Castle Ashby

Summary

A very pleasant walk on easy paths that takes in woodland, riverside, open fields and, unusually for Northamptonshire, a little bit of gradient.

Statistics

Start: Castle Ashby Rural Shopping Yard

Maps: OS Explorer OL207: Newport Pagnell and Northampton South

Parking: At the shopping yard

Distance: 9.9km (about 6.2 miles)

Refreshments: The Falcon Hotel at Castle Ashby or coffee at the shopping yard.

The Walk

If you've parked at the shopping yard, walk down the track you drove in on and turn left when you reach the road. There's about a kilometre of road walking now although there is a pavement on the right hand side of the road. Pass the left hand junction and when you get to the next junction, take the road to the right and follow the track. You'll pass some houses on your left and the track veers to the right and past some farm buildings on your right. The footpath turns left here and descends before going back uphill through fields towards a small clump of trees. Walk through these and into a field where you continue on the path downwards, through a metal gate and onto a minor road. The path continues almost directly opposite and again you head down the slope towards more trees. Follow the path through these and over a small stream and then along the field boundary down towards another road. This is Whiston Road and the village of Cogenhoe is to your left.

Cross this road and the path should be obvious in the field opposite, heading slightly uphill and then bearing right before it joins Mill Lane. You'll eventually reach the River Nene but take the path to your right before crossing the river. You now need to keep the river to your left. There are a number of caravans on the opposite bank but these eventually give way to trees. Carry on along the riverside path until you get to Whiston Lock. You need to make a right here and walk along the track with the quarries on either side. The track leads to Whiston Road (which you crossed earlier) and you walk along the road directly opposite, into the small village of Whiston itself. The main road heads right but you need to bear left past some stone cottages and farm buildings until you see a footpath straight in front of you with a sign indicating the way to St Mary the Virgin Church. Head up this path and through the church yard and back onto the footpath. This brings you out to a road where you need to turn left. You can either walk down the road of along the fields either side of the roads where the stiles indicate there is a public right of way. Heading slightly uphill brings you to Castle Ashby and the Falcon Hotel on your left. Take the road to the right and after about 200 metres you will find the entrance to the shopping yard on your left.

Notes and musings

Castle Ashby House is one of the two seats of the Marquess of Northampton, the other being Compton Wynyates in Warwickshire. A Grade 1 listed building, the present house was started in 1574 but has had numerous extensions and refits since then. Much of the garden area was designed by Capability Brown in 1760. It is believed that Jane Austen's Northamptonshire set novel, Mansfield Park, was based on Castle Ashby house.

Cogenhoe has the reputation of being one of the most mis-pronounced places in the country. The general agreement is that it is pronounced either Kuk-no or Kuk-na - but certainly not Kog-an-hoe! The village's other claim to fame is once being the home of former Blue Peter presenter, Peter Purvis, who lived for a number of years at the Old Rectory.

Raunds and Stanwick Lakes

Summary

This is one of our "go to" walks when we just want some fresh air and goods views. A full loop around Stanwick Lakes will add a couple of kilometres to the walk if you fancy a bit more of an exercise.

Statistics

Start: Car park at Warth Park Country Park

Maps: OL224: Corby, Kettering and Wellingborough

Parking: Car Park

Distance: 6.6km (about 4.1 miles)

Refreshments: Stanwick Lakes Visitor Centre

The Walk

Head down the path leading from the car park. Pretty soon this splits into two; it doesn't matter which one you take as they both lead to the same track and you can take the other one on your journey back. It's all downhill on the paved path, passing the drainage run-offs from the nearby trading estate. When you get to the track (Meadow Lane) turn right and head through the underpass taking you under the A45. Straight in front of you is a gate which you go through and along the path to another gate. You are now in Stanwick Lakes and the path takes you to a fork. If you fancy a longer walk around the lakes take the left path otherwise go right. It won't be long before you reach another path, actually a disused railway track, and if you took the walk around the lakes this is where you would be walking down. Turn right and head down this track, crossing a bridge with good views of the River Nene either side. After about 1.5km you'll come to a gate. To your left is a marina and straight ahead the footpath makes its way to Thrapston and beyond. You need to and bear right, though, onto the road that leads to Ringstead and there is a footpath signed on your right after about 20 metres. 

Follow this and head up the path between the fields. Stay on this path that gradually climbs uphill and runs straight for just over a kilometre. The path then goes right diagonally across the field, descending with good views of the lakes and river in front of you. At the opposite corner of the field you go through a metal gate and bear left. The ground is uneven and there are generally a lot of sheep grazing in this field. Continue downhill, passing through another gate on the way. There are a couple of old footbridges that you may or may not need, depending on the mud and water levels in the streams that trickle down to the river. One more gate brings you onto a track that runs parallel to the A45. Turn right and head down this track and across a small bridge over a stream where we have spotted kingfishers in the past. Turn left at the track you came in on (Meadow Lane) and back through the underpass. You then need to make a left turn, either on the path you walked down or the second path, where it's about a kilometre uphill back to the car park.

