Stamford Circular Walk

 

We are just over the county boundary halfway between York and London on the Great North Road. Stamford is a beautiful stone town with great architecture and history. Parked up close to the centre we make our way down towards the River Welland. We pick up the 'Torpel Way' which connects Peterborough with Stamford. 

The River Welland rises near Sibbertoft in Northamptonshire before reaching The Wash approximately 105 km away. For much of it's length it forms historic Count boundaries between Northamptonshire and Leicestershire, Leicestershire and Rutland and Lincolnshire and Cambridge.   

 

It's a very chilly an blustery day. I have definitely made the right call in going for the 'Big Coat'. At least it looks as though the rain will stay away which is always good!

 A 'mystery object'  in the meadow and close to the water  and pictured below left?

 

The 'mystery object' turn out to be an animal operated pasture pump. I'm not entirely sure of the physics but as far as I can tell the cow would press it's nose against the plate and the water is released. It's all a bit too high tech really but I'm glad the animals can get a drink when they need one at least. 

 

Uffington and Barnack was a railway station in the soke of Peterborough. It opened in 1846 and closed to passengers in 1952 and to goods in 1964. The signal box is still in use and is a 'block post'. The level crossing gates are still opened and closed manually by the signalman.The station house has survived and is now a private house. 

 

We leave the Torpel Way for the Uffington Road and pass through the village of Barnack. Noted for its former Limestone industry and 'Hills and Holes' nature reserve built on an old medieval quarry. This site of Special Scientific Interest is one of Britain's most important wildlife sites. Covering an area of 50 acres, the grassy slopes are home to a profusion of wild flowers. The unique hummocky landscape of the Hills and Holes was created by quarrying for limestone. The stone, known as Barnack Rag, was a valuable building stone first exploited by the Romans over 1500 years ago.

Talking of The Romans we are now on 'Ermine Street'. This major Roman road starts in London and ends in York.It was built between the years 45 AD and 75 AD as the conquest of Britain progressed. 

The signpost says that we are also on the Hereward Way. The Way links the Viking Way (at Oakham) with the Peddars Way near to Knettishall Heath. It passes through Stamford, Peterborough and Ely to reach the Brecklands heaths and forests at Brandon and Thetford. In total  distance of 110 miles. 

We are now on the edge of the Burghley Park estate.The house is visible in the distance. Burghley House (listed grade I) lies in the north-east quarter of the park and is one of the largest Elizabethan mansions in the country, erected by William Cecil Lord Burghley between 1555 and 1587.

The Burghley Horse Trials are one of the six leading three-day events in the world.Horse trials have been held at Burghley House since 1961. 

Since then no other international horse trials site has staged as many championships, a record ten in all including the first World Championship in 1966.

We continue on without seeing the vaguest sight of a horse. We do see several golfers battling the windy conditions on Burghley Park GC. 

From our elevated viewpoint the spires of Stamford come into view again. We are on the homeward leg of the walk now.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Over the bridge and two the left is the lovely old fashioned style Railway Station. We make our way back into the town passing the old Baths, now a private residence. It has been a very windy but enjoyable walk coming in at 9.44 miles.

It is still early so time for a pint at the Slater's  Arms in Collyweston on the journey home.