Arthingworth, Great Oxendon Tunnel and Braybrooke Walk

 

The first of two local walks, both completed in very hot and sunny conditions. The starting point is the village of Arthingworth, about 4 miles from Market Harborough  in the west of the county.

Parking close to the Church we set off to find the footpath to Great Oxendon. This was easier said than done as the signpost indicate two paths very close together. The first one we tried was completely overgrown so we had to backtrack. 

Taking the other path was much better and we even had a 'fly past' by the legendary 'Red Arrows'. The loose aim of this walk was to through the Gt Oxendon Railway tunnel on the old Northampton to Market Harborough railway line.We had previously done a walk that took in the tunnel at Kelmarsh which is a bit longer. 

The Oxendon tunnel is about 400 metres in distance and is dark, wet and the surface is quite uneven.

 

 

 

We leave the long and winding field and pick up the road to Great Oxendon. We are soon 'on top' of the tunnel as we are next to the air/ventilation shaft. Taking the path at the side of the field we get to the 'Brampton Valley Way'  and the tunnel entrance. Many of the train drivers giving them the unpleasant nickname "the rat-holes"because of the narrow bores or entry. Thankfully given all the recent good the tunnel is fairly dry.

After a slight 're-adjustment' at Waterloo Farm we are back on our way again leaving the 'BTW' picking up the footpath towards the village of Braybrooke. We won't actually go to the village but the church is a good bearing to follow in the distance. We join the Jurassic Way hoping to follow back to the road. However we meet a jogger coming towards us who tells us the path ahead is very overgrown and almost impassable. We are able to make a detour, taking a path back towards Great Oxendon. 

The highlight of this little diversion is a beautiful meadow and a pond filled with lilies and insects. A real oasis on a very warm day, the temptation was there to have a little paddle!

The low-point happened in the next field when my walking companion shouted out a warning. Three large dogs were in full flight charging towards me. Having recently been badly bitten by a dog this was not good news. I stood still, trying to show that I wasn't a threat. Thankfully they backed off  and retreated to the farm building they emerged  from.

Leaving a small paddock we come out by 'The George' Public House. At the crossroads we needed to head towards Braybrooke. We found the stile in the field on the right and it was back up to the 'Air Shaft' we saw earlier!

It's all fields right back to Arthingworth now after first encountering some over inquisitive cows.From the brow of the hill we can see Arthingworth in the distance & the path crosses the fields (with a few stiles) directly towards it. 

 

Been a tough walk in the heat but enjoyable non the less. Total distance of 9.7 miles.