Length: 17¾ km (11.0 miles). Toughness: 2/10
10:13 Peterborough train from Kings Cross (Finsbury Park 10:19), arriving Arlesey at 10:50†.
Trains back from Sandy to Kings X are hourly at xx:13. Buy a return to Sandy.
This ‘new’ walk is really a thinly-disguised version of another walk in the opposite direction, with some differences in the route but also plenty of overlap. I was nudged into publishing it because (a) the RSPB have now opened a well-stocked café in their nature reserve which you'll pass at tea-time, and (b) noticing CAMRA's “Bedfordshire Pub of the Year 2025” on Sandy's High Street, five minutes beyond the station.
At the start of this easy walk you'll have the River Hiz for company before passing one of the Champneys chain of health spas. Later in the morning a long stretch alongside the River Ivel brings you to Jordans Mill, a “food heritage attraction” which is worth a look even if you choose not to have lunch in its large Riverside Café. The alternative lunch places (and picnic spot) are half an hour further on in the market town of Biggleswade, with a choice of pubs, cafés and restaurants.
The afternoon section goes across Biggleswade Common to a contrasting landscape of heathland and woodland on a low hill, The Lodge (the RSPB reserve, with its café). At the end of the walk there's a traditional pub across the road from Sandy station but if you're not pressed for time I'd suggest checking out the Sir William Peel, opposite the parish church on the High Street.
† If you miss this train and take the one an hour later I suggest doing the walk's shorter start from Biggleswade, a loop out to Jordans Mill. You should get there at about the same time as the main group.
Please bring the directions from the L=swc.457 page. #2026-07-26T10:50
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