Everdon, Fawsley, Badby, Newnham & Little Everdon Circular Walk

It's a beautiful sunny Good Friday morning and we are at Everdon. No better place to be in the county on this fine run up to Easter. We have a lovely circular route planned to Fawsley, then to Preston Capes and coming back via Snorscombe Mill. Then enjoying a pint or two in the pub garden back at 'The Plough' in Everdon. 

That was the plan at least. Sometimes things don't always go to plan though.  ... Parking up close to the pub, the first thing I noticed was a large for sale sign on the pub. 

I asked a local gentleman if the pub was still open, more in hope than expectation. 'Been closed for two years or more' he replied. Thankfully he was a member of a local rambling  club and  was able to suggest an alternative route. One that would indeed take in a pub! Happy days indeed. 

  

The part of the walk to Everdon we have done a couple of times before. This is the link to one of them if you are interested?

http://peterja-storytellersnight.blogspot.com/2021/05/everdon-fawsley-and-preston-capes.html

One tree in particular looks spectacular on the hill against the bright blue sky. The Spring lambs are growing fast and look healthy. They are obviously used to walkers and are quite curious under the ever watchful eye of Mother

It has really got quite warm and we start the picnic early on arrival at Fawsley.

 It is a steep climb out of Fawsley as we head in the direction of Badby Woods.

Some great views though looking back and as far as Preston Capes in the distance.

We are walking the Knightley Way, which starts in the village of Badby. A beautiful 12 mile walk across fantastic countryside that ends in Greens Norton.I've covered most of it in different walks at various times and must get round to completing soon.

We have now arrived at Badby Woods.

 

A 47.2 hectare biological Site of Special Scientific Interest. An ancient semi-natural woodland on acidic soils, and it has been forested for over 700 years. I remember walking here once before and getting a bit lost. So today we will be sticking to the perimeter route avoiding the many trails and paths that branch deeper into the woods. 

The woods are located just to the south of the village of Badby and are famous for carpets of bluebells in the spring months. As you can see the Bluebells are just starting to come into bloom.

We leave the path and come out opposite the church in Badby. We are looking for the Nene Way footpath. After one false start we are on our way again. There is a bit of a clue as we are following the river..... This is actually the starting point for the Nene Way, which finally winds it's way to deepest Lincolnshire.

It is a really lovely stretch of the walk that will take us into the village of Newnham. Where of course I am promised there is a Public House on the Green. There is just time to have my photograph taken on a footbridge, always a pleasure. 

The pub was something of a disappointment, the beer was fine as was the setting. The attitude of the man behind the bar was a not so good, miserable you might say. Hi mood didn't improve when his dog followed me out onto the Green. The aforementioned hound, made a bolt for freedom as I delicately balanced 2 drinks, whilst trying to unlatch a heavy wooden door. The surly individual then made a fuss that someone had let the dog out ....

Perhaps not surprisingly we didn't stop for another. Although the company outside was good with fellow walkers. They were of the same opinion about the attitude of 'mine host'.

We pick up the Nene Way again which goes right through the Churchyard at St Michael and All Angels. We then cross numerous fields and stiles in wide open spaces and hardly anyone else about. We are heading in the direction of Little Everdon. 

 

 

From Little Everdon it is just a short walk back to the Church in Everdon where we started out from.

 

A cracking walk, not quite what we had planned for but always good to go somewhere new. 

In total a length of 7 length of 7.5 miles.