Geddington Walk

 A nice local walk today under blues skies and sunshine. We are in the historic village of Geddington. 

Getting here was good fun in the car as we had to go through a 'Ford'. Someone was taking the opportunity to wash their vehicle in it too. 

The biggest claim to fame though is that it is home to a Queen Eleanor Cross. The monument dates from 1294, when the crosses were raised as a memorial by Edward I to his late wife Eleanor of Castile(1241–1290). Originally there were 12 memorial monuments on the route that marked the resting places of the funeral procession. These days there are only three left that resemble their original state.(Northampton and Waltham Cross as well). 

We set off past the church of St Mary Magdalene. The Churchyard has two Commonwealth War Graves. Both of them relate to The Royal Air Force. One being a Navigator, the other an Aircraftman. We are walking towards Geddington Chase. We pass a little oasis of calm in 'The Geddington Brickyard Garden'. A community project working to transform a former derelict site at the end of Wood Street (known locally as The Brickyard) into a place of natural beauty. The idea for the GBG project began in January 2014 when Boughton Estate, the landowners, offered support for initial proposals. Since then, with hard work from many volunteers, huge progress has been made in developing the area. GBG is a long-term project and the wildlife-friendly green space will continually evolve over time as long as funding and volunteering continues.

It certainly looks a great place to come and get involved with planting and growing, or just relaxing. 

Geddington Chase is a surviving fragment of the medieval Royal Forest of Rockingham. Part of it in the North West Corner is designated as biological site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). There is actually no public access as it is private land. Centuries ago the Forest would have been crucial  to the survival of the village providing timber and other resources (legal & otherwise).

It is said that Mary Queen of Scots when imprisoned in Derbyshire was robbed, with the two men responsible caught on the Chase, the money and jewellery were never recovered and may still be buried there. 

 

No luck in finding any treasure today though sadly. The views are superb though, and we spotted a couple of Hares charging through the meadows.

The return part of the walk , or the second part if you prefer is much more spectacular. Walking the edge of Geddington Chase was fine, but not really that much to see. I love the big wide open spaces and the feeling of remoteness. We take a path through a field of Linseed  plants or Flax-seed as they are also known.

ead more at Gardening Know How: What Is Flaxseed – Tips On Growing Your Own Flaxseed Plants https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/flax/growing-flaxseed-plants.htm

rich in fiber and Omega-3 fatty acids, is considered by many to be a wonder food that may reduce the risk of serious health problems, including diabetes, liver disease, cancer, stroke, heart disease, and depression.

Read more at Gardening Know How: What Is Flaxseed – Tips On Growing Your Own Flaxseed Plants https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/flax/growing-flaxseed-plants.htm

A few weeks ago the field would have been a carpet of blue flowers. The flowers have gone now, and the crop won't be long off harvesting. Rich in fibre and Omega 3. The seed is considered to be something of a 'wonder food'. It can help with conditions such as; Diabetes, Liver disease, Heart Disease, Strokes and even Depression. The seeds will be collected up ground and pressed to release their natural oil. This can then have a variety of uses from cooking to skin care. 

rich in fiber and Omega-3 fatty acids, is considered by many to be a wonder food that may reduce the risk of serious health problems

Read more at Gardening Know How: What Is Flaxseed – Tips On Growing Your Own Flaxseed Plants https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/flax/growing-flaxseed-plants.htm

rich in fiber and Omega-3 fatty acids, is considered by many to be a wonder food that may reduce the risk of serious health problems

Read more at Gardening Know How: What Is Flaxseed – Tips On Growing Your Own Flaxseed Plants https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/flax/growing-flaxseed-plants.htm

Not quite so enjoyable was the attention shown to us by a large heard of cows (and a large Bull). It was made worse by us having a dog with us, and them having calves. Quite cleverly they split up and actually started circling us....Whenever I'm in these situations I always get the stat about the number of human deaths caused by cows come into my head... Which really isn't at all helpful. Not at all conducive to a peaceful, calming stroll in the country. It is with no little relief that we make it to a gateway. The fun and games isn't over yet though as no way could I get the gate to close securely. At any moment they could burst through.. Eventually it fastened to my immense relief.

Back in Geddington a much need pint was enjoyed at the Star Inn. 'Fools Nook' 3.8% brewed at nearby Barnwell went down very well. A lovely walk (apart from the cows) and came in at just over 7.75 miles.

The Shakespeare's Avon Way - Stratford Upon Avon (14)

It's great to be out walking again following a knee injury. The old knee is still far from perfect but should be good enough as they say.
Today has got to  be one of the highlights of 'The Shakespeare's  Avon Way. Walking the birthplace and burial place of the great Bard himself. 

