The ‘Needs to Know’
Distance: 7 miles (11.27 km)
Time to walk: Around 3 hours. There’s nowhere to stop on this route so maybe take a few sarnies as there plenty of places to have a picnic if the weather’s good
Difficulty: Pretty much all off road & flat apart from one stretch up Honey Hill. It’s well worth the climb though as we’ll see…
Parking: There’s a sign in Winwick directing you to a Ramblers Carpark (look for the red postbox in the wall). Check out this link for specific instructions
Public toilets: None
Map of the route:
Well walkers today you are in for a real treat in the rolling hills of the north-west of our stunning county. Having been a member of Cold Ashby Golf Club, we know this area very well & on a clear, sunny day there’s no better place to be – did you know you can see 5 counties from around here? It also takes in a stretch of canal so that’s a bonus!
Our walk, which we did in early May 2015, starts in the little known, but beautiful hamlet of Winwick. Check out their excellent village website at this link www.winwick.org
Have a look at the link above as it goes back many years to associations with Cromwell’s men at the Battle of Naseby
Rather than tell you everything we suggest you just go along & experience this stunning little place for yourself. Shhh…don’t tell everyone about it though
Wanna have a look? Then…
Let’s Walk…
1. As mentioned…Winwick’s really hard to park in, however there’s now much welcomed signs telling you where to park up the hill as it widens out…
It’s a beautiful hamlet that the local’s are really keen to keep secret & we can’t blame them. It only has a population of around 70 people & the Domesday Book mentioned it as Winewic, having a total of ‘3 ploughs, 16 villains, 5 borders, a priest…& worth 50 shillings in tax revenue’
Nothing much has changed in this sleepy area…
2. Head straight down the lane to the crossroads where, when I did the walk a few years ago, the thatchers are doing a grand job on Bridge Cottage…
2. Turn right here & head towards the church & Winwick Grange…
The church is on the right…
3. We’re heading towards the entrance gates to Winwick Grange…
…& our path is through the gate on the left…
4. Follow the narrow grass path…
…& now on the right we get a view of the magnificent Winwick Grange
5. Cross the stile over the brook…
…& we’re now in open rolling farmland walking towards the left of the large tree below…
6. After passing the tree the exit out of this next field’s directly towards the left pylon(there are two)…
…& through the kissing gate…
7. Walk diagonally to the top left corner of the field…
…& exit through the gate
8. Turn right & walk through the next gate, past the farm buildings & up towards Bridge 23 of the Grand Union Canal…
9. Pass over, turn sharp left down to the canal & head under the bridge on the towpath…
The Grand Union Canal starts in London & ends in Birmingham, stretching for 137 miles with 166 locks. It has arms to places including Leicester, Slough, Aylesbury, Wendover & Northampton
10. You all know how much we love Northamptonshire’s canals & we haven’t actually walked this stretch before…
…but it’s a cracker & runs between Bridges 23 & 28
11. It’s always worth keeping your eyes & ears open as you’ll never know what you’ll come across. There’s some fab fungi along here…
…& shortly after round the bend we arrive at Bridge 24…
12. Our path’s taking us to Bridge 28 so just keep following the path…
Nice place to sit awhile
Good views across lovely countryside
Here’s the next one
13. There was an interesting sign just after the above bridge…
…& it’s certainly true as there are several large setts along here so be careful…
Maybe not today
14. Here’s 26 (we’re getting there!)
One of the first boats we’ve seen today
Nice flowers along here too
…& very quickly we’re at 27…
15. Narrowboats have certainly changed with the times…most of the ones along this stretch had solar panels…
There’s also some mile markers that used to be simple stones…
You see everything walking along the canals – where else would you dry your washing?
…& finally we arrive at Bridge 28 (which is probably the least picturesque we’ve come across) where it’s time to leave the canal
16. Pass under the bridge, turn left & head up the steps to the road & then across it…
We’re now heading towards another small hamlet…Elkington so just follow the road to the junction…
17. At the junction take the right fork into the hamlet
Follow the road round to the left until reaching the red-bricked house on the left
18. You can just make out the footpath sign in the above picture & for the next mile or so we’ll be back walking on The Jurassic Way…
19. The path’s narrow here & we’re now starting to climb towards one of Northamptonshire’s best viewpoints…Honey Hill
It initially passes through a marked paddock with a young orchard on the right
Hello madame – she was very friendly
20. Pass through the gate at the end of the paddock into the wood…
…& down to the gate – go through this too
21. The Jurassic Way then heads straight over the valley between the gorse bushes, which are looking splendid, & then continues the climb up the hill…
It’s getting steeper now…
22. At the top it opens out into a wider track…
…& then follows the markers…
The summit of Honey Hill’s away to the right
The views are getting good!
23. Still climbing we arrive at another gate. Pass through this keeping the solitary tree on the right…
The summit of Honey Hill is a short stroll across to the right & you can see 5 counties from the top!
Today we’re short of time so head straight on…
It really is stunning countryside around here
24. The field bends round to the right & although there’s no clear path markers, stick to the hedge & you’ll be fine…
Come on…move!
