January

Sunday 7th
New Members Walk
Stoke Bruerne
Tim

Wednesday 10th
Pub Meet
Wig & Pen
Northampton

Sunday 21st
Figure of 8
Apethorpe
Claire           

January

Sunday 11 February, 9 mile circular from Harpole, walk leader Chris G

A 9 mile circular walk from the village of Harpole.

Please park considerately around the village and meet outside Harpole village church on the corner Upper High Street / School Lane for a 10:30am start. Please bring a packed lunch with you, as there won't be time to order food in the pub.

The morning half of the walk is about 4.5 miles long and heads across the fields towards the village of Nobottle before heading over to Flore village. After eating our lunch nearby, we'll then have a drink in the White Hart pub in the village.

The afternoon section is roughly 4.5 miles and takes us via Nether Heyford village and along the Nene Way footpath, where we pass Bugbrook Mill.

Please be aware that there are a lot of muddy fields, particularly if we have rainy spell before the walk.

Sunday 25 February, 10.5 miles circular walk from Woburn, Bedfordshire, walk leader Belinda

A walk across the Woburn estate and the local field footpaths nearby. There's the opportunity to see plenty of wildlife along the way: the Park is home to several different types of deer, with the possibility of seeing something more exotic too! (eg elephants, zebras and rhinos - as one of the paths goes through Woburn Safari Park).

Please bring a packed lunch with you. Although we will be stopping at a pub at lunchtime, there won't be time to order food there.

Please meet at 10.30am on the grass just outside the free public car park, just off the High Street in Woburn. We'll begin by walking through the town of Woburn, then across the fields to Husborne Crawley, before heading onto the Woburn estate. We'll head past the safari park and out to the village of Ridgmont. After eating our lunch nearby, we'll visit the Rose and Crown in Ridgmont for a drink.

In the afternoon we'll walk past the ruins of Segenhoe church, shortly after which we'll join up with the Greensands Ridgeway path. We'll be following this well signposted path for most of the afternoon. It will take us round the outskirts of Eversholt and back onto the Woburn estate, back to Woburn village.

Sunday 4th March - 8 mile circular walk Stonesfield, Oxfordshire - John A

As the walk is some distance from Northampton, you can either meet us in Stonesfield for the usual 10.30am start, or meet us in Northampton to share a lift there. Please bring a packed lunch as there won't be time to order food in the pub at lunchtime.

If you would like to car share, please meet at the car park of Upton Country Park (see the google pin below), ready to leave at 9.10am. Please turn up a few minutes before this, so we can arrange lift sharing. A few people will need to volunteer to drive. For those getting a lift you will be asked to make a small contribution towards the driver's petrol.

For those meeting us there, please park considerately around the village and meet outside the White Horse pub, The Ridings, Stonesfield for a 10.30am start.

“This circular route in the heart of Oxfordshire visits sites of historical and archaeological interest, including St Peter’s church at Wilcote Manor, the crumbling remains of the ancient Lady’s Well and the ruins of North Leigh Roman Villa. It all makes for a very pleasant countryside walk with much to stimulate the senses – and discussion if you are walking with a group.”

The above text was taken from the recent edition of the Walk magazine. On the day we will walk anticlockwise and the pub stop will be at http://theplough-inn.co.uk/ Finstock meaning we will have completed approximately 60% of the walk before lunch. The pub is described as a friendly Thatched village pub since 1772 with a roaring log Inglenook fire for winter and dogs are allowed in the bar. We can either eat our pack lunches near Wilcote or close to the pub, depending on the weather on the day.

After lunch we head back to Stonesfield to complete the walk.

<- Google pin of car share

<- Google pin of start

Sunday 18 March, Tim, Stoke Goldington, figure of eight walk

A 10 mile figure of 8 walk, starting from Stoke Goldington village which is half way between Northampton and Milton Keynes. A figure of 8 walk is a walk of two halves, returning to the starting point at lunchtime and going on an afternoon walk from approximately the same location. This allows you to either walk the morning loop, afternoon loop or both.

Meet outside The Lamb pub on the Main Road at 10:30am for the morning/full day walk, or at 1pm for the afternoon walk. Please park considerately in the village.

The morning walk is 5 miles long and is a circular walk across fields to the pretty village of Ravenstone.

