The River Nene is Northamptonshire’s defining feature, rising near Daventry and flowing eastward through the county, linking villages, water meadows, nature reserves and market towns in a chain that represents the best of English river landscape. Following the Nene from its upper reaches to the county boundary is one of the great walks of the East Midlands, but most visitors will explore it in sections, stopping at villages and pubs along the way.
All details were accurate at the time of research in 2026. Opening times, prices and availability can change, so we recommend checking directly before visiting.
The Upper Nene: Northampton to Thrapston
Becket’s Park and the Nene in Northampton
Walk
Riverside park in central Northampton. Farm shop and cafe. Walking paths along the river in both directions. The starting point for the Nene Valley in urban Northampton. 120-acre Racecourse adjacent.
Central location on the Nene
120-acre Racecourse Park nearby
Farm shop and cafe facilities
Walking paths east and west
Free parking available
Accessible to all abilities
Events throughout the year
River access for kayaking (seasonal)
Picnic areas along the paths
Dog-friendly walks
Billing Aquadrome
Attraction
235-acre holiday park on the eastern edge of Northampton. Lakes, walking paths, fishing. Caravans, glamping, touring pitches. Nene Valley path accessible from the park.
235 acres of parkland
Multiple lakes for walking and fishing
Glamping and caravan facilities
Touring pitches available
Visitor facilities and restaurants
Cycling routes through the park
Water sports activities
Family-friendly attractions
Year-round accommodation options
Easy access to Nene Valley Path
Stanwick Lakes
Nature and wildlife
750-acre nature reserve near Raunds. Lakeside walking, cycling, adventure play. Visitor centre with cafe. Off-lead dog areas. Former gravel pits transformed into wetland habitat. Birdwatching hides.
750 acres of wetland habitat
Multiple birdwatching hides
Lakeside walking trails
Cycling routes available
Adventure play area for children
Visitor centre with cafe
Off-lead dog walking areas
Wildlife viewing platforms
Seasonal bird migration events
Free parking and access
Irthlingborough and Higham Ferrers
Market town
Twin towns on opposite banks of the Nene connected by a medieval bridge. St Mary’s Church at Higham Ferrers with its carved west doorway. The Bede House and Chichele College. The medieval bridge is Grade I listed.
Grade I listed medieval bridge
St Mary’s Church with decorated doorway
The Bede House historic building
Chichele College architectural interest
River views from both banks
Independent shops and cafes
Regular markets and events
Historic conservation areas
Walking connections along the Nene
Parking available in both towns
Ditchford Lakes Nature Reserve
Nature and wildlife
A chain of former gravel pits along the Nene between Wellingborough and Rushden. Managed for wildlife with hides overlooking the lakes. Winter wildfowl and passage waders. Part of the Upper Nene Valley Gravel Pits Special Protection Area. Free access.
Chain of former gravel pits
Wildlife hides for birdwatching
Winter wildfowl populations
Passage wader viewing
Part of SPA designation
Walking paths around lakes
Photography opportunities
Free public access
Managed habitat restoration
Educational signage throughout
Thrapston
Market town
A market town at the junction of the Nene and the Ise. The medieval nine-arched bridge is one of the finest in the county. Weekly market. Good independent shops. Gateway to the upper Nene Valley villages.
Medieval nine-arched bridge
Weekly market days
Independent shops and businesses
River junction setting
Gateway to upper valley
Historic town centre
Cafes and restaurants
Walking access in all directions
Parking available
Events and festivals
The Heart of the Valley: Thrapston to Oundle
Aldwincle and Wadenhoe Walk
Walk
A circular walk between two of the most attractive Nene Valley villages. Approximately 5 miles. Riverside meadows, the church on the hill at Wadenhoe, the King’s Head pub for lunch. Flat terrain, suitable for most abilities. One of the best half-day walks in the county.
Approximately 5 miles circular route
Flat terrain throughout
Riverside meadow walking
Church hill views at Wadenhoe
The King’s Head pub for refreshment
Suitable for most fitness levels
Half-day walk from Thrapston
Parking available at both villages
Wildflower meadows in spring/summer
Beautiful valley scenery
Wadenhoe
Village
One of the most photographed villages in the county. 36 listed buildings. The King’s Head, a 17th-century thatched inn. Church of St Michael on the hill above. Conservation Area covering the entire settlement. Riverside walks in both directions.
