Byfdav one

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I completed this walk yesterday traveling northeast from Byfield. Overall it is a really good walk with some undulation in parts, taking in some very pretty villages. The route passes by pubs at Charwelton and Newnham, and I believe there is a pub a short way from the route in Badby if you need refreshments. Unfortunately the walk doesn't get the full five stars as it is let down by some road walking, and mainly the ½ mile section of walking along the Woodford Road immediately on leaving Byfield. The verge here is very narrow (photo 1) with the national speed limit of 60mph, so great care needs to be taken.

After leaving the busy road behind, I'm happy to say the route starts to improve. The section to Charwelton is mainly across agricultural ground. The marked right of way after passing Hinton Hill was visibly non existent on the ground due to crop planting (photo 4), so I had to take a path closer to the perimeter of the fields.

After passing through pretty Charwelton, the route becomes clearly defined as it takes you across more agricultural land, past the Granary Hotel and towards Fawsley. Upon reaching the lane at Fawsley, you are awarded with fine views to the north of Fawsley Park. The route then descends via a lovely path (photo 8) alongside the Horse Pond before climbing again up Badby Down.

After reaching the top of the Down, the route then descends again as it skirts through the pretty Badby Woods, and then finally into the village of Badby. After exiting the village, the route then takes you towards Newnham along the Nene Way. The route then climbs again out of the pretty village of Newnham towards the highest point of the walk - Newnham Hill Radio Mast. Here, the route then descends towards Daventry via a steep lane which again needs care to take refuge when traffic appears.

This mainly rural route has the usual amount of stiles, gates and footbridges you would expect. It does have some ascent and descent, but I think that adds to the views the route offers. As mentioned above, it is the unavoidable sections of road walking which let it down - and mainly at the Byfield end. Having said that, I would walk it again and as long as you take refuge from the traffic it is relatively safe.

I walked this from Daventry to Fawsley Hall on a warm Christmas Eve (so not the whole section, winter, and a bit muddy). Generally it was nice, a mix of pavement, open fields, forest, and a bit on a one track road leaving Daventry. It was easy to navigate, except possibly where it splits from Davtow One, the route to Towcaster. There are council path reflectors there, I just needed to look for them .Where it crossed fields it was well trampled and easy to follow. In the summer this would be a very nice walk. On a warm winter day it was fine.

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