My favourite ramble which begins and ends at St Denys Church, Cold Ashby. This is a proper ramble with both hard and soft surfaces and good views from Honey Hill.
Calculated time: 3h25[?] 
Distance : 6.8mi
Vertical gain : 308ft
Vertical drop : 322ft
Highest point : 699ft
Lowest point : 430ft 
Difficulty : Average
Back to starting point : Yes
Walking
Location : Cold Ashby
Starting point : N 52.380657° / W 1.038036° 
(D/A) From St. Denys Church, which is usually open to visitors, set off West along Church Lane, passing the junction with Crabtree Lane and the Long Well on your right and Park Spinney Close and on your left, noting the ancient sweet chestnut tree in the adjacent field, until you reach the West Haddon Road.
(1) Cross the road with care (as cars can come fast) to Cold Ashby Bowls Club, where you will find a small gate up some steps to the right of the main entrance. Please note that dogs are not allowed on the playing field. So if your dog is with you, then turn right instead and then left up Stanford Road to regain the route.
Go through this gate. Then, walk past the well-tended bowling green on your left in the direction of the splendid children's playground and continuing through the Playing Field to the gates on the Stanford Road.
(2) Turn left on to the Stanford Road and continue towards Honey Hill. You'll pass Coe Farm on your right and Bunker's Hill Farm on your left. Pass the communications mast by the reservoir until you see the first sign for the Jurassic Way (6) This is where you will emerge on your return journey. Don't turn here but continue to the next sign.
(3) Follow the sign which directs you to Elkington via Honey Hill. It is rumoured several counties can be seen from there but exactly how many is still in dispute. You'll also see about 39 wind turbines, at the last count. The Jurassic Way officially skirts the summit, where you will see the stone which commemorates the opening of this useful long distance route. If you are fit enough, you can climb to the summit from where the views can be fully appreciated. From the summit, continue downhill on the Jurassic Way towards Elkington.
(4) Immediately beyond Elkington Covert, bear right and walk down a small ravine to emerge at Portly Banks on Manor Lane. At the next intersection, turn left and walk south along the Bridle Lane/Byway towards Winwick, passing the drive for Creeds Farm on your left and continue for just over a mile, passing Winwick Lodge, also on your left, to regain the Jurassic Way.
(5) Now, turn left and follow the path heading north, ignoring the byway which leaves for the West Haddon Road on your right and following the distinctive signage towards Honey Hill Farm. You will notice the Golf Course on your right. Cross it, cross the next field and then, climb up past Honey Hill Farm on a concrete track. Pass a bungalow on your right and regain Stanford Road at the sign you passed on the way out.
(6) Turn right and continue down Stanford Road to Cold Ashby where you cross, again with care, into Main Street. Pass Bridle Lane on your left and then, turn right into Crabtree Lane, where you can find a short connecting path between houses on your left between Crabtree Lane and Church Lane which returns you to your starting point at the Church.(D/A)
Waypoints :
D/A : mi 0 - alt. 663ft - St. Denys Church
1 : mi 0.2 - alt. 666ft - West Haddon Road
2 : mi 0.33 - alt. 666ft - Stanford Road
3 : mi 1.4 - alt. 686ft - Jurassic Way Sign to Elkington
4 : mi 2.18 - alt. 459ft - Elkington
5 : mi 3.8 - alt. 472ft - Rejoin Jurassic Way
6 : mi 5.54 - alt. 689ft - Rejoin Stanford Road
D/A : mi 6.8 - alt. 663ft - St. Denys Church
Please wear decent boots, carry waterproofs as there is very little shelter on this route.
Keep in mind that, though the waymarking is pretty good, arrows are sometimes obscured by vegetation.
Visorando and this author cannot be held responsible in the case of accidents or problems occuring on this walk.
For further information on the locality and its history, please go to the website : The Cold Ashby Rambler.
Global average : 4.67/5
Number of opinions : 2
Description quality : 4.5/5
Routemap quality : 4.5/5
Walk interest : 5/5
Many thanks for your kind response, judyblags.
As you will have noticed, the parking on Honey Hill is very limited which is the major reason for my not recommending it.
My other reason for suggesting walks from Cold Ashby Church is to allow visitors to appreciate the church and churchyard gardens, the variety of vernacular architecture in our village and to meet us, the residents!
Unfortunately, the pub is unlikely to re-open.
Ashby Rambler
Global average : 5 / 5
Date of walk
: 05/07/20
Description quality
: Very good
Routemap quality
: Very good
Walk interest
: Very good
A lovely walk with some wonderful views on a fine day. Windfarm windmills did not detract and in fact I felt added a little something to the landscape - although many would disagree. We felt the walk from and back to Cold Ashby along tghe road added nothing to the walk - just extra mileage - although parking would be an issue otherwise. Note. Pub in village still closed and according to local unlikely to be re-opening. We will return and park nearer the climb up Honey Hill, happy to do a shorter walk for such a lovely reward.
Hi runpeterrun
Thanks for the positive rating!
Unfortunately, The Black Horse is closed on Tuesdays & Thursdays at present.
Happy Rambling!
Ashby Rambler
Ashby Rambler
Global average : 4.33 / 5
Date of walk
: 18/11/19
Description quality
: Good
Routemap quality
: Good
Walk interest
: Very good
Black Horse opens at 6 weekdays
12.89mi
+738ft
-709ft
6h35
Average
Starting point in Winwick (Northamptonshire) - Northamptonshire A lengthy Northamptonshire walk that explores the countryside to the north-west of Northampton. The route uses a section of the Jurassic Way, the towpath of Grand Union Canal, fields paths and country lanes. Winwick is a small rural community of some 40 souls, according to their website, situated off the A428 north of West Haddon and west of Northampton.
2.7mi
+89ft
-105ft
1h20
Easy
Starting point in Dodford - Northamptonshire Taking in the road walking along the A45 but with nice views of rolling countryside, a saunter along the Grand Union, (there's a memorial bench under the A45 to rest and lunch and keep dry), and then heading off the canal towards the village of Dodford with a Grade 1 listed church to visit. Parking at the village hall or opposite the church.
7.23mi
+397ft
-394ft
3h40
Easy
Starting point in Newnham - Northamptonshire This is a good walk at any time but really good in spring when the bluebells are out in Badby Woods and butterflies are exploring the hedgerows. The route passes through some scenic Northamptonshire villages and includes small stretches of the Nene and Knightley Ways.
8.55mi
+318ft
-292ft
4h15
Average
Starting point in Wolfhampcote - Warwickshire Lovely circular route on paths, bridleways and canal.
4.43mi
+112ft
-108ft
2h10
Easy
Starting point in Countesthorpe - Leicestershire A pleasant amble through the Leicestershire countryside that lies to the south of Countesthorpe. The route visits the village of Peatling Magna before heading north back to the start.
6.83mi
+203ft
-217ft
3h20
Average
Starting point in Countesthorpe - Leicestershire This Leicestershire walk explores the countryside and villages to the southeast of Countesthorpe. The route includes a section of the Leicestershire Round long distance footpath.
2.81mi
+36ft
-36ft
1h20
Easy
Starting point in Great Glen - Leicestershire A short Leicestershire walk that explores the countryside to the south of Great Glen. The walk also includes a short section of the Grand Union Canal including Crane's Lock.
10.9mi
+276ft
-253ft
5h15
Average
Starting point in Croft (Leicestershire) - Leicestershire This Leicestershire walk explores the area to the west and north of the village of Croft, which lies to the south-east of Leicester. The walk uses paths and bridleways and a section of road walking to complete the route.
For more walks, use our search engine.
The GPS track and description are the property of the author.
