Walks And Walking – Top 5 Northamptonshire Walks

Walks And Walking – Top 5 Northamptonshire Walks

I was recently contacted by a follower on the Walks And Walking Google+ page about walks in Northamptonshire. As it’s not an area I have managed to get to yet I went to the ViewRanger website to see what I could find. ViewRanger is the mobile app that I use for my walking routes and also a great source of finding new walks across the whole of the UK.

Walks And Walking – Top 5 Northamptonshire Walks – Cottesbrooke Hall and Gardens

Brixworth Walk Northamptonshire

The first walk I found that looked particularly interesting was a 12 mile walk in Brixworth.

This Northamptonshire walk includes 4 small villages; Brixworth, Cottesbrooke, Hollowell and Creaton, using the Brampton Valley Way, across largely arable land. Cottesbrooke Hall and Gardens can be visited partway round. They also do refreshments or you can visit the pubs in Creaton and Spratton. There is a car park at the start of the walk. From Northampton, take the A508 north to Brixworth. Turn left at the roundabout south of Brixworth. In the centre of the village turn left again to get to the Brampton Valley Way. Hourly buses run to Brixworth from Northampton, currently the Stagecoach X7 Northampton – Leicester bus.

Walks And Walking – Top 5 Northamptonshire Walks – Whilton Locks

Whilton Locks Walk Northamptonshire

This is an 8 mile circular walk around Whilton Locks

This Northamptonshire walk starts from the car park at Whilton Carpets along the route of the Grand Union Canal and up the Buckby Flight of Locks to the village of Long Buckby. This walk offers a good variation of tracks and paths including canal architecture, a pleasant natural environment and busy boating scenes. The village of Whilton is charming, with lovely cottages and houses and a small church built in rich stone, where you can rest awhile before ending the walk through some unspoilt rural areas, fields and pastures.

Walks And Walking – Top 5 Northamptonshire Walks – Duston Mill Reservoir

Northampton Walk

This is a 7 mile walk in Northampton 

The easiest of the top 5 Northamptonshire walks as it is a flat walk around Northampton making it an ideal introduction for beginners to the area and countryside walking. As well as Duston Mill reservoir one of the other highlights of the Northampton walk is Storron’s Gravel Pits, 21 hectares of wildlife site managed by the Wildlife Trust and a good place to try and spot Otters.

Walks And Walking – Top 5 Northamptonshire Walks – Castle Ashby Gardens

Castle Ashby Walk Northamptonshire

This walk is a 10 mile walk to Castle Ashby Gardens

This is a lovely walk through some typical English villages, hamlets and countryside along the tow-path of the River Nene. There is the choice of visiting the Castle Ashby Gardens, craft shops and tea rooms en route. The castle itself dates from the 11th Century and has had various ‘royals’ stop in it. The parklands around were designed by Capability Brown in 1760 and now form part of a 10,000-acre estate used as a county house hotel. The Billing Aquadrome is used as the start point for this walking route which takes you through some of the unspoilt countryside of Northamptonshire.

Walks And Walking – Top 5 Northamptonshire Walks – Winwick Church

Winwick Walk Northamptonshire

This walk is a 7 mile walk to Winwick

Sometimes referred to as England’s best kept secret Northamptonshire this delightful walk in the heart of the Northamptonshire countryside to Winwick begins with an easy stretch along a little-used and unspoilt stretch of canal; continues with a moderate climb with the reward of panoramic views; and concludes with an easy return to the start. A visit to the 13th Century church of St Michael and All Angels is another of the recommended highlights on this walk.

For all other Northamptonshire walks visit ViewRanger here. You will need to create a free account before being able to view the walks and you will notice that some walks require credits to be able to view the entire walking route. Whilst this is quite cost effective I would suggest you study the walks and then plot your own. They may not be 100% accurate but you save yourself some money.