Notes and musings

Stanwick Lakes Country Park opened in 2006 and covers about 3 square kilometres of former gravel pits. Archeological excavations on the site have discovered artifacts dating back to the neolithic and bronze ages as well as remnants of a Roman mosaic that is now on display in the Visitor Centre. Quarrying started in 1985 and continued until 2004 when the site was purchased by East Northamptonshire District Council.

Although its inhabitants won't thank me for saying it, Raunds is not a particularly interesting town, however it does possess a number of noteworthy facts. Firstly, the late TV presenter, Sir David Frost, once lived there. Secondly, it once held the record for the highest temperature recorded in Britain: 36.7 °C, set on 10 August 1911, which stood until 1990.  And finally, the town claims to have the shortest zebra crossing in England. Money well spent, I am sure!

Lowestoft

Summary

As we were staying at the northern end of Lowestoft we decided a walk from our hotel along the north shore to find the most easterly point of Britain, thinking this would be preferable to getting in the car and driving somewhere. Whilst we were successful in our quest, the inclement weather and, it has to be said, the rather unattractive scenery didn't make this one of our favourite walks of the year.

Statistics

Start: The Foxburrow, Yarmouth Road NR32 4AA

Map: OS Explorer OL40: The Broads

Parking: The Foxburrow (but only if you are a customer!)

Distance: 11.1km (about 6.9 miles)

Refreshments: The Foxborrow

The Walk

Turn right as you exit the car park onto the busy Yarmouth Road and cross to the other side. Walk about 500 metres and then turn left into Gunton Church Lane. Go to the end of this road and turn right along the footpath, actually called Hubbard’s Loke. There is a green burial park and a playing field to your left and a number of houses on your right. The footpath comes out onto a road (the B1385) which you need to cross and take the path opposite. You are now in Gunton Warren nature reserve and there are many paths you could take here. We went straight on and down the dunes to come out on the beach. Whichever way you choose, you’ll need to turn right at some stage and walk with the sea to your left.

Not too far ahead is the north beach car park with a promenade of sorts running to the left. You can either take this or keep to the beach. Continue walking all the way now, passing a sad looking caravan park and the Bird’s Eye factory. Set in concrete on your left is a large compass showing the distance to various places around the world. This is Ness Point, Britain’s most easterly point. After wandering around the giant compass and noting that Ostende in Belgium is closer to you than London, continue the walk south until you reach the harbour. From here you can either take the road into town to you right or return the way you’ve come from. We chose the latter; frankly, the walk along the harbour did not look appealing!

Walk all the way back until you get the point where Hubbard’s Loke reaches Gunton Church Lane. Instead of turning left take the footpath through the trees straight in front of you. This pleasant walk through the woods brings you to a concrete lane. Turning right here would take you to the Pleasurewood Hills theme park but you need to turn left. Walk up the track and you will get to a proper road. Continue along here, passing Tesco, and turn left at the roundabout. A couple of hundred metres up the hill brings you back to the Foxburrow.

Notes and musings

Lowestoft is not the most picturesque town on the east coast and is probably overshadowed by its more famous neighbour, Great Yarmouth, some 12 km to the north. Its history, however, is long as evidence of human settlement from 700,000 years ago has been found in the nearby cliffs of Pakefield. Fishing was its main source of income until late in the 20^th century when its role in gas & oil exploration and now renewable energy became more dominant. Perhaps the town’s most famous resident was the composer, Benjamin Britten, who was born there in 1913. The Guardian once described him as “the only person of real celebrity to have emerged from darkest Lowestoft” although footballer Terry Butcher and the rock band, The Darkness, both having roots in the town, might have something to say about that.

NessPoint is Britain’s most easterly point; something few people seem to know and it is certainly less famous than the country’s northerly, westerly and southerly points. It seems to me that there is an opportunity missed here; surely there is potential for exploiting this fact? A compass point next to a smelly factory and what was once Britain’s largest wind turbine is not particularly inspiring, and the nearby thoroughfare being called Gasworks Road doesn’t really help. A quick look online shows that ideas for improvement have been mooted for some time but these don’t yet appear to have come to fruition.

GuntonWarren nature reserve contains a mixture of terrains: sand dunes, shingle, lowland heath and clifftops. Adders have been spotted here but not by us, unfortunately. Amongst the vegetation are a number of World War 2 pillboxes, sadly no more than places to dump rubbish now. Apparently the beach is a recognised spot for naturists although we saw no evidence of this and anybody deciding to bathe au natural in the weather we experienced is either incredibly brave or foolhardy in the extreme.

 

Felixstowe and King's Fleet

Summary

We often visit Felixstowe, probably because it is so easy to get to, being A14 virtually all the way. Our general routine is to walk to Felixstowe Ferry for a pint at the Ferryboat Inn before returning to the Fludyer's Hotel for a bite to eat (and another pint, of course). This time we made the walk a little more substantial, leaving Felixstowe to the surrounding countryside before making our way along side King's Fleet and the River Deben to Felixstowe Ferry and then back to Felixstowe proper via the coastal route.