Our journey today starts at Bishopton. A low key start I think it would be fair to say. Not much to see really , mainly new build housing estates interspersed with the odd field. We are walking in a clockwise direction though today. We have a little bit of road walking along the A46 before veering off towards Lower Clopton Farm. The Farmer is very protective of his sheep with signs everywhere about keeping dogs on leads.

There is also an interesting sign about disposing of your litter appropriately. The views have improved and there are lots of sheep in evidence.

 

My poor old knee soon gets tested out on a bit of a climb. Glad that I put a strapping on now. Mission accomplished!

Things then look more familiar as the Obelisk in the Welcombe Hills Country Park comes into view. We reach the path that we turned off on last time. We are now heading towards Stratford Upon Avon. In the far distance a Ferris Wheel can be seen. The views are really spectacular in all directions. So much so that we veer of in the wrong direction.

If there is one thing I really love to see it is a folly (and a Motte and Bailey of course).Clopton Tower is an architectural folly which dates from the Imperial period.It is an architectural folly which dates from the Imperial period. It is believed to date back to around 1840 and was built originally as a Folly/Belvedere for Clopton House. It is a Grade II listed building.

Clopton House is a 17th-century country mansion also Grade II listed. It is now converted into residential apartments. In 1605 Ambrose Rookwood, a Gunpowder Plot conspirator lived in the house.   

We drop down on to the Stratford- Upon-Avon canal heading towards Bancroft Basin. 

We are entering the historic heart of Stratford It is a busy place indeed!

Stratford really is a haven for tourists from all over the world. There is so much going on and so much to see. The Bancroft Gardens are located on the River Avon close to the Royal Shakespeare Theatre (RSC).The Bancroft was originally an area of land where the townspeople grazed their animals, and the Canal Basin formed the terminus of the Stratford-to-Birmingham canal, completed in 1816.

The statue of Shakespeare is the work of Lord Ronald Sutherland Gower, and was presented to the town in 1888. There are also smaller figures of Shakespearean characters: of Hamlet, Lady Macbeth, Falstaff and Prince Hal; symbolising philosophy, tragedy, comedy an; history.

 

 

The RSC celebrated its fiftieth birthday season from April–December 2011.There have been theatrical performances in Stratford-upon-Avon since at least Shakespeare's day, though the first recorded performance of a play written by Shakespeare himself was in 1746.Very little is known for certain about William Shakespeare. baptised on 26 April 1564 at Holy Trinity in Stratford-Upon-Avon. Traditionally his birthday is celebrated three days earlier, on 23 April, St George's Day.Most of what we do know comes from registrar records, court records, wills, marriage certificates and his tombstone in Holy Trinity Church (pictured above). In 1582, when he was 18, Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway. She was 26.On 23 April, his presumed birthday, he died, aged 52. On 25 April, he was buried at Holy Trinity Church in Stratford.

 

We continue walking alongside the River Avon.It's a lovely stretch of the walk. We pass a rusty old railway bridge that we cross. The Racecourse at Stratford Upon Avon comes into view. We walk down the edge of it. You can in fact walk right across the racecourse as it is a public footpath. We are heading in the direction of Ann Hathaways's Cottage today though.  

Leaving the racecourse behind we make an uphill treck for the last part of the walk. There are some lovely views looking back towards Stratford. It is just possible to pick out the Ferris Wheel in the distance. It turns out that we don't actually walk past Ann Hathaway's Cottage after all. It would involve a mile or so detour  , there and back. We decide to give it a miss anyway. It has been a great walk, and the knee is starting  to ache a little bit. A lot of history too. The walk in total has been 11.85 miles.

Fotheringhay, Elton and Warmington Walk

A very appropriate day to be walking in this most historic of Northamptonshire villages. It is the Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II, to mark the 70th anniversary of the accession of Queen Elizabeth II on 6 February 1952.

As the home of the great 'Yorkist' line, the village was, for a considerable part of the 15th and 16th centuries, of national standing. The weather is perfect for walking, sunny spells and a warm temperature. We park up close to the Falcon Public House. We are about 4 miles North East of Oundle, and  10 miles west of Peterborough. The pub sign depicts the heraldic shield of Richard III. The last king of the House of York & the last of the Plantagenet dynasty.  

With the church tower looming large in the distance we set off down the Nassington Road. We cross the bridge over the river and pick up the footpath on the right hand side that is very clear. It takes us through a deserted farm and barn. That really would be some restoration project!  But what a spectacular setting though. We are heading in the direction of 'Elton' We are crossing the water meadows of the River Nene.  

The derelict Elton Mill was listed Grade II in 1988. Though the original mills are long gone, the present mill dates from the late 18th century and belongs to the Elton Estate. 

I don't like the look of the stile very much though.... There is a steep drop straight into the River Nene!  

