The ‘Needs to Know’
Distance: Section 5 runs between Winwick & Sibbertoft, a distance of approximately 11 miles (17.7 km). Our walkers on this section were Ann, Alison & Helen
Time to walk: 4 hours on 6th September 2020, including a picnic lunch The ladies used Landranger Ordinance survey maps 140,141,151 & 152
Difficulty: This section was fairly undulating with a mix of fields, canal & woodland
Parking: As this is a linear walk, the ladies parked their cars in both Winwick & Sibbertoft. They parked in the ‘Ramblers’ car park in Winwick & were able to return & enjoy tea & cakes in the Pavilion tea room at the end
Public toilets: Public houses in Welford & Sibbertoft
Map of Section 5:
There’s some wonderful countryside to be seen on this stretch of the Jurassic Way &, as you’ll see from their pictures, the ladies were blessed with some wonderful weather.
So…shall we see how they got on?
Let’s Walk!
1. What a place to start Section 5…outside the ornate gates of the magnificent Winwick Hall…
With your back to the Hall, you can see the footpath sign to your right leading up the track as it climbs a hill
2. You need to keep your eyes peeled for a second footpath sign on your left (below) as you near the top of the hill. It was well hidden in the hedge when the ladies passed by. The path heads to the right & is signposted Bridleway to Honey Hill…
The path takes you through & around several fields & past Cold Ashby golf club. There is a hill in the distance, which you keep aiming for. It isn’t actually Honey Hill, but you can pretend it is & keep it in sight!
3. Above you can see the hill you need to aim for. The path follows hedges most of the way & is easy to follow…
In the picture above they get their first glimpse of Honey Hill farm
4. Honey Hill farm which the path passes is a beautiful place…
& perhaps it’s no wonder they are a little upset at the wind turbines nearby
5. Once you leave the farm the track becomes a small road which leads up to the Elkington to Cold Ashby road. Along the way are like plaques like the one above. Once you reach the road, turn left & shortly you will see a footpath taking you off the road
The road bends right & you continue straight on the footpath. There were loads of blackberries along here…
6. Follow the path as it takes you to Honey Hill. The large stone you pass is at the foot of Honey Hill & commemorates the Jurassic Way…
The climb to the top of the hill is a worthwhile diversion from the path as it has amazing views
7. The path continues skirting to the right of Honey Hill & through meadows on its way to Elkington…
Elkington is a deserted medieval village & civil parish. The village was described as ‘Elkynton’ & other variants in 1377, having 30 taxpayers over the age of 14. However, in 1412 the village is described as destitute of inhabitants save the seven who were servitors at Pipewell Abbey due to a pestilence believed to be the plague
Today there are no houses left in the village except a single remaining farm…
8. In Elkington, turn right & head up to the junction. Keep to the left & follow the road in the direction of Yelvertoft, although the ladies turn off the road just outside of Elkington
You will be able to see the canal quite soon. Go over the canal & find a path down to the water on the right hand side of the road…
The path follows the canal in the direction of the A14…
…& passes underneath it
9. Keep going on the canal as far as Bridge 31. Walk up to the road & take the footpath on the left towards Hemplow Hill…
The path to Hemplow Hill is clear & easy to follow. As you reach the wood, you have a steep but short climb through it
10. Once you pass through the wood (above), the path has moved a little. It used to run through the large West Hill farm on your left, but it has been diverted. The new path is very easy to find as the landowner has moved the path & there are helpful gates (randomly placed) to guide you. They chose this spot for our picnic lunch…
Leaving Hemplow Wood above
11. Follow the path until it reaches a small road. They really loved the random gates below…
Turn left & follow it past Hemplow Home Farm. The road continues all the way into Welford. You go straight over a crossroads before reaching Welford
Ann, Alison & Helen were lucky that someone had put a basket of delicious plums out in the village complete with bags to take some home. Delicious!
In Welford carry on until you reach the Church of St Mary the Virgin & here you turn right keeping the church on your left. At the end of the road you meet the main A5199 & look to the right. You will see the Jurassic Way marker on the opposite side of the road. The path takes you down a small secluded path – really overgrown with nettles!
12. You come out of the small path into a meadow at the edge of the village. The path goes off to the left…
Above, they could make out some ancient raised earthworks of the medieval village of Welford & some pretty sheep!
13. The path continues through the gap in the hedges (below)
Above you can see the tiny hamlet of Sulby…
14. The path runs close to a farm & houses on the outskirts of Sulby. Look for the metal fence & the Jurassic Way post…
Once you are through this gate, it’s a short walk up to the road where you turn left. Follow the road for a bit until you reach the footpath on your right & Sulby reservoir. The reservoir provides water to the summit level of the Grand Union Canal by way of the navigable Welford Arm
The path follows the edge of the reservoir as far as the damn. Cross the damn heading left….
15. The next section of the walk takes you through where the ancient village of Sulby stood & what looks like an old park from a large house. The path is clearly signposted all the way
You cross straight over the small road in the photo above & continue until you reach the next road. Here you turn right & follow (picture below) until you see a footpath sign on your left going off in the direction of Sibbertoft…
16. Below the path goes off to the left towards Sibbertoft…
Below are two pictures from the walk across the fields to Sibbertoft…
17. On the outskirts of Sibbertoft there was a great view back – you must always remember to look back!
The ladies don’t think they found the actual path that runs through Sibbertoft, but they ended up at the church which is where this section ends & where car number 2 was parked…
So that’s the end of our intrepid latest stage of the wonderful Jurassic Way. Now, as the day was still lovely, when they’d finished, they dashed back for car number 1 at Winwick in the hope that the Pavilion tea room was still open
It was! And it still had cake left!
Go Walk!