Flitwick Circular (short version)
T=swc.231
Length: 17.3 km (10.8 mi) 2 out of 10 (for a longer walk 24.4km, see trains below)
"This walk just north of the easterly end of the Chilterns follows the Flit River along the shady wooded fringes of Flitwick Moor, one of the most important wetland sites in the south east of England, and then through a couple of quiet villages, passing the Grade I-listed De Grey Mausoleum in Flitton. After lunch in Clophill it’s up on to the Greensand Ridge for a long stretch through and along Maulden Wood, with far views south to the Chiltern Hills. The highlight of the return route is the passage through Flitton and Flitwick Moors."
Trains: Get the 1005 Bedford train from London Bridge (St Pancras 1020) arriving Flitwick 1109. This is a Thameslink train from Brighton, so there are many joining points. Frequent return trains. To do the full walk, get the 0905 & hope to meet the group in Clophill.
Lunch: In Clophill, either at the The Flying Horse or The Stone Jug (a little off-route, at 7.8 km/4.8 mi).
Tea: Amongst others, The Swan next to the station
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Most Thameslink services this morning have been cancelled due to damage to overhead lines in central London, but the 10:03 from East Croydon is scheduled to run, calling at London Bridge (10:21), Blackfriars (10:27) and St Pancras (10:36), arriving at Flitwick at 11:24.
An army of gremlins had been at work overnight on the Thameslink route, causing problems with the overhead elec wires on the Central London section, so most trains in the morning rush were cancelled, incl. the posted SWC train. 9 walkers disembarked from the first on-time departure after that, just 15 mins after the poster's intended train, though.
This incl. 2 first-timers, frequent London-visitors from the US of A, who had previously ventured on our walks just by themselves with book in hand.
Despite a leisurely Wednesday pace, the group split into parts and all walked the short version, as posted. We got to The Flying Horse around 1 o'clock, I think, where we met 2 others (incl. the walk poster) who had caught an earlier, much delayed train from St. Pancras. It was the first day of the autumn menu at the Horse, so service was a bit slow but it did nae matter, as the converted-barn-look main room is a very pleasant place to wait for your food.
On up through woods to the Greensand Ridge, with fine views to the plain and beyond to the Chilterns. Some interesting buildings, lots of thatched cottages and Flitton and Flitwick Moors kept up the interest. I had - somewhat pessimistically - put on gaiters after the last few days' of heavy rain, but the forgiving (i.e. quick draining) Bedfordshire soil meant they looked 'as new' at the end of the walk. Even the couple of arable field crossings were non-events...
Back in Flitwick in time for the 16.29.
n=11 w=sunny-with-a-chill
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