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Distance |
25.9 km / 16 miles |
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Explorer map |
224 Corby, Kettering & Wellingborough |
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Time |
5 - 5.5 hours average time based on Naismith’s rule |
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| Total ascent | 141m | |||
| Total descent | 142m | |||
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Waypoint coordinates |
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| Download PDF |
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Overview |
The route follows parts of the Nene Way, the Three Shires Way (Forty Foot Lane a beautiful green lane, this is an ancient route-way, thought to have pre-Roman origins), and the Ouse Valley Way. At the time of writing the bridge across the River Nene to the Roman settlement of Chester House was closed therefore a detour through Irchester Country Park was necessary. The route uses paths that are easy to follow including a section on the Roman road that led from Irchester Town as well as a few minor roads. Walk through Odell Great Wood an ancient woodland and a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) before reaching the medieval villages of Odell and Harrold, and the end of this stage. |
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1 - In Irthlingborough at the roundabout (A6 road) by Nene Park turn left towards the River. Cross over the road to take the footpath right heading towards the church in the distance. Turn right up Lime street (not through the farmyard ahead), then left (Lime Terrace) and continue to pass through the church grounds. At the end come to a road (St Peters Way) turn left and then second right into Meadow Way. Pass through the snicket and take the footpath left and right past the allotment. At the end of the allotments ignore any path left but carry on ahead, pass an electrical power station on the right, then cross over a track past ponds on the left, houses on the right. At the end turn left to pass in-between two ponds. At the end turn right, again to pass in-between ponds, (this was not a well used path at the time of writing). The path will skirt the boundary of the sewage works to pick up the Nene Way path to Ditchford Bridge.
2 - At Ditchford Bridge cross the road into the field and continue on the Nene Way along the River passing under the Railway viaduct, (the bridge to Chester House is currently closed at the time of writing, June 2014 ). Continue along the river to cross over two footbridges to pass a the mill on your left. Bear right to the A509 to then pass over the river and under the main A45 road. Turn left onto Daniels Road to Irchester Country Park to continue on the Nene Way. At the High Street turn right and pass the Co-operative hall to turn left Farndish Road - direction Farndish.
3 - Walk up Farndish Road, turn right to Woodlands Road and then the footpath left to the main road - Wollaston Road. Then turn left and the road left signed Hinwick / Poddington. Where the road turns left carry straight on down the roman road ( byway ). At the end continue up the road to turn left, on to the footpath Three Shires Way. Turn right at the corner of Forty Acre Wood, and then the left footpath into the woods. At the end turn left and then right to follow the path around the airfie
ld runway (Santa Pod Drag racing) on the left. At the third (possible) track turn right, White Lane towards Odell Great Wood, then left along the yellow track and finally the footpath right, pass across a field and back into the woods to reach High Street and the entrance to Odell Castle.
4 - At Odell Castle turn right and left past The Bell pub, into and through Harold Odell Country Park passing Grebe Lake on the right to reach the village of Harrold.
