The Welford Canal Branch in England and a Circular Walk.

Northampton's Welford Canal Branch Photographs and Information plus a 10 mile/16km Circular Walk starting from Welford Reservoir.

The Start. There is car-parking available at Welford Reservoir with room for around 15 to 20 cars and currently (May 2009) this is free of charge - amazing. The route follows the Jurassic Way as far as the Grand Union Canal (Leicester Arm) at Bridge 31 then simply follows the canal back up to Welford Junction and returns back along the Welford Branch to Welford.
The map to use with this walk is Ordnance Survey Explorer Map "Northampton and Market Harborough"  no:223.

Leave the carpark and turn left up the road (signposted Jurassic Way) - then 350 metres along and immediately past the entrance to a farm look for and take the footpath which goes off through a hedge on the right. Go slightly downhill and at the end of the farm buildings bear right to cross a small bridge, then aim towards and cross a concrete bridge further ahead. The fields are somewhat lumpy and you need to look for the next sign ahead since there is no clear path. The path goes through a cutting and at the end of this keep straight ahead to the next stile - the route climbs slowly over the fields and gently curves right - eventually arriving by houses and emerging on Northampton Road opposite a petrol station. Turn right along the road and then almost immediately left into Church Lane at the end of which find a road junction and St Mary's Church.

Turn left along West End - now the way is totally straightforward - follow the road which heads in an almost straight line - crosses South Kilworth Road and continues still ahead on Hemplow Road - although the road is tarmac there is a wide green grass verge to walk along. After passing Hemplow Lodge Farm (which is on the left) go right along a farm road soon passing West Hill Farm - the Jurassic Way continues ahead and is clearly marked. Cross a field and walk into the woods at Hemplow Hills - these woods are beautifull - and in the Spring are full of bluebells and later lots of foxgloves. At the end of the woods the path drops down, heads across a field and driveway and continues ahead to then arrive at a small road by Canal Bridge 31.

Cross the bridge and go onto the towpath - turn left and under the bridge and now simply enjoy a walk along the often tree-lined and always bendy but beautiful Grand Union Leicester Canal Branch all the way back to Welford Canal Junction (it's a walk along the towpath of almost 4 miles/6.2 kms).

When you reach Bridge 42 at the canal junction if you divert by going left and down across the field you can take a look at where the newly born River Avon goes under the Leicester Canal's aqueduct via a really nice little brick tunnel.

Back at the Leicester Canal cross over Bridge 42 and turn right to now head back past the canal junction and along the Welford Canal Branch (there is an ideally placed wooden seat right in front of the junction - it gets lots of sun and is just right for a lunch break). The Welford Branch does not have many bridges but this is a really lovely walk - lots of beautiful countryside to enjoy and fantastic trees. Just before the lock you can see the remains of where there was once a swing bridge (Bridge 3?) - perhaps one day this will be restored. Cross the canal via a small footbridge next to the canal's only lock and then soon pass a small marina on the left - at the end of the marina there is a wooden footbridge which may or may not be useable - currently (May 2009) you will have to divert round the marina as this footbridge is brocken.

 

Welford. The canal ends at the Wharf Inn at Welford - perhaps if time permits go and take a quick look at some semi-restored lime kilns over on the right - there are also several information boards which are worth reading. To get back to Welford Reservoir go past the Wharf Inn on it's right side and go onto the A5199 Welford Road, turn right and then shortly turn left at the road junction - walk over a nice bridge and head back uphill to the start point.

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