RothersthorpeGrand Union CanalWalks

Walk 1 - Long CircuitThe medieval village of Rothersthorpe has at itsheart The Berry Ringwork and it lies within a stone’sthrow of the Grand Union Canal. This picturesquewalk leads you through the historical village andalong the tranquil canal with its multitude of floraand fauna including some rare plants, dragonfliesand waterfowl.

Walk 2 - Western CircuitStart at the Church inRothersthorpe, follow walkone until you reach the firstroad. Leave the towpathand head east along theroad towards the marina,at the first footpath on yourleft turn north and head

back to Rothersthorpe.You will arrive on ChurchStreet, turn left and returnto the Church.Approx 2.4 miles.45 mins.Terrain - Easy.

Walk 3 - Short CircuitFrom the Turnover Bridge

walk south east alongthe towpath at the firstbridge leave the towpathand turn right on to theroad, walk along the country lane and at thenext bridge return to thecanal and continue northwest back to the turnover

bridge. Steep slopes on allbridges and turnoverbridge has a cobbled surface.Approx 0.6 miles.15 mins.Terrain - Easy, withslopes on bridges andcobbled surface on one.

Flora and Fauna on the Northampton ArmThis section of the canalhas a wide variety of natural history interestmainly due to the low number of boats. Some ofthe more interestingspecies include;The narrow-leaved waterplantain which grows in themargins and is present insmall numbers. It is acounty rarity.Two rare varieties ofpondweed can be found;Grass-wrack pondweedand Long-stalkedpondweed. They are foundin small patches in thecounty and are also an indicator of good waterquality. There are seven species ofdragonfly and damselflyrecorded. The White-legged damselfly is an important species and isvulnerable to levels of

pollution. Three largehawker dragonflies breedhere, the largest being theBrown Hawker. This largedragonfly can spend up to2 years as larvae underwater and are voracious predators, eatingsmall fish and other larve.The native white clawedcrayfish has been foundhere although there arealso Signal crayfish whichare not native (American),they are more aggressiveand are a threat to our native crayfish.Fish in the canal includebream, eel, pike, perch,roach and tench.Birds that can be seen include warblers, who visitand nest in the reedbeds inthe spring and summer,and kingfishers.

The Berry Ringwork, Rothersthorpe

Ringworks are medievalfortifications built and occupied from late Anglo-Saxon period to thelater 12th century. Theywere small defended areasthat contained buildingswhich were entirely orpartly surrounded by asubstantial ditch and bankusually topped with timberpalisades. Occasionally amore lightly defended embanked enclosure, thebaily, adjoining the ringwork. They are rare nationally and are of particular significance toour understanding of theperiod.

The Berry is the site of aringwork which stood atthe centre of the medievalvillage of Rothersthorpe.The site is an irregularlyshaped enclosure. On thenorth and west sides thereis a wide ditch and hereare also remains of aninner rampart in the northeast corner and southernend. Undulating features inthe west of the interior ofthe ringwork indicate thelocation of former buildings. Remains of ridgeand furrow ploughing canbe seen on the easternside.

The Midshires WayThe Midshires Way startsfrom Pulpit Hill, near Little Kimble in Buckinghamshire and runsto Stockport for 230 miles,with 46 miles in Northamptonshire. The route was opened in1994 as a collaboration

between numerous LocalAuthorities and usergroups. It is intended as amulti user trail but there areplaces where the recommended route forwalkers differs from theroute for horse riders andcyclists.

Grand Union Canal & Grand Union Canal WalkThe Grand Junction firstopened in 1805 and linkedthe River Thames with theOxford Canal at Braunston.It was later connected withanother canal from Birmingham towards Warwick. The whole

system including variousarms and branches wasrenamed the Grand UnionCanal in 1929, and thetowpath was signed as awalking route in the early1990s.

Published 06/12

This information can be provided inother languages and formats uponrequest, such as large print, Brailleand CD. Contact 0300 126 1000.Northamptonshire County CouncilHighways, Transportation & InfrastructureRiverside House, Riverside Way, Bedford Road, Northampton NN1 5NX Telephone: 0300 126 1000. Email: rowip@northamptonshire.gov.ukwww.northamptonshire.gov.uk

Northamptonshire County Council is committed to encouragingsustainable travel to become a cleaner, greener and more prosperous county.

Plan ahead - it may be easier to cycle or catch a bus to the startof your walk than to drive. Consider car sharing if you can - fewer cars means fewer queues. If you need to drive please consider the needs of cyclists, pedestrians and local access byparking considerately in the villages.

County Connect is a new type of rural bus service that goeswhere and when you want within the designated areas. The timetable is designed around you! www.county-connect.co.uk Tel: 0845 456 4474Email: countyconnect@northamptonshire.gov.ukText ‘CountyConnect’ and your message to 82727 and they willcall you back.

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1Start at St Peter and StPaul Church in Rothersthorpe, follow thefootpath heading south tothe canal. On reaching thecanal, turn east and followthe towpath to the Gayton Junction. From herehead north still followingthe towpath just beforeGayton Marina you willneed to cross the bridgeand follow the towpathnorth on the opposite side.Continue on under two

bridges past the locks untilyou reach a footpath thatheads west and east,cross the canal and followthe footpath west takingyou back to Rothersthorpevillage. Enter the village onNorth Street, turn rightthen immediately left intoChurch Street and followback to the church.Approx 3.7 miles.1 Hour 15 mins.Terrain - Easy.