Walk Details
We are starting our walk today in Braunston. Heading out of the village via Wood Lane, we will pass the weir on our left and the late 16th century Hall Farmhouse to our right.
Follow the road for about 1⁄4 of a mile until the road bends sharply to the left. Here we take the dead-end track straight ahead, following it past some farm buildings until we reach a footpath marked to the left.
Crossing over the double stile, we head diagonally across the field to the hedge-line opposite. We cross another stile and footbridge here and then walk across this next field towards the edge of Prior’s Coppice. Keeping the trees on our left, start to climb uphill skirting the wood. As the ground starts to level out and we reach a stony farm road, there will be great views of the valley that will appear ahead of us.
Cross straight over the farm road to the footpath marked straight ahead. Keeping the hedge to the right, we walk downhill until we reach another farm road. Follow this straight ahead. A few yards past a tree plantation, a footpath is marked on our left, leading across the field. We should stay, however, on the stone farm road, heading round to the left. As the road bends, another road straight ahead is marked as strictly private.
Alongside the main buildings of Leigh Lodge we will come to a signpost indicating a bridleway to the left and right. As the road dips, the River Chater meanders through the fields either side, with slight earthworks to the left and an ornamental pond to the right.
Returning to the signpost, we’re heading left, uphill along the tarmac farm road. A steady climb will bring us to a gateway, flanked by stone pillars, with farm buildings and Leigh Lodge Cottages on the right and Prior’s Coppice on the left. Continue along the roadway, now open to cars, through another pair of stone gate pillars and along to the highway.
When we reach the roadway,we will turn right and walk along it until we reach a junction. Here we take the left-hand turn and head down into the village. Our route is to the left,but if you have the time, it’s worth visiting the parish church of St. Peter, a short way to the right.
Continue left along the road, passing Town Park Farm until the buildings of the present day “Brooke Priory” come into view on the right. As we reach them, we need to look for a footpath through a gate on the left. We take this, skirting the field with the hedge on our right until we reach a stile.
Cross over the stile, and with the River Gwash on our right-hand side, we’re heading towards the far end of the field, where we cross the waters by way of a footbridge.
Cross over another stile opposite and head towards the left, making for another stile in the hedge-line. Once over the stile turn we need to the right, following the grass strip along the hedge-line. As we continue, with the River Chater to our right, we will come to another stile we need to cross into another field. Continue through this field – here the sewage works can be seen to the right.
We continue straight ahead now, through the field gateways, until we can see the houses of Braunston ahead and to the right of us. In the final field, we head for the right hand corner, where a stepping stone will take us over a small stream and then a fence into Panter’s Lane. This is a right of way leading past back gardens and along a driveway to take us back into Braunston, emerging opposite the church. From here we can head back to where we started.
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