Northamptonshire Tourist Guide - Articles
Northamptonshire Walks
Keen walkers and ramblers will find plenty to please, in Northamptonshire. Even those who enjoy the occasional leisurely stroll or gentle walk in uplifting surroundings will be surprised by the sheer diversity of pleasurable Northamptonshire walks, right here on our doorstep.
Easily accessible from all points north, south, east and west and no more than an hour away from both London and Birmingham, this 2367 square kilometre (914 square miles) county with its rich heritage makes an obvious choice for a spur of the moment spot of walking – the perfect way to de-stress, unwind and keep fit all in one go! And, when it comes to uplifting walks, this county in the heart of England is cram-packed with hidden gems amidst some of the most beautiful and varied countryside in the UK.
A vast network of well-maintained, clearly signed footpaths, byways and bridleways takes you through the highlights of Northamptonshire’s stunning rural scenery of rolling hills, woodland; farmland, pastures, moor land, lakes, rivers, canals, picturesque villages with warm-stone cottages and traditional country pubs, as well as historic towns.
In fact, one of the best ways to explore the delights of the county of Northamptonshire, with its diverse landscapes and its many historic attractions, stately homes and castles, etc is undoubtedly on foot and literally at your own pace.
So, why not ring the changes, dust off your walking boots and view the beautiful, historic county of Northamptonshire from a different perspective; reach the parts of Northamptonshire that others certainly can’t reach by car or public transport!
To help you plan the perfect Northamptonshire walk with plenty to see and do en route, use the links on this website, to check out the pick of the bunch of attractions, historic buildings, accommodation, facilities and heritage sites that you could explore along the way.
Then, find out more about what the welcoming county of Northamptonshire has to offer walkers and ramblers, by clicking on to the Local Information & Articles page.
Popular Northamptonshire Walks
Whatever your interests or level of fitness, there are countless Northamptonshire walks to choose from; short, long, circular, linear, easy, difficult; remote, peaceful, rural, historic, the possibilities are endless. Suggestions include:
Aldwincle and Wadenhoe: scenic 2.2 kilometre (1.4 mile) Nene riverside walk, near Oundle; fascinating wildlife, rich local heritage; starts in the historic village of Aldwincle, and follows the valley of the River Nene to the village of Wadenhoe with its delightful limestone buildings and thatched cottages and a history dating back to Saxon times; both Aldwincle and Wadenhoe are situated in a breathtakingly scenic curve of the River Nene.
Cogenhoe to Yardley Hastings: 5.6 kilometre (3.5 mile) countryside walk through the rolling hills of Northamptonshire; starts in the village of Cogenhoe, situated in a commanding position overlooking the Nene Valley; ends in the picturesque village of Yardley Hastings.
Cosgrove – Grand Union Canal: 2.6 kilometre (1.6 mile) walk along a section of the Grand Union Canal; starts at The Navigation Inn to the north of Cosgrove; ends back on the main road close to The Navigation Inn; varied landscapes, wildlife and interesting architecture, historic buildings, centred around the quintessential English village of Cosgrove.
Fortheringhay-Woodnewton-Fortheringhay: 5.5 kilometre (3.4 mile) circular walk; starts in the historic village of Fortheringhay (where the execution of Mary Queen of Scots took place in 1587), via the pretty village of Woodnewton with its characteristic thatch and limestone houses, ending back in Fortheringhay.
Grafton Way: 18.5 kilometre (11.5 mile) walk from Cosgrove to Greens Norton, via Towcester; step back in history along the Grafton Way, named after the Dukes of Grafton, famous local landowners in south Northamptonshire during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
Nassington – Yarwell: 5.6 kilometre (3.5 mile) walk along the Nene Way between the villages of Nassington and Yarwell, returning via roadside path that links both villages; stunning natural landscapes, chocolate-box style houses, historic landmarks; beautiful English countryside at its most appealing.
Stoke Bruerne: 4 kilometre (2.5 mile) well-marked circular walk around Stoke Bruerne, a charming, lively canal-side Northamptonshire village located next to one of Britain’s finest canals; starts at Blisworth Tunnel; pause along the way to visit The Canal Museum, housed in a restored corn mill and which depicts the amazing history of the local waterway transport system through the ages.
The Northampton Round: circular, 80 kilometre (50 mile) scenic path around the county town of Northampton; great photo opportunities en route with several historic sites, picturesque waterways, attractive villages and hamlets with houses built of local stone.
Organised Northamptonshire Walks
Have you ever thought about joining a joining a walking or rambling club? If you’ve been put off in the past by the all too hale and hearty image of organised walks and rambling clubs, then do think again. Today’s walking and rambling clubs are full of fun-loving folk who enjoy the great outdoors and are hoping to get fit and make friends in the process. Northamptonshire has a particularly active clutch of welcoming clubs at, for example, Northampton, Corby, Daventry, Kettering, Rushden, Towcester and Wellingborough; you don’t necessarily have to be resident in Northamptonshire to join the organised walks and rambles on offer. For more information about your nearest walking or rambling club in Northamptonshire, take a look at http://www.ramblingclubs.com/ramblingclubs.php/Northamptonshire/51/2/.
Walking & Rambling in Northamptonshire Resources
The Ramblers Association: www.ramblers.org.uk; follow the East Midlands link for more ideas on specific Northamptonshire walks.
Maps Suitable for Walking and Rambling: Ordnance Survey: www.ordsvy.gov.uk; provides OS Landranger Maps (pink covers), 1:50000 Scale (2cm to 1km or 1 1/4 inches to 1 mile); and the large format, new improved OS Explorer Walking Maps (orange covers), which have largely replaced the OS Pathfinder Maps, 1:25000 Scale (4cm to 1km or 2 1/2 inches to 1 mile). The OS Explorer Walking Maps also include local tourist information, attractions and places of general interest.
