On a perfect morning (12th August) for walking, the weather slightly overcast with a light breeze, twenty nine members of the Rambling Group set off on a four and a half mile walk around the perimeter of Castle Ashby grounds. Starting from the Rose and Crown pub in Yardley Hastings we walked a short way through the village until we arrived at Little Lane (most appropriately named as it was only about two metres wide with a brook running at the side of it) and from there headed towards Castle Ashby. Once over the cattle grid we came into the impressive grounds with Castle Ashby House in the background and decided to stop for photos at the mid point of the three and a half mile grand driveway.
Walking round the perimeter of the grounds we passed the Rural Shopping Yard and rested briefly at the tiny village green before the pretty Falcon Pub which is currently closed for renovation. The group then turned into Park Hill, a narrow road which approx one mile goes through an idyllic pastoral scene with Grendon fishing lakes on the left and views of the house on the right.
Turning into a bridleway we were then homeward bound arriving back at the pub at 12.45 just in time for our pre-ordered lunches.