| Fenny Stratford circular walk
Leave Fenny Stratford Station by the footpath at the Bedford end of
the platform into Simpson Road. Turn right and continue to the
road junction , with The Swan public house on the left. Turn left
into Watling Street and cross the road taking steps down to the towpath
of the Grand Union Canal, immediately after crossing the bridge over the
canal. Once on the tow path turn right.
Continue along the towpath for about 1.5 miles, passing under the
railway and under a number of road bridges. After passing under
bridge number 92 a footpath leads to Simpson village. A little
further along the towpath you come to The Plough public house.
Continue on the towpath to bridge 91 and turn right, and right again
shortly after, following signs
to Walton, down through Simpson village. Cross the road by the
church and turn left into Simpson Road. Cross the River Ouzel and
turn right through a small car park. Take the right hand path that
bisects the car parking area. The windmill of The
Caldecotte Arms hotel can be seen in the distance.
Continue towards the windmill and follow signs to Caldecotte
Lake. This lake was excavated between 1981 and 1983 from farmland
on either side of the River Ouzel, whose source is at the foot of the
Dunstable Downs. The new lake takes its name from the medieval
hamlet that was by the river.
Follow the footpath, bearing right past the sluice gates and then
left.
(If you wish to pause at
the Caldecotte Arms where there is a children's playground and pleasant views
across the lake - a good place for a picnic - turn left again over a
wooden bridge. To rejoin the walk from the Caldecotte Arms, retrace your
steps over the wooden bridge, turn left and continue as below.).
Continue under the main road, walking alongside the river
with the railway bridge ahead. Bear left over another bridge
crossing the river and turn right, leaving the footpath, which continues
to Bow Brickhill.
Cross a grassed area by the river, going first under a large road
bridge and then under the Bedford to Bletchley rail line. The
footpath is somewhat rougher at this point as it bears to the
left. Go through the gate along Belvedere Lane to the junction
with Watling Street. Belvedere Nurseries are to the right.
Turn right and continue along Watling Street to The Swan public
house. Turn right into Simpson Road and the entrance to Fenny
Stratford Station is on the left, just before you reach the level
crossing.
For more details of the local area see Stations
on
the line and information on Fenny
Stratford |
