road around the bend. The White House ahead must have been the old railway station as there’s plenty of clues with the old signage etc…
3. At the junction below bear left towards Cold Ashby…
Cross the bridge & continue to follow the road, ignoring the bridleway sign on the left…
4. Shortly after the sign you just ignored, cross another bridge & take an immediate left to follow the bridleway…
Keep the hedge on your left & pass through the gap…
5. On reaching the corner of the field walk through the gap leading into another one. Continue with the tree line on your left…
Walk past the next big gap on your left & make your way to your right in the corner under the big trees, where you’ll find a bridge…
6. Cross over the bridge & turn immediately left along the track which, for a short while. follows the Grand Union canal. At the junction turn right & keep the trees on your left at all times as you make your way towards the woods around the edge of the field
7. This is a beautiful & very quiet area. It’s also quite a climb as you continue around the edge of the field…
At the top of the hill look for a gap next to a gate in the corner on the right, leading into the woods. Follow that path…
8. On reaching the main path, bear right along a path which will lead you deep into the heart of the Hemplow Woods. Be careful in the winter as this path could be slippery…
Exit the wood & follow the path straight across the field down to the canal…
9. On reaching the canal cross the bridge & turn immediately right down to the water…
Don’t go under the bridge. Follow the grass tow path…
10. On reaching the next bridge pass under it & bear immediately left up the steps…
Head down the track towards the farm…
11. At the end of the track head right & then left past the barn in the picture below…
At the bottom bear slightly left & then immediately right to follow the track keeping the hedge on your right…
12. Follow the track &, at the junction in the picture below, keep straight ahead, now with the hedge on your left…
When the hard track ends, continue straight ahead…
13. Have a look around you on this stretch of the walk. There’s some huge skies & amazing views…
At the end pass through the gate in the picture below. Carefully cross the road & continue through the gate on the other side, keeping the hedge on your left…
14. Shortly you’ll arrive at the big gate…
Once through it, turn immediately right. Continue with the hedge on your right & go through the next gate…
15. Continue along the grassy track which turns into a hard surface one…
Walk through the gate in the picture below…
…& turn left to retrace your steps back to the church where this walk started. Have a sneak peak at the house on the left, which is the side of the station house where the platform would have been
So that’s it…another Northamptonshire area ticked off & another walk that proves our County does have hills!
It’s great so…
Go Walk!