Battle of Naseby and Source of the River Avon Walk
A peaceful village near the site of a momentous Civil War battle
Google Maps Open Source Maps| Statistics and Files | ||
|---|---|---|
| Start: Battlefield Car Park | Distance: 4.6 miles (7.4 km) | Climbing: 94 metres |
| Grid Ref: SP 68579 79898 | Time: 2 hours | Rating: Easy |
| GPX Route File | Google Earth File | About Naseby |
| Statistics | |
|---|---|
| Start: Battlefield Car Park | Distance: 4.6 miles (7.4 km) |
| Climbing: 94 metres | Grid Ref: SP 68579 79898 |
| Time: 2 hours | Rating: Easy |
| GPX Route File | Google Earth File |
Ordnance Survey Explorer Map (1:25,000)
The Walk:
The small village of Naseby is set upon what is almost the highest point of the county of Northamptonshire. The peaceful rolling hills to the north of the village provided the incongruous setting for the Battle of Naseby, one of the most decisive battles in British history. Here, in 1645, the Parliamentary New Model Army under Cromwell and Fairfax routed the Royalists under Prince Rupert, making the outcome of the English Civil War a formality.
The walk begins at the Battlefield car park, but first visits the village, where several relics bear witness to its place in history. In fact, Naseby has one claim to fame that has nothing to do with the battle. Peer over the garden wall of Manor Farm, and you will see the source of the River Avon. It is hard to believe that the tiny trickle issuing from a metal spout eventually becomes one of England's greatest rivers.
Cromwell Memorial on Naseby Battlefield
Naseby Obelisk
To the west of the village is a monument to the battle, erected in 1823 by Lord and Lady Fitzgerald of the Manor of Naseby, on the site of an old burnt down windmill. At the bottom of the lane, leading down from the Fitzgerald Obelisk, is the shaft of the old market cross, erected in the village centre in 1203.
Up another rise is the thatched Cannon Cottage, made with thick mud walls during the 17th century. It somehow survived the wholesale demolition of the village's old houses in the 1870's. Lod Clifton, the local landowner, wanted to replace all the dwellings with red brick detached and terraced housing, in the High Victorian style.
A little further on is the museum, the brainchild of Mr Eric Westaway and his wife, which explains the implications of the battle. On display are cannon balls, musket and pistol shot, swords, tunic buttons, flintlocks and spurs, all found on the battlefield. The commentary explains the model layouts of the battle, which are a good preparation for the return to the battleground at the end of the walk.
Thatched Cannon Cottage in Naseby
Naseby village and church
The route goes back through the village, passing a war memorial copied from one of the lions around the base of Nelson's Column, to the 13th century Church of All Saints.
An interesting curiosity is the huge hollow cup ball in the west end of the north aisle, which was brought back from France by Admiral Sir George Allington after the Battle of Boulogne Harbour in 1544. Its purpose is uncertain, however, it is recorded as being capable of holding 60 gallons of ale at any one time! It previously sat on top of the church steeple and was known as The Old Man of Naseby.
A huge table in the north aisle is known as Cromwell's Table. The story is that some of King Charles lifeguards were surprised by Cromwells men as they sat enjoying a drink at this table in a local hostelry.
The walk ends with a poignant view of the battlefield. With the help of the information board at the base of the monument, it is easy to recall the battle plans from the museum and envisaging the armies, more than 20,000 strong, stretching out from where you stand, right over to Dust Hill on the horizon.
Acknowledgment: Text derived from the Out and Out Series; Discovering the Countryside on Foot. Pictures courtesy of Wikipedia.
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