The Greensands Ridge Section 1: Leighton Buzzard - Woburn

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 1, from Leighton Buzzard to Woburn, starts at the calming waters of the Union Canal, once an important trade route with the Midlands and now a reserve of holidaymakers and otters, who often pass but are rarely seen. The path takes us through the beautiful woods of Stockgrove, where green woodpeckers feed on ants among the wildflowers and grasses, out across the ancient heath of Rammamere and on to Woburn Village, with its Georgian town centre and deer-park next to the great country house.

England - Central England - Bedfordshire - Countryside

Features

Birds, Butterflies, Cafe, Flowers, Good for Kids, Great Views, Lake/Loch, Mostly Flat, Nature Trail, Play Area, Public Transport, River, Tea Shop, Toilets, Wildlife, Woodland

3/18/2021 - Lorraine Furmedge

Just finished this. After a very wet winter it was very muddy in places but so pretty. Mud made it quite challenging.

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.

6/19/2009 - Walkingworld Administrator

With thanks to Adrian Perkins for updates June 2009.