After parking my car and getting a ticket from the Pay and Display machine I took a look at my map and set on my way following the signs for the Elephant Walk.
It wasn't long before I arrived at the Fallen Oak - could this be the spot where it is said a woodman was about to fell a tree when all of a sudden a fairy jumped out in front of him pleading for him to not harm the tree?
Unlike the woodman I didn't see any fairies during my visit - I wish I had as the woodman didn't harm the tree and in return the fairy gave him three wishes which for some reason he wasted on sausages, but that's a whole other story...
I carried on along the footpath past what may have once been a Roman road and I had to pay attention to stick to the footpath as it was littered with leaves and one false move and I would have ended up in some mud as it's been raining quite a lot over the last few days!
A few moments later (just around the corner) you come to the Elephant Pond...
During the Second World War a travelling circus was trapped at Salcey Forest as travel throughout the UK had become restricted. The Circus's Elephants helped the war effort by moving timber in the forest and it was at this very pond that they used to enjoy a well earned drink which is why it is now known as the Elephant Pond.
Just the other side of the bridge is the start of an amazing walk not just through the trees, but above them!
As you can see from the next 2 photos, it's a long way up but it's only a steady incline so the pathway is suitable for most people to use.
When you reach the very, very top the views are absolutely amazing and you can see for miles and miles around you.
If you look closely you can even spot the 'Northampton Lighthouse' AKA the former Northampton Lift Tower (the 2nd photo is zoomed in a bit so you can see it more clearly):
The footpaths are very clearly labelled and a 'Secret Salcey' leaflet is available (costing £3) that has a large map you can use to navigate your way around the site which also shows you where the 'hidden secrets' of Salcey Forest are so it's well worth the money.
As you'll see from the following image, I didn't stick to one particular footpath but made my own way around the forest:
There's so much fun to have at Salcey Forest with plenty of different routes to keep you coming back to this forest time and time again!
At the car park there is a cafe that (at the time of my visit) is open from 8am and serves a good English Breakfast to set you up for the day and a great play area for the children so all-in-all definitely worth a visit if you ask me!
For more woods to visit click on the VisitWoods logo below:
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