Attractions and Places To See around Mawsley - Top 20
Best attractions and places to see around Mawsley, a village in Northamptonshire, are characterized by a tranquil rural setting with picturesque cottages and rolling fields. The area offers a peaceful escape into the English countryside, with many notable attractions found in the surrounding region. These include natural features, cultural sites, and historical landmarks. The gently rolling fields and hedgerows define the Northamptonshire countryside, providing opportunities for walks and experiencing rural life.
Best attractions and places to see around Mawsley
- The most popular attractions is Pitsford Water, a lake that is a popular spot for watersports, fishing, and walking. It is a large reservoir offering extensive outdoor activities and scenic views, with a 7-mile (11 km) route around it.
- Another must-see spot is Kelmarsh Tunnels, disused railway tunnels. These unlit tunnels, 480 metres (1,570 ft) long, offer a unique experience for cyclists and walkers along the Brampton Valley Way, requiring lights for passage.
- Visitors also love National Cycle Route 6: Northampton to Market Harborough, a trail and cycle way. This route connects Northampton to Market Harborough, featuring two tunnels and offering an easy path for cycling and walking.
- Mawsley is known for its historical sites, natural features, and extensive trails. The area offers a variety of attractions to see and explore, from ancient churches to large reservoirs and scenic cycle routes.
- The attractions around Mawsley are appreciated by the komoot community, with over 80 upvotes and 30 photos shared by visitors.
Last updated: May 9, 2026
Kelmarsh Tunnels
Highlight (Segment) β’ Trail
The former "up" line tunnel at Kelmarsh is open as part of the Brampton Valley Way, running along the former railway trackbed.
The tunnel is unlit and the tunnel length is 480 metres (1,570 ft). You will need lights!
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St Peter and St Paulβs Church, Hannington
Highlight β’ Historical Site
Once a major part of village life, the church was built in the late 13th century, though it incorporates some stonework from an earlier period.
By the mid 19th century the church had fallen into a serious state of disrepair and was little more than a ruin, but thankfully in 1869 the building was restored to its former glory and a new Rectory was built alongside it. The person responsible for this was the Rector, John Downes. He personally paid for the restoration and for the building of the Rectory, now called Hannington House. It was John Downes' wife Lucy who founded the school in Hannington in 1871, and this school building still exists and is used as the Village Hall.
Ref. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hannington,_Northamptonshire
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National Cycle Route 6: Northampton to Market Harborough
Highlight (Segment) β’ Trail
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Pitsford Water
Highlight (Segment) β’ Lake
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St Andrew's Church, Arthingworth
Highlight β’ Religious Site
Arthingworth is just north of the Brampton Valley Way, a 14-mile (22.5 km) trail that uses the course of the former Market Harborough to Northampton railway. The Bull's Head is a traditional drovers' inn, serves good food and has eight en suite rooms in a separate accommodation block.
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Tips from the Community
Decent front light a must to ride through. Surface is not too bad but best to go slowly if you can't see well.
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You will need a decent light to go through riding! There is a ventilation shaft halfway through which provides some relief from the gloom.
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Another tunnel with another cool blast of air on these hot summer days.
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The Kelmarsh Tunnels are disused railway tunnels. The original tunnel was single-track, and when the line was doubled a second single-track tunnel was built. Due to the small bore, the tunnels were known as "the rat-holes" by train drivers. The former "up" line tunnel at Kelmarsh is open as part of the Brampton Valley Way, running along the former railway trackbed. The tunnel is unlit and the tunnel length is 480 metres (1,570 ft). You will need lights!
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Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of outdoor activities can I enjoy around Mawsley?
The area around Mawsley offers a variety of outdoor activities, particularly around its natural features. You can enjoy walking, cycling, and watersports at Pitsford Water, which features a scenic 7-mile (11 km) route. The National Cycle Route 6: Northampton to Market Harborough, which includes the unique Kelmarsh Tunnels, is excellent for both cycling and walking. For more specific routes, you can explore various road cycling, easy hiking, and MTB trails guides in the region.
