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Name:Arbury Hill
Hill number:5393
Height:224.3m / 736ft
Parent (Ma):2869  Cleeve Hill
Alternative top: (Big Hill - Staverton Clump)
RHB Section:39: Central and Eastern England
County/UA:West Northamptonshire
County (CoH):Northamptonshire (CoH)
County (CoA):Northamptonshire (CoA)
Catchment:Catchment Boundaries, Severn, Wash
Watershed:Greater Thames Estuary, The Wash, Ardnamurchan Point to Lowestoft, Dover to Cape Wrath, Lowestoft to Duncansby Head, The Lizard to Dunnet Head, Land's End to John o' Groats, Severn Estuary
Class:Hump, Tump (200-299m), Historic County Top, Current County/UA Top, Administrative County Top,
Clem
(Hu,Tu,2,CoH,CoU,CoA,Cm)
Grid ref:SP 54009 58778
Summit feature:no feature
Drop:102.7m
Col:121.6m  SP 6626 9290  
OS map sheet(s):(1:50k) 152
(1:25k) 206
Comments:Hump and County Top twinned with 7892 Big Hill - Staverton Clump
Change log:show changes for this hill entry
GPS data:show GPS entries for this hill
Notes:
  • Northamptonshire (1974) administrative county top (joint)
  • Northamptonshire historic county top (joint)
  • West Northamptonshire current county/UA top (joint)

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N.B. Some hill summits are on private property or on land where there is no public right of way.  Permission should be sought from the landowner where access to a hill summit is through private land.
Please report via the contact page any logs you see below which describe or encourage acts of trespass.  Please quote the hill number and hill name.

Logged Descriptions  (logged by 222 users)ByDate of Ascent
See log entry by raymondwilkes (19/10/2017) for advice about access.webmasterblank
Followed path from Badby Road then diverted off to get to the topPaulOnFoot01/04/2024
Knocked on staverton lodge door. The lady of house contacted the farmer who was out feeding the sheep. I was asked to wait 5 minutes for farmer to return. On confirming we had no dogs was directed to a field gate from lane. An easy pasture walk to summit, although fields sodden. Very efficient.cjo29/03/2024
From the east. Indistinct footpath, could go anywhere.Play2End18/01/2024
From Badby, up Bunkers Hill and then Badby Road. Follow sign to left onto bridleway, along edge of field and then up to the top across the motocross track. Nobody around, no farm activity; just me, the wind and the rain. Unremarkable view which might have been better on a clear day.hillbagger9118/10/2023
After being thwarted first by covid and then by no-one being around, I was able to climb Arbury Hill at the third attempt. Many thanks to the Staverton Lodge crew. Lovely views and a lovely day.edmundjohnson04/09/2023
Permission from Staverton Lodge. Lots of Nettles near to top.Jephcote8303/06/2023
Permission from Staverton Lodge. Lots of Nettles near to top.Ivy Jephcote03/06/2023
Permission from Staverton Lodge. Lots of Nettles near to top.Iris Jephcote03/06/2023
Permission obtained. A surprisingly nice view given its a motorcross track at the top.Clachaig02/05/2023
With Deborah, Frances & Rory. Permission obtained from the farmer at Staverton Lodge (his mobile number is on the gate at the farm). He clearly doesn't want dogs up there as there are a lot of sheep but apart from that he was very happy to allow us access.Donpeblo01/05/2023
Third Cotswolds summit of the day and 9th county top on a 10 county top (3 day) trip with 26 school students and 3 staff (including me). Weather grey and light drizzle but visibility OK. Easy one this. Parked on nearby road at 546 589, went through gate and crossed field and climbed up on an access track that appears to be connected to the moto-cross track that twists around the summit. Only took 10-15 minutes. The summit itself seems to have unusually square ramparts, and you cannot help but wonder if this might be an iron age hill fort of some description. Surroundings are pleasant enough though. Note that technically this is the joint county top of Northamptonshire, as Staverton Clump is equal in height. This seems more recognised though.jamessteel10005/04/2023
Lunch before afternoon funeral in Kettering. Farmer happy to allow access, short pull to grass field summit.N.Morters21/02/2023
We had not checked this helpful ite before hand and did not ask permission. We walked in on the public foot path to the east then headed up the hill. Ready to apologise if challenged. We saw no one. Found the uninspiring grassy mound and walked back.RowanP17/08/2022
