Set off from Fiveways, along Back Lane and turn right down Blisworth Road.

Immediately after the disused railway line, turn right onto the public footpath. The path goes diagonally across the field at an angle of about 35 degrees to the disused railway line. At the opposite corner of the field, there is a gap in the hedge and a broken down rusty iron gate. There are 2 paths at this point, one going straight across the next field to Gayton Wood Farm, the other going right, along the line of the hedge back to the disused railway line. Take the latter path.

At the disused railway, there is a wooden gate. A brick-built bridge carries the path over the deep and densely wooded ravine of the old railway line some 40 feet below. On the other side of the bridge, follow the path straight on to Gayton Wilds House, and pass it on your left, with the new stone buildings on your right, until you reach Tiffield Road; then turn left.

Walk along the road across Gayton Wilds, over the disused railway line again and turn left along the road which leads to Gayton Wood Farm. At the entrance to the farm, follow the footpath sign pointing left back towards Gayton over a field. There is no indication of the footpath on the ground, so head for the gap in the hedge that you had passed through in the opposite direction on your way out from Gayton.

Turn left at the hedge and walk back to the disused railway, retracing your earlier steps, over the brick bridge again, and then right on the path to Britain Cottages. The path is meant to run along the edge of the field, but in fact there is no indication of the path on the ground. At the end of the field there is a stile, and on the other side a pleasant grassy path leads down to Blisworth Road. Turn left here and back to Gayton.

Barry Steer