Tour of Britain Cyle Race - Stage 5 Northampton

Very much looking to the Tour of Britain Cycle Race coming through Northampton today. First things first though there is a 'Mens Breakfast at Walgrave Church to negotiate. A fine one it was too, with an interesting talk from The Kettering Street Pastors. Several others were also going to watch the cycling too. A plan to walk across the fields with a Pub stop was soon hatched.Our walk actually started from the village of Old. Leaving Walgrave at just after 12 pm We set off from the Royal Oak Walgrave picking up the footpath to Hannington. Rather than take the road from Hannington we cut through the Deer Farm. Set in 300 acres of countryside it has an award winning Manor House at its  centre. Plenty of Deers around too in the far distance. We continue on our way to the village of Holcot where we shall watch the cycle race. There is time to kill first though.Perfect for a pint in the White Swan.

Conveniently the Pub had the race on the big TV screen so we knew exactly where the leaders were.

The race started from the University of Northampton close to the Town Centre. The route goes out to Daventry through Abthorpe ,Wappenham, Helmdon, Culworth, Byfield and Hellidon.The route then loops back around Northampton via Watford Village, West Haddon, Naseby, Kelmarsh and Brixworth. There are a couple of ''King of the Mountain' stages too at Newnham Hill and Bulls Hill.  

Leaving the comfort of the pub we wander up towards the causeway at Pitsford. Quite a good viewing point as this is where the intermediate sprint will take place. It is already very busy, a popular spot. Plenty of activity too as Police Motorbikes and shoot through. Then come the team sponsor cars with their spare bikes. You have to be a bit careful as well, I had a narrow miss with a motorcycle... 

The atmosphere is superb though, we have fancy dress and cow bells as the excitement mounts. A total of 91 miles (147 km) in total to be completed by the riders today. The leaders come into view across the causeway. Somewhere I've pedalled across many a time , although not quite the same speed these are going! Very impressive it is too.  

As quick as a flash and all very sudden the riders pass through on their way to Sywell and Ecton. Some top competitors taking part including Double Olympic Champion Remco Evenepoel. First across the finishing line in the Guildhall was the French Rider Paul Magnier (Soudal Quick Step Team). This was his third stage victory .

It has been quite a spectacle, something really good for the County. We make our way back to our starting point at 'Old' via the Pitsford Reservoir Nature Reserve. In total 9.91 miles walked.

Stowe Landscape Gardens & Dadford Walk

 

It is always a great pleasure to visit Stowe Landscape Gardens. I've blogged about it previously over the years so no apologies for another one. Today will be a bit different though! Rather than the classic landscaped gardens walk something a little different.There are some 700 acres of surrounding parkland with lots of footpaths and Bridleways to explore. Its a misty, murky start to the day, a promise of the sun breaking through gives some encouragement. Starting point is the striking 'Corinthian Arch'. Originally built as the grandiose entrance to Stowe to make a lasting impression on visitors. In the far distance it is just possible to make out Stowe House. One of England's grandest Ducal Palaces.

The trees are magnificent, no sign as yet of any Autumnal colours taking effect. Upper Copper Bottom Lake is on our right hand side. The path winds slightly to the right as we pass through the twin 'Boycott Pavillions'. Nothing to do with  'Sir Geoffrey' as far as I am aware? 'West Boycott Pavillion' was once actually home to the legendary Garden Designer ' Lancelot 'Capability' Brown' himself. Over to the left is the classical Oxford water and Bridge. We continue on the circular walk, which will take us towards the front of Stowe House. We turn off though to our left before reaching that point. I love the fact that there are so many unusual monuments and follies to be seen around the parkland.

'Wolfe's Obelisk comes into view on our right. Built in 1754  and dedicated to General Wolf after his battles in Quebec in 1761. We are heading to the nearby hamlet of Dadford. We pass the lake and the Equestrian Centre before picking up the footpath we need. In the distance there is the sound of roaring car engines from the nearby Silverstone Circuit. Somewhere I walked earlier in the year. There really isn't too much to report on this stretch of the walk. Although it has warmed up! Blue skies have replaced the grey and the sun is close to putting in an appearance. We loop back round towards the Gardens. The area and nearby building is called 'Muse of Pastoral Poetry', sounds very romantic doesn't it. We make our way back into the gardens close to 'Lord Cobham's Pillar. 

