Location, Location, Location.

 The technology around us now is getting better all the time, phone handsets, tablets, cameras, etc. Another area is the use of Apps for information. What3words is a pretty good App that we have started using as was recommended by Dan Morley if I remember correctly ( thanks) and has proved to be very useful. The only errors have been from the inept human with fat fingers ( me) typing the wrong info in. 

Anyhow, I thought it maybe useful to link the locations to venues if any of you wanted to get out somewhere without trying to look around trying to find the parking location. I will add a postcode where possible along with any other other relevant info that maybe of a benefit. 

Here goes.

Silverstone, Hazelborough wood village side, West end just off the A43. Good sized carpark and spectacular bluebells late April. 

Silverstone Hazelborough wood, Dadford road circuit side.Lots of history here with abandoned wartime buildings connected to the old RAF Silverstone. Options for splashing in a running stream which is good to have.

NN12 8TJ. Park past the units on the right alongside the bridleway.

Sywell Country Park/reservoir NN6 0QX. One of our favourites on the rota. I would recommend parking in the cafe carpark ( small charge) and try to head off before 9.30 as it does get busy. One thing to look out for is blue/green algae in late summer through to late November as was the case this year. They do update their Facebook page so it is worth checking.Child friendly with activities plentiful.

Great Houghton NN4 0AN . Park at the cricket club in the large carpark. You can head to the bottom left away from the carpark and head into farmers fields on the public rights of way along the disused railway lines. A vast area which you can make as long as you like 

 Bucknell wood, Silverstone. Parking on the left out of Silverstone between the SRA sports fields and Abthorpe. 3/4 outside Silverstone village. The Forestry Commission have been in there over the last couple of years but it is still easily accessible with fabulous bluebells in April as per Hazelborough. 

See the photo image above.

Badby wood. Parking in the small carpark (if you are lucky) or alongside the single road called Chapel lane heading out of Badby. Carparking is opposite/next to the cricket club. Lovely in the summer, you can loop around the plantation on the left or go right and walk through the village finishing in open fields.Beautiful bluebells here in Spring.

Salcey forest. Don`t park at the main cafe carpark but park at the Horsebox carpark on the Stoke Goldington road, straight across form the crossroads from Hartwell village. There is a charge here and please try not to park in the allocated horsebox parking spots as they can sometimes get a little emotional ( rightly so probably) You still have the option to get a coffee and bacon roll or an alternative at the main carpark, but you will need to drive around to it back at the crossroad turning right to Quinton.

Everdon Stubbs. Park in the small carpark alongside the road. Lovely in the spring and a nice little wood for an hour or so. Spring bluebells here and plenty of mud in winter if you wanted to avoid that. 

Irchester Country park NN29 7DL. Does what it says on the tin. Park on the immediate left to avoid the masses. There is a charge here and I would recommend going no later than 9/9.30 at weekends as it gets very busy. Probably the best cafe on the rota, bacon rolls are top notch.

Particulary good for younger children as there are plenty of activities for them to do.

Riverside Nene Valley way. A lovely walk out and back. Park in the free carpark on the left just over the two bridges. You will need to walk back across the bridges and head into the field by the lock and marina on your right. Cross the long bridge and then you are away. Safe splashing in the River Nene with the option to walk to Cogenhoe and back. There is a cafe at White Mills Marina.

Cogenhoe walk. You can park at the village hall for free, NN7 1NB where at weekends, there is a small cafe in operation.

A lovely walk , head to the right from the carpark around the sports field and on into open fields. There is a pocket park to end at with a lovely running stream.

Harlestone Firs. Try not to park opposite the main entrance by the garden centre as it is a super busy road and not for the faint hearted. Park off the roundabout before the garden centre opposite the housing estate. I always seem to get lost on my own around here, I don`t know why but it is an easy loop around the perimeter. 

Our regular Saturday morning walk. Parking is alongside the single road (Stowe castle road) and opens into a huge area where you can cover the whole 9 yards. There is water, woods and open fields from 45mins to 3hrs if you want. 

Padbury Brook walk. A really great walk along the brook itself for long periods. Perfect in the summer with the water being shallow. Parking is over the bridge. Don`t be put off by the "road closed" sign as it is very much open. Another vast area with lots of options on the public rights of way.

Evenley village walk NN13 5SH. Park on the village green opposite the Red Lion Pub. A quaint picture postcard village with lovely walks. Head away from the pub into the far corner of the cricket pitch and away into open fields You can walk along the disused railways and have a splash in the river Great Ouse before taking in the option of food and drink at the pub. There is also a village shop on the green which will serve coffee and tea to takeaway.

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