Trig Walk 36 | Uppingham Circular Walk | Hidden History, Castle Hill & Trig Point”

Описание: Hi, I’m Bryan — and welcome back to Hiking with Me!

Today’s adventure is my 36th trig point walk, taking us on a scenic and historic circular route from Uppingham in the beautiful county of Rutland. This roughly 7-mile hike is perfect for walkers, history enthusiasts, and anyone who loves the English countryside. Along the way, we explore medieval lanes, churches, folklore, ghost stories, and sweeping views — culminating in the bagging of another Ordnance Survey trig pillar.

We start by parking on Stockerston Road and wandering into Uppingham past the local schools, enjoying the town’s quiet streets and historic charm. Soon we turn down Leamington Terrace, which in centuries past was called Wash Pond Lane. This street dates back to the early 1200s and once held a pond where carts and horses were washed, sitting right on the edge of Uppingham’s planned medieval town. Over the centuries, Leamington Terrace became home to cobblers, tinsmiths, tailors, and even paupers, and in 1884 it saw the arrival of William Stocks’ photography business, giving this modest lane an unexpectedly rich story. The terrace itself is lined with lovely old cottages, a historic stone wall, and plenty of charm, and today it provides a handy shortcut to kick off the walk.

Our next stop is the grand St Peter and St Paul’s Church in Uppingham, with its Victorian chancel and medieval carvings. Inside, you’ll spot 12th-century stonework, a 13th-century coffin lid, and historic memorials to generations of townsfolk. Keep your eyes peeled for apotropaic marks — faint carved symbols meant to protect the church and its congregation from evil spirits. Uppingham has its darker tales too. In the 1600s, a market day brawl ended in murder, and legend says the ghost of the unfortunate victim still roams the marketplace on quiet evenings, adding a spooky note to our historical exploration.

From the town centre, we head out along Leicester Road, passing the old Uppingham Workhouse, built in 1836 to house over 150 inmates. It replaced an earlier 1700s parish workhouse and later served as an auxiliary hospital during the First World War. Today, part of it belongs to Uppingham School, but the building’s austere lines still echo its original purpose.

Soon, the landscape rises to Fairy Hill, also known as the Uppingham motte-and-bailey castle site. While only the earthworks survive today, the mound and ditch tell a story of Norman power, medieval defence, and centuries of history. From here, we follow paths through Wardley Woods, eventually reaching the small village of Wardley. Its St Botolph’s Church, dedicated to the patron saint of travellers, is a delight to visit — small, atmospheric, and historic, with whitewashed walls, a Georgian font, and the feeling of stepping back into another era.

The walk continues along Allexton Field Road and Uppingham Road, climbing steadily to King’s Hill, a quiet crest with sweeping views across Rutland’s rolling countryside. From here, we reach the highlight of the day — the Uppingham trig point, a sturdy Ordnance Survey pillar built in the 1930s–40s to help map the country with precision. Standing here, you can take in panoramic views of Rutland, reflect on the route so far, and tick another trig off the list.

The final stretch brings us back to our starting point on Stockerston Road, completing a walk rich in medieval history, folklore, ghost stories, picturesque cottages, churches, and countryside paths. And after a day like this, a well-earned pint is the perfect reward.

This walk is ideal for history buffs, hikers, families, and anyone exploring Rutland’s countryside, combining elements of medieval towns, historic churches, Norman castles, and trig point bagging. Join me on Hiking with Me for this and many more walks across Britain, each revealing hidden stories and landscapes beyond the usual tourist paths.

Whether you love circular walks in Rutland, English village history, church architecture, ghost stories, or scenic trig point hikes, this route has something for everyone. From Uppingham town centre to Castle Hill, Fairy Hill, Wardley Woods, King’s Hill, and the trig, every step is a journey through time and terrain.

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