Wilbarston to Gretton

After a two year hiatus my friend Hannah and I picked up the Jurassic Way after our Welford to Wilbarston stage, October 2022. There was a break in the wet weather that has been synonymous of the UK this year, and it coincided with our rest days. As it’s been awhile, mega busy at work the day before, making it a late finish, we opted on a shorter stage.

This also meant we could cover it in the afternoon allowing the morning to rest. Just after 1200h we were at Wilbarston, ready to begin the 16km walk to Gretton. Light cloud cover filled the sky and a gentle breeze made for good walking conditions.

The route was pretty much downhill for the first 6km and remained flat until the last kilometre into Gretton. The views of the rolling countryside were a treat and once Wilbarston was behind, we were totally emersed in the English Countryside. Not a soul to be seen, apart from an elderly gentleman, map in hand walking the Jurassic way southbound. Hannah joked that will be me one day! Couldn’t disagree.

It was good to see the Shell signs marking the route again, as we passed through small wooded paths, wildflowers and fields of wheat. Soon East Carlton came into view, with the church perch on top of the hill and a field of reindeer grazing in front; an unexpected surprise.

It has been awhile since I had a good catch up with my friend, and we nattered away eating up the kilometres. Cottingham came and went, and soon our first little ascent of the day stood before us. At the top, nestled this small hill is the village of Bringhurst.

Climbing through the fields of wheat, following the path the farmer had dutifully maintained to keep the route clear for us ramblers, we reached the quaint church to this little hamlet. Spying a bench just outside the entrance, it was a perfect place to have lunch and take in the peacefulness of our surrounds.

The smell of Lavender drift through the air, while we munched on our packed lunches. A few drops of rain, prompted us to get moving, but that was all it was. No need to get out our waterproofs nor open a brolly.

The route led us down the other side of Bringhurst, through Great Easton, over fields of grazing sheep and cows. On the horizon, the tower to Rockingham Castle came into view, watching us as we approached this the little village on the edge of Corby. Not a sign of the industrial town could be seen.

Hannah commented on how pleasant and well maintained the route was, and how easy this stage had been. However this wasn’t to last, and I blame her for what shortly lay before us. The path dipped under the railway line and into a jungle of nettles, brambles and all kinds snagging shrubbery. At times it was hard to see where the route went, even for my lofty height.

There was nothing for it, we just had to power through this gauntlet of needles, stinging our legs raw. But what is an adventure without adversity? We came out the other side laughing with smiles on our faces; but for Hannah this was only brief, as we now had to ascend the biggest hill for the day into Gretton.

Once conquered it was a flat walk through barley fields into Gretton. Watching the crop sway in the gentle breeze was a pleasure to be seen and a peaceful end to a lovely day on the Jurassic Way. After a quick pint in the Hatton Arms, we made our way back home.

Technically we only have two more stages until Stamford, the end point of the journey, hopefully we can get this done by the end of the year!