Walk 8: A Circular Walk Between Piddington and Horton

Approximately 3 miles

Starting in Horton at the junction of the B526 and the Brafield road, take the B526 road towards Newport Pagnell, passing the entrance to Horton Church, then on your left, the well-known restaurant, 'The New French Partridge'.

About 200 yards further on, after an S bend, a glance to the left reveals two of the buildings which belonged to the Horton House estate, the Temple, and beyond to its right, The Arches. Also on the left, the field inherits 'ridge and furrow' cultivation.

Just before the road goes over the bridge over the old railway line, you will see a public footpath sign on the right. Take this path, which runs by a hedge on the right and 'Roy's Ranch' on the left. Don't be put off by the fierce barking of a dog.
 It can't get out (or hasn’t done yet!)! At the end  of the hedge, the path, KM41, usually clearly defined, crosses the open field straight ahead
.

To your left as you go across the field, the line of hedgerow runs alongside the disused railway line which connected Towcester and Bedford via Olney. At the gap in the hedge, there was a halt - called 'Salcey Forest', often reached via 'London Lane' - the bridleway which you are now on. The path dips down beside two trees and crosses a stream at the bottom - a point at which several footpaths meet, and a good place for pause and reflection.

Continuing straight on across the next field, the path rises to a splendid panoramic view to the right of Hackleton with its surrounding fields and trees extending to Horton and the countryside beyond. Some might be tempted to walk slowly across here to take it all in!

At the far side of the field, the path goes between hedges into Forest Road. Turn right here and walk down past the Spread Eagle pub (open all day!). At the bottom of Forest Road just before it bears left, and just past the thatched roof cottage, turn right into Chapel End. Very soon you will see a footpath sign on the right leading between the cottages to Horton. Follow this path (KM42) across the field, again affording superb views.

The path eventually bears to the left towards a grassy field in the distance. Two wooden footbridges cross a stream and into the field. There are often cattle in this field. They are harmless (unless accompanied by a bull!), but keep dogs on a lead and mind where you are treading!

The path lies across the field diagonally to the right leading to a stile which takes you back on to the Horton Road. Turn right to get back to your starting point.

Options: In wet weather it might be preferable to continue along to the end of Chapel End and then between the bungalows and along the tarmac path (over 'The Lands'), past the allotments on the left (always worth perusing), and on across the stream (where you might be lucky and spot a kingfisher) and to the Hackleton Village Hall. The path leads out (through 'The Jetty' with its pretty cottages) into the main road from Hackleton to Horton.

This walk can be combined with walks 1,2 or 4 for a longer walk.

* Map Reproduced from OS Landranger Map 1:50,000 by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office. © Crown copyright.
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