Top 10 Walks in Northamptonshire

With its clay valleys and rolling hills, Northamptonshire is made for walking. Some of the best routes here mix woodland paths, rivers and even a few castle ruins and old nature reserves. We’ve picked ten of the best walks in Northamptonshire, from easy circular trails to longer countryside routes. 

 

1. 1.) The Newnham, Everdon and Fawsley Circular

Newnham, Everdon, Fawsley, and Badby form a cluster of small villages in the countryside around Daventry. At first glance these villages seem quiet, but experienced locals know that the circular trail rewards you with open views and quiet stretches. The route passes through woodland, fields, and village greens, following a gentle heritage trail with an elevation gain at Everdon Hill and vibrant bluebell blooms in the spring.   

Style: Casual, Hill
Scenery: Heritage, Woodland
Length: 7.5 miles
Beginning: The Windmill Inn, Badby

 

1. 2.) The Castle Ashby Circular

East of Northampton, the 16th-century Castle Ashby House stands out among wide lawns and countryside. Built by Henry Compton in 1574, the house now welcomes visitors to explore its gardens and grounds. The Castle Ashby Circular walk offers open views across the estate and Paradise Ponds – no ticket required.   

Style: Casual
Scenery: Heritage, Waterside
Length: 3.9 miles
Beginning: The Castle Ashby War Memorial

 

1. 3.) The Lyveden Way

The National Trust’s Lyveden site hides an unfinished Elizabethan lodge. Nestled between Titchmarsh Nature Reserve and Fermyn Woods Country Park, it’s a beautiful spot for a weekend walk or family picnic. The Lyveden Way trail passes through Fermyn Wood and Lady Wood before looping around the lodge, with a National Trust coffee shop to stop at along the way. 

Style: Endurance
Scenery: Heritage, Woodland
Length: 10.9 miles
Beginning: Fermyn Woods Car Park 

 

1. 4.) The Braunston & Canal Circular

The history of Braunston is closely connected to the canals of the East Midlands. The village sits at the junction of the Oxford and Grand Union Canals and has its own canalboat marina. Walking the Braunston Circular means following paths that weave alongside and across the canals, uncovering the area’s rich industrial past. This short and educational route takes in the old pumphouse, historic locks, the marina, Butcher’s Bridge, and All Saints Church – known locally as the ‘cathedral of the canals’. 

Style: Casual
Scenery: Heritage, Waterside
Length: 3.5 miles
Beginning: Braunston Village Hall 

 

1. 5.) The Sywell Reservoir Trail 

Once Northampton’s main water supply, Sywell Reservoir is now a peaceful country park that attracts boaters, fishers, and hikers for its natural appeal. The Sywell Reservoir Trail is a well-loved spot for dog walks in Northamptonshire, with boats on the water, ducks and swans all year round.  

Style: Casual
Scenery: Waterside
Length: 2.7 miles
Beginning: Car Park 2, Sywell Country Park 

 

1. 6.) The Delapre Abbey Circular

Delapre Abbey, a 900-year-old landmark in central Northampton, has been carefully restored in recent years. You can admire the abbey without stepping inside; its beautiful architecture stands out from almost everywhere in Delapre Park, and the Delapre Abbey Circular makes the most of that view. Following the 10-mile trail takes you through the urban park and into the village of Great Houghton, offering a quiet way to see another side of Northampton.  

Style: Endurance
Scenery: Urban, Parkland, Rural
Length: 10 miles
Beginning: Delapre Abbey Car Park

 

1. 7.) The Yardley Gobion Circular

Yardley Gobion is a small historic village near the Northamptonshire’s southern border, just a few miles north of Milton Keynes. Known for its thatched roofs and village charm, it’s a great place for a short hike – and the Yardley Gobion Circular fits the bill. This 3.7-mile walk takes you through Yardley Gobion and Potterspury, where you’ll spot the thatched Old Vicarage and an ancient dovecote.  

Style: Casual
Scenery: Village
Length: 3.7 miles
Beginning: Hesketh Road

 

1. 8.) The King’s Cliffe Circular

Another nice circular walk starts at King’s Cliffe, a beautiful village near Northamptonshire’s north-eastern edge. With open countryside views and peaceful woodland paths, it’s one of the county’s most rewarding spots to explore on foot. The King’s Cliffe Circular takes you over to Blatherwycke and back, looping around the Blatherwycke Lake with views of local farms and woodland.  

Style: Scenic
Scenery: Village, Woodland, Waterside, Rural
Length: 7 miles
Beginning: West Street/Park Street 

 

1. 9.) The Wakerley Great Wood Circular 

Northamptonshire might be best known for its farmland, but its woodlands are every bit as scenic. The Wakerley Great Wood was once a medieval mining site, but nature has reclaimed it over the centuries. Today, it’s a peaceful place to walk, with numerous trails looping through the woods – one of which is the Wakerly Circular. While many of Wakerley’s trails are fairly gentle, this one weaves over roots and uneven ground, making it a little more exciting to explore. 

Style: Scramble
Scenery: Woodland
Length: 3.9 miles Beginning: Wakerley Great Wood Car Park 

 

1. 10.) Upper Harlestone Circular

Next to the Althorp Estate – Princess Diana’s resting place – the village of Harlestone offers a mix of royal history and peaceful woodland. The village itself is small, but the surrounding woodland of the Harlestone Firs is what draws most visitors. The Upper Harlestone Circular winds through the heart of the Firs, taking you off-road for a closer look at the woodland. You’ll pass two golf courses, Harlestone Heath, the Harlestone Firs, and the village of Church Brampton, looping around to return to your car in about 4 hours.   

Style: Off-Road
Scenery: Woodland, Rural
Length: 8.3 miles
Beginning: Harlestone Heath Garden Centre

 

Thinking of moving to the countryside of Northamptonshire? 

We’ve shared ten of our favourite routes, but there are plenty more walks in Northamptonshire to discover. If the countryside of the East Midlands won you over, the best way to start is by making it your home.