Walks from Stamford

Old railway, Roman road, park grounds and meadows.

Burghley House

Time: 5h–9h30

1 lunch spot: Burghley House café (2h30–5h in)

6 end-of-walk rewards: the Birch Tree Cafe, the Exeter Arms, the Easton on the Hill Village, the Blue Bell Pub, the George, or the Bull and Swan

Warnings: Follows a busy road for a sixth of the walk.

Adapted from: the Leicester Ramblers.

A good route entirely on well-used paths, cycle tracks and pavements, following Rutland Water's edge and the Rutland Round through fields and farm tracks and short wooded sections. A couple of short muddy sections when wet but nothing serious; a few stiles and a short flight of easy-angled steps; long pavement walks at both ends. Follows the Rutland Round and skirts Rutland Water past the Barnsdale hotel grounds. Toilets and a (seasonal) cafe at Whitwell car park, and more toilets at Sykes Lane. Passes the church at Tickencote.

Time: 5h30–11h

Lunch: A village shop at Empingham (short signposted detour), plus a cafe at Whitwell car park (may be seasonal).

Warnings: Follows a busy road for a third of the walk. Do not turn up Bull Brig Lane near Whitwell, which looks like a track but is a private drive with a locked gate; follow the marina car park roads to the cycle track instead.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

A walk through pretty Northamptonshire villages and farmland with very little road walking and a variety of terrain. The approach into Corby crosses an industrial estate and the section by Corby tunnel can be bleak and muddy in winter. Largely follows the well-signed Jurassic Way; navigation is easy. The Corby tunnel section can get muddy in winter.

Time: 8h30–17h

Lunch: A cafe in Fineshade Woods, roughly midway.

Warnings: The route crosses and re-crosses the A43; take care.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Scenic route with mixed terrain. Mostly flat and almost entirely off-road, following the river through Nene Park then field paths and quiet lanes between villages and with a short stretch of roadside walking without a pavement between Ailsworth and Sutton. Follows the Hereward Way in part and passes through Nene Park and Burghley Park; a few stiles. Can be navigationally tricky around Sacrewell Farm.

Time: 6h30–13h

Lunch: A couple of pubs and a coffee shop at Castor and Ailsworth, otherwise no eating places until the towns at either end.

Warnings: About 1km of verge-less road walking between Ailsworth and Sutton where you may have to step aside for traffic, plus a crossing of a fast 60mph road. The footpath between Sacrewell Farm and Sutton can be closed during A47 roadworks, forcing a road diversion.

Walk details: Slow Ways.