Returning to Stoke Goldington, there is plenty of space on the village green near the pub to eat our packed lunches, and an opportunity to have a drink in the pub before starting the afternoon walk.

The afternoon walk is also 5 miles long and follows the Midshires Way track towards Salcey and back through Stoke Park Wood.

Friday 6th - Sunday 8th April Weekend away Weymouth - Jayne

Sunday 15 April, Kev, Ouse Valley

The walk starts at The Ouse Valley Car Park on the Haversham Road (close to MK13 0AW) at 10.30am. The car park is free. This is a circular walk of around 9 miles. Please bring a packed lunch with you, as there will not be time to order food in the pub at lunchtime.

The plan is to walk up the Haversham Road and join the Midshires Way. We'll then head across to join the Grand Union Canal walk. Following the towpath to Old Wolverton we have 2 or 3 pub stop options (The Black Horse, The New Inn, The Galleon) so may decide on the day depending on the weather and progress. We’ll eat our lunch nearby before popping into the pub for a drink.

<- Google pin of start

Friday 11 May – Sunday 13 May, Waendal Walking festival in Wellingborough

Its a group tradition that we take part in the Waendal Walk, there are lots of walks on offer as detailed on the Festival webpage: http://www.wellingborough.gov.uk/info/100009/leisure_and_culture/1258/international_waendel_walk_2018

Generally there are takers for the longer walks – 16 or 26 miles (25 or 42km) on either the Saturday or the Sunday and also for the family-friendly shorter walks. All walks start at the Castle Theatre in Wellingborough, and there is a registration fee payable – ( £5 online beforehand via The Castle website (http://www.castletheatre.co.uk/), or more on the day. (Please note if you’re booking online then you need to specify the distance in km and the type of route – choose the ‘field and track’ route. Online booking closes a few days before the event).

Please let Belinda know directly, or via the info@ email address and she'll attempt to compile a list / put people in touch with each other about the distance they'd like to do and on which day(s).

Wednesday 16 May, evening walk, Wavendon (near Milton Keynes), walk leader Ray

***PLEASE NOTE THE EARLY - 6:45pm - START***

We will meet in the Stables car park near Milton Keynes (MK17 8LU), which is a free car park and looks to be open all day. To allow us to have time to do the walk before the rest of the evenings entertainment, please be ready to leave the car park at 6:45pm. The walk will basically be from the Stables in Wavendon, to Woburn Sands and back again by one of a couple of routes. It'll be a distance of around 5 miles (a mixture of roads and footpaths). The show starts at 8:45 pm, and we need to be back before then to bag some seats not at the front!

This walk is being combined with a stand-up comedy night at the Stables in Wavendon. We have already booked comedy night tickets for those who previously expressed an interest. Anyone can join us for the walk, if you also want to come to the comedy afterwards you’ll be more than welcome - you can either buy tickets from the website below, or they look to also sell them on the door (subject to availability).

https://stables.org/event/screaming-blue-murder-comedy-club-11

Click here for directions to the stables

Sunday 20 May, Castle Ashby, 10 miles, walk leader, Peter

Meet at the car park at Castle Ashby house, closest sat nav is NN7 1LJ, ready to walk at 10.30am. (There is no charge for the car park). Please bring a packed lunch with you, as there won’t be time to order food in the pub.

The walk is about 10 miles over varied terrain, going via Yardley Hastings, Chadstone, Cogenhoe, Whiston and back to Castle Ashby.

Our lunch stop will be at about the 6 mile mark with some great views, where we will have a short stop for people to eat lunch and then walk another 15-20 minutes to get us to the Royal Oak pub for a drink and use of the facilities before doing the last 3 miles back to Castle Ashby.

Dogs are welcome on the walk, although please be advised there a few styles, possible fields with livestock and a little bit of road walking involved.

<- Google pin of start

Weekend Away - Friday 25th to Sunday 27th or Monday 28th - North Yorkshire Moors - Dave

I am planning a walking weekend away for the Bank Holiday at the end of May (25th – 27th).  The trip will be walking in the Teesside area of the North York Moors National Park.

The plan (which I am sure will evolve!) will be to travel up on the Friday evening and have a bite to eat at the hotel and probably a few drinks.

We will do a decent length walk on the Saturday taking in some Cook country, where Captain Cook went to school (Great Ayton) and continuing along sections of the Cleveland way passing Captain Cook’s Monument, the highest point being Roseberry Topping which has stunning views.

