The Welford Canal Branch in England.

Guide to The Welford Canal Branch and a 10 mile/16km Circular Walk using the Welford Arm starting and ending at Welford Reservoir.

The Start of the Walk. There is car-parking available at Welford Reservoir with room for around 15 to 20 cars and as of May 2009 this was free of charge - amazing but will it last?. The route follows the Jurassic Way as far as the Grand Union Canal (Leicester Section) at Bridge 31 then simply follows this canal back up to Welford Junction before returning 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 car park 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.

On the Jurassic Way heading back into the centre of Welford	Welford's local church - St Marys	Hemplow Drive - outside of Welford	Beautiful small woods at Hemplow Hills	At Stockley Bridge 31 leave the Jurassic Way and go onto the towpath

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).

Towpath walking on the Leicester Canal	Canal Bridge 32	Some nice reed beds on the canal	One of Leicester canal's old bridges	Excellent countryside as you walk along the towpath

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.

Bridge no:1	Bridge no:1	Gilbert's Bridge 2	Gilbert's Bridge 2	Towpath on the Welford Branch
Missing Lift Bridge	Missing Lift Bridge 3	Bridge 3a	Bridge 3a	Welford Lock
Welford Lock	The marina at Welford	Bridge 3b (footbridge)	Welford Wharf	Welford Branch ends just here

Welford. The Welford Canal Branch 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 stone arched bridge and head back uphill to the start point.

We have picked out a few Books about England - Churches, Canals and Rivers as well as walks in England and English Nature. The Nicholsons Waterways Guides are a "must take" for anyone going on a Canal Barge or Narrowboat holiday (as well as anyone visiting the canals) as they are packed with really useful information. If the development and history of our Canals is of particular interest consider the Anatomy of Canals series - really good reading!. (The relevant Nicholoson Guide covering The Welford Canal is BOOK 3.)