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Please use the links below to view full route information including descriptions, elevation profiles, interactive maps and GPS downloads. You can also view an overview map of all the routes in the county here
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| Northamptonshire Walks |
| Route Name | Pic | Distance | Description |
| Around Corby |  | 31 miles (50 km) | This is a delightful circualar walk which visits a number of pretty villages and parks around the town of Corby in Northamptonshire.
You start off at East Carlton Country Park on the edge of the Welland Valley and follow the path through a series of pretty villages including Wilbarston, Geddington, Great Oakley, Gretton, Rockingham, Stanion and Brigstock.
Walk highlights include a visit to the 17th century Elizabethan House at Kirby Hall. The Great Hall and state rooms are impressive as are the surrounding grounds of the estate.
Rockingham Castle is another major attraction on route. Built on the instruction of William the Conqueror, the castle's Great Hall and Long Gallery are particularly noteworthy, while the 18 acre gardens are also well worth exploring. |
| Battlefields Trail |  | 20 miles (32 km) | This interesting walking trail links three of England's most significant Battlefields:
Edgcote (1469) in Northamptonshire
Cropredy Bridge (1644) in Oxfordshire
Edgehill (1642) in Warwickshire
It runs from Chipping Warden, Northamptonshire and ends in Kineton, Warwickshire, passing through some beautiful countryside along the way.
The first section of the walk takes you from Chipping Warden to Upper Wardington. On the way you will pass the site of the Battle of Edgecote Moor which was fought during the Wars
of the Roses in July 1469. The battle pitted the forces of Richard Neville, 16th Earl of Warwick, against those of King Edward IV.
From Upper Wardington you continue west to Warmington, passing Cropedy where the Battle of Cropredy Bridge was fought on 29th June 1644 between a Parliamentarian army under Sir William Waller and the Royalist army of King Charles. This section also includes views of the Oxford Canal and the River Cherwell.
The final section then runs from Warmington to Kineton, passing through the beautiful Edghill Country Park. The park is set in the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and includes sixteen acres of mixed grass and primary Bluebell woodland. After passing through Ratley you soon come to the site of Battle of Edgehill. The battle was fought on Sunday, 23rd October 1642 and was the first pitched battle of the First English Civil War. Shortly after the walk then comes to at an end at the village of Kineton in Warwickshire.
The Battlefields Trust Website has a wealth of information on this route and the history of the Battlefields of Britain.
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| Brampton Valley Way |  | 14 miles (23 km) | This walk and cycle trail runs from the outskirts of Northampton to Market Harborough along the trackbed of a disused railway line and NCN route 6. The route passes Brixworth, Maidwell and Great Oxendon with Brixworth Country Park just off the route. This is well worth a small detour as you will find the lovely Pitsford Water and cycle hire if needed.
As well as the beautiful rural scenery you will also pass Northampton & Lamport Railway with its old steam railway on this pleasant trail. |
| Grafton Way |  | 13 miles (21 km) | Follow the Grafton Way from Wolverton , Milton Keynes to Greens Norton in Northamptonshire. The walk starts following the Grand Union Canal to Cosgrove before heading into the countryside and passing the villages of Yardley Gobion, Paulerspury and Towcester. |
| Jurassic Way |  | 88 miles (141 km) | This walk follows the Jurassic limestone ridge from Banbury to Stamford passing through Northamptonshire,Oxfordshire and Lincolnshire.
The walk includes a stretch along the Oxford Canal from Banbury and another waterside stretch along the Grand Union Canal near Braunston. You will also enjoy fine views of the River Welland as you approach Stamford.
The route passes through a series of picturesque towns and villages including Wardington, Catesby, Braunston, Ashby St Ledgers (with its impressive Manor House),West Haddon and Middleton.
Please use the links below for handy pdf guides to the walk.
Jurassic Way section 1
Jurassic Way section 2
Jurassic Way section 3
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| Knightley Way |  | 12 miles (19 km) | Follow the Knightley Way from Badby to Greens Norton on this pleasant walk through Northamptonshire.
The walk begins in Badby and heads through Badby wood towards Fawsley Park and Fawsley Hall. This 15th century Hall and Landscape Park was created by the Knightley family and is now a hotel and restaurant. The path then continues through the countryside through Preston Capes and Farthingstone to Greens Norton. |
| Milton Keynes Boundary Walk | | 63 miles (101 km) | Enjoy rivers, canals, woodland and beautiful countryside on this walk around the boundary of Milton Keynes.
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| Nene Way |  | 109 miles (176 km) | Follow the River Nene through the beautiful Nene Valley on this fabulous walk through Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire.
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| Oxford Canal Walk |  | 77 miles (124 km) | Follow the Oxford Canal from Oxford to Coventry on this splendid waterside walk. You follow the towpath of the canal for the duration of the route meaning this is a fairly easy walk (providing you don't do at all at once!)
You will pass through Thrupp, Lower Heyford, Banbury, Cropredy, Braunston Turn and Rugby before finishing at Hawkesbury Junction in Coventry.
The peaceful south Midlands countryside, a series of pretty locks and several excellent canal side pubs make this walk a fantastic experience. |
| The Swan's Way |  | 65 miles (105 km) | The Swan's Way long distance bridleroute runs from Salcey Forest in the north to Goring on Thames in the south, a distance of 65 miles (105km). From the Northants border, the route crosses the Vale of Aylesbury to meet the Ridgeway near Princes Risborough and then follows the chalk slopes of the Chilterns to the Thames at Goring. It passes through varied countryside from beech woods on chalk scarp to low vales and ancient woodlands.
Please click here for more information on this route |
| The Three Shires Way |  | 37 miles (60 km) | The Three Shires Way is a long distance bridleway which runs between Tathall End in north-east Buckinghamshire and Grafham Water in Cambridgeshire. The route traces the outline of ancient trackways and passes through a beautiful rural landscape. Along the way it skirts several small, historic villages, meanders through remnants of ancient woodland, and has many spectacular views.
The route is (sometimes) signposted with the Three Shires Way logo and officially runs for 37 miles, though it's nearer 39 miles long if starting/finishing at the Grafham Water Car Park.
I'd recommend cycling north to south (unless faced by a strong south or south-west wind), hence :
Start at Grafham Water Car Park, Cambs : TL166680
Finish at Tathall End, Milton Keynes : SP820468
A circular route around Grafham Water is also available, which extends the total distance to almost 47 miles.
It passes through Easton, Spaldwick, Covington, Shelton, Yielden, Knotting, Lavendon and Emberton before arriving at Tathall End. It is generally a quiet rural route, much of it on clay and very muddy at certain times of the year. Some parts are classified as a 'Byway Open to All Traffic' or a 'Road Used as a Public Path' (generally open April to October), and are therefore legally accessible by motor vehicles. These tracks can be very rutted indeed; a notable example is Forty Foot Lane. Beware!
See http://www.ldwa.org.uk/ldp/members/show_path.php?path_id=478
Note : Mapped on the 1:25,000 series
Mark Worthington
November 2008 |
| Westbury Circular Ride |  | 12 miles (19 km) | This is a circular walk or cycle ride around Westbury in Buckinghamshire. Route highlights include Turweston Airfield and Biddlesden House and Park. The house occupies the site of a Cistercian Abbey, founded in 1147 and sits behind a small lake.
There's also some lovely countryside and views of the River Great Ouse to enjoy. The route mainly follows country lanes and bridleways so for cyclists a mountain bike or hybrid is required. |
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Photos provided by Panoramio. Photos are under the copyright of their owners.