Did Arbury Hill with my cousin. Unfortunately, it ain't particularly friendly any of the 3 county tops of Northamptonshire by the 1m rule (Arbury Hill, Big Hill and Sharman's Hill). I decided to do Arbury Hill which was quite exposed to do and fortunately, I did reach the summit, which was very crispy with bits of ice from the cold temperatures on that day.DavidHiner06/01/2022
With permission from helpful farmer at Staverton Lodge. Parked in motocross gateway and walked up track.AlanD19/11/2021
Called in at the farm, but other than a welcome from the dogs in the yard, nobody answered the door when I knocked. So I headed back to the RoW to the E of the hill (there was space to pull up just before it) and followed this to the S of the motocross track. From here it was over a single low gate and then up to the top which was full of sheep. Back the same way.Wheelsy03/09/2021
Arbury Hill from GR: SP 54528 58886Hippster28/08/2021
Arbury Hill from GR: SP 54528 58886. Permission from farm.ronaldo33328/08/2021
From the moto-cross entrance.tim74726/07/2021
Beautiful weather. Cycled from Long Buckby. Tried to find someone at Staverton Lodge but only found baby pigs and brown cows. Walked up to the top left hand corner of the field, stepped over a low fence, walked up hill and over a gate into the summit field.pclyndes16/07/2021
Easy walk between fields, then it's private land to the actual summit. Lots of sheep. Great views.cjwilliams13/07/2021
4/62 Historic County Tops. Not much to see here. No marker just head to the highest point. Grassy little mound.SueJ22/05/2021
Short walk from Badby taking in Arbury Hill.peter_tun21/11/2020
ARBURY HILL IS CLOSED DURING CORONAVIRUS LOCKDOWN. I did not climb it. Staverton Lodge farm NN11 3DA is on a tiny single track road, by a little duck pond. I found Roger to ask permission, but he says he's not allowing walkers up during the lockdown (touching gates etc.) I'll come back another day.JemR20/05/2020
Tried to locate the farmer for several minutes before attacking the top but with no luck, so then decided to climb a gate accessing the fields to the hill and top anyway. Sod’s law then dictated that once part way up, it would rain ....... torrentially, giving just desserts for not obtaining permission beforehand! Top ticked off though.acolling14/08/2019
Followed bridleway and path to summit.Ramblingpaul22/07/2019
Walk with Pete + Joe after Miglia Quadratopenbet24/03/2019
Permission given by Farmer at Staverton Lodge. Parked by bridleway. Simple walk to the unfenced summit area. Solo.Dangerous Dave11/03/2019
From north, with permission.jenx04/01/2019
Repeat with Jenx and Bryher. Got permission from Roger the farmer at Staverton Lodge beforehand. Directed up the motor cross tracks with parking in the gateway. Great crisp and clear morning for the summitnordicstar04/01/2019
Quick walk up to the top on a sunny day - along bridleway from road to E, then climbed up S slope of hill (no fences).twg2729/10/2018
Solo. Continuing my completion of Jonny Muir's book. I called at the farm for permission however dogs were not keen on me so I left and walked anyway. I did flag down a farmer but it was not his farm... He was chatty though. I also followed the bridleway around the hill to get back to the car. Highlight was a helicopter landing in the garden of the property close to the BW as I entered the field of maize.Buck29/09/2018
Solo. From BW to south of summit. Follow fence line. BTW if seeking to bag Sharman's hill too, take it from the main road as others suggest, as no access from the footpath to the house on north side. 1 of 5 Northants hills today: Badby Down, Arbury Hill, Big Hill Staverton, Newnham Hill and Borough Hill.Pete West16/09/2018
6th tump of 7, climbing Badby Down, Golden Hill, Hinton Hill, Blackdown and Sharman's Hill. Descent to intercept track heading to minor land near Longridge farm then minor lane to Markleys and Fp NE heading towards Staverton....Dazingdale15/09/2018
Bagged this on the way home from a few days work in Birminghammagirob13/09/2018
Daventry - Borough Hill - Newnham Hill - Everdon Hill - Badby Down - Arbury Hill - Big Hill - Daventry.Mark Jackson26/05/2018
With E. Access permission obtained. Lovely spring day. Up to summit from gate on minor road which is entrance into moto-cross events which the land is occasionally used for.Beeliner21/04/2018
petey16/03/2018
Parked on the side of the road through a few field up to race track and hill summit.jmistry8630/01/2018
With PaulKirsten13/01/2018
Overcast, warm, quite pleasant, from bridleway, on to Sharman's Hill.Wycombe Wanderer22/12/2017
