Please note that since publishing, the Bridge Inn, which is the stating point for this walk, is currently closed. There is parking in Napton near the church if the Bridge Inn car park is closed.
(S)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, and on through a second kissing gate, 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.
(1)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.
(2)Go past St Lawrence School coming after a few yards to a waymarked bridleway just before the last houses 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.
(3)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 (taking the small gate to the right of the wrought iron gate).
(4)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. Go right on road over canal bridge then immediately left down onto the Oxford canal.
(5)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.
Please note that on 5 Nov 2018, work was being carried out on the above portion of the canal making it impassable. Please check for canal work before venturing on this route.