Once you reach the hedge you’ll see a standing stone that commemorates the Jurassic Way & it’s a great place for it with such amazing views…
25. Keep following the hedge & arrive at a gate out of the field…
…where we’re now in an open field for around 200 yards to emerge on a road…
26. Head straight on for about 100 yards & then turn right onto the track at the sign…
27. On reaching the cattle grid just past the house stop!…& just take a few moments to admire the amazing views…
28. Right…let’s crack on towards one of our old haunts..Cold Ashby Golf Club…
29. Pass the farm…
…through the new plantation to the gate. The farmer’s done a really good job here with the path
30. At the end of this path we need to be careful as we’re going to pass across where some of Cold Ashby Golf Club used to be (we won a few comps there!)…
Cold Ashby Golf Club is one of Northamptonshire’s most stunning & most challenging courses…does the wind never stop blowing here? It’s a place where we were members for many years & have lots of happy memories
31. Cross straight ahead…
..& then down the hill on the path across the course used to be…
32. The escape from the golf course lies up the slope opposite where we came down…
…turning left at the top & then right at the corner to keep the hedge on the left…
33. This path is going to take us pretty much all the way back to Winwick across several fields so…head down & crack on!
There’s glimpses of the golf course all along here, but eventually you’ll arrive at the corner of the field where there’s a gate into the next one…
34. This field’s more of a horse paddock & the path’s roped off between them both…
35. Keep to the left of the next field until reaching a gated off area…
…where it’s a left through the gate below…
…which leads into another grass field where there’s a fairly steep diagonal right climb towards the trees
36. On reaching the top turn right & follow the obvious track down the hill…
… & through the gate…
Keep to the path!
37. Finally pass through one more gate & we’re on a hard surface again…
We said when we left the golf course that we’d be following virtually a straight line back to Winwick, so carry straight on…
…& through the next gate…
38. It’s a bit of a climb up here, but there’s plenty of frolicking young lambs to entertain us…
And a couple of equines too
39. At the top of the rise you can see Winwick Hall in the distance – we’ll get a closer look shortly…
Hello nosey Number 40!
40. At the end of the hard track pass through the gate & turn right to have a look at the Hall…
Impressive gate!
Nice
There is now the Polo Tea Room in the grounds of Winwick Hall on Sundays during the summer, May to September or, if there are large groups, by appointment. Entrance to The Polo Pavilion is via the North gate, not the main entrance”
Check out their Facebook Page by clicking on this link
41. Continue along the lane past the rather lovely seating area near the pond…
…& continue round to the left back to where we parked near the telephone box
Here’s the back entrance to the Hall
Classy post box
So thats the end of a walk that’s got a bit of everything…beautiful countryside, fantastic views, a lovely stretch of canal & some cracking paths
On reflection, it’s probably best to do this walk on a fine dry day. The wind does blow in this part of the county & on a wild wet day it wouldn’t be so enjoyable
It’s another great one though so…
Go Walk!
I enjoyed your walk description and agree with your assessment of this part of Northamptonshire – it’s got a great deal to offer Ramblers : well marked paths, extensive views and ‘genuinely English’ landscapes.
Anyone interested in more circular walks this area and other nearby routes in the Northants Uplands might like to visit ‘The Cold Ashby Rambler’ (see below).
Great site yet to do the above walk. I expect you have seen the rights of way map on Northampton cc site:
http://maps.northamptonshire.gov.uk/#x=460962,y=273912,zoom=4,base=NCC,layers=Row|,search=,fade=false,mX=0,mY=0
Mary
Thanks for your kind comments Mary – that link’s great too
There is now a Tea Room at Winwick in the grounds of Winwick Hall on Sundays during the summer May to September or if there are large groups, by appointment. Entrance to The Polo pavilion Tea room is via the North gate in the pucture above by the crinkle wall not the main entrance. Check out the facebook page. ‘The Polo Pavilion Tea Room.
Hi Anita.
Thanks for reminding me about the Tea Room – I remember Bruce talking about it when I was in the Radio Station (back there this Thursday!). I’ll update the walk later & also put a link to the Facebook page on the walk itself
Many thanks again, kind regards
Dave
We did this walk today and really enjoyed it. For information, the Winwick Estate have allocated Ramblers’ parking on the grass verge at the top of Elkington Lane by the North entrance to the Hall. Just drive up past the telephone box and they are round the corner at the end.
Thanks for that Richard. They’re obviously getting more walkers 😉 So glad you enjoyed this beautiful walk
Have just completed this beautiful walk today. It’s a lovely route and the directions/instructions were spot on. Thank you, will look out for any other similar walks you may have posted!
Thanks JIm it’s a beautiful walk isn’t it. Keep walking! 🙂
Hi! Decided to try this one out today. Very muddy today given recent floods but still really good fun! Your directions were bang on point. Thank you!
Happy new year!
Thanks Jon – glad you enjoyed it. Try it in mid summer with a picnic on the top of Honey Hill 🙂
I only managed to get to point 5! There is no way of completing this walk….and many others, as it is impossible to get large dogs over the stiles.
Hi Carolyn & thank you for your comment. On the more recent walks we have started putting whether they are suitable for dogs i.e. large ones & stiles. To say that many of the current 169 walks are unable to be completed is incorrect. We ask people to advise us of changes etc so will make that on this one. Just so you are aware I think Natural England are supporting changing stiles into gates across the country as part their making the countryside more accessible to all 🙂
Just wondering, did you see any butterflies on your walk?.
Yes at the right time there’s lots especially on Honey Hill 🙂
We went on this walk yesterday and thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of it. It has been raining a lot so we have picked a semi-sunny day between the rainy days yo do this walk. It was a bit muddy at times, because of the massive downpour the night before, but this did not deter us. Views from Honey Hill was amazing, though a bit windy. On our way through Honey Hill Farm we had to walked through a bit their freshly manure laid field. So did not smell very fresh when we got back to our cottage. All part of the walks around this time of the year and would definitely do it again.
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At Number 7 the issue with the gate has been resolved, a new gate has been installed, sorry didn’t take a photo.
Hooorah!!!!! At last & it proves that reporting an issue does work 🙂 Thanks Emma 🙂