Isham walks

Seven miles of glorious Northamptonshire countryside through 3 attractive villages and passing by the impressive Drayton Hall.

Enjoy the open views over farmland in East Northamptonshire and view parts of RAF Molesworth (from a distance).

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.

This walk includes three counties and starts from the attractive village of Lyddington in Rutland before continuing through pleasant countryside in Leicestershire and Northamptonshire. The route includes the villages of Stockerston, Great Easton, Rockingham and Gretton. The walk also includes a section of the Jurassic Way.

A North Bedfordshire walk along the Ouse Valley Way between Oakley and Carlton taking in the charming villages of Pavenham, Sharnbrook, and Odell. Follow the river from Oakley through to Stevington where The Ouse Valley Way is clearly waymarked all the way through to Carlton Although the Ouse Valley Way does not actually go into Oakley, there is a convenient bus stop here that links the two ends to this walk. The bus stop is a mile or so from the river, from where there is a footpath which joins the official route at Stevington and then winds its way through the rolling Bedfordshire countryside. There's plenty to see and explore along the route with medieval river bridges, the Holywell at Stevington, the ghostly tales of Odell and the picturesque villages of Pavenham, Radwell, Sharnbrook, and Harrold.

A lengthy Northamptonshire walk that explores the countryside to the north-west of Northampton. The route uses a section of the Jurassic Way, the towpath of Grand Union Canal, fields paths and country lanes. Winwick is a small rural community of some 40 souls, according to their website, situated off the A428 north of West Haddon and west of Northampton.

Country walk with a halfway treat. Pass through open countryside alongside streams and through woods. Finish up with a pub lunch or refreshing drink at the Pheasant pub.

A riverside walk along the Ouse Valley Way between Bedford and St Neots. Despite the increasing urbanisation between Bedord and St Neots, the riverside sections of this walk provide some pleasant rambles. Particularly notable is the 15th century river bridge at Great Barford and the riverside parks at St Neots.

Taking in the road walking along the A45 but with nice views of rolling countryside, a saunter along the Grand Union, (there's a memorial bench under the A45 to rest and lunch and keep dry), and then heading off the canal towards the village of Dodford with a Grade 1 listed church to visit. Parking at the village hall or opposite the church.

Walk from Grafham Water Visitor Centre to Over, visiting Brampton, Godmanchester, Houghton, Hemingford Abbots, Hemingford Grey and St. Ives.

This lengthy Leicestershire walk visits the rolling landscape to the south-east of Tugby to reach the village of Hallaton. The route turns west following the Leicestershire Round footpath to Glooston from where a return to the starts is made through Noseley and Rolleston. The walk follows generally well-marked paths and bridleways.

A fairly flat route that follows a former railway line, the Grand Union Canal and passes through Stanton Low and Linford Manor Park.

This walk starts and ends at Willen Local Centre (parking). You travel northwards to Tongwell Lake, then westwards to the Grand Union Canal at Giffard Park. Much of the route is southwards alongside the canal until reaching Campbell Park. The route continues southwards beside the canal, leaving the Canal Broadwalk to enter Woolstone in the direction of The Barge pub. It then continues towards the River Ouzel, turning northwards towards Willen Lake and from there back to Willen Local Centre.

This is a good walk at any time but really good in spring when the bluebells are out in Badby Woods and butterflies are exploring the hedgerows. The route passes through some scenic Northamptonshire villages and includes small stretches of the Nene and Knightley Ways.

A linear Leicestershire walk which uses paths and bridleways to explore the countryside to the south and east of the Billesdon. Return to the start can be made using Centrebus route 747 which has a regular service between Skeffington and Billesdon.

The walk starts at the car park for the Tree Cathedral on Livingstone Drive, Newlands - close to Gulliver's Theme Park and the David Lloyd Sports Centre.

This Rutland walk follows a clockwise route around the Hambleton Peninsula created in 1976 when the reservoir initially opened. The route uses concessionary paths for much of the way. Views across the Reservoir can be enjoyed throughout.