36 listed buildings
Conservation Area status
The King’s Head thatched pub
Church of St Michael on hilltop
Riverside setting with views
Picturesque stone cottages
Walking in both valley directions
Photography hotspot
Historic village character
Small parking area
Titchmarsh Nature Reserve
Nature and wildlife
A reserve managed by the Wildlife Trust on former gravel pits beside the Nene. Birdwatching hides overlooking shallow lagoons. Significant numbers of wintering wildfowl and passage waders. Part of the Upper Nene Valley Gravel Pits SPA. Free access with small parking charge.
Wildlife Trust managed reserve
Birdwatching hides and observation points
Shallow lagoons for wildfowl
Winter bird populations
Passage wader viewing
Part of SPA protection
Walking trails around reserve
Small parking fee
Photography hides available
Educational information boards
Barnwell Country Park
Attraction
A country park near Oundle with lakeside walks, wildflower meadows and play areas. Dog-friendly. Farm shop adjacent. Connects to the river path towards Oundle. A managed site with good facilities for families.
Lakeside walking trails
Wildflower meadows
Family play areas
Dog-friendly throughout
Farm shop with local produce
Cafe and refreshment facilities
Picnic areas provided
Well-maintained facilities
Connects to Nene Valley Path
Ample parking available
Oundle
Market town
The most attractive small town in the Nene Valley. Independent shops, bookshop, butcher, baker. Thursday market since AD 972. Monthly farmers’ market. Oundle Mill restaurant on the river. Multiple festivals throughout the year. Lyveden New Bield nearby.
Thursday market since AD 972
Independent shops and boutiques
Butcher, baker and bookshop
Monthly farmers’ market
Oundle Mill riverside restaurant
Multiple festivals annually
Historic town centre
Lyveden New Bield nearby
Walking access in all directions
Ample parking facilities
The Nene Way: Oundle to Fotheringhay
Walk
A section of the Nene Way long-distance path following the river between two historic settlements. Approximately 4 miles one way. Flat riverside meadows with views of Fotheringhay Church tower. Can be walked as a linear route with return along quiet lanes. One of the finest river walks in the county.
Approximately 4 miles one way
Part of 110-mile Nene Way
Flat riverside meadow terrain
Historic settlement connections
Fotheringhay Church tower views
Linear or circular route options
Quiet lane returns available
Excellent bird watching
Wildflower meadows
Well-marked path throughout
Cotterstock and Tansor
Village
Quiet Nene Valley villages between Oundle and Fotheringhay. Stone cottages and ancient churches. Few visitors despite the quality of the buildings. Walking connections along the river and through surrounding farmland. A taste of the Nene Valley at its most undiscovered.
Stone cottages architecture
Ancient churches of note
Quiet rural setting
Few visitors, peaceful location
River walking access
Farmland walks available
Historic village character
Traditional Nene Valley views
Limited facilities
Parking along quiet lanes
The Lower Nene: Fotheringhay to the County Boundary
Fotheringhay
Village
The most historically significant village on the Nene. Castle mound where Richard III was born and Mary Queen of Scots was executed. The magnificent church with its Perpendicular lantern tower. Riverside setting. Free to visit.
Historic castle mound site
Richard III birthplace
Mary Queen of Scots execution site
Magnificent parish church
Perpendicular lantern tower
Riverside village setting
Free public access
Historical significance
Walking trails from village
Picnic areas available
Nassington
Village
A Nene Valley village near the Cambridgeshire border. The Prebendal Manor is the oldest surviving dwelling in Northamptonshire, with connections to King Cnut. Church of All Saints. Queen’s Head pub. Old Sulehay nature reserve nearby.
Prebendal Manor historic building
Oldest dwelling in Northamptonshire
King Cnut connections
Church of All Saints
Queen’s Head traditional pub
Old Sulehay nature reserve nearby
Border village location
Walking from the village
Historic stone architecture
Peaceful rural setting
Yarwell and Wansford
Village
Villages at the eastern edge of the county where the Nene crosses into Cambridgeshire. Yarwell’s medieval church sits above the river. Wansford bridge is a fine medieval crossing. The Nene Valley Railway (heritage steam railway) runs from Wansford through the Nene Park. A good point to combine river walking with a heritage railway ride.