Saturday night will be a nice meal somewhere, possibly in the nice local village of Yarm.

There are a few options for the walk on the Sunday, I would like to do a route from Chop Gate taking in some of the best sections of the Cleveland Way past a well known local crag formation called the Wainstones and very impressive views if we have a nice day.  There are also some shorter walks from Lordstones if we have some inclement weather.

Sunday meal has yet to be decided but fish and chips at the Seaside (Saltburn, complete with Victorian funicular) is always an option!

If people would like to do only two nights I think the hotel will be flexible on this.

We will be staying at the Bluebell Hotel in Acklam (links below)

The cost will be around £86 each for 3 nights including breakfast.  I have made a provisional booking initially for a number of twin and double rooms which will go on a first come first served basis but at the moment availability for extra rooms is good.

Please contact me directly or reply to this email if you are interested.

If you are interested I will be asking for a £20 deposit by the end of March to confirm your place.

Cheers

Sunday 14 October, 9 mile circular walk, Yardley Gobion, walk leader Kev

Meet at Yardley Gobion at 10:30am. Please park considerately in the village and meet outside St Leonard's church (near Junction of High Street and Moorend Road, NN12 7UB). Please bring a packed lunch with you as there won’t be time to order food in the pub at lunchtime.

From the church we will walk through the village and head across the fields to Potterspury. We'll then pass through Furtho and over the A508 towards Cosgrove. At Cosgrove we'll follow the towpath along to the Navigation pub where we can stop for a drink and eat our lunch nearby. We'll finish the walk by continuing along the footpath past the old wharf and marina, crossing back over the A508 and coming back into Yardley Gobion from Moor End. The walk is nearly 9 miles in total.

Sunday 21 October, Bradgate Park, Leicestershire, 10.5 miles, walk leader Rachel

A few details to whet your appetite, more details to follow:

Wednesday 31 October, Hallowe’en evening walk, 3 miles, Harlestone, walk leaders Andy and Sarah

Meeting point: The car park of the Fox and Hounds pub, Lower Harlestone.

Time: 7pm

Please feel free to come dressed in your most ghoulish Halloween outfit (or wear a witch’s hat)

If you go down to the woods today.. you’re sure of a big surprise… Come join us for a thrilling Halloween walk.. if you’re brave enough! Your gruesome walk leader (possibly from a Texas Chainsaw Massacre) will lure you from the car park of the Fox and Hounds of Lower Harlestone off the beaten track and into the woods.

Stop for a drink around the witches’ fire-pit in the heart of the woods. Then you will head off across the golf course, which used to be the site of Harlestone House, a place upon which Jane Austen based her novel Mansfield Park.

If you have survived thus far, your walk leader will entice you towards Upper Harlestone and the Dovecote, a round stone outbuilding. Four hundred years ago doves and pigeons used to gather there to eat and coo in the winter. Now bats have been sighted at this historic stone structure!

Finally you will traverse ye old graveyard of Lower Harlestone before collapsing with relief in the pub for a much-needed drink or two. Phew!

If you go down to the woods today...please bring a torch if you have one!

Sunday 4 November, Three Shires Way part 1, 12 mile circular walk, walk leader John

This is the start of a series of 4/5 walks to cover the Three Shires way starting at Grafham Water and finishing at Milton Keynes with a total distance of 49 miles.

The first part is a circular route around Grafham water, which is 12 miles. Please bring a packed lunch with you, as there won’t be time to order food at the pub at lunchtime.

Please meet outside the Grafham Water Visitor Centre at 10.30am (Marlow Car Park, Grafham, Huntingdon PE28 0BH). There is a car parking charge of £3.50.

We will walk clockwise along the northern shore of the reservoir. Towards lunchtime we’ll head away from shore to Staughton Green. Here we’ll find somewhere to eat our lunch before visiting the pub for a drink. In the afternoon we’ll head back to the shore continuing our circuit of the reservoir and back to the car park.

Summary of November weekend away, Howgill Fells, 9-11 November

Ray is organising a weekend away in November from Friday 9th to Sunday 11th in the Howgills Fells. These are a small range of fells to the East of the M6 (kind of ‘opposite’ the Southern Lake District and just North of the Yorkshire Dales). There will be options for different level walks to suit those going.

