Walk 2126 - printer friendly version

Elkington, Grand Union Canal & Cold Ashby from Winwick Walk

Author - David McMahon

Length - 13.7 miles / 22.3 km

Ascent - 1050 feet / 318 metres

Grade - moderate

Start - OS grid reference SP626737
Lat 52.3577950 + Long -1.0822301
Postcode NN6 7PD (approx. location only)

Winwick is a small rural community of some 40 souls, according to their website, situated off the A428 north of West Haddon and west of Northampton. To start the walk; from the crossroads (grid ref. SP626737) take the road heading north and then take the footpath off to the left. Go diagonally right and through the gate onto a track. Pass through the gate on the other side of the track and carry on heading north, past Home Farm until you reach a country lane (grid ref. SP628747). Turn right along the lane and then bear left when you reach a fork to join the Jurassic Way. Turn left and continue until you see a footpath sign on the left (grid ref. SP632747) which takes the Jurassic Way all the way up Honey Hill. When you reach the top carry on along a tarmac road past Honey Hill farm to reach a road (grid SP639769).

Turn left and continue until you see a footpath sign to Elkington. Follow the sign to the left and descend the slope; about mid-way down carry on through the gap in the hedgerow and eventually onto Elkington. On reaching the hamlet turn right along the road and carry on until you reach the canal bridge (grid ref. SP622766). Here you have a choice wither carry on over the canal bridge and reach the towpath that way or, alternatively take the bridleway to the right immediately before the bridge. Carry on along it until the path swings to the left and you will see another smaller bridge over the canal. Cross this and then immediately right onto the canal towpath.

Follow the towpath under the A14 and carry on until you reach the next road bridge. Go to the left before the bridge, onto the road. Cross the bridge and bear left along the Jurassic Way up and over the wooded Hemplow Hills. When you pass through the wood and into a field go straight across to the fence on the opposite side. Then turn right along it until you reach a gate. Go through the gate and straight ahead until after a slope you come onto a track. Turn left and walk to Hemplow Lodge Farm (grid ref. SP625788). Go to your left immediately before the farm and negotiate your way across a lawn, past a pond and eventually onto a bridleway heading east. Walk along it until a right turn. Then pass through the gate which very quickly comes up on the left and continue in the same easterly direction until you reach the road (grid ref. SP641785).

Turn right and cross over the A14. Carry along the road until you see a footpath sign to the left (grid ref. SP640777). Follow this sign and continue until you reach Elkington Lodge. Go through this property and turn right immediately afterwards. Walk down the hedgerow until you are almost at the corner when you will see a well-hidden footbridge. Cross it and carry on following the hedgerow until you reach a side road (grid ref. SP653770). Turn right and eventually it will bring you into Cold Ashby.

To leave the village take Thornby Road. Road. Walk along it until you see a minor road coming in from the right (grid ref. SP660759). Turn down this minor road and follow it round as it bends sharply to the left. Continue for a further 800 metres until, this time, you see a minor road coming in from the left. Turn right onto the track immediately opposite and follow it across country. At first It is tarmac under foot. Later you pass through a gate and it changes to a farmtrack. After passing through another gate it changes back to tarmac. Reaching a road (grid ref. SP645736) cross over and take the footpath to the left. This will bring you into Springfield Farm. Continue into the farmyard and take the track to the right following it through until you are back in Winwick. Hope you have enjoyed yourself.

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