Best walks near Wellingborough by train
Northamptonshire · East Midlands of England | Walks by foot
MapA day hike in the countryside is just a simple train journey away — explore the most charmingly located railway stations in East Midlands of England and plan your next day of green.
Aspley Guise Station Circular via the Woburn Estate (Bedfordshire)
45m from Wellingborough, with one change.
13km. Moderate ascents. 3h–5h.
Beginner-friendly: A shortish but satisfying walk. It’s hard to go wrong and, if you do, it’s easy to recover. Lunch is in the pleasant village of Woburn, where there are many choices, so no faffing with making reservations needed. Plus it goes through a safari park and you’ll likely spot some of the beasts.
A rambler favourite!
Highlights: Woburn Safari Park.
Lunch stops in Woburn (1h–2h in): the Black Horse, Lussmanns, or the Woburn Hotel.
End-of-walk reward: the Anchor.
Harpenden Station to St Albans City Station (Hertfordshire)
45m from Wellingborough, with one change.
17km. Gentle ascents. 4h30–7h30.
Mostly fields and country lanes. Some beautiful new bluebell woods, stunning historic city streeets, commons, golf courses, and parkland. Best in April (bluebell season). Some sections are busy.
Highlights: Heartwood Forest, St Albans Cathedral, and St Albans itself.
Lunch stops in Sandridge (2h–3h in): the Green Man (excellent; reservations recommended), Heartwood Tea Rooms (busy!), the Rose & Crown, or the Queens Head (not great).
End-of-walk rewards: the Lower Red Lion, the Mad Squirrel Tap, the Peahen, the Snug, or the Boot.
Kettering Station Circular via Pytchley (Northamptonshire)
7m direct from Wellingborough.
19km. Moderate ascents. 5h–8h30.
Villages and countryside.
Lunch stops in Broughton (3h30–6h in): Best Plaice, the Red Lion, Broughton Fish and Chips, or the Broughton & Cransley WMC. Other lunch stop: the Overstone Arms (1h30–2h in).
Adapted from a route by the Leicester Ramblers — download GPX route
Market Harborough Station Circular via Braybrooke (Leicestershire)
30m from Wellingborough, with one change.
17km. Moderate ascents. 4h30–8h.
Lunch stops: the Swan Inn (2h–3h30 in), or Waterloo Lodge (2h–3h30 in).
End-of-walk rewards: the Beer House, the Freemasons Arms, the Cherry Tree, or the Oat Hill.
Adapted from a route by the Leicester Ramblers — download GPX route
Barrow-upon-Soar Station to Leicester Station (Leicestershire)
30m from Wellingborough, with one change.
Tough: 21km. Flat terrain. 5h30–9h30.
On decent paths.
Lunch stops in Birstall (3h30–6h in): the Earl of Stamford, the Old Plough, or the White Horse.
End-of-walk rewards: the Corn Exchange, or the Rainbow and Dove.
Adapted from a route by the Leicester Ramblers — download GPX route
Loughborough Station Circular via Walton on the Wolds (Leicestershire)
45m from Wellingborough, with one change.
16km. Gentle ascents. 4h30–7h30.
Canal, footpaths, and roadside footpath. Last section on busy road.
Lunch stops: the Anchor Inn (1h30–3h in), the Blacksmith's Arms (2h30–4h30 in), or the Moorings (3h–5h in).
End-of-walk reward: the Boat Inn.
Adapted from a route by the Leicester Ramblers — download GPX route
Garston Station to St Albans City Station (Hertfordshire)
45m from Wellingborough, with one change.
13km. Gentle ascents. 3h30–6h.
Common woodland, farmland tracks, river meadows, water meadows, quiet residential roads, and historic city streets. Can be very muddy.
Highlights: St Albans.
Lunch stops: Moor Mill Watermill & Inn (1h30–3h in), the Overdraught (2h30–4h in), or Rumbles Fish Bar (2h30–4h in).
End-of-walk rewards: the Horn, or the Robin Hood.
Bow Brickhill Station to Woburn Sands Station (Buckinghamshire)
45m from Wellingborough, with one change.
19km. Moderate ascents. 5h–8h30.
Woods, golf course, gentle hills, landscaped deer park, village streets, playing fields, and golf links. Can be muddy.
Highlights: Woburn Safari Park.
Lunch stops in Woburn (2h–4h in): the Black Horse, Lussmanns, Galloways, Woburn Thai, or the Woburn Hotel.
End-of-walk reward: the Station Tavern.
East Midlands Parkway Station Circular via Gotham (Nottinghamshire)
1h from Wellingborough, with one change.
19km. Moderate ascents. 5h–8h30.
Lunch stops in Gotham (3h–5h in): the Sun Inn, the Cuckoo Bush Inn, or the Star Inn.
Adapted from a route by the Leicester Ramblers — download GPX route
East Midlands Parkway Station to Barrow-upon-Soar Station (Nottinghamshire)
1h from Wellingborough, with one change.
Tough: 23km. Flat terrain. 6h–10h.
Mostly on decent paths and along the River Soar and Grand Union Canal.
Lunch: Nowhere to eat en route — pack lunch!
End-of-walk rewards: the Boat Inn, the Navigation Inn, or the Hunting Lodge.
Adapted from a route by the Leicester Ramblers — download GPX route
Nottingham Station to East Midlands Parkway Station (Nottinghamshire)
1h from Wellingborough, with one change.
18km. Gentle ascents. 4h30–8h.
Canal, river, wooded track, and roadside footpath. Short stretch on busy A453.
Lunch stops: Wilford Farm (1h30–2h30 in), or Dovecote Barn Café (3h–5h30 in).
Adapted from a route by the Leicester Ramblers — download GPX route
St Albans City Station Circular via Ruins of Gorhambury House (Hertfordshire)
45m from Wellingborough, with one change.
15km. Moderate ascents. 4h–7h.
Highlights: St Albans Cathedral, Verulamium Roman City Walls, Ruins of Gorhambury House, and St Albans itself.
Lunch stop: Ye Olde Fighting Cocks (30m–1h in).
End-of-walk rewards: the Six Bells, the Lower Red Lion, the Snug, the Boot, the Mad Squirrel Tap, or the Peahen.