Leicestershire & Northamptonshire

Canons Ashby circular lake view walk

View of a lake with a mansion house and a church behind some trees, Canons Ashby, Northamptonshire — The view over the fishing lakes to Canons Ashby, Northamptonshire | © National Trust

A tranquil countryside walk from Canons Ashby taking in the remaining traces of a medieval village, local wildlife and views over the fishing lakes to the house and church tower. Please note – some walks are largely on public land not owned or maintained by the National Trust. Landmarks, signage and other features may change and some parts may not be fully accessible after heavy rain or high winds.

Near to

Canons Ashby

Start point

Car park at Canons Ashby, grid ref SP577506

Trail information

View route

Print trail

Difficulty*

Accessibility**

Full trail

DistanceMiles: 4.0 (km: 6.4)

Duration1 hour 30 mins to 2 hours 15 mins

Dog friendly***

*The route is on countryside footpaths and a quiet road. For further details, see Terrain section.
**Includes slopes, muddy sections, grass verges and gates. For further details, see Access section.
***Please keep dogs on a lead.

Part of the walk takes place on public land not in the care of the National Trust

Please note - this walk covers ground over public footpaths external to National Trust land which can sometimes be very muddy and overgrown in parts. Due to this and some of the way markers and route needing to be checked, it is advisable not to follow the current instructions for this walk. There are other walks linked from the main Canons Ashby website page which are more accessible.

Address
Canons Ashby, Daventry, Northamptonshire, NN11 3SD
Directions via Google Maps
By train
Banbury station is 10 miles (16.1km) away.
On foot
Join the Macmillan long-distance footpath at Woodford Halse and walk for 3 miles (4.8km) on country lanes.
By bus
There is no bus direct to Canons Ashby but bus routes between Daventry and Banbury stop at Woodford Halse. From here, you can follow the on foot directions.
Cycling
National Cycle Network Route 70 passes near Canons Ashby.
Visit the Sustrans website
By road
From the M40: come off at junction 11 at Banbury. Take the A422 (Brackley Road) towards Northampton. After 2 miles (3.2km), turn left at the roundabout onto the B4525 and follow the brown signs to Canons Ashby.
From the M1: come off at junction 16. Take the A45 towards Daventry. At Weedon roundabout, take the first exit onto the A5 towards Towcester. Follow the brown signs to Canons Ashby.
Postcode for satnav: NN11 3SD.
Dogs
Dogs are welcome, but please keep them on a lead as there may be livestock in some of the fields along this route.
Car park
The route begins in the car park at Canons Ashby.
Toilet
There are toilets at Canons Ashby. Baby-changing facilities in the outer area of the ladies toilets are available to all.
Picnic area
There are picnic tables in the paddock area at Canons Ashby where you can enjoy your own picnic.
Play area
There is a natural play area in the paddock at Canons Ashby.
Shop
There is a general shop and a bookshop at Canons Ashby.
Tea-room
The Stables Tea-room is at Canons Ashby.
Some sections may be uneven and muddy. There are gates, a downhill slope, a quiet roadside grass verge to walk along and a busier road to cross at the start of the walk.
Designated parking
Parking for people with mobility needs is in the main car park 200 yards from the house at Canons Ashby.
Accessible toilet
There is an accessible toilet at Canons Ashby, opposite the house entrance.
Steps/uneven terrain
The route can be muddy in places. The garden at Canons Ashby has loose gravel paths that may be difficult for wheeled transport to navigate. There are steps and grass slopes to the lower terraces.
Total stages: 9
Total stages: 9
Start point
Car park at Canons Ashby, grid ref SP577506
Stage 1
From the main entrance to Canons Ashby House, carefully step over the iron chain and walk a few steps to your left. Look out for traffic as you cross the road that runs parallel to the House. Go through the gate into the field signposted The Macmillan Way. Head diagonally right across this and the next gated field. In the third field, head diagonally left until you come to another gate in the far left corner by a hedge.
Stage 2
Go through the gate, then the gap in the hedge and over a small bridge. Ignore the path across the field ahead and turn left onto the track, keeping the hedge and ditch on your left. This is the Oxford Lane. Continue along the lane, crossing a private tarmac track after about 250m and carrying on past a wooded copse on your left until you come to a road.
Stage 3
Turn left, towards Woodford Halse, onto this quiet rural road, with a wide grass verge. Follow it for 1km, ignoring the left-hand turn to Canons Ashby.
Stage 4
At the footpath sign on the left, by a very wide metal barrier, go through the gap and straight ahead, keeping the field boundary hedge on your left. Follow the field boundary as it bends to the right and heads down into a dip.
Stage 5
At the bottom of the dip turn left, following the Public Footpath sign on the tree into the right-hand field.
Stage 6
Continue along the footpath, passing a large pond on your left where emperor dragonflies can often be seen in late summer. With the hedge on your left, follow the path until you reach the woodland edge ahead of you.
An emperor dragonfly | © National Trust Images/Richard Bradshaw
Stage 7
At the woodland edge where the main track bears left, turn right. After about 200m, follow the path to the left alongside a field. When you come to a gap in the hedge ahead, look out for a waymark on your left and go diagonally across this field.
Stage 8
As you cross the field, Canons Ashby House and the Priory Church tower will soon come into view beyond the fishing lakes.
Stage 9
At the field boundary, go through the hedge following the footpath signs then turn left onto the road back to Canons Ashby car park – and perhaps some well earned refreshments in the Stables Tea-room.
End point
Car park at Canons Ashby, grid ref SP577506
Trail map
The Canons Ashby lake view walk in Northamptonshire | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
You made it
Share your experience

View of the garden, with St Mary's Church beyond, at Canons Ashby, Northamptonshire

Trail

Miss Alice's landscape walk at Canons Ashby

The tranquil grounds around the Elizabethan manor house at Canons Ashby are a pleasure to explore. Find out more here.

near Daventry, Northamptonshire, NN11 3SD

01327861900

canonsashby@nationaltrust.org.uk

We’ve partnered with Cotswold Outdoor to help everyone make the most of their time outdoors in the places we care for.

Visit website

The interior of the kitchen at Canons Ashby house in Northamptonshire. The room has a stone flagstone floor with a large range over and servants bells on the wall.

Article

Visiting Canons Ashby house

Explore the historic house at Canons Ashby with grand rooms, stunning tapestries and plasterwork which contrasts with the servants' quarters. Find out more about what you can see.

Purple and yellow blooms in front of the back of Canons Ashby House

Article

Visiting the garden at Canons Ashby

The garden provides plenty of space for the family to have a great day out and enjoy the fresh air. You can also stretch your legs with one of the walks in the wider grounds.

A child enjoying a scone with jam and cream inside a café

Article

Eating and shopping at Canons Ashby

Grab a bite to eat in the tea-room, and find a souvenir to remember your visit in the Coach House shop. Head to the old brewhouse where you will now find a second-hand bookshop.

Six small white dogs, led by two people, Blenheim Palace Oxfordshire

Article

Visiting Canons Ashby with your dog

Canons Ashby is a two pawprint rated place. Dogs are welcome at Canons Ashby, whether it's a walk in the parkland with the family or lunch in the tea-garden whilst your dog(s) companion relaxes. Find out more about bringing your dog(s) friend for a visit.