This petal based on the Northamptonshire Round offers the choice of a 6 mile or a 11 mile walk. The starting point given here is Cogenhoe, but there is adequate parking at most villages on the circular route. Almost all of the villages support a public house and a shop.

Starting from the Royal Oak in Cogenhoe parking is available in Short Lane opposite York's bus garage. Follow the sign to the Pocket Park down the track, passing the small park on the left, cross stream, through metal gate and head uphill with hedgerow to right. Brafield church comes into view over to right, path curves left and fingerpost on skyline can be seen. Here footpath crosses bridleway and we turn right still with hedge to right, through wooden gate to reach 4 way fingerpost.

At this point we turn right on footpath signed Lower End as we begin a small circuit to visit some of the older parts of Brafield. Continue to the churchyard, turn left through gate passing church on left, and exit by old school on right. Shortly pass the Sargeant Memorial Hall to arrive at village Green, where footpath on left passes in front of attractive cottages. This is a typical country scene with duckpond and rustic seats on our right. Beyond pond turn left, through gate with Mead Cottage on left, and return to 4-way fingerpost.

Now follow footpath signed Denton heading in a south-west direction. This path to Denton passes over mostly cultivated fields, generally in a straight line through gaps in hedgerows. As we crest the hill there are good views of Brafield behind and Denton ahead. Our route enters the village via a small housing estate, where we exit Leys Close turning left into the Leys, then right at the Old Butchers Shop onto The Green. Here you will find the church, the Red Lion public house and a number of seats to rest weary legs. From the Green take a signed footpath beneath a stone archway between cottages uphill past village hall on right.

At end of road turn left and immediately right over stile on footpath with hedge to right, over double stile in corner of field and turn left, now with hedge to left. As hedge runs out continue on same line making for isolated small tree in next hedgerow, turn right and at bottom of field turn left with stream to right. Cross footbridge and go half-left heading north-west across three fields passing the fine farm buildings of Castle Ashby Lodge on right to arrive at the pretty hamlet of Chadstone (part of the parish of Castle Ashby).

For the longer route turn right through Chadstone and at the T junction turn left on footway for about 200 yds. before turning right (signed Castle Ashby Guests only ! !) on road with good grass verges. Over cattle grid and immediately over stile on left to take signed footpath heading north. It is probably easier to stick to the fence-line on right to end of field, where turn left for 100yds to cross stile. Now on same heading aim for Threefold House with it's impressive chimney stack, slightly left ahead. At road turn right to enter Castle Ashby, a village with something of interest for everyone.

Passing estate cottages on left take road right (signed Castle Ashby House). To the left is the Craft Yard and refreshments. Continue to the T junction, where a detour right will take you to good views of the front of the House, the cricket field, the church, the gardens and plant centre. Back on route turn left at the T junction, passing more delightful stone cottages, then right at Woodyard with Falcon Inn to left and Compton Estates Club to right. We are now on a quiet road with parkland on both sides and lakes ahead. As road drops there are good views to the rear of northerly aspect of House and church. When road bends sharply right we follow signed footpath left on a course heading for Grendon church. After four fields enter the village on a path between houses uphill aiming to right of brick built house.

Pass the Old Crown Inn (now sadly closed) and playing field on left and at Maryland Farmhouse turn left into Main Road. On the left is the primary school and the old school, and also an illustrated plaque giving an interesting insight into the village history. Left now along Church Way, where the church at the highest point of Grendon is normally open to visitors. At the end of Church Way turn right into Station Road, past Lakeside Farm and at bottom of hill turn left (signed Castle Ashby 1 mile)

This isolated church standing atop Combe Hill is a gem with it's pinnacled tower, and although kept locked the key may be obtained at Whiston House across the field. Descend the steep path to the village, straight ahead past Manor Farm on right and at the little green turn right passing tiny corrugated village hall. This little settlement of Whiston which pre-dates the Doomsday Book, has, unlike the majority of villages, changed very little in hundreds of years.

Just beyond the last cottage on right, take footpath left, now heading west diagonally across field beneath two sets of power lines to exit in corner of field, turn left on road for a short section. As road bends slightly left, continue ahead on footpath passing to the rear of Roe Farm, and now uphill keeping to the left of tree-fringed pond heading directly for Cogenhoe church. Cross bridleway and straight on for narrow path between gardens which exits on Mill Lane. A right turn here would take you shortly to the picturesque mill on the river Nene, but we turn left into Church Street. To our right is the Memorial Hall, formerly the village school, and access to the church of St. Peter. Stone cottages overlooking the green complete the picture. It now remains only to stroll the length of Church Street with it's fine mix of mostly old farmhouses and cottages, to reach the Royal Oak and complete the petal.