 

The fantastic Gothic Temple

Lady Cobham's memorial to her husband is the tallest of Stowe's monuments. (104ft). The original statue was destroyed in 1957 by lightning. My favourite though has always been the 'Gothic Temple', so atmospheric whatever the weather. We drop down to 'The Palladian Bridge' over 'Octagon Lake'. The view is stunning in all directions. It was originally built to allow carriages to cross to the house. A covered bridge with three arches,the second of three nearly identical bridges built in English gardens between 1737 and 1755. Amazing to thing that there are only  Palladian Bridges left in the world.  

Temple Of British Worthies

Built around 1735 The temple of British Worthies is Cobham's tribute to the best of British. Shakespeare, Sir Isaac Newton, John Milton, King Alfred, Sir Walter Raleigh, Sir Francis Drake. are all here along with many others. Not least 'Signor Fido' , his pet dog. Elizabeth I is the only female honoured.Might just raise an eyebrow in these times of equality? Across the water lies 'Elysian Fields'. The final resting place of the souls of the heroic and the virtuous in Greek mythology. It was used by Lord Cobham to underline his political opposition to Walpole and his support for Frederick, the then Prince of Wales.

Shell Bridge

Captain Grenville' Column, Erected originally in the Grecian Valley in about 1748 in honour of Captain Thomas Grenville, Lord Cobham's nephew, who was killed in action. The original statue was of Hercules but this was removed when the column was moved to the Elysian Fields in the 1750's. It is a rostral column (so called because of the ships’ prows, or rostra, that protrude from its shaft), 

The house has been restored and maintained as one of the finest country houses in the UK. Looking south across the sports pitches it is just possible to make out The Corinthian Arch from where we started earlier.In 1922, in the face of demolition, Stowe School saved the building from certain destruction. Unlike the loss and decline of many English country houses, Stowe House found a new and revived use for the twentieth and twenty-first centuries as a school for boys and girls.

 

Dido's Cave

Renamed "The Marchioness of
Buckingham's Seat".

Passing 'The Rotunda' designed as a temple to Venus.The building houses a gold statue of Venus which opens up to eight different views.We make our way down to 'Eleven Acre Lake'. The 750 acres have 40 listed temples and monuments, based around two central lakes.At the far end is a rustic looking waterfall, more of that later. For now I'm just happy to take in the beauty and tranquility of the setting. Every time I visit I always seem to miss monuments of interest. Today it is the the turn of the 'Temple of Venus'. amongst several others. There is always the next time.

Cascade & Ruins

One of the best views is through the 'Eyecatcher' between the lakes. We move on to 'Octagon Lake' with sweeping views back up to Stowe House and the Gothic Temple. We have just wandered today, in a very 'Mindfulness' type of way. However there are a number of themed paths you can embark on 'The Classics' : Vice, Virtue and Liberty this gives some context to the structures you will encounter on your way. Or 'The Moderns : The Path of the Brave. The Path of Contentment. as well as the Royal Route, Classic and Extended. Something for everyone I should say.   

 

We exit via the 'New Inn.' A number of buildings were sensitively restored including the listed Inn and adjacent outbuildings. As well as stables, coach house, kitchen and brew house which were incorporated into a new visitor centre.The restored buildings retain many of the existing features and the new buildings replicate the original detail and construction methods thereby breathing new life into what was a partly dilapidated structure. Another fantastic visit, a place of magnificence, somewhere to come back to, time and time again.  

The Shakespeare's Avon Way - Twyning & River Avon & Severn Confluence (23)

Home for the night was close to the 'Severn Ham'. an island between the Rivers Severn and the two arms of the Avon. An area of outstanding beauty and wildlife. One of the finest Commons in the country they say.

Traditionally managed for centuries it is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a conservation area. In the distance the Romanesque tower of Tewkesbury Abbey looms large. Sadly it has not been a night of restful sleep. Despite the addition this time of a 'luxury pillow,' sleep is at a premium. Lots of tossing and turning, a desperate search for comfort.

