Sudborough - Lyveden New Bield - Sudborough

Geoffrey Gilpin

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Sudborough - Titchmarsh Wood - Lyveden New Bield - Sudborough

This is an anticlockwise, circular walk starting from the small village of Sudborough, close to the River Nene, in East Northamptonshire. Very shortly after setting out on your journey you enter Titchmarsh Wood, which starts out as lightly-managed deciduous woodland but soon changes its character to coniferous woodland. The walk then opens out into pastureland and follows pleasant paths and bridleways, eventually curving to the north, then to the north-east before entering Lilford Wood, managed by the Forestry Commission. The environment changes again after Lilford Wood when you come up to Lyveden New Bield (see below). After Lyveden the walk eventually circles back south to enter Lady Wood and Souther Wood, finally re-entering Titchmarsh Wood from the north. These changing habitats offer plenty of opportunity to experience the varied flora and fauna at differing times of the year.

Lyveden New Bield was built in the early 17th Century for Sir Thomas Tresham but was left unfinished when he died in 1605. Situated on exposed high ground, the house has a certain eeriness, probably at least partly due to its having no roof or floors to block the daylight through the 'windows'. Lyveden New Bield is National Trust property and although entry to the grounds is open to walkers (i.e. there is no gate), there is a pay-booth in the car park. Garden tours are available at certain times of the year, but you will need to check the National Trust website to get the details. English Heritage has recently upgraded the gardens to a Grade 1 listing following photographs taken during the Second World War by the Luftwaffe, which show evidence of an Elizabethan fruit garden.

The countryside is undulating. The track gently climbs through Titchmarsh Wood then falls away to the Wadenhoe – Lowick bridleway. The trend is then towards higher ground reached at Lyveden New Bield and then a descent back to Sudborough. The route generally follows bridleways and forest tracks, although there are a few narrower paths where the walking is a bit more demanding and if it has been raining, muddy. There is one stile at the end of the walk. Depending where you park the car, none of the walk is on public roads.

England - Central England - Northamptonshire - Countryside

Features

Ancient Monument, Birds, Butterflies, Flowers, National Trust, Pub, Wildlife, Woodland
5/7/2018 - Rudi Koch

Did this walk yesterday. Lovely views across classic English rolling countryside. Some of the paths/bridleways through the woods were very muddy (obviously popular with riders)and if doing it later in the season, we'd advise wearing gaters or long trousers to protect against the stinging nettles. Stopped for tea at dog friendly Lyveden (where dogs have their own recording "clicker"). Great walk with fantastically accurate instructions. Thank you, Geoffrey Gilpin!

10/30/2016 - John Faulkner

We did this route a few days ago, as National Trust members we parked the car at Lyveden and started from there. We went anti-clockwise but if you go the other way there's slightly more down hill rather than up! Easy to navigate on good paths. Keep your eyes peeled, you may see deer in the woods.

5/30/2016 - John Acord

We did this walk on a sunny Saturday in late May 2016. Hadn't rained for a couple of days, and the going was mostly dry, but still some mud on the more shaded paths - nothing a good pair of walking shoes couldn't deal with. An excellent walk with a wide variety of different scenery. Very good and clear directions given throughout. Would highly recommend.

10/26/2014 - Dennis Johnson

A lovely walk all be it can get a little muddy on some of the tracks. Can be a little confusing coming back through the woods between points 30 and 31. Easy to miss the footpath signs at point 32 if your not careful!

9/17/2014 - Angie Baxter

What an absolutely lovely walk. We did this mid September but it was hot and humid, so lovely to walk amongst the trees. Some parts were a little overgrown, but this added to the variety of the walk. We stopped off at lunch at Leyveden and spent a couple of hours there walking along the rivers and exploring. Definitely worth a visit, with lovely lakes etc to sit and have lunch by. We ended our walk with dinner at the Kings Head, which is only a short drive away and by the river.

9/5/2013 - Duncan Grey

An excellent walk, which we followed on a glorious day in September, with open countryside and shade offered by the woodland. For much of the way it follows the Lyveden Way. We varied the walk by starting from Wadenhoe and bypassing Sudborough. Parking for patrons is at The King's Head in Wadenhoe (recommended for food and drink) or at the adjacent public car park. You can also moor a boat there on the river Nene. The walk would then head off to Waymark 12, continuing the route as described until on return jump from 32 to 6 and back to Wadenhoe from 12. From the Kings Head follow signs to the church turning left from the car park up the hill and straight past the church to the road (Aldwincle to Pilton). Turn left for a short way then right up a track to waymark 12. Re Lyveden New Bield (National Trust) this now has a splendid coffee shop (opens at 10.30) and it is easy to spend an hour or two viewing the site and taking refreshments. We found the description of Waymark 10 ambiguous though the map is clear. We suggest 'As you emerge from the wood follow the track straight on (veering slightly to the right). Head towards Aldwincle with the hedge to your left.' Thanks for a great walk!

6/18/2012 - Barry Hough

Made a lovely Sunday afternoon walk.