[1] At the entrance to the church follow the footpath sign to Caldecote passing to the left side of church then thru a gate in the rear fence. Turn left to follow a footpath until it crosses a footbridge over a ditch. Cross the bridge then turn right to follow a track. When the track turns right through a gate, continue ahead onto a footpath with a ditch to the right. Continue across a field then around the edge of a further field (trees to right) towards buildings. Take the roadway between buildings (Hinxworth Place Mills on the left) but when the road splits left and right, continue ahead on a footpath crossing a field. Cross another field with a hedgerow to the right until shortly after hedge finishes, where you reach a T junction of footpaths. Take the path to left to the field boundary.
[2] The footpath then continues across another field, (some locals use a path a few metres to left) follow this as it then turns right to join an access road towards Caldecote (one of the smallest villages in Hertfordshire). Walk past buildings and the church of St Mary Magdalene (only open for special events) until the road turns sharply right. Take the footpath sharp left and follow the path to a T junction with a bridleway through the hedge. Turn right then after a short distance turn left onto a bridleway with the hedge on the right over Newnham Hill with views over Ashwell and surrounding countryside. Eventually the path descends to join Hinxworth Road.
[3] Turn right to follow the road (Extreme Caution - Traffic ) a short distance to a T junction, then turn left crossing the road to a footpath opposite to follow the road as it continues to the centre of Ashwell village. Just after the Rose and Crown Pub the route turns left thru a pedestrian alley leading to Alms Lane, where you continue ahead.
If time permits, it is possible to take a short detour right down Swan Street to visit Ashwell Springs.
(A) Ashwell Springs is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and is home to several rare species of flatworm. To visit the springs continue a short distance further down High Street past the Three Tuns public house.
On the left in Alms Lane is Ashwell Village Museum (open Sundays and Bank Holidays 2.30 to 5.00 pm).
Walk on down Mill Street with St Marys Church to right.
(B) St Mary's Church dates from the 14th century and contains medieval graffiti relating to the Black Death. Its spiked ornate tower stands 54m and can be seen for miles.
Then turn left into Rollys Lane. Ignore road junctions on the left (Gardiners Lane) and right (The Grange) and continue to a footpath sign immediately before the road turns right.
[4] Turn left to follow a footpath to a T junction with byway. Turn right to follow the byway until it meets a further T junction and then turn right to follow the byway until it meets a lane (Love Lane). Continue in the same direction following the lane to a bridleway signed Ashwell End Farm on the left as the lane turns sharply right. Turn left to follow a bridleway to a lane with Ashwell End Farm opposite. Turn left to follow a lane a short distance (40 metres) then turn right onto another footpath signed Hinxworth. After approx. 170 metres the footpath turns right to cross a ditch.
[5] Follow the footpath across fields in the same general direction passing farm buildings, then across further fields to houses on the outskirts of Hinxworth eventually arriving at the exit of Arnolds Lane, Hinxworth. Turn left into the street (Chapel Street) then continue to the T junction and turn left into the High Street to return to the starting point.