IntroductionThis petal based on the Northamptonshire Round is an easy walk over undulating countryside, any hills are of the gentle variety. The walk starts and finishes in Yardley Hastings where there are 2 pubs, the Red Lion and the Rose and Crown, both providing excellent food and refreshment. (Pensioners lunch on Thursdays at the Rose and Crown.) Distance - 5 Miles. Explorer Map 207 Landranger Map 152 Allow 2 ½ - 3 hours |
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1 Start from Yardley HastingsIt is worth allowing plenty of time to explore Yardley, as it is a gem of a village. The church of St. Andrew ( which is normally open to visitors ) and the adjacent Manor House or Court Parlour are the oldest buildings in the village, but the rest of the lanes and streets reveal a wealth of attractive cottages and farmhouses The walk starts from the little green with a seat beneath a tree at the junction of High Street and Little Street. Parking is no problem as long as consideration is shown to local residents. |
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2 Walk to Easton MauditCross the High St. and follow the finger post sign for footpath between cottages. The route is generally well waymarked as we cross centre of field and then field edge with hedgerow to left. Path bends gently left as we descend next two fields to divergence of footpaths. Here we take path uphill now with hedgerow to immediate right. At brow of hill turn left heading for corner of Cold Oak Copse, where turn right and follow edge of woodland for next half mile. Downhill with hedge to left, cross footbridge then up to roofless stone barn. Skirt right around barn and beneath power lines still with hedge to left. Continue on same bearing now with hedge to right as we approach Horn Wood. At field end turn left, now with old stone wall to right. Pass Home Farm over to the left, and then Oakfield a home for disabled children, where the track becomes a tarmac road as we enter the small village of Easton Maudit. |
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3 Easton MauditThis peaceful place has hardly changed in 50 years, as we wander along the single street to the green and the church at the tee junction. No facilities are available here, just a seat on the tiny green, or the church porch opposite in inclement weather! The remains of a hollow elm tree, supported by an intricate steel structure stand on the green, presumably awaiting the development of a newly-planted sapling alongside. |
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4 Return to Yardley HastingsThe walk continues by turning left at the church, (signposted Grendon), as the road bends right go straight on (signposted Castle Ashby), for about a quarter mile before turning right onto bridleway. Uphill now beneath power lines to crest of hill, where, if you look left along the line of pylons you will see on the skyline the roofless barn that you passed earlier. Behind you is the impressive spire of Easton church. Through gateway and down to stream where we leave bridleway and turn left on footpath to cross minor road. Heading in south-westerly direction we shall follow this stream on our right for the next mile and half back to Yardley Hastings, initially on pleasant pasture land. Cross footbridge over feeder brook coming in from the left and shortly way becomes grassy track as we pass immaculate sewage works to left, before entering village , where turn left to pass church and return to starting point |
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| Map of the Walk | Map of Yardley Hastings Village |