Are there any unique historical sites or landmarks to visit near Mawsley?
Yes, the area is rich in history. You can explore the impressive 18th-century country house and gardens at Kelmarsh Hall & Gardens, or the spectacular Elizabethan mansion of Kirby Hall. Another unique site is Lyveden New Bield, an unfinished Elizabethan garden lodge, and the distinctive Rushton Triangular Lodge, built in 1593 to symbolize the Holy Trinity. For religious architecture, consider visiting St Peter and St Paulβs Church, Hannington, or St Andrew's Church, Arthingworth.
What natural features can I explore for scenic views and walks?
Beyond Pitsford Water, which offers stunning countryside views, you can visit Salcey Forest, known for its ancient oak trees, some over 500 years old. Irchester Country Park provides additional woodland walks and recreational facilities. The gently rolling fields and hedgerows surrounding Mawsley also offer numerous opportunities for leisurely walks and experiencing the tranquil rural landscape.
Are there family-friendly attractions or activities around Mawsley?
Absolutely. Pitsford Water is a great family destination with open grassed areas for picnics, a children's play area, and easy walking/cycling paths. Irchester Country Park also offers woodland walks and recreational facilities suitable for families. Historic churches like St Peter and St Paulβs Church, Hannington, and St Andrew's Church, Arthingworth, are also considered family-friendly historical sites.
When is the best time of year to visit Mawsley for outdoor activities?
The spring and summer months (April to September) are generally ideal for outdoor activities around Mawsley, offering pleasant weather for walking, cycling, and watersports. Autumn also provides beautiful scenery with changing foliage. While winter walks can be charming, some trails, like the Kelmarsh Tunnels, require lights due to being unlit, and conditions may be colder and wetter.
Are there any wheelchair-accessible attractions near Mawsley?
Yes, Pitsford Water is listed as wheelchair-accessible. It features an accessible garden with raised beds and a main walking/cycle path around the water that is suitable for wheelchairs, making it a great option for visitors with mobility needs.
Where can I find cafes or refreshments near popular walking routes?
At Pitsford Water, there is a cafe available, along with public toilets and a bike shop. Along the National Cycle Route 6, you might find options in towns like Market Harborough or near the Windhover Pub. The Bull's Head in Arthingworth, just north of the Brampton Valley Way, is a traditional drovers' inn serving food.
What do visitors particularly enjoy about the attractions near Mawsley?
Visitors appreciate the diverse range of experiences, from the tranquil rural setting of Mawsley itself to the more active pursuits. The unique experience of cycling or walking through the unlit Kelmarsh Tunnels is often highlighted, as are the scenic views and recreational opportunities at Pitsford Water. The historical significance and architectural beauty of sites like St Peter and St Paulβs Church, Hannington, are also highly valued.
Can I cycle long distances on dedicated paths near Mawsley?
Yes, the National Cycle Route 6 offers a 14-mile (22.5 km) trail between Northampton and Market Harborough, following a former railway line. This route is an easy path for cycling and includes the Kelmarsh Tunnels. Additionally, the 7-mile (11 km) route around Pitsford Water is also popular for cycling.
Are there any impressive feats of engineering or unique structures to see?
Beyond the Kelmarsh Tunnels, which are disused railway tunnels offering a unique passage for cyclists and walkers, you can visit Foxton Locks. This significant flight of ten locks on the Grand Union Canal is an impressive feat of engineering and is set within picturesque surroundings.
What is the topography like for walking and hiking around Mawsley?
The Mawsley area is characterized by gently rolling fields and a delicate patchwork of hedgerows, typical of the Northamptonshire countryside. This makes for generally easy and pleasant walking conditions, with many trails following former railway lines or reservoir perimeters, offering relatively flat and accessible paths.
Most popular routes around Mawsley
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