Please be aware (February 2023) that due to building works, this walk has been updated with the necessary diversions & therefore OS maps at time will not be applicable as the footpaths have been moved
The ‘Needs to Know’
Distance: 5.6 miles (9.01 km)
Time to walk: Today took us about 2 hours 50 minutes, but that was with lots of photo taking so it can be done in about 2.5 hours
Difficulty: All off road, but mainly flat. We walked this on a crisp December 2014 morning &, as we’d had a lot of rain, were expecting it to be a lot wetter than it actually was
Parking: There’s a specific Brampton Valley Way car park opposite the Windhover pub in Kingsthorpe, Northampton. As we didn’t see this we parked in the very large pub car park
Public toilets: The Windhover at the start & end & The Spencer Arms 3/4 of the way round
Map of the route:
So what can we tell you about this walk?
Well…given the short winter daylight hours we wanted a walk without too much travelling so chose this one starting in Kingsthorpe on the edge of Northampton
It takes in the Brampton Valley Way & Dallington Heath before crossing over into Harlestone Firs & then back across the fields to Chapel Brampton, before picking up the old railway line back to the start
This walk’s one for all ages &, because of its varied terrain gives us the opportunity to see many varieties of birds etc (today we saw Wren, Buzzards, Sparrowhawks, Falcons, numerous Robins & Woodpeckers). Apparently the Heath’s also noted for grass snakes…we didn’t see one of them but did have a close encounter with a beautiful fox
Plus if you’re a train spotter….well you need to be very careful
With frost on the ground & not a cloud in the sky it’s one of those mornings when it’s great to be alive so wrap up well &…
Let’s Walk!
1. Ou walk starts in either the Windhover car park or in the Brampton Valley Way one on the other side of the road
2. Walk over the road…
The fencing clearly shows the current diversion so follow this…
…& turn left at the painted container to bring you back on track
3. Continue along the Brampton Valley Way, passing a couple of new gates…
On reaching the gate on the right in the picture below, just past the dog poo bin, pass through it
The area you’re now in is known as Kingsthorpe North Meadows which were bought in 2009 thanks to public donations & are now managed by the local Charitable Trust. There’s many different kinds of plants here
4. Upon entering the field turn straight left & follow the narrow grass path to reach the first bridge (we’re walking into a low sun now)…
5. Eventually you’ll come to the first bridge over the river & ahead we can see the railway line which you’ll cross shortly…
…30 years younger & on a warm summer’s day we wouldn’t mind a go at this…
6. Head across the next bridge towards the railway line…
The area we’re now crossing is known as Dallington Heath. The fencing now guides you in the right direction
7. And now a warning…you now have to very carefully cross a working railway line
As the sign says, take you time & don’t take any risks
8. Once safely across the fencing guides you to the lane…
…& now turn right towards the farm & follow the mud track round to the left of the farm buildings. Go past the farm to the hedge, & turn right, going through the hedge. Now turn immediately left to follow the path
9. We’re now heading towards Harlestone Firs & following the boundary of Northamptonshire Golf Club on the right…
Eventually you’ll reach the entrance into Harlestone Firs…
10. We need to take the left hand fork here for about 100 yards…
…before bearing right after 250 yards…
11. Even at this time of the year the colours along here are amazing…
12. After the trees take the left fork …
…& then bear left again at the track crossroads
13. Keep heading up here…
14. Just before the path starts heading downhill at the end of the new trees where the marker is, turn right…
15. At the bottom of this track head straight across & under the railway bridge…
…to arrive at a bridge…
…Don’t cross the bridge, instead turn left before & follow the track alongside the wood…
16. At the end of the wood, ignore the railway bridge on the left & turn the corner round to the right & cross the bridge…
…& walk up the slope
17. On reaching the top, carefully cross one of the fairways of Northamptonshire County Golf Club…
Head straight across…
Following the path as marked on the OS Map below to the junction…
18. The path reaches a the junction. Now turn left & follow it to the exit into the lane, passing the clubhouse on your left
19. Walk down the lane past some very expensive houses in the lovely village of Church Brampton…
On reaching a house on the left called Ferndean turn immediately right down the narrow gap besides the house opposite…
The gap’s hard to spot but it’s here on the right
Apparently this track’s sometimes very overgrown so, if that’s the case, just follow the drive to the end of the road & turn right
20. Today though it was fine & we eventually emerge onto what looks like someone’s driveway…
21. Eventually you’ll arrive at the main road. Turn left & follow the road…
…to the crossroads. See if you can spot the ‘Queen of the Fairies’ house on the right…
22. At the crossroads turn right & cross over the road passing a rather plush looking bus stop…
…looking for a path on the left…
The badge on the gate shows we’re on a familiar path…The Midshires Way…
23. The path now follows the hedge & there’s also some pretty good views across our county…
Shortly the path reaches another crossroads…
Turn left & then immediately right down the well marked path towards Chapel Brampton
24. Eventually the track emerges at a road. Ignore the bridleway sign below & turn right up the road – be careful here though as it’s a one-way street & the traffic moves pretty quickly…
25. At the top of the road we turn left at the junction…
Just before the crossroads you have the option to have a rest in the fairies den…
This is a charming little area
26. Arrive at the crossroads with the main road…
Walk to the crossroads &, if you fancy a break, the The Spencer Arms is just on the right
27. Head straight over the crossroads down the hill…
…to eventually arrive at a footpath marker on the right just before the bridge…
28. Now we’re going to head straight back across the fields to our starting point. Walk across the field to the stile…
Cross the stile…
29. The path to the second stile’s really easy to follow…
Now bear slightly right towards the next one…
Please note this is where the diversion from the mapped footpath, due to building work, comes into effect. This is drawn on the map below & included in the following instructions
30. Cross the stile in the picture below…
…& head straight forward through this opening that has been created. The mill is in view to the far left…
31. Continue straight to the bridge & cross it…
Once over the bridge bear left and head for the gap in these trees
32. Then follow the path to directly opposite Millers Yard Cafe…
Turn immediately left & then bear right to pass through the gate in the picture below…
33. You’re now back on the Brampton Valley Way. Turn right & now once again we’re simply following the restored railway line back to the start of our walk…
…& eventually, as they say, we come to the end of the line…
34. Now all you need to do is turn left to find your car wherever you parked…
So that’s the end of todays walk & what a little cracker it is & is only on the outskirts of our town. The new housing developments obvious spoil some of this walk, but there’s still plenty to enjoy so…
Go Walk!!
Re: Boughton Mill, the dogs most certainly did not belong to my father, C C Robinson, who died in 2006 and did not own dogs. The mill was subsequently sold and the new owner has moved the footpath so it no longer skirts the house.The re-routing is quite clear and now takes in Millers Yard Cafe, a definite bonus as far as walkers are concerned!
Hi Barbara & thank you for taking the time to clarify that & also the new route. I have updated the walk. Kind regards Dave
Any clues as to where the new route by Boughton Mill goes? We were there yesterday and couldn’t see a marked diversion. Once over the bridge by the weir heading towards the mill, we found a No Access sign on the footpath but no obvious alternative.
Dave, at 19 where you turn left into the Golf Club car park we got reprimanded in no uncertain terms by an rather unpleasant lady golfer. She told us we had no right to go there ‘this is private property’ I told her we were following a walking route but she said ‘well it must be wrong’. We carried on regardless, ignoring her. Thought I should mention it in case something has changed and she could have been right.
I’ve checked OS. We’re right