your left, climbing steps to the road. At the road turn Ashby St Ledgers right over the canal and continue on the pavement, crossing the railway line. Ashby St Ledgers was first mentioned in the Domesday Book, which gave the place name as Ascebi ("ash tree settlement"). In Norman times, a church was erected on the site, dedicated to Saint Leodegarius , from whom the modern-day name is derived. The manor was given as a gift to Hugh de Grandmesnil by William the Conqueror and passed to various other occupants until 1375 when it passed into the Catesby family, and became their principal residence. The manor was briefly confiscated after the attainder and execution of William Catesby, one of Richard III's counsellors, after losing the Battle of Bosworth in 1485, but was later returned to his son, George. It passed Continue along the pavement and at the cross roads down the male line to Robert Catesby's father, Sir with the A5, cross directly over (take care crossing the William Catesby, who managed to hold on to the busy road). Walk down the minor road opposite, property in spite of massive debts caused by recusancy taking care as the grass verge to the right is quite fines and years of imprisonment for his stubborn narrow. A little way along the road you will come to a adherence to the Roman Catholic faith. right-hand T-junction marked ‘Ashby St Ledgers 1½’ – take this road. The manor's central location was also more convenient to the houses of the Catesby's many friends and You will now return to Ashby St Ledgers along this relations. It is this central location that made Ashby St country road. As you approach the village you will be Ledgers a type of 'Command Centre' during the able to see the rear of the church across the fields. planning of the Gunpowder Plot. It was here, in the room above the Gatehouse, with its privacy from the main house and clear view of the surrounding area, that Robert Catesby, his servant Thomas Bates and the other conspirators planned a great deal of the Gunpowder Plot. Catesby was killed at Holbeche House whereas his servant was executed in the following January. Following the plot’s failure the Ashby St Ledgers property passed to Sir William Irving. Today the manor house is suffering from decay and Country walks local to Rugby neglect, and is in need of restoration. A short series of walks produced This brief history and photograph are taken from Wikipedia. by the Rugby Group of the Ramblers http://www.rugbyramblers.org.uk As you enter the village you will come to a T-junction. If you look right you will see the church and the end of your walk. © The Ramblers, Rugby Group & Clive Buckley The Manor House Walk: Ashby St Ledgers, Northamptonshire Distance: 4 miles Grade: Gentle Time: Under 2 hours START Terrain: Flat, fields, bridleway, tow path, pavement and country lane Parking: In front of the church You can park in front of the church but please have consideration for those that live in the village. The walk starts immediately to the right of the church down a lane clearly marked “Jurassic Way”. A little way along the lane climb the style, proceed to the You are in the top-right corner of a large field and towards the canal. Climb the canal bank and cross kissing gate at the end and into a small field. Cross although the map shows the path as going directly the canal by a set of locks then go right on the tow the field diagonally to the left and climb the stile across the field, the preferred route appears to be path and down past a set of locks. (adjacent to the metal gate) into the next field. along the uncultivated headland. Keeping the field boundary and hedge to your left, walk left down the Walk up the rise, with edge of the field towards a power line. At the power a single tree to your line, turn right following the field boundary. right and several to your left then down Continue past a dilapidated stile on your left, shortly the other side you should be aware of the main railway line running towards the right- left to right. A little further along the field you should hand corner of a see a concrete underpass towards the right. Keeping small wooded area. to the edge of the field, walk towards the underpass. Climb the stile and walk under the railway. Enter the wooded area (marked ‘Jurassic Way’) Climb the stile at the far end of the underpass into a through a broken stile field and cross diagonally right. This field may be At the bottom of the locks, near the pump house, is and follow the path for a boggy in places and you may find a route to the left is a bench where you can stop for a break. You short distance until you drier. At the far side of the field you should climb a should now be aware of the proximity of the M1 break out onto a short stile and make your way to the main road (A5). motorway. fenced path adjacent to a small fir tree plant- Cross the main road, (taking great care as it is a busy Continue along the tow path for 0.4 miles until you ation, and then into the and fast road). On the other side of the road, take a reach a bridge marked “6”; leave the tow path to corner of a field. left over the small bridge and immediately right .