Walk 235: Weldon…the 10 Bridges Walk

The ‘Needs to Know’

Distance: 3.6 miles (5.79km)

Time to walk: Roughly a couple of hours as there’s lots to explore in the old parts of this wonderful Northamptonshire village

Difficulty: Apart from a couple of short bits, all on hard surfaces. Dogs will need to be on lead apart from in the Country Park

Parking: Carefully & considerately in Woodlands Road, up Oundle Road. what3words stole.turns.cubs

Public toilets: Pubs & Cafes

Map of the route:

As at February 2026 there’s none of our walks that touch Weldon &, after a bit of ‘googling’, I found an article in their Parish Council Magazine, ‘Weldon Wide’ edition Spring 2023

It caught my eye because it was called the ‘10 Bridges Walk‘ & was devised by Paul Curran. This wonderful short walk replicates that walk & is credited to them both

I’ve added in my own research etc as all I ever want to do is show off our wonderful villages of Northamptonshire

The meaning of the name Weldon is ‘Hill with a spring or by a stream’

It certainly has that as the Willow Brook, a tributary of the River Nene splits into a north & south arm & runs through the village

Its my favourite Northamptonshire River along with the Ise & Nene & its entire course is in Northamptonshire, rising to the north of Corby & joining the Nene near Fotheringhay on another of our walks

Originally known as Weldon-in-the Woods, the village has had many notable residents including John Colet, Dean of St Pauls & founder of St Pauls Church in London

Weldon, home of the famous ‘Weldon Stone’ was first worked by the Romans & is seen in many of the churches & great houses in this area. But it spread wider & Old St Pauls was built of Weldon stone

Are you ready to explore this lovely village & find those bridges?

Then…Let’s Walk!

1. We parked carefully & considerately in Woodlands Road which is up the hill off the Oundle Road. Come out of the road, turn left, & walk down past the bus stop…

You know you’re getting near water when you see the Duck warning sign!

2. To the right’s the impressive Manor House which dates back to the 16th century…

…but ahead’s Bridge No.1 also known as South Bridge which crosses the South Brook

Please take care crossing the Bridge as there’s no footpath. One thing that really impressed us was the quality of the water that was flowing along both of the brooks as it’s very pretty

3. Follow the footpath beside the road as it twists & turns up into the village passing some lovely old cottages…

…to arrive at the War Memorial on the left which was erected in 1920 with further additions for those people lost in World War II

4. At the junction with the High Street walk across the zebra crossing to The George, a historic 17th century coaching inn. One of two remaining inns in the village, the glass now covers the tell-tale arch which was once the entrance for horses & carriages to access the stables at the rear

5. Facing the inn turn left & then right down Bridge Street (there’s a clue we may be approaching Bridge No.2)…

And here it is, this time crossing Willow Brook North

The North Brook is much smaller than its southern relative, but is just as clean & pretty as it babbles along

6. Continue up the hill, passing the Village Hall on the left & an impressive willow tree, before bearing left into Chapel Road where there are many impressive old properties…

On the left’s the other pub in the village, The Shoulder of Mutton which dates back to 1830 when it affronted the road, but was rebuilt further back in 1937. During its lifetime records show it may also have been known as The Fox and Hounds

7. Continue along the road where you’ll see a signpost on the left leading you through a gate to visit Weldon Congregational Chapel. Pass through to have a look at it…

The current building was established in 1792, replacing an earlier structure. It was officially named a “Chapel” in 1810. The building has featured a gallery (added in 1818), a schoolroom, & a vestry. Today it still operates as a place of worship, with its pews being obtained from the closed Nassington chapel & installed in 1965/6

8. Come back out of the gate & continue in the same direction down the hill where the road bends left…

…to find Bridge No.3 which again crosses the North Brook

Have a look over the wall on the left. The Brook is immaculately manicured & simply stunning

9. Walk up the hill to arrive at the junction with Corby Road & turn left. Pass the row of old cottages which used to face Weldon Quarry…

…noting their names which date back to when the quarry was there

10. Continue along Corby Road &, almost immediately after crossing Gander Close, turn left down the narrow footpath…

At the bottom is Bridge No.4 which crosses the North Brook again although you can’t see too much of it

11. The path emerges into Dash Farm Close. This is the only main, short stretch of off-road walking as you pass up the grass to the left of the private drive…

At the top rejoin a hard path which passes through a rather lovely little pocket park

There’s several small play items here including a lovely small train & rather a splendid Bug Hotel

12. On reaching Chapel Road again turn right again. Look for the red post box on the wall. Immediately past it turn right…

…& walk down the alley

13. On reaching the house at the bottom it might look like a dead end, but turn left along the narrow fenced alley…

At the end of the Alley cross straight over Rose Avenue

14. Pass between the primary school & the playground…

…to arrive at Bridge No.5 across the North Brook again

15. Walk up the alley as it twists & turns to emerge onto Corby Road once more & turn right…

Look out for the old house on your right. Rope making was once a thriving activity in Weldon in the 17th Century. Years later No.29 became Rope House, home of a family of rope makers, who would fix newly-made ropes along the wall (known as Rope Walk). It also doubled as a pub, The Jolly Ropers…

16. Cross Corby Road & bear left into Hillside Crescent…

…& walk right to end & then turn left

17. Cross Bridge No.6 to enter Weldon Country Park. This is the South Brook & it’s much wider & flowing much quicker after the recent heavy rain…

Situated on a former iron ore quarry, Weldon Country Park is a hidden gem & covers 21 hectares & is quite wild so great to explore with dogs off leads

There’s many grassy paths to explore but, today, we decided to keep to the hard surfaced one

18. The hard path will lead you to the car park…

Walk through the car park, carefully cross the road onto the hard footpath & turn left across Kettering Road towards the village again…

19. Bear left down the wonderfully named ‘Haunt Hill’ passing Haunt Hill House…

…which was build on a supposedly haunted site & there are many, non-founded stories about blood on floors that can’t be scrubbed away

At the bottom of the hill cross Bridge No.7 which is a footbridge to help people take the risk out of walking on the road

The South Brook is much wider & faster here

20. Follow the footpath round to the junction with the War Memorial again & bear right down Church Walk…

Look out for the fabulous figures on the right

21. It’s time to cross Bridge No.8 which is probably the most photographic…

…but, before crossing, walk down to the meadow on the right to admire this lovely bridge

22. Walk over the bridge & enter the churchyard…

This is St Mary the Virgin Church which dates back to the early 13th century & features a unique 19th century, candle-lit, octagonal lantern tower, or “inland lighthouse”

The tower originally featured a spire, which was removed in the 1790s.
In 1854, architect William Slater added an octagonal lantern, which was historically lit by candles to guide travellers through the surrounding Rockingham Forest. It seems very in touch with our three amazing ‘Lantern’ Churches at Irthlingborough, Lowick & Fotheringhay

As we did this walk late in the day we were privileged to see the lamp lit