Most of this route is excellent, on good surfaces, However I was unable to complete the section alongside the Nene (Brampton branch) north of Mill Lane because part of the path (not a formal right of way) on the east side of the river was fenced off for some kind of maintenance work. We follow the railway, initially on the left but crossing to the right beyond Pitsford and Brampton station, then pass Boughton Mill and the new Boughton station to reach the new roundabout on the A5199. I was able to rejoin the route on Mill Lane, which has a useful pelican crossing by the path right, which we follow into Kingsthorpe Park....

Hugh Hudson

The road walking does mostly have verges so is pretty safe, with the only section without verges near Teeton only about 100m. After crossing the A5199 and re-joining the route, there is a notice which states that the construction work is due to a level crossing being installed on the A5199 just south of Boughton station on the heritage railway. Similarly, on getting to Boughton Mill there is another sign giving notice the route will be temporarily diverted due to construction work at the Mill. Upon reaching Chapel Brampton, I had a quick pit stop at the Spencer Arms pub and then the route takes you northwards out of the village via Jack's Lane (photo 6) and then across bridleways towards Cank Farm and then to the road which takes you towards Teeton. After a couple of miles of walking along the Teeton Road, there is a bench with a lovely view to take a short break at the junction where the road turns left towards Ravensthorpe reservoir (photo 12)....

Steve Litchfield

Firstly the path from Pitsford Road to Boughton Miil is little used, and though the original right of way line can be followed with a little determination and a little diversion around the new lake by the mill, it appears that most users now follow an unsignposted but well trodden route that crosses the Brampton branch of the Nene south of the mill, and most of this new route is not yet shown either on the OS map or on LocalStreetMap. In retrospect I am inclined to agree with David that it would be easier at this point to continue along Pitsford Road to the Brampton Valley Way. I opted to try Welford Road, and found the path back to the Brampton Valley Way just before the houses on the right hand side. From here the rest of the route is easy - we follow the NCN route along the old railway, over the river and under the railway (hence the little loop) and into King's Heath, where we follow wide streets through an industrial area before a narrower road takes us to Spencer Bridge Road (which might provide a shorter route to the bus station)....

Hugh Hudson

I successfully completed this route today! Review to follow....

danravenellison

Easy to follow route with reasonable surfaces - even in February the field paths weren't too muddy. A few stiles at the Hartwell end that could be avoided by using the bridleway to the West but kidding Gates near Grange Park and Hardingstone prevent wheelchair access for the whole route...

Pete Stanton

As of August 2022, there is a housing development in Wootton, south of Brackmills business estate, between 52.212005, -0.876542 and 52.206141, -0.869590. The footpath is diverted without clear signage, forcing a small diversion along Landimore Road between the roundabout at Newport Pagnell Road and the corner at about 52.210875, -0.869976 where a small gate allows access to a woodland path that runs to Hardingstone village. Don’t let it put you off though :-)...

David Shakespeare

From there you follow the route of an old railway line, popular with local cyclists and dog walkers and for an early section, lots of local rabbits! Finding the path wasn't easy and I wonder if carrying on along the footpath by the railway and joining Brampton Lane earlier might have been an easier option. Beyond Chapel Brampton was my favourite section of the walk. It was this section from Teeton to Far Heath that stopped it from being a five star walk. If the road walk near Teeton could be eliminated I'd give it full marks for safety....

David Sanderson

I started this direct, easy to follow route from Hartwell on a hot day. I was thankful the route passes the Post Office (shop), as I'd run out of water on my other walks that day. In summary, having fixed the error in the original route, this has the makings of a really nice walk....

David Sanderson

I was generally pleased with it, until getting to the university campus where, rather than following the footpath, you follow the road, supposedly to join the Nene footpath. The bridge you are lead to, however, has no access to the path and the prospect of clambering down the bank is somewhat hampered by the presence of traffic barriers at the road side. This version of the route makes no sense when a version via the campus footpath actually links up with the riverside walk....

David Sanderson

Quite a bit alongside the canal, a few hundred yards on small roads through Blisworth, and then over the fields including half a mile alongside woods then quite a distance over flat meadows before the last half mile on road in to Towcester. The walk was in January so the going was quite muddy underfoot but otherwise it was easy....

PatrickB

I think there is a problem with this route around OS Grid Ref SP 85972 81826 where the route leaves Station Road and heads through the quarry (Hanson Aggregates). The quarry appears to be private and gated and unsafe to attempt to pass through. I have attached a screenshot centred on the Slow Way, a screenshot of the associated OS Map and a photo of the access road....

Penny Short

Would have attached photos but the size limit is too small even for photos taken on my fairly basic phone - I suggest a 10MB limit rather than 5MB....

PatrickB

Pleasant route with some nice scenery, particularly Harlestone woods, but much of the route is quite muddy when the weather has been wet....

Panic452