[6] Hemplow Hills Circular

Starts at: Bridge 31

Distance : about 3.5 miles

Difficulty: slight climb up through woods on Hemplow, otherwise level.

This walk starts from Bridge 31 on the canal, which is on the Stanford Road - limited parking is available on the verge near the bridge.

(It is, of course, possible to reach this on foot from Cold Ashby using the Jurassic Way from Honey Hill via Elkington and thence the canal towpath - which would probably make the total distance about 10 miles if starting from, and returning to, Ashby Church.)

From Bridge 31 look for the Jurassic way sign which points through the hedge towards The Hemplow Hills, the prominent wooded heights clearly visible N.E of the Bridge.

 

The path is always clear here and you will see where it enters the woods ahead.

Do stop before going into the woods and look back to admire the view of Honey Hill to your left and the rolling landscape ahead and to your right. (Unfortunately, you now also get a chance to assess the volume and pace of traffic on the A14 about a mile away below you!).

Climb up through the lovely mixed woodland, soon emerging on to a wider green track through the trees. Watch out for a new sign on your left indicating a permissive path which you follow to a gate at the end of the wood. At this point a green arrow points sharp right. Go through the gate, admire the view ahead and then turn right, continuing with the woodland on your right.

As the woodland ends, continue along the permissive path (which you may have noticed serves as a point- to-point course) bearing N.W. towards the canal which is visible as a line of trees and vegetation ahead. Just before reaching the canal a sign shows a bridleway ahead which soon bears S.W. to reach Bridge 34 which you cross to reach the Towpath and from there continue along the canal via Bridges 33 and 32, eventually regaining your starting point at Bridge 31.

[7] Bridge 31 – Bridge 34 – Hemplow Hills – return via Hemplow Drive and Stanford Road

As in the walk above you begin at Bridge 31 but, instead of taking the Jurassic Way up to the Hemplow woods, follow the canal towpath along to Bridge 34 and then the bridleway and permissive path to the Hemplow ( this is, obviously, the final section of the above walk in reverse). When you reach the end of the permissive path in Hemplow Wood turn left (North) along the Jurassic Way and leave the wood, passing the large house and estate on your left, not failing to notice the intriguing 'folly-style' architecture of two of the new buildings. (The Rambler has not included a photograph here as he would not wish to spoil your experience!)

Continue on the Jurassic Way until you reach a T-junction with Hemplow Drive, which is a bridleway. Turn right here ( South) onto Hemplow Drive and continue down this until you reach the Stanford Road*.

Here you turn right and walk along this narrow road ( watching out for spasmodic traffic) to Bridge 31.

*Alternatively, look for the permissive path on your left as you walk down Hemplow Drive and use that to explore and enjoy the views from Prince of Wales Spinney before emerging on the Stanford Road a few yards East of the drive and continuing to your starting point along the Stanford Road.

 

 

 

[8] Welford - Old Sulby - Sibbertoft - Welford circular.

(Heaps of History in about 6 miles.)

 

 

On this walk you will cross reservoirs constructed to feed the canals , walk through a fine example of a medieval deserted village, pass close to a former World War II airfield and enter the Western edge of the Naseby Battlefield.

 

 

Starts at: Sulby Reservoir Car Park

Distance : about 6-7 miles (depending on how interested you are in the Battle of Naseby!)

Difficulty : no real ups or downs but a bit sticky at some points in wet weather so wear 'proper' boots.

The walk begins at the car park on the Welford to Naseby Road next to Sulby Reservoir.

[ You can, of course, reach this starting point from Cold Ashby, either by using the Bridle Lane route or the Jurassic Way ]

From the car park follow the Jurassic Way/Reservoir Walk waymarkers, passing along the Western shore of the Eastern ( Welford) reservoir and then crossing between the Eastern and Western ( Sulby) reservoirs. Look out for the resident herons (perhaps also enthusiastic about carp?). I saw one on the reservoir and two in flight during my last visit.

After this crossing, keep following the excellent waymarkers (as pictured left) across the field and continue on the Jurassic Way through the pasture which covers the remains of Old Sulby Village.

Here, take time to notice the clear rectangular raised platforms which were once houses and the hollow ways which were the lanes. According to the County Council's Jurassic Way (Central Section) leaflet, 'records show that between 1377 and 1428 the village disappeared ... this was probably to make way for sheep pasture' (for the Rambler's comments on this process in the area see History Beneath Our Boots) but the Bubonic Plague, which was apparently rife in Northamptonshire in the middle of the fourteenth century, may also have hastened the abandonment of this settlement.

Continue, passing Park Farm on your right and bearing North East.

You walk across a track and cross a field to another track, which, as the waymarkers indicate, you join, turning right towards Sibbertoft.

You then pass through a small wooded area before reaching the Western edge of Sibbertoft via clear paths on mainly arable land.

To the left (North West) of this section is the site of the southern end of the the Second World War Husbands Bosworth airfield. The Police Support Helicopter now operates from part of the original aerodrome nearby and the Rambler found it quite startling as it takes off!

The Northern section of the wartime airfield is now a gliding centre.

On reaching Sibbertoft and emerging onto the road, turn right and walk in the direction of Naseby and Kelmarsh until just beyond the Sibbertoft signs at the Eastern entrance to the village where you will see the road turn sharply to the left.

Leave the road on the track with the bridleway and battlefield signs pointing you South along a clear track. From here, you continue to the flagged viewpoint at Sulby Hedges, which gives you excellent information on the Battle of Naseby itself and the local wildlife. You also have the opportunity to follow the path around the edge of the field, marked by posts with white rings.

From the Viewpoint you need to retrace your steps towards Sibbertoft for a short distance and look for a wooden sign (pictured) announcing a 'Permissive Path'.

Take this path in a South Westerly direction which eventually joins an official, waymarked bridleway, taking you towards, and then through, the woods between the Eastern tip of Sulby Reservoir and Sulby Grange.

Emerging from the woods turn left and walk South down the long, broad green lane to the Naseby Road. You then turn right and walk along this road towards Welford for about 3/4 mile to reach your starting point.