The Brampton Valley way is on the old railway line between Market Harborough and Northampton on the former London & North Western Railway. Horse riding is permitted on just over 12.2 miles to Merry Tom Crossing, although the way does continue further south alongside The Northampton and Lamport heritage steam railway. Presumably the railway line section is not part of the horse ridden section due to the health and safety issue. In total the way is 14 miles long.The railway line opened 1859 and closed in 1981 and was bought by Northampton County Council, and the Brampton Valley Way is managed by them, even though it has one end in Leicestershire. There are two tunnels en-route, the Kelmarsh which is 322 yards long and the Oxendon 462 yards long, so head torches are advisable or you can take diversionary routes. There are bridleways and open access routes joining the way in several places along the route. There is parking near Brixworth off Spratton Road on the Brampton Valley Way and also near Langborough Wood at Grid ref: SP 745 804.
NOTE: There is a mention in the Wikipedia entry that the railway line could be extended. The first step in our view would be south toward the main line nearer to Northampton, but, please check on this with the council. Work is currently going on at the Brampton end to build a station and repair a brick viaduct
Brampton Valey Way 2 C Copyright Mat Fascione and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
Brampton Valey Way C Copyright Kokai and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
Brampton Valey Way C Copyright Mat Fascione and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
Brampton Valey Way C Copyright Richard Croft and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
The Brampton Valley way is on the old railway line between Market Harborough and Northampton on the former London & North Western Railway. Horse riding is permitted on just over 12.2 miles to Merry Tom Crossing, although the way does continue further south alongside The Northampton and Lamport heritage steam railway. Presumably the railway line section is not part of the horse ridden section due to the health and safety issue. In total the way is 14 miles long.The railway line opened 1859 and closed in 1981 and was bought by Northampton County Council, and the Brampton Valley Way is managed by them, even though it has one end in Leicestershire. There are two tunnels en-route, the Kelmarsh which is 322 yards long and the Oxendon 462 yards long, so head torches are advisable or you can take diversionary routes. There are bridleways and open access routes joining the way in several places along the route. There is parking near Brixworth off Spratton Road on the Brampton Valley Way and also near Langborough Wood at Grid ref: SP 745 804.
NOTE: There is a mention in the Wikipedia entry that the railway line could be extended. The first step in our view would be south toward the main line nearer to Northampton, but, please check on this with the council. Work is currently going on at the Brampton end to build a station and repair a brick viaduct