County boundary location
Yarwell medieval church
Wansford medieval bridge
Fine stone architecture
Nene Valley Railway access
Heritage steam trains
River walking routes
Historic crossings
Family-friendly location
Parking at railway station
Nene Valley Railway
Attraction
A heritage steam railway running from Wansford through the Nene Park towards Peterborough. Steam and diesel trains on selected days. Thomas the Tank Engine events for families. Real ale trains for adults. A combination of railway heritage and Nene Valley scenery.
Heritage steam and diesel trains
Selected days operation
Thomas Tank Engine family events
Real ale train experiences
Scenic Nene Park route
Station cafe facilities
Gift shop and souvenirs
Photography opportunities
Historic railway vehicles
Advance booking recommended
Elton
Village
A pretty village on the Northamptonshire side of the Nene near Wansford. Stone cottages and a pub. The village sits on the edge of the Nene Park. Walking connections along the river and through the surrounding estate. A quiet base for exploring the easternmost section of the Nene in Northamptonshire.
Stone cottage architecture
Traditional village pub
Nene Park edge location
River walking access
Estate walks available
Quiet rural base
Easternmost Nene location
Traditional village character
Limited facilities
Peaceful setting
Upper Nene Valley Gravel Pits SPA
Nature and wildlife
A Special Protection Area stretching along the Nene from Northampton to Thrapston. One of the most important inland sites for wintering waterbirds in the UK. Over 20,000 golden plover in winter. Bittern, great crested grebe and gadwall breed here. Multiple access points along the valley. Free access.
Special Protection Area designation
Important for wintering waterbirds
Over 20,000 golden plover in winter
Bittern breeding habitat
Great crested grebe populations
Gadwall breeding birds
Multiple reserve access points
Free public access throughout
Birdwatching hides available
International conservation importance
The Nene Way Long-Distance Path
Walk
The full Nene Way runs for 110 miles from Badby in west Northamptonshire to Sutton Bridge on The Wash. The Northamptonshire sections follow the river through villages, water meadows and nature reserves. Can be walked in sections or as a multi-day route. Flat terrain throughout. Connects most of the sites in this guide.
110-mile long-distance path
From Badby to The Wash
Northamptonshire sections featured
Village-to-village routes
Water meadow walking
Nature reserve connections
Flat terrain throughout
Can be walked in sections
Multi-day route options
Well-marked and signposted
Seasonal Highlights
Spring (March-May): Wildflower meadows, lambing season, songbird return
Summer (June-August): Peak walking season, farmer markets, outdoor events
Autumn (September-November): Migrating waders, changing foliage, harvest festivals
Winter (December-February): Golden plover flocks, frost-covered meadows, peaceful walks
Early summer: Medieval bridge weekends at Thrapston
June-August: Oundle food festivals and farmers markets
September: Harvest celebrations at market towns
Winter months: Wildfowl viewing at Stanwick Lakes
Spring: Wildflower walks at Titchmarsh
Year-round: Nene Valley Railway seasonal experiences
A Note From NorthantsLife
The Nene Valley represents the very best of Northamptonshire’s natural and cultural heritage. From the urban pathways of Northampton to the rural edges of Cambridgeshire, the river connects us to centuries of history, diverse wildlife habitats, and some of the most beautiful walking in the East Midlands. Whether you spend a day or return season after season, the Nene Valley offers something new to discover with every visit. We recommend starting with the Aldwincle and Wadenhoe walk, then exploring the market towns at your own pace.
Before You Go
Check weather conditions and dress appropriately for riverside walking
Wear appropriate footwear – river paths can be muddy in wet weather
Bring binoculars for wildlife watching at nature reserves
Visit reserve websites for seasonal access and closing information
Carry maps or download walking route apps for the Nene Way
Book Nene Valley Railway tickets in advance during peak season
Check market town event calendars for festivals and farmers markets
Bring water and snacks for longer walks
Visit in spring for wildflowers or winter for wildfowl viewing
Allow extra time – the Nene Valley rewards slow exploration