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Easily accessible from all points north, south, east and west and no more than an hour away from both London and Birmingham, this 2367 square kilometre (914 square miles) county with its rich heritage makes an obvious choice for a spur of the moment spot of walking – the perfect way to de-stress, unwind and keep fit all in one go! And, when it comes to uplifting walks, this county in the heart of England is cram-packed with hidden gems amidst some of the most beautiful and varied countryside in the UK.
A vast network of well-maintained, clearly signed footpaths, byways and bridleways takes you through the highlights of Northamptonshire’s stunning rural scenery of rolling hills, woodland; farmland, pastures, moor land, lakes, rivers, canals, picturesque villages with warm-stone cottages and traditional country pubs, as well as historic towns.
In fact, one of the best ways to explore the delights of the county of Northamptonshire, with its diverse landscapes and its many historic attractions, stately homes and castles, etc is undoubtedly on foot and literally at your own pace.
So, why not ring the changes, dust off your walking boots and view the beautiful, historic county of Northamptonshire from a different perspective; reach the parts of Northamptonshire that others certainly can’t reach by car or public transport!
To help you plan the perfect Northamptonshire walk with plenty to see and do en route, use the links on this website, to check out the pick of the bunch of attractions, historic buildings, accommodation, facilities and heritage sites that you could explore along the way.
Then, find out more about what the welcoming county of Northamptonshire has to offer walkers and ramblers, by clicking on to the Local Information & Articles page.
Popular Northamptonshire Walks
Whatever your interests or level of fitness, there are countless Northamptonshire walks to choose from; short, long, circular, linear, easy, difficult; remote, peaceful, rural, historic, the possibilities are endless. Suggestions include:
Aldwincle and Wadenhoe: scenic 2.2 kilometre (1.4 mile) Nene riverside walk, near Oundle; fascinating wildlife, rich local heritage; starts in the historic village of Aldwincle, and follows the valley of the River Nene to the village of Wadenhoe with its delightful limestone buildings and thatched cottages and a history dating back to Saxon times; both Aldwincle and Wadenhoe are situated in a breathtakingly scenic curve of the River Nene.
Cogenhoe to Yardley Hastings: 5.6 kilometre (3.5 mile) countryside walk through the rolling hills of Northamptonshire; starts in the village of Cogenhoe, situated in a commanding position overlooking the Nene Valley; ends in the picturesque village of Yardley Hastings.
Cosgrove – Grand Union Canal: 2.6 kilometre (1.6 mile) walk along a section of the Grand Union Canal; starts at The Navigation Inn to the north of Cosgrove; ends back on the main road close to The Navigation Inn; varied landscapes, wildlife and interesting architecture, historic buildings, centred around the quintessential English village of Cosgrove.
Fortheringhay-Woodnewton-Fortheringhay: 5.5 kilometre (3.4 mile) circular walk; starts in the historic village of Fortheringhay (where the execution of Mary Queen of Scots took place in 1587), via the pretty village of Woodnewton with its characteristic thatch and limestone houses, ending back in Fortheringhay.
Grafton Way: 18.5 kilometre (11.5 mile) walk from Cosgrove to Greens Norton, via Towcester; step back in history along the Grafton Way, named after the Dukes of Grafton, famous local landowners in south Northamptonshire during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
Nassington – Yarwell: 5.6 kilometre (3.5 mile) walk along the Nene Way between the villages of Nassington and Yarwell, returning via roadside path that links both villages; stunning natural landscapes, chocolate-box style houses, historic landmarks; beautiful English countryside at its most appealing.
Stoke Bruerne: 4 kilometre (2.5 mile) well-marked circular walk around Stoke Bruerne, a charming, lively canal-side Northamptonshire village located next to one of Britain’s finest canals; starts at Blisworth Tunnel; pause along the way to visit The Canal Museum, housed in a restored corn mill and which depicts the amazing history of the local waterway transport system through the ages.
The Northampton Round: circular, 80 kilometre (50 mile) scenic path around the county town of Northampton; great photo opportunities en route with several historic sites, picturesque waterways, attractive villages and hamlets with houses built of local stone.
Organised Northamptonshire Walks
Have you ever thought about joining a joining a walking or rambling club? If you’ve been put off in the past by the all too hale and hearty image of organised walks and rambling clubs, then do think again. Today’s walking and rambling clubs are full of fun-loving folk who enjoy the great outdoors and are hoping to get fit and make friends in the process. Northamptonshire has a particularly active clutch of welcoming clubs at, for example, Northampton, Corby, Daventry, Kettering, Rushden, Towcester and Wellingborough; you don’t necessarily have to be resident in Northamptonshire to join the organised walks and rambles on offer. For more information about your nearest walking or rambling club in Northamptonshire, take a look at http://www.ramblingclubs.com/ramblingclubs.php/Northamptonshire/51/2/.
Walking & Rambling in Northamptonshire Resources
The Ramblers Association: www.ramblers.org.uk; follow the East Midlands link for more ideas on specific Northamptonshire walks.
Maps Suitable for Walking and Rambling: Ordnance Survey: www.ordsvy.gov.uk; provides OS Landranger Maps (pink covers), 1:50000 Scale (2cm to 1km or 1 1/4 inches to 1 mile); and the large format, new improved OS Explorer Walking Maps (orange covers), which have largely replaced the OS Pathfinder Maps, 1:25000 Scale (4cm to 1km or 2 1/2 inches to 1 mile). The OS Explorer Walking Maps also include local tourist information, attractions and places of general interest.
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