Grafton Way (footpath)

{{Short description|Footpath in Northamptonshire, England}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2017}}

{{Use British English|date=April 2017}}

File:Grafton Way footpath to Greens Norton - geograph.org.uk - 389842.jpg

The Grafton Way is a {{convert|13|miles|adj=on}} (also measured at {{convert|11.5|miles|disp=or}}) footpath in Northamptonshire, England. It runs south east from Greens Norton to Cosgrove (or Wolverton{{cite web|title=Longer paths|url=http://www.southnorthants.gov.uk/3953.htm|publisher=South Northamptonshire Council|accessdate=9 July 2016}}), where it meets the Knightley Way.{{cite web|title=The Grafton Way|url=http://www.cosgrovehistory.co.uk/doc/misc/gw.html|website=Cosgrove and Furtho|accessdate=9 July 2016}} It is named after the Dukes of Grafton, major land-owners in the area in the 18th and 19th centuries.{{cite web|title=County Paths: Grafton Way|url=http://www.northamptonshire.gov.uk/en/councilservices/Transport/walking/pages/countypaths.aspx|website=Northamptonshire Highways|publisher=Northamptonshire County Council|accessdate=9 July 2016|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160630183513/http://www.northamptonshire.gov.uk/en/councilservices/Transport/walking/pages/countypaths.aspx|archivedate=30 June 2016|df=dmy-all}}

It is recognised by the Long Distance Walkers Association and is marked on Ordnance Survey maps.{{cite web|title=Grafton Way|url=https://www.ldwa.org.uk/ldp/members/show_path.php?path_name=Grafton+Way|publisher=Long Distance Walkers Association|accessdate=9 July 2016}}

The walk starts in the centre of Greens Norton, and heads south east, skirting the south-west edge of Towcester. It passes through the hamlet of Pury End near Paulerspury, and crosses the A5 road (the ancient Watling Street) before passing the south-west of Yardley Gobion and the deserted village of Furtho to reach Cosgrove on the Grand Union Canal. Some descriptions of the walk stop here, others continue along the canal tow-path to Old Wolverton on the outskirts of Milton Keynes.{{cite web | title=The Grafton Way | url=http://www.southnorthants.gov.uk/graftonwalk.pdf | publisher=South Northamptonshire Council }} Leaflet with detailed map and route profile