We pass the Wesleyan Chapel, appropriately enough located on Chapel Lane. The sun is out and it is lovely around here. Very peaceful and quiet. A few houses are decked out in bunting and flags but otherwise a tranquil scene. We sit for a few minutes on a bench just before taking the track to Elton Hall Park. There are great views back across the field towards Elton Hall.The home of Sir William Proby, is a part Gothic house, which stands in the midst of this unspoilt parkland and 3,800 acre Estate.

 

It's a lovely part of the walk, although we do have to cross over a busy road at one point. We take the opportunity to stop at The Red Lion, Warmington.A nice pint of 'Dark Star' 'Hophead' 3.8% soon follows.We are soon back on are way, backtracking a little down an area called 'Eaglethorpe'. We have also picked up the Nene Way footpath too. Slightly off track is the Warmington Dovecote, well worth a small detour. Even if it did involve climbing over a padlocked gate on the footpath.   

The Romans probably introduced Dovecotes into England. Their use was later revived by The Normans in the 11th Century. They usually housed Pigeons, bred for their meat. Birds would enter through a covered entrance at the top called a Lantern or Glover.I managed to get inside the very small doorway for a better look!  

 

Inside there would typically be around 800 nest boxes. The ones in Warmington are unusual as they are made of wood instead of stone. There is a a rotating ladder (called a potence) giving access to the nest boxes.
  

In the 17th & 18th century eating Pigeon was believed to prevent the plague and other diseases. Pigeon droppings were used to make potions to treat baldness, gout and tumours.  One procedure still popular in the 17th century, involved slicing open a live Pigeon and placing it on the patient's head or feet. This was supposed to cure melancholy (depression). Enough of all this Pigeon nonsense! 

We arrive at the Water Mill via an underpass cover in murals of local sights. The Mill seems to have been converted into private residencies. There is a flutter of activity as three Grey Wagtails emerge around the flowing water. They are far more colourful than the name might suggest! The grey wagtail has a very long, black-and-white tail, a yellow rump and a yellow belly. It is grey above with black wings.

We are now heading back towards Fotheringhay and the Church tower looms large in the distance. Another lovely stretch and we then get a view of what remains of Fotheringhay Castle. The castle was a typical Norman motte and bailey, with a conical mound protected by a bank and ditches, and topped by a timber keep.Only the earthworks and the conical motte remain of Fotheringhay Castle, standing on level ground above the peaceful River Nene.Richard III was born here on 2 October 1452, and though tradition says he was baptised at Fotheringhay church.Richard only lived here for six years until he was moved for safety to Ludlow Castle.

 I can't resist climbing to the top of the mound/motte. The view are spectacular too. The Castle is probably most famous for being the final place of imprisonment for Mary Queen of Scots. In 1586 Mary, Queen of Scots was brought to Fotheringhay from Chartley in Staffordshire to stand trial for treason.
 

Mary was tried at the castle on 14 and 15 October 1587 in a show trial and predictably found guilty on 25 October.

She was not executed immediately, for Elizabeth I was reluctant to sign the death warrant, but finally on 8 February 1588 Mary was executed in the great hall. Accounts of the execution vary, and may be inaccurate, but tradition says that the executioner was nervous and made a poor job of his work, taking two or three blows to sever the queen's head.

 One version says that when the head rolled from the body the executioner went to pick it up by the hair only to have the 'hair' prove to be a wig and come off in his hand.

 

 

 

 

50 years later, in the 1630s, the castle was dismantled & most of the masonry removed, leaving only the earthworks.

Close to the river is a small section of masonry wall protected by an iron railing.There are three commemorative plaques on the railing; the first simply says that this section of masonry is from the castle keep, the second was set up by the Stuart History Society and commemorates the death of Mary, Queen of Scots, and the third plaque was set up by the Richard III Society and commemorates the birth of Richard at Fotheringhay Castle.

 

The picture of the church is something that is well worth taking a small detour for. Sadly the sun has now disappeared and not quite the photo I had hoped for. There is even more history in the village. The the old water pump and the commemorative plaque from the Richard III Society.

 

 

 

Only one thing left on this fascinating historical walk. To take a closer look at the Church of St Mary's and All Saints. The present church was begun by Edward III who also built a college as a cloister on the church’s southern side. After completion in around 1430, a parish church of similar style was added to the western end of the collegiate church with work beginning in 1434. It’s the parish church which still remains.

It is noted for containing a mausoleum to leading members of the Yorkist dynasty of the 'Wars of the Rose's. In 1495 the body of Cecily Neville, Duchess of York was laid to rest beside that of her husband the Duke of York. It is very much worth a visit.

Lots of bird life too on this walk with lots of Red Kites circling above. The most colourful bird though was this little fellow sitting atop of a wall watching the world go by. The walk was scheduled to be just over six miles but actually came in at just over eight with all the interesting diversions.