Walking Group

This sociable group is made up of members, family and friends who are all welcome.  A fund raising event is held once a year where proceeds are donated to NCFWI (More about the walking group, click here)

April 2024 Sue Williams, President of Towcester Evening WI, led the walk from Roade on Saturday 13 April, to explore the Courteenhall area. Linda Llewelyn, Yardley Gobion WI President and a Trustee, is featured at the local Cemetery, with Courteenhall House in the background. The house is occupied by the Wake family, who have
been in residence since 1672.

2.04 Neear Courteenhall Church 24.04 Bluebells near Courteenhall 

February 2024 .A rural County walk for WI members and friends who strode out from Tiffield, skirting the village of Gayton and returning to ‘The George’ at Tiffield, through the Pocket Park. It was good to be together again, and out in the countryside with the early signs of spring around us.
24.02 Group of walkers

The 2023 “Mince Pie” walk in December 2023 gave members and friends the opportunity to explore Burton Latimer on a beautiful winter morning.
23.12 Mince pie walk near wind turbines

October 2023
After a very wet week 21 keen walkers enjoyed a sunny autumn morning exploring old villages within Milton Keynes. The swollen River Ouzel caused the leaders to quickly improvise, and take a new route back to the Cross Keys in Woolstones for our lunch.

23.10 Near Woolstones23.10 with apples23.10 Walking through Community Orchard

On a glorious September 2023 morning members and husbands set off on a pleasant circular walk from the Star & Garter in Chelveston, returning to the village by way of St. John the Baptist Church with a wonderful carpet of wild cyclamen replacing the snowdrops from spring. Close by is the memorial dedicated to the 305th Bombardment Group who were based at RAF Chelveston.

23.09 By pub23.09 Carpet of cyclamen

23.09 In Churchyard

In July 2023 the County Walking Group was entertained by the ladies of Weedon Lois WI to a very interesting circular walk, taking us through the villages of Weedon Lois, Helmdon and Weston before treating us to lunch in their village hall.

23.07 Weedon resting23.07 Weedon walking

Starting from The Barley Mow in Paulespury, the June 2023 Walking Group headed out of the village and through the Hamlet of Pury End to join a section of the Grafton Way. A bank planted with thousands of bright red poppies greeted us as we entered the Plumpton End of the village.

23.06 Paulerspury walk23.06 Paulerspury poppies
On a lovely May morning the County Walking Group set off to explore the countryside near the charming village of Kings Cliffe. In this quiet corner of Northamptonshire, the sound of a cuckoo could be heard as we walked by fields of buttercups. On our return to the Cross Keys along West Street, we were able to read about the trades of many of its previous occupants.
23.05 Kings Cliffe signpost23.05 Kings Cliffe buttercups
On April 2023's County Walk, 28 members and friends negotiated a series of muddy tracks and fields with newly born lambs, on a circular walk from the Boat Inn at Stoke Bruerne, through Shutlanger before returning for a well- deserved lunch.
Mud, mud, glorious mud.  PS  The next day was brilliant sunshine!  Here's to the next time.
23.04 Taking a break23.04 Muddy walk

The March 2023 County walk headed off towards Summer Leys Nature Reserve.  It was a grey day, but dry.  The cheerful company made it all worthwhile.

23.03 Gathering at Great Doddington23.03 Heading towards Summer Leys

February 2023 County Walk went from The Swan at Lamport over the fields towards Pitsford Reservoir then back to The Swan for Lunch. There was always a lending hand to help with the occasional awkward stile. Thanks to those who make these monthly walks possible.

23.02 The Swan Lamport23.02 Climbing a stile

23.02 Sdtriding near Lamport

In November 2022, the County walkers enjoyed their stroll round Irchester Country Park even if they did get a little damp towards the end of the walk!

22.11 Outside Carpenters Arms22.11 Irchester Country Park

The July 2022 County Walk with members, family and friends, took place in glorious  sunshine. It was a circular walk from Ravensthorpe, round their local reservoir, past Coton Manor and through fields back to the Village Hall for lunch prepared by their members.

