Stowe IX Churches - Northamptonshire day walk
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Legend surrounds St. Michael's Church, making it an interesting start point for our walk. The church was founded in the 8th Century and boasts a rare example of an Anglo-Saxon bell tower. When it was constructed the foundations were demolished and moved to the far side of the village on eight consecutive nights. In an attempt to catch the culprits, a labourer was posted to watch overnight, but fled in terror reporting seeing the Devil and all his minions tearing up the stone. Hearing this story, the builders were too terrified to continue and on the ninth day they chose to set their foundations on the present site of the church.
This is a 13 mile long circular walk through the rolling farmland of the Northamptonshire wold. The terrain has gentle climbs and ocassional descents but is otherwise a fairly easy stroll. Our walk will take us through the picture perfect hamlets and villages of Church Stowe, Upper Stowe, Litchborough, Farthingstone, Everdon and Newnham, and through the Napoleonic barracks town of Weedon Bec.
We aim to lunch at The Plough Inn, Everdon, but carrying some snacks is still advisable.
The walk is dog friendly but be aware that there are some sheep fields where he/she will have to go on the lead for a bit.
What to bring
Winter has come! Be sensible about your choice of clothing:
Bring a small rucksack for your lunch and kit.
Wear some good solid boots or decent walking shoes, it will be muddy underfoot.
Wear some comfortable walking socks.
Expect the potential for rain and wear quick drying walking trousers and bring a waterproof jacket that you can fold down into your rucksack.
You may start off cold, but will soon warm up, so wear layers of clothes.
Bring water and some energy food (chocolate, sweets etc.).
If you carry important medicines, please let me know privately.
Food & drink
There are village shops in Weedon Bec and Everdon but they don't sell much more than snacks. We aim to stop at the pub in Everdon for lunch, and I will confirm this in advance. https://theploughinneverdon.com/ Places on this walk are mainly limited by how many people will fit in the bar. Bring some water and some light refreshments for your walk.