I had a good walk from Braunston to Newnham via Arbury Hill. I called at the farm for permission and the farmer was very friendly and helpful. He objects to people going on his land without permission but is happy to give permission. He worries about dogs and litter as he has had problems in the past with both. I would recommend getting permission and leaving the dog at home on your Arbury Hill day. Ask at Staverton Lodge, Northamptonshire, NN11 3DAraymondwilkes19/10/2017
Lovely walk from west along gated road past Staverton Lodge to Badby. Climbed hill from North by field edge. Cows in field on top. Good viewpoint.trimarc231/05/2017
I parked to the E at the bridleway, and followed it along to where the motocross track is visible then followed GPS to summit, not the most inspiring of hills.griefmiester24/05/2017
easy up from field gate just to east of farm ... soggy underfoot but nice views from top.keithelliott23/03/2017
2nd visit after a 24 year absence - seemed a shame not to add it by minor extra effort from NE fp as heading to Sharman's Hill; and it made for a full sweep of all 18 Northants TuMPs in a day. Motocross course is used about 4 times a year according to the web. At 9.00am I was probably before Keith arrived -chasing the historic county tops in a year according to his hb entry.Chris Pearson23/03/2017
Grassy slopes from the bridleway. Great views. Hill fort or natural?RichardM16/02/2017
Up from Badby via Bunkers Hill and path to south of summit, then up to explore flat summit, lots of cows around.pdantic01/11/2016
With Katy. Very sunny great views from race track!George Thompson23/05/2016
With K. Easy access from north with some parking. Observed iron age or Romano British pottery in scars of dirt bike trails. Assume from shape this is a Roman fort. Glad people are having fun outdoors on their bikes.Ashley19/05/2016
This made a good walk of it: Bunkers Hill-Arbury Hill- fp E of Konigsee Farm- Bunkers Hill- Bunkers Hill- Badby Church- Badby Wood- Badby. No problems with access off ROW. No need to try and find parking in Badby, a delightful village with a road layout long pre-dating motoring.pwheeler05/04/2016
I climbed the hill with my son James. It took sometime to find a suitable place to park and set off from. We were in the van which I didn't want to take up the very muddy bridleway that is mentioned in one of the guides. It was a sunny, dry day but with a very cold, sometimes blustery, strong wind blowing. We were warm enough in our jackets although our hands got a little cold, especially James's as he was carrying two natural walking sticks he'd picked up. We didn't have suitable footwear but it was easy enough going although we did get a little muddy. Very enjoyable outing.GrahamD30/01/2016
The weather was dry but a very cold wind blowing. I climbed the hill with my Dad. It took 41.43mins to reach the top. It was a 2.65km walk. I did not record the decent.JamesD30/01/2016
GIdris17/01/2016
Short walk over fields. On way homenickywood112/12/2015
Loz & Biblozinworcester08/12/2015
Parked on grass verge by BW. Veered off BW at appropriate point to gain top of hill. Good views.PeterD09/09/2015
As Wayne. No access problems.ngthack22/08/2015
on of two Northampton by far the better hillmaltose17/08/2015
Time for a rant if country folk are against the right to roam for fear of the damage done by walkers just check out Arbury hill and see the damage done there!Walkers would never treat the countryside like that.Go to Staverton clump instead its much more pleasing to the eye. If you must see Arbury hill head out of Badby going towards Banbury take the turning on the right and head down the lane till you find a bridleway park on the verge and follow the bridleway until under the race track you cant miss it the summit is here somewhere time to get the gps out!WAYNE ROWLETT16/08/2015
The gate was open and I was able to drive almost the whole way to the top... no trespassing - it was the weekend of the local Moto-X clubs races. Very noisy but spectacular and accommodating of the strange man who wanted to dash to the summit in the quiet period between heats. A big contrast to the tranquil Staverton Clump (7892) half an hour earlier (photos... https://www.flickr.com/photos/ddwilliams/sets/72157654167056312)M3WDD07/06/2015
Tash With Big Hill from east and bridlewaypigerg31/05/2015
10/10 Last one of long day, two tracks from minor road to north doth a pleasant circular walk can make !Fergalh07/03/2015
After sunset about4.30 this hill is twinned at 225m with Staverton clump to the north which is much nicer hill. That need a survey.vegibagger16/01/2015