Weir at 'Upper Lode'

The nearby weir is picturesque by day, noisy by night. Just as I'm nodding off, the clock in the Abbey strikes midnight. It continues to provide unwanted updates throughout the night. The early morning alarm call is in the form of a dog. Who takes a dog for a walk at 5:30 AM on a Sunday morning? The tent dismantled and a quick tidy up, nobody would be any the wiser that we had even been there.

It is still early morning, perfect for a wander into Tewkesbury and the Abbey. A building with over 900 years history. Work began on what is now the present building in 1121. 

A former Benedictine monastery, after the dissolution of the monasteries, it became the parish church for the town.  Tewkesbury of course played a key role in the 'War of the Roses' in 1471. The Yorkist King Edward IV's victory over his Lancastrian opponents.  

Today it is world renowned for being one of the UK's greatest examples of medieval architecture.    

A short drive takes us to the starting point for the walk today at 'Hill End' near to the village of Twyning. The village had been a crossing point on the River Avon since medieval times. The ferry service was an entitlement given to the riverside Innkeeper. There is going to be a lot of riverside walking today for sure. Another large stretch of The Shakespeare's Avon way lies ahead of us. It's all pretty easy walking and very pleasant with the water on our left as we walk in a clockwise direction.

Children's Regatta at the Marina

We pass an area of the river known as 'Chad Well. Where there is indeed a well.All fenced off of course to prevent someone disappearing into the Avon. St Chad's Well is named after the 7th century missionary St. Chad of Mercia, who is attached to a great number of healing wells.We continue along the side of the river passing Mythe Farm on our right. There are two confluences of the River Avon and the River Severn. The first we camped right beside the previous night. We have now reached the smaller branch at 'Lower Lode'.

We make the turn onto the River Severn. The Mythe Bridge can be seen in the distance carrying the A438 over the Severn. It is a cast-iron Arch Bridge spanning 170 feet (52 m) and 24 feet (7.3 m) wide, designed by Thomas Telford. completed in April 1826. It is a Grade II listed structure. The total cost of the bridge including masonry approaches was £14,500.

The splendid looking Water Works  with it's red brickwork is situated on the east bank. It provides drinking water to a population of some 400,000 people. In July 2007 the site was partially inundated with flood water from the River Severn. We actually walk right through it on a fenced path. Getting out again wasn't quite so straightforward though. 

Making our way in land the walking gets more difficult. The paths are overgrown and uneven in places. Once again I question wearing shorts with all the nettles and thistles. Things do improve eventually. We have passed the site of 'King John's Castle'. The castle today is set in a private location, back from the lane behind tall electric gates.Nothing to be seen sadly. 

Things take a turn for the worse though... My existing Hernia problem flares up, and is quite painful. I have a few doubts about even finishing the walk. That would be a let down to falter at the final hurdle. A silent prayer and a couple of painkillers does the trick as the discomfort eases. 

Reaching 'Puckrup' we have a Golf Course to negotiate. Which it turns out is far from straightforward. Public footpaths through golf courses are quite dangerous in my experience. The course at 'Puckrup Hall Hotel' is busy as befits a Summer Sunday afternoon. Balls flying around in all directions. With some relief we exit the course and cross the A38 towards Church End Twyning.We are on the last stretch now heading towards 'Nut Orchard. The Church of St Mary Magdalene is a traditional Grade 1 listed Norman building. The village is divided into two main parts, the older "Church End", and 'Twyning Green'.   

We are spoiled for choice with several footpaths that will take us close to our starting point. The path that we take is a good one though as we pass through an orchard. The trees are laden with fruit just ripe and ready for picking. Best of all were the Damsons, perfect for some home made Damson Gin or Vodka. Something to warm you up on a cold winters night. We meet the owners of the orchard as we come out the other end. The husband is an avid long distance walker himself. They are still working their way through a supply of Damson Jam from last year apparently.

Well that it folks, as far as The Shakespeare' Avon Way is concerned. It has felt a bit strange doing back to back walks. Along with the lack of decent sleep, today has been something of a struggle. But we got there in the end, which is what it is all about really. 

A total of  9.5 miles walked today.

Other walk stats 

Started 4'12'20 

Ended 31'8'24   

23 circular walks and a total of 225.75 miles walked!