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Napton on the Hill circular

Warwickshire Walk

County/Area - Warwickshire

Author - Millennium Way

Length - 5.0 miles / 8.1 km    Ascent - 175 feet / 53 metres

Time - 2 hours 40 minutes    Grade - easy

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Ordnance Survey Explorer 151Sheet Map1:25kBUY
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Walk Route Description

Photo from the walk - Napton on the Hill circular
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A five mile circular walk from Napton offering wonderful views and the opportunity to see at close quarters the famous Napton Windmill. Over half the walk follows a delightful section of the Millennium Way, which is clearly waymarked with the distinctive black circular markers. The walk starts from The Bridge Inn situated just by the Oxford Canal close to Napton-on-the-Hill on the A425 (grid ref. SP456619).

Important Note Since this walk description was prepared the Bridge Inn has closed and the car park is no longer open. The recommended starting point is now in the centre of Napton-on-the-Hill village on Hackwell Strret (grid ref. SP463610). This corresponds with section B of the route description which should be followed to reach the road by the Bridge Inn. To return back to the start follow the route described in section A.

In the Middle Ages, Napton was one of the largest towns in Warwickshire with a population of approximately 1000 people, which is more or less the same as today. The name Napton is derived from the Anglo Saxon meaning hilltop settlement. A brief history of Napton on the Hill can be found at www.napton-on-the-hill.co.uk . During the second half of the walk you enjoy a delightful section of the Millennium Way

A - From the car park of the Bridge Inn turn left onto the main road to proceed over the canal bridge then take the first lane on the right after approximately 150 metres. Immediately ahead, but slightly to your left, take the metal kissing gate and go up the field keeping the hedge right to take another gate in the field corner continuing on a rising path. Take the next gate walking half left diagonally across the field and through a second gate to cross a small field to a lane. To your right you will have a good view of Napton Windmill, which can be traced back to 1543 but is now a private residence not open to the public.

B - Go left down the surfaced lane bearing left at the fork, passing "High View" and "Hill Rose" cottages turning downhill into Chapel Lane and bearing right at the concrete bollard past an attractive thatched cottage - The Old Bakery - on your right, to reach the road. Continue gently downhill through the village turning left at the bottom into Dog Lane. Go past St Lawrence School coming after a few yards to a waymarked bridleway just past the last house on your right. Proceed along the bridleway ignoring the first stile on your left and continuing on to take the metal gate ahead of you into a field. Keep ahead with hedge right through two fields and two metal gates, then following the waymarkers left through a third gate for 80 metres then right through the next gate. Keep ahead with hedge right, through two fields eventually turning right onto the Millennium Way at the metal gate.

C - Keeping hedge right you will notice a farm appearing a few hundred metres to the left. When you draw level with the farm you will be at a gate, which leads to a minor road. Here you will notice the distinctive black Millennium Way waymarker. Take the gate and go right up the road which is in effect continuing in the same direction as the path you have just left. After some 500m come to a T-junction, go ahead signposted Napton / Stockton. Eventually, pass three cottages left (The Fens) and immediately take driveway on left. Proceed up driveway going right behind garage with hedge right to come to stile. Take stile going half right up centre of field to come to a rather makeshift bridge in the dip. Cross the bridge and go half left up field to exit by far left corner gate to road.

D - Go right on road over canal bridge then immediately left down onto the Oxford canal. Go left under the bridge and ahead with canal right. Looking ahead you will have a fine view of Napton- on-the-Hill with its high set windmill. This canal was designed by James Brindley and eventually links up with the Grand Union canal further north. Follow down a flight of locks and pass The Folly Inn on your left. Continue on the towpath skirting around Napton Hill until you come to bridge 111. Pass under the A425 South to Daventry road taking the gap immediately left to reach the end of the walk at the Bridge Inn.

Other walks nearby

Walk 2430 Napton-on-the-hill, Grand Union Canal & Beacon Hill easy/mod7.4 miles
Walk 3704 Napton & Stockton Circulareasy6.4 miles
Walk 3690 Lias and Stockton Locks Circulareasy5.3 miles
Walk 1070 Hellidon & Priors Marstoneasy5.7 miles
Walk 1819 Long Itchington Circulareasy/mod6.5 miles
Walk 2813 Long Itchington to Ufton and Return easy/mod8.0 miles
Walk 1774 Priors Hardwick & Wormleighton Circulareasy/mod8.0 miles
Walk 3701 Upper Boddington Circulareasy5.5 miles
Walk 2276 Oxford Canal & Stonetoneasy/mod7.0 miles
Walk 1790 Byfield, Aston le Walls & Boddington Reservoireasy/mod8.2 miles

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