Both this walk and Stawes two were not walked when I was researching which to take, and despite this being slightly longer I chose this as their was slightly less road walking involved with this route. The OS map shows a more direct route past Winwick, and I wondered why this route took you through a slightly longer route past the Mill House, but the slight diversion proved worthwhile as we caught sight of some alpacas in the well kept grounds of the Mill House....

Steve Litchfield

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. From West Haddon, the route starts on Northampton Road then uses a footpath through a park, a short section of residential streets and another park footpath to reach and cross the bypass. 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. 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

Successfully completed this route today. Review to follow....

danravenellison

Navigation straightforward, and the road walking is either on a v quiet road, or a road with a pavement. The paths across fields are well defined, and although there are a few stiles the only problem is the gate (illustrated by the first reviewer) leading into the field immediately before the A5 - the gate is iron and heavy and has to be lifted as it is not hinged to the gatepost. The toilets in Long Buckby are closed "due to vandalism" but there are toilets and a cafe at Daventry Country Park....

KB

The road walking between the M1 and the footpath to Welton is none too pleasant, especially crossing the A5; there is a pavement alongside the road between Welton and Daventry. Once on the footpath, the second field is quite swampy, but easily negotiated. A very short detour on entering Daventry Country Park accesses toilets and a cafe....

KB

To give you a little context to my review, I walked this having just completed the 22km from Northampton to West Haddon. I'm pleased to report that Londis, which is on the route was open, for some provisions. First thing to report is that this route is very accurately plotted and for the most part and particularly at the Rugby end, follows the most direct, logical route. My phone was getting so bad by this stage that I was having to guess the route (I hadn't brought a paper map (doh!))....

David Sanderson

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

However, there are a number of stiles, kissing gates and footbridges on the section between Crick and West Haddon. Some parts of the route between Crick and West Haddon are very, very narrow, because the landowners have built fences right next to the hedgerows, leaving little room to walk....

Panic452

The section between Crick and West Haddon has some stiles and walking on backroads....

Panic452

This is a wonderful route as it connects West Haddon to Market Harborough in a direct route without hardly touching any roads at all. I walked this route from Market Harborough to West Haddon as part of the Slow Ways Swarm in March....

Emma Poggi Kendall

This is a nice walk but a better route is at Teeton to take the road North to Guilsborough and then either turn South West towards Ravensthorpe (picking up the west haddon footpath on the edge of Ravensthorpe) or continue to coton and pick up the footpath there. Very nice pub in spratton for lunch....

acrmatts

Issues to note include some narrow footbridges, potentially muddy sections, long grass and the need to cross the busy A5 road and walk along its verge for 50 feet or so. The back road into West Haddon is narrow but ok to walk along....

Panic452

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

Panic452