Ufford: Paths, woodland and historic buildings

Discover Ufford through its paths and historic architecture. A four-mile circular walk in the John Clare Countryside series starts in the village; other paths lead to Barnack, Bainton and Ashton, as well as towards Southey Wood. When planning, you can choose a circular route, paths to specific destinations, or walks through the woodland.

Walking from Ufford

The four-mile circular walk in the John Clare Countryside series starts and ends in Ufford. Check the route details before setting out. The paths to Barnack, Bainton and Ashton each follow a different course: the route to Barnack starts at the churchyard, crosses a field and continues as far as Walcot Road. To reach Bainton, follow Bainton Road to Moor’s Corner; a footpath starts on the left there. The route to Ashton follows Torpel Way and continues across fields to Ashton.

Southey Wood can also be reached by a path from Ufford. Just outside the village, this runs along Marholm Road via a bridleway. East of the village, a bridleway branches south from Marholm Road. There are marked paths in the wood; the largest trees there are oaks, beech trees and pines. Path conditions can vary, and waymarking may change. So check the path conditions before your outing.

Landscape and nearby nature

Ufford Church stands 44 metres above sea level and is the highest point in the village. From its prominent position, it overlooks the flat Welland Valley to the north. This viewpoint gives the landscape a clear sense of direction: the valley lies below the church, while the church tower stands out as a landmark in the village.

Castor Hanglands, a National Nature Reserve managed by Natural England, lies three kilometres southeast of Ufford. A public bridleway runs north to south through the area, and horses and bicycles are permitted on it. This nearby route offers a different way to experience the surrounding area from the footpaths that start in Ufford.

Historic buildings and village history

Ufford Hall is a Grade I listed building. Southeast of The Roost stands a dovecote with a date stone in its gable: the inscription reads “TG 1727”. Two barns southeast of The Roost date from the 18th century. Their steeply pitched roofs are covered in Collyweston stone and end in gables. The former farm complex at The Roost also includes a barn dated 1770. Walnut House is the only surviving thatched building in Ufford.

The Roost, formerly Newport Farm, stood next to the Old Rectory on the rise in Ufford. There is also archaeological evidence of a Saxon and medieval settlement near the church. These traces add a longer history of settlement to the picture of the village, while the surviving buildings reveal their respective periods through their form and materials.

Langley Bush is also nearby, where the parishes of Ufford, Upton, Ailsworth and Helpston meet. For centuries, it served as the open-air court of the Langdyke Hundred, which met twice a year. In John Clare’s time, Langley Bush was also a meeting place for Romani people and one of his favourite destinations for an outing.

St Andrew’s Church

The oldest part of St Andrew’s Church is the chancel, dating from the late 13th century. Its features include a 15th-century font with its original cover and a recumbent tomb monument to Lady Bridget Carre from the 17th century. The church is open daily from 10 am to 4 pm; check opening hours before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Helpston, Northborough, Barnack, Wansford, Peterborough.

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