This walks starts at the pretty village of Braunston-in-Rutland, passing through gently undulating countryside. It has some interesting historical features and wonderful views over the remote Chater Valley

Walk data:

Distance: 3.5 miles; can be extended to 6.5 miles

Typical time: 1.5 hours (or 3 hours for the longer route)

OS map: Explorer 234 or Landranger 141

Terrain: Some welcome contours

Start & finish: Braunston All Saints’ Church

Getting there: 2 miles SW of Oakham

Refreshments: The Blue Ball, opposite the church Tel: 01572 722135. Good food, pleasant atmosphere. The Old Plough Inn, Church St, Tel 01572 722714 Good restaurant and bar snacks. Famous for its petanque games.

(always walk with a map, instructions not fool-proof)

Walk directions:

1Cross over the stile at the west end of the church (the right-hand path), walking in a westerly direction close to the right edge of the field. Cross a ditch and then the diminutive River Gwash over a footbridge.

2 Once over the river, follow a broad track between two fields as far as a gate. Once through the gate, you will soon pass South Lodge Farm on your right hand side. At the end of a long, thin strip of a field, cross to the other side of the tiny stream and follow it on the other side to the end of the next field.

3 At this point the path cuts diagonally across the field (a tiny pond on your immediate left) to a stile in the far left-hand corner under an ash-tree, but most people appear to walk around the right hand side and then up. Once over this stile, head across a field (wet in winter) towards an opening at the top of the hill.

4 At this point you start to get fine views of the Chater Valley. Join the bridleway heading south east, then after a few hundred yards go through a gate and swing in an easterly direction, soon joining a metalled track; this takes you to a young deciduous wood called Top Windmill

5 Half way along Top Windmill, take a footpath sign to the left which wends its way back in a north-easterly direction to Braunston; the path is well-marked. On entering a field, you will find a bench immediately on your right with good views of the village.

6 As you approach the church again, skirt round the left of the farm with the large aerial and climb back over the stile into the churchyard.

Extending the walk to the River Chater: 6.5 miles in total...

4b You could extend the walk at this point by taking a path south to within a 100 yards of the River Chater, picking up the Leicestershire Round as far as Leighfield medieval fish ponds, then heading north along the Leighfield Way to Hibbits Lodge, then a short walk north-west along a road, then right towards Waterdown and then back into Braunston, turning left just after the protected badger setts, and walking close to the River Gwash (a charming place for a picnic). This would add nearly three miles to the walk.

Points of interest

Braunston

All Saints’ Church dates back to the 13th century. It is notable for its medieval wall-paintings and odd-looking clock face. As you pass the west end of the church you will see a pagan figure standing at the foot of the tower. Theories abound as to what it signifies or exactly how old it is.

Immediately beside the church is an open access area, where there is evidence of a medieval ridge and furrow field system and possibly a water mill and dam. There is a helpful information board a few yards down Wood Lane, just south of the church.

The River Gwash flows to the south of the village. This sinuous stream subsequently runs into Rutland Water and then on to Ryhall before taking a big loop and joining the River Welland to the east of Stamford.