I decided to use wheels in the form of a bicycle instead of my own two feet to travel this time. Brampton Valley Way stretches from Northampton to Market Harborough along an old railway line. Its is mostly disused now, however a mile and a half stretch is open to the public near Lamport where they can ride steam and diesel trains up and down the section of track.
The trail is 14 miles long and can be accessed at many points along the line. These are:
- Boughton and Church Brampton.
- Pitsford and Spratton.
- Brixworth and Spratton (there is a picnic area at this car park).
- Maidwell and Draughton (there is a picnic area at this car park).
- Arthingworth and Kelmarsh (there is a picnic area at this car park)
Instead of struggling to fit my bike in the car, I had the idea of cycling from where I live to the start of the trail in Northampton and ride towards Market Harborough and back. Suffice to say it was longer than I thought!
Once on the trail it is very easy to follow and is mostly off road. There are a few big roads to cross however if you are patient and wait for the traffic lights to change the crossing is safe enough. The paths are flat and gravelly so the cycle isn't too strenuous and perfect for cyclists of all abilities - even the little ones too! Be careful though as the paths closer to Northampton can be prone to potholes and so comfortable clothing and padding would be recommended.
The Brampton Valley Way has fully embraced its history as an old railway line. In parts, the track still remains and key features such as tunnels that the trains used to pass through are part of the route. There are two tunnels, one at Oxendon that is 422 metres long, the other at Kelmarsh that is 249 metres long. Beware as the tunnels don't have lighting so a torch will come in handy. Also, you may want to walk through the tunnels as potholes that can't be seen may catch you out. A bonus of walking through them is that it gives you more time to experiment with the echo!
A key point to remember about this trail is that its a linear route. Once you get to the end you have to come back the same way. It is worth bearing in mind that if someone is struggling before you finish get to the end of the trail, it may be worth turning back before it's too late.
The scenery along the route is stunning, and going back to the history of the track, some of the stations have been preserved too. With miles of rolling hills, either side you can imagine travelling in a train along the railway when it was in use.
As well as exploring the trail, there are detours that can be found too. These are to Kelmarsh Hall and Gardens, Cottesbrooke Hall, Lamport Hall and Brixworth Country Park. If you have time, these are brilliant places to delve deeper into the county's history. Brixworth Country Park is the perfect place for a toilet break, however if you want to spend more time there it may be worth going back another day as you could spend a whole morning/afternoon (perhaps longer) experiencing what it has to offer.
The whole route roughly takes about 2-3 hours depending on how fast you cycle and how much you explore. It is perfect for a family adventure.
Difficulty - 2 (more so because of the distance).
Terrain - 1
Duration - 3
