Little Linford Walk - Swans Way (2)

Swans Way sign

The second leg of our Swans Way and we are at south east end of Hanslope. The route takes us right past Hanslope Park owned by the UK and Commonwealth Office. Home to her Majesty's  Government Communications Centre. As you would expect it is not particularly welcoming with its security fencing and razor wire.

I wait until we are a safe distance away before taking a picture looking back from the footpath.
You can't be too careful and I didn't want to be accused of spying....

It's a dull day weather wise but at least it's dry.
We make our way down the side of Little Linford Wood. There seems to be a few more people out and about today. Maybe be something to do with the pubs and restaurants re-opening today on the 4th July after months of lockdown.

Its nice open countryside with excellent views looking back towards Hanslope .

We would pass Little Linford Wood on the other side when we made our return journey.

We passed some very nice properties close to Haversham Mill. A barn conversion in particular caught my eye.

The River Great Ouse at Haversham

Long abandoned farm buildings

We cross the bridge over the Great River Ouse and follow the river towards Stantonbury and the ruins of the Church of St Peter. The sole remaining relic of the village of Stantonbury.  The Church went into decline in the late 19th century and is now just a ruin.

It would once have been at the heart of the medieval village of Stanton. The main body would have been built in the 1100's.

With little work to be found the village went into a steady decline. By 1736 there were only four dwellings left including the grand Manor House and three farm houses. The newly built St James Church in New Bradwell spelt the end for St Peters. By 1948 it had fallen into disrepair and the village itself was destroyed by quarrying in the 1960's.

It's a bit strange to imagine that a Manor House once stood on the now deserted site. There are some tell tale furrows in the ground. Thankfully there is a handy sign nearby giving the layout. 

The 17th Century Manor was built for the son of the High Sheriff of Hertfordshire. Amazingly it only lasted 75 years when destroyed by fire and later destroyed. 

Canal boats on the Grand Union

Wild flowers.

Our walk continues onto the towpath of the Grand Union Canal for a short while. We swap the water for a more built up area towards Little Linford. The woods come back in to sight and our route takes us round the other side to the way we came. Some lovely wild flowers on display, knapweed, daisies and thistles amongst others making a stunning show.  The walk in total comes in at 9.5 miles and was very pleasant.