A walk along the Ouse Valley Way from St Neots to Houghton. A perfect river side walk following the gentle flowing River Ouse as it meanders past nature reserves to Godmanchester. From here there is easy access into Huntingdon or across the meadows to Houghton and its infamous mill. A perfect way to enjoy a summers day.

Great walk around Ferry Medows in Nene Park. Lots of wildlife to see.

This walk starts and finishes at Northcutt's Garden Centre (PE2 5UU) which has an excellent restaurant. It encompasses walking around Overton and Gunwade lakes nearly all on hard footpaths.

A fairly easy walk from Ye Olde Swan at Woughton on the Green that follows the Grand Union Canal to Campbell Park, returning via Woolstone. All on surfaced paths.

This is a reasonably flat walk, much of it beside water (river, canal and lake).

A pleasant amble through the Leicestershire countryside that lies to the south of Countesthorpe. The route visits the village of Peatling Magna before heading north back to the start.

This Leicestershire walk explores the countryside and villages to the southeast of Countesthorpe. The route includes a section of the Leicestershire Round long distance footpath.

This is a circular walk, along footpaths, red ways and a canal towpath. The walking is easy and accessible year round. It is wheelchair friendly, although there is one incline at the beginning of the trail which could present problems for some manual wheelchair users.

Using the car park for Woodman and golf club (free to use if you have a drink at the Woodman), follow Bluebell Wood to cross the river Nene and then up to Gunwade Lake. Cross the bridge to follow Overton Lake, continue to cross Bluebell Bridge and back to the car park. Depending on the time of year, you can see bluebells (April/May) and many migratory birds on lakes in Autumn and Winter.

Starting near the site of Catherine of Aragon's house arrest and venturing into the surrounding areas. You'll see some lovely rolling countryside with views to the Chilterns and across Marston Vale to Bedford. The walk takes in a variety of environments : farmland, woods, an ancient meadow, parkland with Capability Brown landscaping, the ruins of a Jacobean/Classical mansion and memorials to Catherine of Aragon and the men of the Bedfordshire regiment who trained in the park and died in WW1.

This is a pleasant walk through the Bedfordshire countryside with a variety of scenery and some interesting points of interest along the way.

Only a short distance from Bedford, this is really a delightful rural ramble in the home country of John Bunyan, starting on open uplands, descending to the plain surrounding Bedford and finishing through a stretch of woodland reserve. (The latter only in spring through autumn; in winter a longer alternative must be taken.) There is opportunity for refreshment near the end of the walk. It could be combined with walk 1130.

This is a thoroughly enjoyable walk with lots of variety, all on the more elevated parts of Bedfordshire. The fields are open so there are plenty of views, but there are stretches of woodland, three interesting villages and plenty of wildlife. It is no more than a guess, but I would think keen bird watchers might find it worthwhile to tote field glasses. At worst it will give them a closer look at the aerobatics over Biggleswade airfield.

This walk follows the River Welland firstly along Torpel Way then crossing close to Stamford and returning along other bank. This is a lovely walk in late April/early May. Look out for fields of cowslips on the left of the path. Bird life associated with river can be seen.

Lovely walk from The Bertie Arms in Uffington to Burghley House, returning via the river Welland.

This circular walk to the east of Leicester follows a section of the Leicestershire Round. The walk visits the villages of Somerby, Thorpe Satchville, Owston and, of course, Twyford.

This walk starts and finishes at an excellent pub, The Bluebell Inn, Helpston (PE6 7ED). There are mainly field paths and tracks and a small amount on minor roads. An interesting wild flower meadow existed with quite rare butterflies between WM1 and WM2.

This walk takes in a variety of the landscapes of Central Bedfordshire: heathland, woods, meadows, arable land and even a short stretch of market gardening. It starts and finishes in the RPSB nature reserve. Lunch time refreshment is available at the Thornton Arms in Everton.

