Delapre Abbey Park, Northampton

Five hundred acres of parkland, woodland, and Nene flood meadow on the southern edge of Northampton, with a former medieval monastery at the centre that now houses a café and visitor facilities. The 8 km circuit follows the Nene Way down to the river washlands before returning via the lakeside path and abbey grounds, taking in mature parkland trees, riverside meadow, and a section along the edge of the Nene flood plain. The formal Italian Gardens are passed on the route, though dogs should be kept on leads within that walled enclosure.

Dogs are welcome off-lead across the parkland and woodland sections throughout the rest of the walk. The woodland near the Nene carries the warm, slightly sweet smell of floodplain willows and sedge; the parkland in summer smells of cut grass and old oak. Flood risk is occasional on the low-lying Nene sections — check conditions after heavy rain. The café at the abbey welcomes dogs on leads.