Statistics

Start: Fludyer's Hotel Felixstowe IP11 7LU

Map: OS Explorer OL197 Ipswich, Felixstowe & Harwich

Parking: Free parking outside the Fludyer's

Distance: 14.2km (about 8.8 miles)

Refreshments: Fludyer's Hotel, Felixstowe and The Ferryboat Inn, Felixstowe Ferry

The Walk

The walk starts (and ends) at the Fludyer's Hotel, which is situated at the northern end of Felixstowe's promenade. Turn left as you leave the Fludyer's and left again into Brook Lane. There follows a bit of walking through town as you head up Brook Lane and turn right and then left into Picketts Lane. This then becomes Rosemary Avenue and you carry on until you get to the end, turning right into Links Avenue and then left into Hyem's Lane. You are finally in some countryside! 

With the sports field on your left, walk along the lane for a couple of hundred metres and then turn left through the trees. Keep on walking through the woodland and a you'll get to a "T" junction. Make a right here and another couple of hundred metres or so through the trees brings you out into a field. Follow this round until you get to the road. This is Gulpher Road. It's not too busy but take care as you turn left and walk for around 500 metres. The road will bear left but you need the track that takes off straight on. Walk for about 100 metres and then turn right; the track straight ahead is private. Walk down the track, passing some houses on the right, and then take a left. The path goes right after 100 metres; make sure you keep the hedgerow on your left! There's a footbridge over a stream and then you're in another field. This is where we went wrong, walking diagonally across the field into a herd of curious cows with no escape! A friendly farmer helped us on our way, though. What we should have done is kept to the edge of the field after crossing the footbridge with the hedgerow on our left. The path then runs across the field to a gate and into a wooded area where it runs straight for a couple of hundred metres with water on your right.You'll reach an open track where you'll turn right into an open field.

The "official" footpath is straight ahead over the field although when we were there it was not at all clear as the field had recently been ploughed.  We therefore followed the field boundary to the left and then right, climbing gradually uphill. At the end of the field you could carry on but we elected to turn right to see if we could find the "official" footpath. Sure enough there is a sign on the left after some 50 metres and this time the path was obvious. Whichever route you take you'll end up on Back Lane, where you need to make a right. Keep on this road, which sees little traffic, and pass the farm buildings and wonderfully named Honeypot Cottage on your right. Soon the track is bordered by open fields on either side and you need to keep walking, finding a waterway on your right, known as King's Fleet. Carry on walking until the water way ends and you climb some steps up a bank. You are then treated to a view of the River Deben estuary. Turn right at the top of this bank and continue walking more or less straight on until you reach the hamlet of Felixstowe Ferry, all the while keeping the river to your left. Eventually you'll reach the sea where you'll have no choice but to turn right.

You'll pass the golf club, a number of colourful beach huts and two Martello towers as you head back to Felixstowe. The path is mostly along concrete promenades, although there is a small section where you need to walk up some steps and head along the road if the tide is too high to allow beach access. Eventually you'll be back in Felixstowe and the Fludyer's Hotel will be on your right.

Notes and musings

Felixstowe, situated on the east coast of England, has existed as a settlement since pre-Norman conquest days, albeit under the name of Walton and is listed in the Domesday Book as such. It took its modern name in the 13^th Century and may have been named after St Felix, who lived in East Anglia in the 7^th Century, although other sources suggest the name comes from Fylthestow, which means a place where trees or meadowgrass was harvested. In 1667 the town was the site of an invasion when Dutch forces landed close to where the Fludyer’s Hotel now stands and marched toward Languard Fort at the mouth of the River Orwell. The invaders were defeated by troops from the fort and hostilities ended soon after with the signing of the Treaty of Breda. Felixstowe is probably best known for its container port and its 29 gantry cranes, some over 50 metres in height, are visible from some distance away. The port handles more than 4 million TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units) and welcomes approximately 3,000 ships each year, including the largest container vessels afloat today.

A feature of the east coast of England are Martello Towers which are small defensive forts that were built throughout the British Empire in the 19th Century. The majority of the towers in England were built between 1804 and 1812 as a defence against possible attack from Napoleonic forces. Although never tested in war they did provide a useful deterrent against smugglers. Eight towers were built around Felixstowe of which five remain. Tower P forms part of the National Coastwatch Institution; Tower R was incorporated into the fabric of the former Bartlet Hospital, which has been converted into new housing; Towers Q and U have been converted into private dwellings and Tower T remains unused and exposed on Felixstowe Ferry golf course.

Despite its name, Felixstowe Ferry is quite distinct from Felixstowe itself. It is a small hamlet at the mouth of the River Deben and consists of several houses, The Ferryboat Inn and a collection of houseboats and other moored vessels. In the summer it is possible to catch a ferry across the Deben to Bawdsey Manor which played a large part in the development of radar in World War 2. The River Deben is  not a long river, flowing around 54km into the North Sea.The salt marsh and intertidal mud-flats that occupy most of the estuary have the widest range of salt marsh flora in Suffolk. The King's Fleet waterway once flowed into the Deben and played a vital role in the 100 Years War against France, being the place Edward III assembled his fleet of ships in 1338.