This “Walk from my Doorstep” has been sent to us by our lovely friends, Faith & David, who we’ve known for many years. It takes in the wonderful Titchmarsh Nature Reserve & is a great walk at any time of the year
So Faith & David show us your favourite daily stroll…
Let’s Walk!
The ‘Needs to Know’
Distance: Roughly 5 miles
Time to walk: Around 90 minutes
Difficulty: Flat & easy, mainly along tracks & grassy paths that can get muddy in winter
Parking: In Thrapston
Public toilets: In Thrapston
Map of the route: None, but it’s an easy walk to follow
1. We live in Swan Close in Thrapston & this is our favourite daily walk with our two golden retrievers each morning…
2. From our house we turn left at the end of Swan Close into Springfield Road, just one road up to Lakeside Close. We continue down the Close to the grass in front of the horses’ field & then follow the path right along the fields to the end
3. Continue along the pathway to the end & turn left. A kind person built us a temporary bridge after the winter floods so we can still cross & then walk up to join the official Thrapston Town Walk
4. Turn right & follow the path, keeping the lakes & river on your left, until reaching Titchmarsh Nature Reserve…
5. At this point you really feel that you’re out in the countryside, with sheep & horses to your right & a myriad of birds to see & hear their individual songs
The lakes make this a great place to see numerous herons & stunning Red Kites every day
6. Keep straight ahead on the track…
…&, at the end of the Town Walk, you’ll arrive at a lane where you should turn left. Check around this area as there’s lots of signs of digging for worms (aka “snuffle holes”) which probably means that there are Badger Sets nearby. Look out them on the steep sides of path
It’s the old railway line from Thrapston to Peterborough.
7. This lane will take you down to the nature reserve & over a bridge across the River Nene…
8. Turn right & follow the track around the lakes of the nature reserve…
…crossing another bridge over the outflow from the lakes where the dogs always stop to have a paddle…
9. As you follow the track, Aldwicle village with its Norman church tower starts to come into view on your right
You never know who you might meet…
10. Pass through a kissing gate & follow the track round & then down the opposite side of the nature reserve…
On the right’s Elinor Trout Fishery
11. Along this stretch of the walk you get great views across the surrounding countryside, with water on both sides as you follow ‘Harper’s Brook’ down the reserve. When we did this walk in March 2020 the Cowslips were out in force. There’s also several bird hides here if you want to stop & partake in a spot of ‘twitching!’
12. Follow the path round the reserve until you come to another fishing lake called Willowbrook Fisheries. Turn left to follow the track back to the River Nene. Crossing the metal bridge will take you back to Thrapston Sailing Club
It’s worth stopping & spending a few moments here just listening to the birdsong. Have a seat on the bench &, if you’re lucky you may hear the stunning song of a Nightingale. Several ‘twitcher’ group come here just to listen to it & spot the birds. Click on the link below to hear its song…
13. Follow the path around the fishery & up to Islip Ridge Road…
14. The track heads back towards the village. As you gain height you’ll get some great views over the Nene Valley…
At the junction with the road turn left into Mill Lane, which will lead you back into Thrapston…
Ahead is the Mill House sitting on the River Nene…
15. There’s some great views across the lake from the bridge near the Mill
Follow the lane back into Thrapston, passing the beginning of the Town Walk
So that’s the end of our lovely walk that we’re privileged to walk with our dogs every day. As it’s near water, there’s always something different to see, so two walks are never the same
We’d love you to come & try it…you won’t be disappointed!
Go Walk!