Exploring the Area Around Norton Priory 6th June 2026

Setting off through Big Wood.

This is the steepest it gets!

The Bridgewater Canal towpath that we will use later.

Are you sure you've been here before?

Possibly a Cranesbill.

Pickerings Pasture.

Buttercups in Pickerings Pasture.

Time for a break and a treat provided by Gaynor.

Thank you Gaynor.

A Southern Marsh Orchid, according to Lens.

More orchids.

Heath Orchid.

Fran's orchids.

Mallards on the Bridgewater Canal.

Cootlets on the Bridgewater Canal.

Following Mum.

Coots again.

More Coots.

Coots on the go!

Canada geese on the Bridgewater Canal.

A Canada goose family on the Bridgewater Canal.

A Moorhen on the Bridgewater Canal.

Back to he orchids next to the Bridgewater Canal towpath.

Everyone is admiring the display of orchid - definitely the most we have seen in one area this year.

On the way back to the start on a path through Big Wood.

Lunch time outside Norton Priory Café.

Another photo of lunch time outside Norton Priory Café.

Distance: 3.5 miles. Climb: 272'.
Time: 2 hours 20 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.3 m.p.h. Overall walking average: 1.5 m.p.h.
Temperature: Around 17 Celsius.
Beaufort Wind Force: 2-3, just a Light to Gentle breeze.
Group: Martyn, Sue and Michel, Mike, Fran, Nigel and Elaine, Gaynor, Sue and Dave.
It was good to see Dave P out for his first Short Walk, hopefully he will join us next time.
Lilly (the Spaniel) was the only missing member of the usual group.
The weather forecast for today wasn’t good, but again we decided to go anyway.
Thankfully we did, as we had no rain. A Moderate breeze was forecast as well, but at most we felt a Gentle Breeze as we walked through Phoenix Park.
The walk included paths through Big Wood, Windmill Hill wood and Town Park Wood, so we were well protected from any wind.
The first surprise today, was arriving at Norton Priory to find the car park pretty full, thanks to the Pheonix Park Run!
The second surprise of the day, came as we walked along the Bridgewater Canal towpath, where we saw a fantastic display of orchids (Southern March Orchids and Heath Orchids), both identified by Fran (her sister Catherine must be a good tutor!).
On the canal we also saw two Coot families and a pair of Canada Goose with four goslings.
Birds seen or heard today included: Common blackbird, Blue tit, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Woodpigeon, Black billed magpie, Mallard, Common coot, Moorhen, Canada goose, Winter wren and Song thrush.
We even finished the walk in warm sunshine.
The final surprise and the only disappointment of the today, was when we arrived back at Norton Priory to find that the Museum and Walled Garden were closed because a wedding was taking place in the afternoon.
Thankfully, Nigel negotiated with the café and they allowed us to use their outside tables – a perfect way to end a very enjoyable stroll around Norton Priory’s woods and Parks.