WILL’S TOP FIVE

Five star walking

It’s always interesting to take a look back on the past 12 months when we start a new year. And reminiscing about favourite walks is no exception. Here Will picks fi ve of the best walks from the last year. By Will Hetherington

Aldwincle & Wadenhoe

July 22

This charming route includes a memorable woodland stretch on the north bank of the river Nene and the very special village of Wadenhoe, where the church holds an imposing position above the Nene and is set apart from the village. Don’t miss the impressive sundial and take fi ve minutes to explore this stunning collection of limestone houses with thatched and Collyweston slate roofs. If you are there in the warmer months you can reward yourself with a refreshment in the stunning King’s Head garden which slopes down towards the river.

Brooke, Egleton & Gunthorpe

June 22

I like to start and fi nish this one in impossibly charming Brooke, where you can park on the verge just to the south of the village. Parts of the route are also sections of the Macmillan Way and the Rutland Round and the two decent climbs on the way round off er some pretty epic views of Rutland Water, Oakham and the landscape to the south. Egleton is nestled into the western shore of the reservoir and apart from hosting an important nature reserve it’s also another jewel in the Rutland crown of glorious villages. Meanwhile majestic old Gunthorpe is a lovely landmark on the way back to Brooke.

Pickworth & the Drift

March 22

Most of this route is on excellent farm tracks and tarmac so it’s a good late winter option. The Drift is an ancient drover’s track but on this walk it will serve the very modern purpose of whisking you away from any traffi c noise into one of the most peaceful places in the whole area. If you are lucky you may see a few hares out on the fi elds to the left and right of the path which goes through Walk Farm. And all the while you will be treading in the footsteps of lyrical royalty because John Clare, the nationally acclaimed ‘Peasant Poet’, spent his early working life in Pickworth as a labourer in the limekiln in the early 1800s and met his future wife on Walk Farm.

Wansford Station, Water Newton and Sutton

May 22

This route starts at the Nene Valley Railway headquarters, where there is ample parking along the roadside, so don’t rock up in Wansford village further up the A1 looking for the station. One of the highlights of this exploration of the Nene Park Rural Estate is the beautiful setting of Water Newton on the opposite bank of the river. Apart from the sheer serenity of the mill, lock and church at Water Newton, this walk also features sleepy little Sutton, the sweeping river Nene, a Roman road, a Saxon meeting place and a steam railway. There’s even a Lovers Lane! But give it a miss after prolonged periods of heavy rain because parts of it are fl oodplain.

West Deeping & Market Deeping

December 22

This route on the Fenland edge off ers a peaceful blend of town and country, with plenty of water and a decent pub in the Red Lion at West Deeping at the end. Molecey’s Mill on the edge of Market Deeping is a former watermill on what was the Stamford Canal, which was in use from the 17th century for 200 years. The canal was built so the merchants of Stamford could get their goods to the coast and Molecey’s Mill is still an important part of the heritage of Market Deeping and the area. There is also a mill at Maxey and you could even treat yourself to some chips from famous Linford’s in Deeping halfway around.

To fi nd these walks and many more visit theactivemag.com and read our back-catalogue