Walking the Jurassic Way - Harringworth- Wakerley Woods loop

After a couple of days of heavy rain the clouds had lifted and the day was dry, if a little soft underfoot.

The starting point today was the the village of Harringworth. Situated on the border with Rutland and about 5 miles north of Corby.

River Welland and Harringworth Viaduct in background

Dominating the landscape is the Harringworth Viaduct.(Also officially know as The Welland Viaduct). The viaduct is 1,275 yards (1.166 km) long and has 82 arches, each with a 40 feet (12 m) span. It is the longest masonry viaduct across a valley in the United Kingdom.

Leaving the village across fields we follow the course of the River Welland. The river is flowing gently in a north easterly direction towards Market Harborough and Stamford before reaching The Wash.

 

We cross the border into Rutland and the picturesque village of Barrowden. There is a church, a village hall, a doctor’s surgery and pharmacy, a community shop, a mobile library, a recreational field with cricket club and a pub, The Exeter Arms.

The walk continues through the nearby village of Wakerley and the woods of the same name and  part of the Rockingham Forest. The Bluebells are still showing well despite the heavy rain of late.

 

We pass Laxton Hall,a 17th Century Grade II-listed building converted into a residential care home. It is staffed by the Polish Sisters of Mary Immaculate, an order providing compassion and specialised care for Polish community groups, the vulnerable and dispossessed.
It was here that a passing Buzzard dropped its prey. Closer inspection identified a still warm dead baby rabbit. No doubt the startled bird of prey will return later for it's prize.

Red Kite Frenzy

However it was nothing compared to the sight that greeted us as we approached the tiny village of Laxton. The skies were were becoming full of Red Kites. We started off by counting twenty , soon rising to thirty , fifty plus and up to a hundred ! Of course Rockingham Forest is well known for it's Kites but I've never seen this quantity before.

As we got nearer we could see a man in the field putting out chunks of meat for the birds . They would swoop down at great speed and pick up the free food on offer, a spectacular sight. Speaking to the man, it is something that he does every day and in the winter there can be as many as three hundred birds in attendance!

It was an absolute privilege to see these majestic birds at such close quarters.


Leaving Laxton we cut through Spanhoe woods before connecting up gain with the Jurassic Way. Walking down towards the tiny hamlet of Shotley there are some great views of the Welland Viaduct in the distance. Its a lovely part of the County for sure. In total the walk was just over 10 miles.   

Welland Viaduct