The June 2022 County walk started from Little Addington and ended at The Bell for a tasty lunch.  Photo shows four Barton Seagrave WI members who much enjoyed the event.
22.06 Barton Seagrave members on County walk

May 2022
We started from Queen Eleanor Pub, walked through the woods and across parkland to the Northampton University Campus, before returning via Delapre Lake and Hardingstone.

April 2022
A beautiful sunny day to enjoy the County walk starting from the Winhover and taking in some of the Brampton Valley Way, Dallington Heath, Harlestone Firs, Church and Chapel Brampton. Then lunch ......
Harlestone Firs

22.4 Lunch

March 2022
It was good once again to be out in the early Spring sunshine enjoying the Northamptonshire countryside and each others' company on the Bozeat walk.
22.03Striding out near Bozeat

February 2022
Forty walkers started from Islip and took a circular route incorporating a section of the Nene Valley Way out of Thrapston towards Achurch.  Wonderful to be together again!
Walking near Thrapston

November 2021
Our walk started in Stony Stratford and took the group round areas created by the Parkland Trust into Wolverton before returning to the George Hotel for an enjoyable lunch.
Stony Stratford Nature Reserve

October 2021
The County WI walking group were so very lucky with the weather.  Photos show members and friends that turned out for the circular walk from Roade.

,

By Stoke Bruerne Lock

September 2021
Our walk near Maidwell took us along by-ways, bridleways, an old railway and of course footpaths. It was so good to meet up again and be back out in the countryside on such a lovely morning.
21.09 Maidwell

August 2021 - Hooray, we are out of lockdown
The WI Walk from Isham was well attended and most enjoyable. The route included a field full of horses and foals. It also included a call at Weetabix where everyone to received a goody bag - much appreciated it was too!
21.08 Isham walk with horses21.08 Isham walk via Weetabix

August 2020
Members of the WI county walking group met this sunny afternoon to enjoy each other's company on another socially distanced walk at Pitsford reservoir.
Near Pitsford Reservoir

Pitsford Reservoir

July 2020
Very slowly easing out of lockdown, 14 key members (including one dog) of the WI walking group met up at Irchester country park.This was their first socially distanced gathering and walk since February and the beginning of lock-down. They are now looking into how they can extend the numbers and planning further walks.
walking in Irthlingborough Country Park

On the bridge

February 2020 - A spring walk near Blisworth
On a beautiful spring morning, the county walkers set off from Blisworth, along the Grand Union Canal to the Blisworth Arm/Gayton Junction.
By the canal
With a long boat in sight
Taking a break
At the back of the group

December 2019 - Walking off the Mince Pies
The Walking Group sends their Very Best Wishes for 2020. This happy group of 25 walkers paused in Wicksteed Park, Kettering, on their way back to Barton Seagrave.
Walking off the Mince Pies

November 2019
Ashton / Oundle. The morning turned out to be mild and almost dry. Ann had quickly improvised a 'town' walk owing to many of the riverside paths being flooded. We explored Oundle on the way to Barnwell Country Park before retracing our steps to the Chequered Skipper for refreshments.
Looking at the architecture
On the bridge
Starting off

October 2019
On a Wet Saturday, 23 intrepid walkers braved the weather for a 5 mile walk. Unfortunately the views of the Welland Valley were masked by conditions!
October 2019

August 2019
A very interesting circular walk from Stony Stratford. We strolled through the Ouse Valley Park, then along the Grand Union Canal over the Iron Trunk Aquaduct before passing the restoration works taking place on the old Buckingham canal on the way back into Stony Stratford.

July 2019
In July the walking group took the route from Ringstead to Stanwick Lakes, followed by lunch at The Axe and Compass.  The photos show the gang of 36 walking through a field of Elephant Grass and also heading in the direction of Higham Ferrers church.

June 2019 - Wicksteed Park "One Man's legacy to Kettering"
This month was the annual fund raising event when the group met at Barton Seagrave Village Hall for a talk by the Community Link Manager of Wicksteed Park, followed by tea and cake. We then made our way to Wicksteed Park.
366504

May 2019
In May the group walked through water meadows, farmland and woodland, across the Nene Valley to Woodford.

April 2019
In April the walking group enjoyed a windy walk to Whiston then onto Brafield-on-the-Green before returning for a well deserved lunch in The Royal Oak, Cogenhoe.

