Feature /// Great walks
Tilton on the Hill and Lowesby
One glance at the map contours and village name will give you a clue to the nature of this walk, says Will Hetherington Photography: Will Hetherington
Difficulty rating (out of five)
THE ROUTE
This majestic walk starts in the most unremarkable of spots. I parked in Digby Close, a small housing estate which just happens to guard the stunning entrance to one of the better walks in the area. Nearly hidden between two houses is the top of the short track which takes you from almost suburban gloom straight into rural paradise. In fact the tight little valley at the beginning of the walk reminded me of a West Country Combe. Follow the path down the hill and through a couple of gateways and the valley opens out into a wider sheep pasture with a spring fed stream in the bottom left and steep banks on either side. The path heads north west across this field and then passes Springfield Hill Farm on the left. With a few sheep around I kept the dog on the lead as requested by the signs. Then after a couple more fields we crossed another stile and went down an embankment on to the dismantled railway and Springfield Farm. The old station building has been converted into a very smart looking dwelling, complete with an immaculate red telephone box and it’s
just one of the unexpected pleasures of this walk. From here the path continues north west and uphill through a couple more fields. When you get to the top of the hill there is a 500 metre stretch of track with plenty of game cover on either side so you can expect to see pheasants and partridges here. At the end of this straight route the path cuts through a small piece of woodland and drops down towards the stunning hamlet of Lowesby with its pretty church nestled into the trees. When you get to the church don’t be put off by the rather aggressive signage warning of security and dogs at Lowesby Hall as the footpath cuts off to the right near the start of the drive. There is a circuitous route around the graveyard but you only end up having to cross the drive anyway. Lowesby Hall is owned by house builder David Wilson and it is evident he has invested heavily in the upkeep of the area. The Georgian house itself is simply stunning from all angles and the grounds are immaculate, as you will discover. The footpath leads out into Lowesby Park in front of the house where you will find the impossibly picturesque and quintessentially English Tilton & Lowesby cricket ground. Once you have gone past the cricket ground you soon reach the Park Road. Turn left here and immediately after you leave the park on the road you will see the footpath sign directing you off
over the fields to the left. Cross the first stile and then head down to the bank of trees running along the hollow on your left. You will soon come to a bridge over the stream and out into the field on the other side. Turn right in the field and head towards the next trees you can see. When you reach this piece of woodland don’t go in. You need to turn left and head up the hill with the trees on your right hand side. You are now on the Midshires Way and, after a couple of fields, you will cross a road just north of Cold Newton and follow the track downhill towards Hamner’s Lodge Farm. This road recrosses the old railway before starting the steep climb towards the rather bleak farm. It was extremely muddy underfoot here with cows roaming the yard and a dog tethered to a kennel. And even after you pass through the farmyard it continues to be very heavy underfoot, so much so that I would suggest by-passing this section of the walk. There is another footpath slightly further south leading from Cold Newton back to Tilton which is hardly any diversion at all. In fact it might be quicker because the two paths join anyway. Whichever route you take the final section is straightforward enough as you can always see Tilton although the footpath joins the main road a few hundred metres south of the village and you turn left and walk back in from there.
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13/12/2015 21:51