Rescued lambs on way up! Pleasant stroll along quiet hills and a motorbike scrambling circuit on the top. No obvious peak. Coffee at Towcester, Ben and Mariemcf15/01/2015
Stupidly I arrived without a map and ended up climbing the hill to the east by mistake. Fortunately I realised my error when I spotted the off roading track on the next hill. So I plodded back down to the car, drove further up the road, parked by a gate and took a direct route to the real county top through the bullocks and sheep. A much better county top than the young pretender to the north.Herbert Anchovy05/11/2014
Parked on grass verge opposite start of bridleway at SP548588. Easy walk up to Arbury Hill then across scramble course to bag summit. Accompanied to top by curious sheep and cows. Good views from top, nice short rustic walk.The Gardener17/10/2014
Parked in Badby, took the path past Konigssee Farm and turned up towards Arbury Hill. Walked in both directions along the path running to the south of the hill - but there is a fence with no obvious route to the summit. Eventually jumped the fence and bagged the summit. Only when we walked back did we see that there is a path not on the map which gives full access off the Badby to Catesby road. With Dorothy and Helen.callumorr08/08/2014
Parked on lane by gate to the east, approached from the south - quick walk up the hill and around the flat top amongst the sheep and nettles.Biffin13/06/2014
Walked from Hellidon village east then north to the bridleway. From the bridleway a short walk north (off the right of way) leads up to the summit of Arbury Hill. Rained all the way.Skip08/05/2014
Proper walk this time , wary of some of the comments about farmers etc approached from the south From Hellidon followed road to bridalway ,past strange air vent things then off path quick scramble to the summit lots of sheep about on the race track .Haygalzer17/04/2014
Parked at side of minor road at SP 54798 58777. PROW until due S of summit, then short trespass along a field boundary to the top. Hilltop is broad and flat, no obvious summit.jonglew23/10/2013
start from a small farm road east of Badby. short walk through fields and over a scramble bike course.mcallmar04/10/2013
While Geocaching..ArdensBold24/09/2013
From the south, there is a footpath up most of the wayAlexanderHoward27/05/2013
Walked from lane to Staverton Lodge. No direct access to top. Followed fences up to top. Unremarkable and undefined summit. Warm clear day. Good views.Argentum6603/05/2013
Went through open gate direct to top. On return had a nasty confrontation with a very angry farmer.bolton03/04/2013
Parked on grass verge about 400m to the E. of Staverton Lodge Farm – Walked SSW up through field to summit plateau (Summit at NW corner of plateau). Not a recommended route. Use bridleway and then head NW to summit, keeping out of site of farmer at Staverton Lodge. (PM)gerrybowes03/04/2013
Parked on the edge of Badby as all the closer verges looked a bit soft then walked towards Upper Catesby taking the bridleway passing to the south of the hill. Before foot bridge followed fence line up then crossed motocross circuit to summit.Newton Maximus30/12/2012
Top no.12. NX coach to Northampton and bus to Daventry, then walked to Arbury Hill past Newnham windmill and on to Badby along the Nene Way. A beautiful warm sunny day on which to climb this fascinating hill, complete with its own motocross track on the summit. Distance 8.5 miles; climb 1003 feet; time 3.0 hoursalan.65to7009/08/2012
Evening out after N'hampton business. From minor road, parked @GR544591, just past entrance to bike scrambling area, cut up hill thru meadow to fence line, then onto flat summit top. Good views esp to Eastnordicstar28/06/2012
Parked in a country lane and walked up to the top. Easy walk about ten minutes.andytea10/06/2012
Short detour from the M1 on my way down to London. Parked in Badby and followed the lane and bridlepath, then across the motocross circuit to the summit. With hindsight, could easily have parked on the verge near SP54765880.davidpettit8426/05/2012
I am working my way through the Historic County Tops with my 2 Dalmatians - Celsie our 6 year old girl and Sandy our 4 year old boy - we have written a full log, with pictures, of this walk (and the others) which you can read at "http://blog.schunikka.co.uk"Schunikka08/04/2012
JimBHMC21/03/2012
Parked at Staverton, Jurassic Way to Upper Catesby, byway to Badbynell158315/03/2012
Me Meg Donna Matrix and Pebbles after CruftsRoland Brooks10/03/2012