March 2019
For the March walk, members met at Welford Community Centre for a sunny Spring walk. There were plenty of signs that Spring has sprung including daffodils and lambs along the way.

February 2019
What a great way to spend a Saturday in the company of members, family and friends! These regular monthly walks combine good company, exercise, fresh air and are always followed by an enjoyable lunch in a local pub. Photo shows suitably attired members near Bugbrooke.

November 2018
Stalwart members braved the murk to walk near The Bringtons, taking in Nobottle one of our smallest hamlets. They visited the Ancient "ridge & furrow"  and finished the day with convivial refreshments in a local hostelry.

August 2018
On a glorious Saturday morning, we followed the combined harvester across the Holdenby Estate.

July 2018
Another beautiful walk, this time near Stoke Bruerne along the canal.

May 2018
A beautiful sunny May morning found the Walking Group in the North of the County near Clipston. Photo shows walkers approaching a vantage point to view the Battle of Naseby site.

March 2018
A rather grey walk around Emberton Park, Nr Olney - just over the border in Buckinghamshire. Whatever the weather, the company is great and all enjoyed the monthly meet up.
March walk at Emberton Park

February 2018
Latest photo from a gorgeous Saturday morning walk from Cranford St Andrew to Twywell. Thanks to the ladies of Cranford WI who prepared a wonderful spread of soup and cakes on our return to the Village Hall.
Horses watching WI members family and friends walking near Cranford

January 2018
Everyone was dressed for the weather, which could not dampen their spirits on this rather wet Saturday morning. More than forty members, family and friends completed the walk in the Welford area.

January 2018 Welford Walk

December 2017
The annual "walk off the mince pies"  commenced from Islip and followed part of the Nene Way through Titchmarsh Nature Reserve.  Once again the Group chose the most perfect day to walk in Northamptonshire's countryside.

Walking off the Mince Pies

November 2017
The walk was started in light rain but it dried up within an hour and the sun came out. After the walk Grendon Wi ladies did everyone proud with ther selection of soups and cakes.
Grendon November 2017

October 2017

This is a view back towards Duston from the outskirks of Harpole - the clock tower at St Crispin's Hospital and the Express Lift tower on the horizon (centre). The walk in favourable weather was followed by the usual good company at the pub lunch.

Harpole Walk October 2017

September 2017
This enjoyable walk included a section by the canal at Braunston.
17.09 Braunston walk

June 2017 A walk and lunch were held at Harlestone with proceeds going to the "Save Denman" fund.
Outside Pheasantry

17.06 In the cool enjoying lunch

May 2017 A beautiful walk around the village and fields of North Crawley.
17.06 North Crawley village

North Crawley fields

May 2016. There were 31 on a walk from Sherington on probably the hottest day of the year (so far). It was a colourful walk with the bluebells in Hollington Wood still in bloom. A socialable lunch at a local hostelry followed. A wonderful way to spend a Spring day.
Sherington walk

Bluebells in Hollington Wood

April 2016. Despite the weather forecast not being very good, 28 keen walkers started out from the Rose & Crown, Yardley Hastings. The rain soon relented and even gave way to a weak bit of sunshine at times. Another enjoyable Saturday walk. 
April 2016 Yardley Hastings

Yardley Hasings, the sun filtering through

First walk of 2016 was cold and damp but thirty walkers, appropriately attired,  turned up and completed the 5 mile walk round the Northampton Washlands area followed by a welcoming lunch at The Four Pears in Little Houghton.
160780
September's WI walk took in the delightful sights near Haversham plus a walk by the Grand Union Canal.
The notorious White Wallaby was photographed by Ron & Linda (Bouverie WI) on the August WI County Walk from Stoke Goldington. This magnificent creature had been sighted near Salcey Forest before, but what a treat for our walkers!  Sadly a couple of months later, we learned that the White Wallaby had met a sad end.
141794
A spring walk took the group to the picturesque village of Harlestone, where members enjoyed the lovely scenery and admired thatched cottages.  Sunny weather and beautiful spring flowers added to their enjoyment.

A winter walk in East Carlton Country Park meeting the animals!
East Carlton Country Park

Snow does not deter our happy band of walkers.
Walking in the snow

Neither does a Summer Walk in the rain!
Walking in the rain summertime