🥾 Walking route
Lakes and Meadows Trail
North Northamptonshire
- 📏 3 km · 1.9 mi
- ⛰ +22 m
- ⏱ 45 min
- 🐕 On lead
Walk stats
- Distance3 km · 1.9 mi
- Elevation+22 m
- Duration45 min
- DifficultyEasy
- Route typeCircular
- TerrainFlat lakeside and riverside paths
- Best seasonSpring to autumn for birdlife
- DogsDog friendly on leads near wildlife areas
About this walk
The Lakes and Meadows Trail is a gentle 3 km circuit through the wetland landscape of North Northamptonshire, easily managed in around three quarters of an hour. Starting conveniently near a Starbucks, the path quickly leaves the bustle behind and heads out towards Little Lake, where reedy margins and open water draw in waterfowl throughout the year.
From here the route picks up the River Nene Navigation, following the calm channel as it threads between former gravel workings now reclaimed by nature. You pass Delta Pit, a designated SSSI and Ramsar water reserve of real ecological importance, before looping back via the BCN Wildlife Discovery Centre, a useful stop for orienting yourself to the species that live in these flooded pits and meadows.
With only 22 metres of ascent across the whole loop, this is a flat, relaxed walk suited to families and anyone after a short nature fix. Nearby Mill Stream, Canal Lake (Wilsons Pits) and a Costa make it easy to extend the outing or round things off with a coffee.
Route map
Route line drawn from OpenStreetMap footpath data. Numbered markers are waypoints on the route; amber star markers are points of interest a short detour away.
Waypoints along the route
5 waypoints along the way
- 1
Starbucks
- 2
Little Lake
- 3
River Nene Navigation
- 4
Delta Pit (SSSI Ramsar Water Reserve)
- 5
BCN Wildlife Discovery Centre
Worth a short detour
Points of interest just off the route, look for the amber markers on the map.
Mill Stream
~339 m off the route
Canal Lake (Wilsons Pits)
~497 m off the route
Costa
~215 m off the route
Route & waypoint data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).