This fairly level Bedfordshire walk starts from Woburn and passes through the extensive grounds of Woburn Abbey to reach Eversholt. The return route includes a further section of walking through the Abbey's parkland.

A fairly level Bedfordshire walk starts from Woburn and passes through the extensive grounds of Woburn Abbey to reach Eversholt. The return route includes the opportunity to have lunch in Milton Bryan and a further section of walking through the Abbey's extensive parkland.

Nice walk from Etton using minor roads and bridleways to reach Maxey, then returning to Etton via roads in northern Cambridgeshire. Excellent views over the pools from the gravel pits and the observation stations give views of water birds like Greylag Geese.

This walk starts at the car park by Market Deeping shopping centre, leads you to lovely Castle End in Maxey, before returning on a footpath along the River Welland. Lovely views and history of the Maxey area with 4000 years of history (more in the practical information section below).

Short walk on roads and field paths from the Waggon & Horses pub car park. (PE6 9LW) If you are going to park at the pub please let the landlord know Tel: 01778 343200

This short walk is full of interesting views of lakes with bird-watching hides in the Deeping Lakes Nature Reserve. Also view along River Welland. There are no facilities at this location but several options in nearby Crowland, Deeping St. James and Market Deeping.

This Leicestershire walk starts from the attractive village of Rearsby and explores the countryside and villages lying to the east. The route also includes a section of the Leicestershire Round.

This walk starts in the car park of The Black Horse in Baston, Lincolnshire. A gentle walk on minor roads and field paths with excellent views across the flat farmland. On returning to Baston it is worth a look at the church of St. John, founded in 1235.

This circular walk covers the northern/western footpaths in Stondon and also strays into Meppershall and Shillington.

A circular walk visiting the South-Western part from Lower Stondon via Holwell.

This circular walk covers the footpaths of Stondon to the south and east and also strays into Hertfordshire.

A walk from Sharpenhoe Clappers along the Chiltern ridge to Sundon Hills Country Park. Cross the valley to Pulloxhill with fine views back to the North Chilterns. Return through the Beech woods cladding the Iron Age fort at Sharpenhoe Clappers.

A walk through two of the finest nature reserves in the North Chilterns linked by the ancient Icknield Way track. Fine views and a wealth of natural interest.

Starting from Hexton this walk on the borders of Befordshire and Hertfordshire offers mile after mile of beautiful countryside with the hilltops steeped in ancient history. The route includes sections of the Icknield and John Bunyan Ways.

This walk is about 5.5 miles long, starting and ending at the village of Hoby. There are fine views across the undulating Leicestershire countryside from the elevated ground near Ragdale Hall. The route and footpaths are well maintained with visible waymarkers and only a few stiles. Most paths are across crop or pasture fields but note some fields may contain bullocks depending on the time of year.

This walk starts and finishes at The Horseshoe public house, excellent food. Lovely countryside walk on footpaths, minor roads and short stretch on A15.

Starting from Hexton this walk on the borders of Befordshire and Hertfordshire includes the attractive downland between Telegraph and Deacon Hills and a section of the Icknield Way.

This route offers the walker some of the most stunning views in the whole of the Chilterns and visits a number of important wildlife sites featured in the book by Gay Beattie "The Pilgrim’s Progress Wild Flowers and Where to Find Them in The Chilterns." Pegsdon and Deacon Hills were a favourite of the writer and preacher John Bunyan who referred to them in as the "Delectable Mountains".

A circuit from Pegsdon, through the Pegsdon Hills Nature Reserve to Deacon Hill with its ancient earthworks. Return past a mature beech wood and Knocking Hoe reserve.

This is a surprisingly hilly walk for this general area, being the northern end of the Chilterns AONB, mostly through rolling farmland, with some wonderful views across the flatlands of south Bedfordshire to the north, especially if the air is clear. Most of it is along the edges of/through fields, along grass & hard-surfaced paths & tracks. There are two tree-covered 'alleys'. It passes a large late-Tudor manor house. You will walk part of the Icknield Way & visit Pegsdon Hills Nature Reserve.