Cottesbrooke and Hollowell Circular walk

I'm back in Cottesbrooke, one of my favourite places in the County. Previously I have walked towards Maidwell, Lamport and up the steep Haselbech Hill. 

I had notice before a couple of footpaths in the opposite direction. Making a mental note at the time to explore at a later date. Well today is the day in question. 

Parking in the village we walk down past the post box in the wall, past the playing field and the bridge. Ignoring the first footpath sign and continuing a far as the Beck Dairy. This where I have always turned left before in the direction of Blueberry Lodge.  

Climbing over the style we are now on the Macmillan Way heading towards Creaton and Hollowell.

 

Leaving behind a tranquil Cottesbrooke, and It's chocolate box cottages we are amongst wide expanses of fields and hedgerows. The sun is beating down and it really is a perfect setting.It's a gradual climb as far as the village of Creaton. 

On a slight mound is the of St. Michael and All Angels in the Ecclesiastical Parish of Great Creaton. The building of local stone stands down from the A5199 Welford Road near the village green. The church and possibly the parish of may have been founded in the late eleventh or twelfth century. There is also  Commonwealth War Grave in the Churchyard.

Creaton also has a wonderful and typical old fashioned style village green .Surrounding the green are  a number of interesting buildings including the Manor House, built in 1604. Also overlooking the green are a terrace of Almshouses which were founded in 1825 and rebuilt in 1897.

We leave the church and the lovely views back towards Cottesbrooke and the Saxon Church of Brixworth in the distance. Crossing the A5199 we are soon back into fields and birdsong.  

Broad Beans seem to be the crop of choice, field after field of them. I'm quite partial to a few myself. Total peace and quiet, not even the rumble of distant traffic. No other walkers out this way either so perfect really. 

Eventually we leave the green fields and arrive at the road as expected. Taking a right we see a sign for a farm and then a bit further a track on the left. We take a further  right into 'Church Lane' that will take us into the village of Hollowell.

 Hollowell also provides the opportunity to call in on some 'Old friends' and some welcome refreshment on a very warm day. The name itself means 'hollow spring or stream and is mentioned in the Domesday survey of 1086. The village is well known for the Reservoir and it's 'Steam Fair' and 'Heavy' Horse Show'.  The event was first held in 1986 to raise funds to repair the village's church roof. I noticed a plaque on the lovely thatched bus shelter that was also funded by the show.  

We leave the village picking up a narrow track just before you reach the 'Pocket Park'. We are now heading back in the direction of Cottesbrooke. 

The wonderful views continue and are equally spectacular as the outward journey. Looking back as we arrive at the A5199 the water of the reservoir is shimmering in the far distance. 

We pick up the path again and follow through meadows of Buttercups. The style is well hidden  in the corner of the field! 

One more field to go and Cottesbrooke is in sight. The path takes us near to the Church and the entrance that we had passed earlier. A smashing little walk at exactly 7 miles!