This particular walk is a particular favourite as it is predominantly water based as well as being a pretty spot. Carl Barber with Harper posted a while back and I immediately asked where that was, and he told me it was the River Nene near Earls Barton. After a little look on google maps and meeting up with Carl to walk the walk, I realised that this one was a good `un, a keeper etc.
Getting to the carparking is pretty simple in itself as you come off the A45 heading out of Northampton towards Wellingborough and at the Earls Barton junction, exit here and come back over the A45 heading to Castle Ashby and Grendon. You cross the river over the two small bridges at the traffic lights and on the sharp S bend, take an immediate right turn into a reasonable carpark which is free.
You will notice when driving along the A45 from Northampton, on the right, there are lots of gravel pits. The River Nene and its valley is an important resource in terms of biodiversity, sand and gravel supply, economic and social activity and recreation and tourism. In the Valley, there are many sites and features of biodiversity. As a result, the Valley is the main supply of gavel and sand in the county for road building and infrastructure projects. Indeed , extraction of sand and gravel has taken place along much of the Nene's length from the west of Northampton to the north of Thrapston. The river and its valley and lakes created as gravel pits and obviously man made provide and important opportunity for development for leisure activities . The Nene is the tenth longest river in the country and is navigable for 88 miles form Northampton to the Wash. There are now several fishing venues along the course of the river itself and these are all remnants of gravel pits long exhausted for their bounty.
On leaving the carpark, you will need to go back over the bridges you came over in the car being very careful as the road is narrow as the footpath. Dogs on leads here folks. At the large automated lock on the left go through the gate into to small area with White Mills Marina on the right. Before you cross the road, take a minute to look into the river in the fast flowing water where you may be lucky enough to see a large Barbel or Chub holding their own in the flow.
At the marina there is a new bridge that you need to cross before going through the gate into the fields and beyond. I've called this bridge "The Jackie Rideout Bridge" for her efforts on carrying Rosie across it as she would simply not walk over it.
From here on, its pretty simple stuff, just stick to the river and you will not go wrong. You cross several fields and cross a couple of bridges on the way and there is free access to the river as and when you want it. To the left are open arable fields where the Vs stretch their legs and boy do they.
As you come towards the lock half way up, you will need to be careful as you really don't walk your dog in the water here but common sense at least should prevail here. Before you get to this point, the track narrows up as the fields become distant but appear again as you get to Cogenhoe (Cook-No)
At the lock, you can cross the bridge to the right and walk round the gravel pits but please show respect to the fisherman here as you are likely to see one or two trying to tempt a large Carp or two.
I've only ever been across here a couple of times but my personal preference is to carry straight on.
Heading straight on takes you to the mill at Cogenhoe where its the end of the road, admire the view and admire the holiday homes (not sure what they are like in the winter floods ?)
To get back , turn 180degrees and follow it back.
This is a hassle free walk where you will see minimal walkers the further you go, you will see a boat or two and maybe a fisherman , but its easy going. The whole thing to the mill and back is around two hours. Bear in mind that the walk is best in summer as the obvious with the floods will be very dangerous.
Thanks
See the PDF link for more general info.
https://www.northamptonshire.gov.uk/councilservices/northamptonshire-highways/walking-in-northamptonshire/Documents/County%20Paths/Nene%20Way/Cogenhoe%20to%20Irthlingborough.pdf
Getting to the carparking is pretty simple in itself as you come off the A45 heading out of Northampton towards Wellingborough and at the Earls Barton junction, exit here and come back over the A45 heading to Castle Ashby and Grendon. You cross the river over the two small bridges at the traffic lights and on the sharp S bend, take an immediate right turn into a reasonable carpark which is free.
You will notice when driving along the A45 from Northampton, on the right, there are lots of gravel pits. The River Nene and its valley is an important resource in terms of biodiversity, sand and gravel supply, economic and social activity and recreation and tourism. In the Valley, there are many sites and features of biodiversity. As a result, the Valley is the main supply of gavel and sand in the county for road building and infrastructure projects. Indeed , extraction of sand and gravel has taken place along much of the Nene's length from the west of Northampton to the north of Thrapston. The river and its valley and lakes created as gravel pits and obviously man made provide and important opportunity for development for leisure activities . The Nene is the tenth longest river in the country and is navigable for 88 miles form Northampton to the Wash. There are now several fishing venues along the course of the river itself and these are all remnants of gravel pits long exhausted for their bounty.
On leaving the carpark, you will need to go back over the bridges you came over in the car being very careful as the road is narrow as the footpath. Dogs on leads here folks. At the large automated lock on the left go through the gate into to small area with White Mills Marina on the right. Before you cross the road, take a minute to look into the river in the fast flowing water where you may be lucky enough to see a large Barbel or Chub holding their own in the flow.
At the marina there is a new bridge that you need to cross before going through the gate into the fields and beyond. I've called this bridge "The Jackie Rideout Bridge" for her efforts on carrying Rosie across it as she would simply not walk over it.
From here on, its pretty simple stuff, just stick to the river and you will not go wrong. You cross several fields and cross a couple of bridges on the way and there is free access to the river as and when you want it. To the left are open arable fields where the Vs stretch their legs and boy do they.
As you come towards the lock half way up, you will need to be careful as you really don't walk your dog in the water here but common sense at least should prevail here. Before you get to this point, the track narrows up as the fields become distant but appear again as you get to Cogenhoe (Cook-No)
At the lock, you can cross the bridge to the right and walk round the gravel pits but please show respect to the fisherman here as you are likely to see one or two trying to tempt a large Carp or two.
I've only ever been across here a couple of times but my personal preference is to carry straight on.
Heading straight on takes you to the mill at Cogenhoe where its the end of the road, admire the view and admire the holiday homes (not sure what they are like in the winter floods ?)
To get back , turn 180degrees and follow it back.
This is a hassle free walk where you will see minimal walkers the further you go, you will see a boat or two and maybe a fisherman , but its easy going. The whole thing to the mill and back is around two hours. Bear in mind that the walk is best in summer as the obvious with the floods will be very dangerous.
Thanks
See the PDF link for more general info.
https://www.northamptonshire.gov.uk/councilservices/northamptonshire-highways/walking-in-northamptonshire/Documents/County%20Paths/Nene%20Way/Cogenhoe%20to%20Irthlingborough.pdf
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