Bridgewater Canal

(S/E) From the front door, turn left and then left again down Burford Lane.

(1) After ¼ mile, beyond a pet hotel and opposite some large glasshouses, turn left along a footpath that runs between a fence and hedge before emerging into fields. Walk along the field edge, then cross two further fields to meet Oughtrington Lane to the left of a school sports field.

(2) Turn right past the school entrance and then left into Longbutt Lane.

(3) At the junction with Grammar School Road, turn sharp right onto a footpath that leads across fields towards the spire of St Peter’s Church. On regaining the road, turn left and walk past the church and down to the canal.

(4) Cross the canal bridge and join the towpath, turning left to pass under the bridge. Follow the towpath for ¼ mile to Grantham’s Bridge, where you cross the canal to enter Spud Wood (Woodland Trust). Beyond a kissing gate, take the grassy path that leads straight on, directly away from the canal. This eventually leads out to an open field with a wood on the left and the spire of St Peter’s away to the right. Walk up the edge of the wood to meet a crossing footpath.

(5) Turn left and walk through the wood, passing a sandstone outcrop with a rock-cut shelter on your left. After emerging from the wood, turn right then left and follow the field edge to Burford Lane. Turn right and walk up the road for half a mile to return to the Jolly Thresher.(S/E)

May be muddy after rain.