Route Two - Old Bugbrooke and the Nene Way

Leave the towpath at the Wharf Bridge and head east towards Bugbrooke. In 200 yards cross the road at the T junction and go through the Kissing Gate into the Park. Go straight ahead noting on your left the large house. This was built in 1813 by the Harrison family who were Rectors in the parish from the 1780's to 1970s, a span of almost 200 years. It is now in the ownership of the Jesus Fellowship who operate from the local chapel since the 1970's. They are reflective of the non-conformist traditions of Bugbrooke which had the third largest congregation of Quakers in Northamptonshire in the 1600's

On reaching the end of the field turn left towards the Church and into Bugbrooke's Millennium Green. This was planted up in 1999 with all the native trees of Britain. They are clearly labelled and a time capsule rests underneath the small stone wall in the green. Continue on to the Church where a peep inside will reveal one of the oldest Rood Screens in the County. Note the Five Bells Public House on the left (named after the number of church bells) and head east up Church Lane over the brook and towards the village school. Laddermakers Yard on the left is built on the site of the last laddermakers (John Ward and Son) to survive in the county. They closed in the 1980's. Cross the bridge and you will see the current Rectory whilst on the other side are the Sunday School rooms built by the Harrison family in the 1830's. A further 100 yards along is Baptists Close, the first meeting place of the Baptists when they took over from the Quakers in the late 1700's and early 1800's. The farmhouse, now called The Byre and formerly Ivy Nook, was their early meeting house. (MR 676575).

Ahead is the village Primary School, formerly the Board School, built after the Education Act of the 1870' s. Turn left at the junction at Waggon and Horses Green, so named after the pub that once stood here and received passers by on their way from Northampton to Banbury. Carry on for 200 yards and turn left into a track known locally as Smiths Lane. On your right is the Manor House. At its furthest end is an archway. This is the entrance to the previous Manor House that stood behind the present one. The archway is the oldest structure in Bugbrooke other than the Church.

You are entering the area that would have represented Bugbrooke in Medieval times. The village moved it centre of gravity at some stage. The fact that the Church had three

rectors in the space of five years at the time of the Black Death might be a clue. In the fields to the left of Smiths Lane have been found a stone mace, whilst in the fields near the brook are the remains of medieval fish ponds (MR 675577) (not apparent to the naked eye but clear from aerial photographs - see 'Bugbrooke 2000 BC - 2000 AD' available from the Post Office for £10) .

Carry on down Smiths Lane. When you get to a sharp left hand bend you will see Bugbrooke Mill straight ahead. This was clearly a route to the Mill at one stage. Follow the lane to its conclusion and enter the field at its end. Walk straight forward and in 300 yards you will join Nene Way which runs from the source of the River Nene at Badby to its end at the Wash (Mr 6773586)

The narrow field immediately in front is called Charity Meadow and was once one of 12 such meadows between this point and Nether Heyford to the west. It is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, there being only two of its kind in Northamptonshire. It has never been ploughed or fertilized and, consequently, grows over 100 species of wild flowers and grasses. It is at it best about June time.

At this point you have two options. Option One is to head east towards Northampton and in about half a mile you will come across Heygates Mill, the largest independent millers in the country. It has grown since 1940 from a small agricultural mill and now produces flour for many bread and biscuit manufacturers. On reaching the Mill look out for the footpath to the right that runs straight across the centre of the field. (MR 680587) Follow this path until it reaches Bugbrooke at the Telephone Exchange and Garage. Turn right at this point and retrace your steps to the Church and Canal.

Option Two is to turn west towards Nether Heyford. Follow the path into the village and turn left into Watery Lane. Turn left again towards Bugbrooke taking care at the double bends in the road. At the first bend take the footpath across the fields towards Bugbrooke Church in the distance (MR 665582). You wilt pass by the Sewage Works in 300 yards and head into brook meadows. Before being straightened in 1970 the brook between Bugbrooke and Nether Heyford meandered a considerable distance. Look to your left as you near Bugbrooke and you will see the remains of these meanders.

As you near the village you can go straight ahead to the Church and Five Bells or take a diagonal path to the right leading to the Heyford Road (MR672578). Cross the road and 

Route Threee - Historic Bugbrooke

If you want a shorter option taking about 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes when you get to the village school, at Wagon and Horses Green, turn right and head south down the village High Street (MR 677575).

On the right in about 50 yards you will see the former Bakehouse and at 80 yards there are two examples of the fine farmhouses that are common in Bugbrooke. On the left is Merriefields Farmhouse at the entrance to Badgers Close, whilst on the left is Brook Farmhouse at the entrance to The Paddocks. Roth of these houses would have hacked on to the fields they served before the large expansion of Bugbrooke in the 1960's and 1970's.

In a few more yards there is the Post Office and Bakers Arms on the right whilst on the left is Bugbrooke Baptist Chapel built in 1808. It is one of the largest village chapels and, since 1960's, it has been taken over by the Jesus Fellowship. This is an evangelical group who tend to live communally in large houses in Bugbrooke and surrounding villages.

A further 50 yards will take you to Elm Tree Hank, recognised locally as the centre of the village. The Elm Tree has been replaced by a Cherry Tree and The Stores convenience store is next to it.

Overlooking 'The Green' is The Grange, another example of a former farmhouse. This one has been considerably extended and during the 1960's to 90's the wing in Ace Lane housed the local doctor's surgery.

Almost opposite the shop, up a driveway behind a five bar gate, stands Quakers Cottage. This is the site of the Quaker Chapel that was the centre of the non-conformist tradition in Bugbrooke - the village had the third largest congregation of Quakers in Northamptonshire in the 1600's. The Quakers subsided in influence as the Baptists took over.