Tenth Battalion Trail
Approx 15 miles
In 1943-44 the 10th Battalion, The Parachute Regiment was billeted in and around Somerby prior to deployment during Operation Market Garden and the Battle of Arnhem in September 1944. To this day Somerby hosts a parade in September of each year in commemoration of those brave soldiers and in 2019 the Friends of the Tenth erected a Memorial near to Burrough Court.
The Friends of the Tenth have devised the Tenth Battalion Trail, which uses some of the nicest footpaths and bridleways in the area to link places related to the 10th Battalion (designated by maroon colour plaques). A walking circuit taking in Somerby, Owston, Burrough on the Hill, and Thorpe Satchville as well as Burrough Hill Fort and of course the 10th Battalion Memorial where we start and finish. If you would like more detail the Guidebook for the Trail can be purchased at https://friendsofthetenth.co.uk/product/the-tenth-battalion-trail-guidebook/ .
This route crosses some livestock fields (all dogs MUST be on leads). There are several stiles on the route - if you bring your dog you must be able to lift it over a stile if necessary.
Spanhoe Airfield to Tenth Battalion Memorial
Approx 20 miles
On 18th September 1944 the men of the 10th Bn took off from Spanhoe Airfield in Northants to drop into the battle (https://friendsofthetenth.co.uk/history/). I have put together a liner walking route of just less than 20 miles, from Spanhoe Airfield to the 10th Battalion Memorial at Burrough Court.
It’s a pretty walk through beautiful rural countryside with lots of general interest along the way:
• Harringworth Viaduct: https://www.harringworth.org/history/the-railway-viaduct/
• Lyddington Bede House: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/lyddington-bede-house/?utm_source=Google%20Business&utm_campaign=Local%20Listings&utm_medium=Google%20Business%20Profiles&utm_content=lyddington%20bede%20house
• Eyebrook Reservoir: https://glaston.org.uk/eyebrook-reservoir/
• Launde Abbey: https://www.laundeabbey.org.uk/
• Burrough Court: https://www.burroughcourt.com/about-us/
If you’d rather not tackle it in one day, it could be spread over two easy days, Spanhoe to, say, Stockerston on the first day, overnight at Uppingham and finish the walk to the 10th Battalion Memorial the next day.
The route crosses some livestock fields (all dogs MUST be on leads). There are stiles on this route - if you have a dog you will need to be able to lift it over the stiles if necessary.
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