Ashby Local Walk

My favourite ramble which begins and ends at St Denys Church, Cold Ashby. This is a proper ramble with both hard and soft surfaces and good views from Honey Hill.

Technical sheet

2596175
A Cold Ashby walk posted on 24/09/19 by Ashby Rambler. Last update : 29/06/22
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.94 km
  • ◔
    Calculated time: 3h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 94 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 98 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 213 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 131 m
  • ⚐
    District: Cold Ashby 
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 52.380657° / W 1.038036°

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View from Jurassic Way
View from Stanford Road
The Long Well, Church Lane

Description

(S/E) From St. Denys Church, which is usually open to visitors, set off West along Church Lane, passing the junction with Crabtree Lane and the Long Well on your right and Park Spinney Close and on your left, noting the ancient sweet chestnut tree in the adjacent field, until you reach the West Haddon Road.

(1) Cross the road with care (as cars can come fast) to Cold Ashby Bowls Club, where you will find a small gate up some steps to the right of the main entrance. Please note that dogs are not allowed on the playing field. So if your dog is with you, then turn right instead and then left up Stanford Road to regain the route.
Go through this gate. Then, walk past the well-tended bowling green on your left in the direction of the splendid children's playground and continuing through the Playing Field to the gates on the Stanford Road.

(2) Turn left on to the Stanford Road and continue towards Honey Hill. You'll pass Coe Farm on your right and Bunker's Hill Farm on your left. Pass the communications mast by the reservoir until you see the first sign for the Jurassic Way (6) This is where you will emerge on your return journey. Don't turn here but continue to the next sign.

(3) Follow the sign which directs you to Elkington via Honey Hill. It is rumoured several counties can be seen from there but exactly how many is still in dispute. You'll also see about 39 wind turbines, at the last count. The Jurassic Way officially skirts the summit, where you will see the stone which commemorates the opening of this useful long distance route. If you are fit enough, you can climb to the summit from where the views can be fully appreciated. From the summit, continue downhill on the Jurassic Way towards Elkington.

(4) Immediately beyond Elkington Covert, bear right and walk down a small ravine to emerge at Portly Banks on Manor Lane. At the next intersection, turn left and walk south along the Bridle Lane/Byway towards Winwick, passing the drive for Creeds Farm on your left and continue for just over a mile, passing Winwick Lodge, also on your left, to regain the Jurassic Way.

(5) Now, turn left and follow the path heading north, ignoring the byway which leaves for the West Haddon Road on your right and following the distinctive signage towards Honey Hill Farm. You will notice the Golf Course on your right. Cross it, cross the next field and then, climb up past Honey Hill Farm on a concrete track. Pass a bungalow on your right and regain Stanford Road at the sign you passed on the way out.

(6) Turn right and continue down Stanford Road to Cold Ashby where you cross, again with care, into Main Street. Pass Bridle Lane on your left and then, turn right into Crabtree Lane, where you can find a short connecting path between houses on your left between Crabtree Lane and Church Lane which returns you to your starting point at the Church.(S/E)

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 202 m - St. Denys Church
  2. 1 : km 0.32 - alt. 203 m - West Haddon Road
  3. 2 : km 0.53 - alt. 203 m - Stanford Road
  4. 3 : km 2.25 - alt. 209 m - Jurassic Way Sign to Elkington
  5. 4 : km 3.5 - alt. 140 m - Elkington
  6. 5 : km 6.12 - alt. 144 m - Rejoin Jurassic Way
  7. 6 : km 8.92 - alt. 210 m - Rejoin Stanford Road
  8. S/E : km 10.94 - alt. 202 m - St. Denys Church

Useful Information

Please wear decent boots, carry waterproofs as there is very little shelter on this route.
Keep in mind that, though the waymarking is pretty good, arrows are sometimes obscured by vegetation.

More information at The Cold Ashby Rambler here.

Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 2 reviews

Clarity of route description
4.5 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.5 / 5
Walk interest
5 / 5
Ashby Rambler
Ashby Rambler

Many thanks for your kind response, judyblags.
As you will have noticed, the parking on Honey Hill is very limited which is the major reason for my not recommending it.
My other reason for suggesting walks from Cold Ashby Church is to allow visitors to appreciate the church and churchyard gardens, the variety of vernacular architecture in our village and to meet us, the residents!
Unfortunately, the pub is unlikely to re-open.

judyblags
judyblags

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : 04/07/20
Clarity of route description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Walk interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A lovely walk with some wonderful views on a fine day. Windfarm windmills did not detract and in fact I felt added a little something to the landscape - although many would disagree. We felt the walk from and back to Cold Ashby along tghe road added nothing to the walk - just extra mileage - although parking would be an issue otherwise. Note. Pub in village still closed and according to local unlikely to be re-opening. We will return and park nearer the climb up Honey Hill, happy to do a shorter walk for such a lovely reward.

Ashby Rambler
Ashby Rambler
• Last modified:

Hi runpeterrun

Thanks for the positive rating!
Unfortunately, The Black Horse is closed on Tuesdays & Thursdays at present.

Happy Rambling!

Ashby Rambler

runpeterrun
runpeterrun

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : 17/11/19
Clarity of route description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Walk interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Black Horse opens at 6 weekdays

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