Its likely that we’ll be staying at a ‘barn’ accomodation. It has a mix of small bunk rooms and twin/doubles, and all mod cons (despite being called ‘barns’). Assuming full occupancy it would be £45-55 per person for 2 nights and £50-60 for 3 nights (a bit more if we had less than full occupancy).There is the option to stay for three nights, either staying Thursday or Sunday night respectively.

http://www.tarnoutdoor.co.uk/index.htm

Sunday 2nd December, 8.25 mile Pantomime themed walk from Harrold Country Park, Walk leader Kevin (aka Dame Trott)

This walk is Pantomime themed and will hopefully get you in the Christmas spirit. Although not critical, walkers are encouraged to come along as a Pantomime character (use your imaginations).

We will meet at the Harrold-Odell Country Park (SatNav users can use the postcode MK43 7DS), where they ask for a £1 donation for the car park. The curtain will rise at 10:30am on our production of "Ramblers in Boots". Liquid refreshments will be available in the interval (at a local pub). Feel free to bring a packed lunch for eating at a suitable point en-route. The walk is around 8.25 miles. There is a coffee shop at the country park if we get back in time.

As you can imagine the walk will feature a few Pantomime elements so it's sure to be good fun (oh no it isn't!).

Your walk leader is Kevin (aka Dame Trott).

Sunday 9 December 2018, 10 mile circular from Stevington, Walk Leader Matt

Please meet at the crossroads in the centre of Stevington at 10.30 am (the corner of Church Road and Park Road - see google pin). Please park considerately around the village. There is roadside parking on Silver Street and over the crossroads on Church Road.

The walk will take us from the south end of Silver Street where we will walk over fields and through occasional woodland towards Carlton. As we approach Carlton the route becomes a gravel track before hard surface as we go through the village and over the river Ouse into Odell.

By this point we'd have covered 6 miles and shall stop for lunch with the options of one of many benches by the lake in the country park or in the neighbouring pub the Bell, or some may wish to do both. The pub has a rear garden with tables and "walkers welcome" sign was positioned outside when I visited. Please bring a packed lunch as there will likely be a considerable wait time on food at the pub.

After lunch we continue back over the Ouse, across fields to Pavenham and finally skirting the banks of the river back to Stevington.

Santa Hat Walk - 16th December - 8.5miles, Wolverton, walk leader Santa

 The annual Santa Hat Walk, as always led by Santa himself, taking time out from his busy schedule at this time of year!

 Everyone is encouraged to wear a Santa Hat or other Christmassy attire!

 This year we will once again have the option of a car free walk, allowing for the possibility of several pub stops in honour of Christmas!

 The meeting point is Wolverton Station, which is one stop down the line from Northampton. Due to the timing of trains on the day from the North Pole (via Rugby) we will be starting the walk a bit later than usual at 11am, to meet the 10.50 arrival from Northampton (leaving Northampton at 10.37). If anyone is travelling from the south let us know and we can wait for the 11.02 arrival from Milton Keynes.

For those arriving by car, you can park in the station car park, which costs £4.50.

The walk itself is 8 to 8.5 miles, depending on the exact route which can be varied on the day. We will head out along the Ouse Valley for a lovely riverside walk, past a couple of nature reserves and underneath “the world’s oldest broad canal iron trough aqueduct” (which we will walk across in the afternoon, making this a true figure of 8 walk!)

At the four mile point we reach our lunch stop, which is a picturesque bench by the old A5, and the first pub stop which is the Swan in Old Stratford. Although the pub advertises food we won’t have time to order so bring a packed lunch which we will eat at the bench before going in the pub. There is a limited range of sandwiches for sale in the village store for those who may have forgotten their lunch!

 After lunch we head out towards Cosgrove, where we have the option of slightly extending the walk to include a second pub stop at a nice canalside location, depending on time.

After Cosgrove we head along the Grand Union Canal and back into Wolverton. En route we will cross the aqueduct mentioned earlier.

 Back in Wolverton there is a range of further hostelries, for those able to take advantage, while we wait for the trains home!

Although designed as a multi-pub walk the number of pub stops will depend on time and what people want to do on the day.

Wednesday 26th December, annual Boxing Day Rushden Lakes River walk, 4 miles, walk leader John H

Meet at the Visitors Centre at Rushden Lakes Shopping Centre, Rushden, NN10 6BW at 11am.