The Greensands Ridge Section 2: Woburn - Ampthill

Sue Owen

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The Greensands Ridge is Bedfordshire's premier long-distance route from the canals of Leighton Buzzard to the rolling green fields of Gamlingay. It traverses forty miles of the county along a ridge above clay valleys on each side. The route covers heaths, ancient and modern woodland, meadows, green fields and some charming villages with buildings from the local sandstone. It provides a varied habitat for wildlife including heather, gorse, bluebells, nightjars on the heaths, woodpeckers, buzzards and of course muntjac deer.

Section 2 from Woburn to Ampthill starts at the deer-park surrounding the abbey, seat of the Dukes of Bedford. The park covers some 3,000 acres and contains nine species of deer. You will be very unlucky not to see the deer as you walk past the great country house. The route takes us through little-used country paths to the 'wood of the wild boar', otherwise known as Eversholt Village, past its church, pub and cricket field.

The meandering path goes through Jackdaw Hill and past Millbrook Golf Course to a high viewpoint, then on past Millbrook Church, one of the highest points on the walk at 350ft above sea level. Finally it reaches Katherine of Aragon's crosses in Ampthill's park and views of the still smoking stacks of the Stewartby Brickworks.

England - Central England - Bedfordshire - Countryside

Features

Birds, Butterflies, Cafe, Church, Flowers, Gift Shop, Great Views, Lake/Loch, Mostly Flat, Pub, Public Transport, Stately Home, Toilets, Wildlife, Woodland

7/16/2009 - Walkingworld Admin

I have just completed all five legs of the Greensands Ridge Walk (Nos.3199 to 3203). Together they make up a superb walk – it has to be one of the finest in East Anglia. What’s more the local bus system works brilliantly to get you back to the start at the end of each of these linear walks. Just log on to www.traveline.org.uk, and they will give you your itinerary for whatever time of day you require. So if you are pondering whether to do the Greensands Ridge Walk (50 miles altogether), ponder no more, just do it; you won’t regret it.

6/28/2009 - Walkingworld Administrator

This walk was updated June 2009. Thanks to Adrian Perkins.