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Our walking group runs walks on the first and third Friday of each month. Four times a year we have a fifth Friday in the month walk and we try to run something farther afield during the summer months when the weather is better.
Walks are organised by members of the group who plan and arrange a lunch stop where possible. Our walks are generally of 5 to 6 miles in length and there is nearly always the option of a shorter 3 mile walk available.
Walking is simple, free and one of the easiest ways to get more active, lose weight and become healthier.
Sometimes overlooked as a form of exercise, walking briskly can help you build stamina, burn excess calories and make your heart healthier.
Walking in a group is a great way to start walking, make new friends and stay motivated. We always have room for new members.
Contact chrisandsue@rectory-cottage.co.uk to join our merry band of walkers.
Great Bowden Canal Walk
Great Bowden Canal Walk
30th October 2026
21 members of yhe Walking Group took part in two walks on a beatiful sunny day, starting from the Shoulder of Mutton in Great Bowden.
The long walk headed out southwest from Great Bowden and crossed the EMR railway Line before heading into the built up area of North Harborough. Our route took us to the restored Union Wharf and thence to the new bridge near St. Luke's Hospital for a banana stop. The new housing estate is all but finished and it was good to see that a new park area had been created as part of the development.
The walk continued along the canal under some wonderful autumn colour towards Great Bowden Hall. We continued on beyond Leicester Lane and left the canal at the next bridge and headed towards Great Bowden by way of the Balancing Ponds.
The short walkers enjoyed a leisurely wander around the GreadBowden and its environs before returning to the pub for lunch.
Food at the Shoulder of Mutton is excellent with a good range of home cooked food and it can be thoroughly recommended.
Pictures by Susan, Trish, Stephen, Mike, Ian and Chris.
Welford Canal Loop
Welford Canal Loop
16th October 2026
24 members of the Walking Group turned out for 2 walks run from The Wharf pub at Welford. The long walk took in the fields to the north west of Welford before crossing hall Lane to traverse the fields down to the canal near Sybole Farm. The route then ran north east along the canal towing path to the junction with the Grand Union Canal (Welford Branch). A quick run back to the Wharf Inn was followed by a splendid lunch and a decent pint of beer too. We can thoroughly recommend the Wharf as a lunch stop.
A shorter walk of some three miles, led by Julie, took in the fields and the GUC (Welford Branch) and back for lunch.
It is with sadness that we announce the departure of Sue and Nick who are moving to Norfolk.
I hope I've got a representative group of photos here from the many I received. Thank you all.
Pictures by Susan, Denise, Barbara, Roger, Stephen and Chris
Living Milestones
The Living Milestone No 9 (0859.JPG) is of interest as it is an historic tree-based milepost along the Grand Union Canal (historically the old Union Canal) in Leicestershire, England
Per Google:-
History & Design
Origin: Introduced by the (old) Grand Union Canal Company shortly after the canal opened in 1814.
Tree Types: Originally used Elm trees to mark full miles and Hornbeam trees for half-mile points, chosen because they were easily visible from a distance along the water.
Route: Measured starting from the bottom of Foxton Locks (at the junction with the Leicestershire and Northamptonshire Union Canal) heading toward Norton Junction.
Restoration: In the late 1980s, the Old Union Canal Society re-surveyed the route and replaced the original trees with Hornbeams, re-placing the original marker plaques.
Location
Milestone No 9: Located on the Grand Union Canal near North Kilworth Marina
Stephen
Sue and Nick with Postman Pat
Pictures from the Shorter Walk
Terry Scrivens Memorial Walk
Terry Scrivens Memorial Walk
Weston by Welland to Ashley
2nd October 2026
18 members of the walking group set off on Terry's Walk from Weston by Welland to Ashley. Terry was a regular on the winter walks with Heather and spent the summers touring the country for more challenging walks. He died earlier this year and we miss him greatly. We were joined on this walk by Tarry's friend Steve Monk as a guest walker.
Our walk took the usual route over to Ashley and included route avoiding tractors, many cows and sheep. The fields are still pretty dry and the ground cracked from the prolonged drought and featured a number of deep ruts and various holes.
A banana stop at Ashley church was followed by a return to Weston and a fine lunch at the Wheel and Compass which seems to have been Terry's favourite pub. It certainly has very good food and a very decent pint of Pedigree.
We were joined by three non-walking members of the group who came to join in and remember Terry
My thanks as usual to our talented team of photographers who have excelled themselves this time. So, thanks to Susan, Julie, Denise, Ian, Roger and Chris.
The church with restored lead roof which Nick completed in 2008
Braybrooke and Arthingworth Walk
Braybrooke and Arthingworth Walk
18th September 2026
18 Members of the Walking Group took part in 2 walks from The Swan at Braybrooke in perfect weather for walking.
Bruce and Su put on a 6 mile walk which wound its way over the beautiful North Northamtonshire countryside towards Arthingworth and back to The Swan. We were treated to some superb views over Market Harborough and the Welland Valley.
Barbara put on a well attended short walk of some 3 miles which took in part of the longer walk route.
Food at The Swap was absolutely excellent and we can fully recomend it for a pub lunch.
Pictures by Susan, Stephen and Roger
Maidwell Walk
Maidwell Walk
4th September 2026
19 members of the Walking Group turned out for 2 walks starting from The Stag at Maidwell. Alan and Marion put on a 5 mile walk, stepping in at the last minute after Chris and Sue had to cancel their walk.
Barbara ran a 4 mile shorter walk from the same pub.
Pictures by Barbara, Gillian and Stephen.
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