Length 19.5km (12.2m) Difficulty 4/10
Originally inspired by the Guardian‘s Country Diary, this stile-free walk has only gentle gradients. It follows the Greensand Ridge Walk in the morning. The route is a mix of attractive broad grassy tracks along field edges and woodland trails. Muntjac deer and hares have been spotted in the area. We visit two lovely villages – Northill and Old Warden which both have excellent pubs. Say no more. Optional diversions lead to Queen Anne's Summerhouse and Keepers Cottage (see text).
Trains
Get the Thameslink to Peterborough from London St Pancras (platform B) at 10:15 arriving Sandy 11:04.
You can catch the same train at: East Croydon 9:46, London Bridge 10:01, Blackfriars 10:09, Farringdon 10:11, Finsbury Park 10:24. (They should give me a peaked cap and let me blow the whistle).
Trains return from Biggleswade at xx:00 and xx:30. Get a return to Sandy.
Lunch: Given the late-ish start, the earlier lunch pub The Crown, Northill. (01767 627337) is suggested, 25% into the walk (you do the maths). Should you wish to eat here there is an extensive menu including good vegetarian options.
There is a later option. the Hare and Hounds, Old Warden (01767 627225) 60% into the walk. Maybe just a teensy little second stop here as well.
About 400m before Old Warden, the Abbey Church of St Leonards is recommended as a picnic stop. (Bearing in mind the ongoing pan and pingdemics, you would be wise to carry water and a few snackies anyway).
Tea: Biggleswade has a number of pubs and cafes dotted around the central area. For tea, coffee and cakes, the popular Surfin café in Market Place, en route to the station, is recommended. Only open until 5pm according to their website.
Walk directions here
T=swc.264
4 comments:
Mr Tiger , there doesn't seem to be an easy shortcut on this walk ? apart from the birdwatching v short one ...is that right please? thanks
Not that I know of. You could try doing one of the Biggleswade to Sandy walks in reverse but they’re not written up in that direction . And the longest is only 4.8 miles. If you’re good with maps you may be able to cut across from Northhill to near the end of the walk (Kingshill Farm) but I’ve not tried it.
Okay thanks Mr Tiger, think I'll give this one a miss
N=10 on a w=hot-sunny day A largely pleasant walk (if you forget crossing the A1 bridge). We reached Northill a bit too soon for lunch. One dropped out here to visit a relly. Most pressed on but two investigated the Crown (purely for research, you understand). They still have a varied menu with vegan options. Neither of us ate but I can attest to the quality of the cider.
The directions over the next stretch work well for GPS users but I still have misgivings about the written directions, particularly in sections 12-13. I was nearly persuaded to go the wrong way. Again. Luckily, parts of this walk are seared into my memory from before and there was an abundance of GRW signs where it wasn’t.
No deer were seen but I saw a big fox, someone else saw “dark things moving about, probably hares”, and there were butterflies, dragonflies and other assorted bugs.
Most picknicked at the Abbey church, followed by snifters at the Hare and Hounds. One, who was hoping to eat there, arrived too late. Again, I can attest to the quality of the cider.
Section 18/19 desperately needs a sentence adding, advising that on the way to the tarmac road where you turn right, you cross an earlier tarmac road where you DON’T turn right. (That way leads to madness and despair – and a long walk down the B658 to regain the route).
I reached the station at 17:10 to find the 17:30 was cancelled. How I laughed.
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