The Seven Churches Challenge from Odell

Keith Allen

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Odell - Harrold - Carlton - Chellington - Pavenham - Felmersham - Sharnbrook - Odell

This is a circular walk starting and finishing at the village green in Odell and connecting the Anglican churches in Harrold, Carlton, Chellington, Pavenham, Felmersham, Sharnbrook and Odell, hence the title 'The Seven Churches Challenge'. There is a vantage point on the ridge between Odell and Pavenham where the seven churches can be seen on a clear day and was the inspiration for the walk.

The walk is generally along footpaths and bridleways with short stretches along country lanes, except for the length between Pavenham and Felmersham, where the whole length is along country lanes due to the lack of public footpaths.

All of the villages except Chellington are typical of North Bedfordshire, with a mixture of old thatched cottages and new developments. Chellington is a hamlet.

The churches along the route are:
St Peter's, Harrold http://www.harrold.info/churches/stpeter.html
St Mary's, Carlton http://www.harrold.info/churches/stmarys.html
St Nicholas, Chellington http://www.chellington.org.uk/ has been converted from a church to a training and development centre 'The Chellington Centre'. http://www.chellington.org.uk
St Peter's Church, Pavenham http://www.allsaintsmiltonernest.org.uk/pavenham.html
St Mary's Church, Felmersham http://www.felmersham.net/church.htm
St Peter's Church, Sharnbrook http://www.stpeterssharnbrook.org.uk/
All Saints' Church, Odell http://www.achurchnearyou.com/odell-all-saints

England - Central England - Bedfordshire - Countryside

11/25/2018 - Dennis Johnson

A really nice walk with plenty of pub options on the way round. Not overclear around points 24 to 29 near Pavenham otherwise all directions are very good. We also found most of the churches are sadly shut. All in all though a lovely walk

8/10/2012 - Keith Allen

Thanks Bryan for your comments about the walk. It is a shame that so few churches are open on the weekends for visitors because they all have interesting features but congregations are generally low and ageing hence the difficulty in getting volunteers to open up for visitors. Regards Keith Allen

7/29/2012 - Bryan Hards

Since I like to explore churchyards I thought this a good 'theme' for a walk. I enjoyed the best part of a day's walking in these quiet fields and villages. Bedfordshire is rarely very scenic but this is very peaceful countryside and the views improve as the walk progresses. The directions make things easy enough. Keep a sharp lookput for the small footbridge at waymark 22; another a few yards further on awaits the unwary. Just after waymark 28 the way across the field is not signed and none was left clear across a crop of wheat. I turned left and followed the field perimeter. Sadly, at a weekend, I found only two of the churches open: Harrold and Felmersham. The latter has some unusual features for a 'village' church.