Chapel Brampton and Brixworth figure of Eight walk

 

We are starting at the Car park of the Brampton Halt Public House, on the Brampton Valley Way. The 14-mile rail trail built on the way of the former Northampton to Market Harborough Railway in Northamptonshire. The actual railway line closed down in 1981. 

The route itself will be a figure of eight of sorts and the options are still open as to which way we will go as we set off. The only certainty is that we are heading northwards towards Brixworth. 

We have to cross a couple of bridges early on before proceeding on the gravel pathway.There are quite a few people out and about on what is a very pleasant sunny late February morning. Not surprising really as the old railway line is a haven for walkers and cyclists alike. 

We continue as far as the main road that goes between Spratton and Brixworth. We take the right footpath that climbs gradually up to the Church. Surprisingly I have never walked this particular path before. There are though some stunning views back across the valley . Even more impressive today with the blue skies and fluffy slow moving white clouds.  

 

 

All Saints Church Brixworth is a wonderful example of Anglo-Saxon architecture. It is the largest English church that remains substantially as it was in the Anglo-Saxon era. 

The church dates back to the 7th Century and a Spire was added in the 14th Century. The West Tower has a ring of six bells dating from 1622 with the most recent being cast in 1993. As is the case with most things at the moment all services are being carried out online during to the Covid virus outbreak.  

 Leaving the Churchyard via a stile we head back through the village of Brixworth .One thing you can't fail to notice in Brixworth is the number of blue plaques mounted on thirty buildings in the village. The Brixworth History Society have created a heritage trail that can be followed right through the village. 

The one in the picture is from 'The Old Chapel' and dates back to 1811. The last recorded baptism was in 1972.

We cut across the busy A508 (Market Harborough Road) and we are on the Edge of Pitsford Reservoir . Although it seems to be more popularly know as Brixworth Country Park these days. 

It is even busier around here, at the first sight of decent weather the locals all seem to head for the most obvious of places.The more remote and obscure the better in my book.   

It is a brief visit to the reservoir and we exit towards the excellent cricket ground of Brixworth C.C.C. A short climb uphill and then we turn left down 'Merry Tom Lane. This path will eventually cut across the Brampton Valley Way. I have been down here before on the Mountain Bike. Talking of bikes a lady is struggling up the incline, little wonder with her young  daughter strapped into the passenger seat!

 

 

 

 

It's a lovely footpath that links up from off Merry Tom Lane to the Welford Road. There is also a nice little footbridge which is always good to see. Once again this a path that I must have driven past hundreds of times and never knew existed. We do a slight extension to the original map here, taking in the small triangle next to Brampton Hill. It is then just a matter of taking the footpath back into Chapel Brampton. There is one more surprise left as we cut through a small 'pocket park' and discover another footbridge and a little weir. A great walk at just over 10 miles and even saw my first two butterflies of the year.