Eighth HuMP today on way to an Dry Anaerobic Digestion course at Solihull tomorrow. A lot of large digging equipment in operation to improve the motorbike scrambling course.Dugswell206/03/2012
Grahm & Karen Fewtrell completed the first County Top in our 2012 challengemorrislube27/02/2012
Walked past the summit on several occasions. This was my first true ascent.JohnW08/02/2012
Tick!BazWylie03/02/2012
Climbed from Badby and then completed a 12 mile route around south from there following the Jerassic Way and Knights way. Fanstastic English countryside.dianepick29/01/2012
unspectacular, easily forgetable.JohnStoneham04/12/2011
Top 11:41 Parked near gate near pt 167. Mostly followed track up and down. Another flat top.chrisbien04/12/2011
Walked up from Badby on the roads to get the 100m drop.Then used the bike access track from the NE. Looked like there had been some activity recently as there were sets of portable loos on the site.garyhoney08/10/2011
Given other 'access' comments crept up this one from a gate around where the 180m contour on the map crosses the road to the right of Staverton Lodge. You need to keep the barbed wire fence on your left then cut across to the top at the corner of the fiesimon and co14/07/2011
KJF Motocross event access to hillcrazy17/06/2011
Easy ascent. Unremarkable and I'll defined summit. Climbed before I joined this site so was unaware of any access issues. Encountered no one on this hot sunny day. Was not attempted as a Hump, I was climbing County tops as listed in RHOB.KevPalmer06/04/2011
Charwelton to Weedon ramble. Padlocked gate @ SP541584 seemed precarious on its hinge. Sheep & cattle munching away contentedly on the flat top. Motocross circuit showed no evidence of recent use, but is well delineated still.Smudge30/10/2010
Even though not the most spectacular hill and had to complete it because its my county top.DanTrig07/04/2010
Good views off the top despite the snow shower !heavyhorses10/02/2010
motocross track almost up to the topmr bounce04/10/2009
Start at the obvious gate. 10 min walk to the top. Tricky deciding highest point.The Team18/07/2009
CK SheilaS15/02/2009
Parked at obvious gate to NE. Pleasant to the top.destaylor28/01/2009
Track from NE. Flat grassy summit with sheep.Aye Jimmy08/01/2009
From access gate of Motocross circuit.Up start straight from pit area to join track at hedge break. Lots of sheep, plus v stroppy bullocks. Crept round NW fence to highest point (flat top though), quick photo and rapid retreat to road.martin & storm19/07/2008
No access problems but a bit muddy in places.Sheep and cows at the top seemed friendly enough.chris creedy27/05/2008
no access problems today, the area still looks like it is being used as some sort of race track but nobody about today and easy walk up and down.asbown08/10/2007
From the campsite on Highfield Farm on a rather wet day.Overthehilljill28/09/2007
Didn`t quite make summit.Chased off by nice farmer.electricratman24/06/2007
A quick dash off the bridleway to the summit, easy access with no field boundaries to cross. Fairly unremarkable top, hill is being used as some kind off off-road track.rhalstead04/03/2007
Unmarked top on domed sheep field near to circular burnt patch (? bonfire beacon remains). Fences were just posts today and seemed to be there for marking off a cycle scramble track or somesuch.signyred03/01/2007
went on walk with sarah and julie,my foot was still hurting and sarah had toothache.did the walk in 1 hour but could not reach the summit due to fencesjustinsmith18/02/2006
Nice early evening bag - summit indeterminate point in field on flat-topped hill. No access probs as there were gaps in all the fences. Parking tricky - just about squeezed onto the road verge at SP 547 588.wheresthepath23/07/2005
With the kids. Farmer tried to put us off but I sneaked round a different way.Mark T01/06/2005
I experienced no real access problems.Father Ted14/11/2004
Unmarked spot ht - no obvious highest pointwebmaster27/03/2003
No obvious highest pointjohnfwoolley06/01/2003
1997.peter.stone01/01/1997
Solo en route to my brother's in Nottingham. Nice hill with what looks like a motocross course in the summit area.mikejacobs16/08/1996
Returning to Sheffield after a weeks climbing in France at Easter with Julie F and gang.Chris Pearson18/04/1993
Date unknown RHW01/01/1990
Over fields past moto cross circuit.arranc04/01/1988
Parked in Badby - and walked along the path to the south of this hill. We got to a steep section to the right and found a flat area. The top was reached in a muddy field.ChinnockCblank
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