Walk 31: Wadenhoe Circular: Kingfishers & just a stunning walk

The ‘Needs to Know’

Distance: 2.5 miles (4.02km)

Time to walk: At a push you can walk this in 1 hour, but you’re in such beautiful Northamptonshire countryside so why not take your time & just relax by the by the river – it’s idyllic

Difficulty: On road initially & then across fields & then finishing on road

Parking: We just parked up in the street, but there’s a Pay & Display car park at the bottom of the road

Public toilets: At the King’s Head pub (currently closed as at 4th March 2024)

Map of the route:

So…what can we tell you about one of the most beautiful areas of our county?

Wadenhoe sits on the River Nene approximately 4 miles from Thrapston & 10 miles from Kettering. The Nene Way Footpath passes through the village

It’s one of Northamptonshire’s “chocolate box” villages & a must visit! The village once had the first telegraph office outside of London in 1868 by Sir George Ward-Hunt, Chancellor of the Exchequer under Disraeli, who lived in Wadenhoe House (we’ll have a look at that later)

Right as it’s a beautiful March spring day let’s not waste anymore time. This short walk’s turned out to be one of the most rewarding we’ve done so…

Let’s Walk!

1. Our walk starts in probably the most beautiful part of this village…outside The King’s Head pub

Sadly as at March 2024 the pub is closed once more, after reopening only recently. We will update the walk if it does reopen

Next to the pub is the village hall which has a great bell tower…

2. Start this walk by going up the hill through the village…

At the junction turn right down Mill Lane…

3. At the bottom of the hill the path bears right & crosses the mill pond on a wooden bridge…

This is a stunning area…

Standing on the bridge above we heard a strong cheep & a Kingfisher landed on a branch to our left. Unfortunately we didn’t get our lens changed in time, but we knew that a Kingfisher always returns to the same perch

So let’s come back here at the end of our walk…

But in the meantime…click here for a quick video of this area

4. The path initially follows the river on the left…

…& after passing through the gate below…

…head diagonally right across the water meadow towards the raised bridge

5. The water meadows here are a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest. Here’s the view across to Church, where you’re heading

6. Cross the bridge over the Nene…

7. Head through the gate & walk up the hill towards Achurch Church

At the top of the hill pass through the gate into the churchyard…

…& it’s a beauty

8. This is the church of St John the Baptist. We tried to have a look around the church, but unfortunately it was locked

The present church was built in 1218 by Sir Ascelin de Waterville, a Knight Crusader as thanks for his safe return – his tomb can be seen in the south side of the church

9. Pass out of the churchyard through the carved oak lychgate which dates back to 1896…

…& continue along the lane for about 100 yards…

…before turning left into the small charming woods known as ‘The Linches’

10. The track through the wood is really easy to follow…

11. Soon the path arrives at a junction in the path where you turn left. Now head down the steps below – you can just see the river ahead through the trees

12. This really is  a lovely little wood to walk through &, like with all woods, will change at differing times of the year. Above us we can still hear the Red Kites screeching as they’re being chased by Rooks

13. Eventually the path descends & on the left is Lilford lock. Our path takes us to the right of a very nice property…

…& eventually emerges onto a road. Turn left & cross two bridges…

14. Just over the bridge cross the stile & walk diagonally right as shown by the signpost…

To another stile, that’s approximately in the middle of the field fence…

15. Cross the stile & now walk diagonally left to exit carefully onto the road…

Now turn left & follow the road back into Wadenhoe…

16. As you enter the village on the left is Wadenhoe House which is now a conference centre

Keep walking along the road into the village as there’s some great properties along here…

17. On the left’s Wadenhoe’s Dovecote…

Nearly 200 years ago this Dovecote would have housed around 650 birds & their youngsters. In medieval times Dovecotes were built to ensure a constant supply of meat to the table

This Dovecote was built around 1800

18. So now all you need to do is head back down the hill to where this walk started but……….we can’t leave without trying to catch that little Kingfisher can we….

So…let’s head back down to the millpond & stand on the bridge. One thing a Kingfisher does is always return to the same perch so all you have to do is sit & wait

Today it took about 30 mins & we could also hear him calling to his mate which was awesome

Over the next 15 minutes we were privileged to watch him sit, then dive & pick up a minnow. Some of our photos aren’t as sharp as we’d like but..wow!!

So that’s the end of this short walk.

We have to say though that this is one of the most stunning walks we’ve ever done in this beautiful county

It’s just stunning so…

Go Walk!