Recreational Route: Southern/Eastern England
Bledlow to Knettishall Heath near Thetford
206km/128 miles
A route that follows the course of prehistoric trackways from the Chilterns into East Anglia, following off-roads routes where the alignment of the trackways are now part of the modern road network and passing many sites of archaeological interest. An optional loop avoids Luton and Dunstable. A 15km section to the southeast of Cambridge forms part of European Path E2.
Devised by the Icknield Way Association and supported by the Ramblers as part of a campaign to achieve National Trail status for the whole length of the ancient trackways linking the South Coast and the Wash, the Path was opened as a promoted route recognised by local authorities in 1992 . Although National Trail status is yet to be achieved it is now possible to use the Way as part of a chain of routes including the Wessex Ridgeway, Ridgeway National Trail and Peddars Way National Trail between Lyme Regis and Hunstanton (see the Ridgeway page and Greater Ridgeway guidebook below for more information).
Historically, the walking route started at Ivinghoe, but there is now an additional multi-user section starting at Bledlow and running parallel to the Ridgeway. The 45km/28-mile Icknield Way Trail is intended as a multi-user alternative between Aldbury and Pegsdon, mainly following the northern alternative of the Icknield Way. It is already open to walkers, although signing work in ongoing, and not all sections have yet been upgraded for horse riders and cyclists. These additional routes are publicised in separate leaflets (see below).
Update. Due to construction work for a new bypass, a section of the Icknield Way on the eastern edge of Baldock will be closed for intermittent periods of days or weeks during 2004-2005. For the current situation contact Hertfordshire council tel 01707 356313; for more details see the Icknield Way Association website below.
Connects with
Highway Authorities
Tourist Information Centres
- Cambridge 01223 322640
- Dunstable 01582 471012
- Hemel Hempstead 01442 234222
- Hitchin tel 01438 737333
- Letchworth tel 01462 487868, www.letchworthgc.com
- Luton 01582 401579
- Newmarket 01638 667200
- Saffron Walden 01799 510444
Accommodation
Click here to find bed & breakfast accommodation on this path.
Maps
- Explorer maps 181, 192, 195, 208, 209, 210, 226, 229
- Landranger maps 144, 154, 155, 165, 166
The route is marked on the most recent editions of these maps.
Publications
- The Icknield Way Path - A Walkers Guide.
Detailed guide with maps covering the historic walkers' route from Ivinghoe to Knettishall Heath, 169km/105 miles. A new edition is in preparation and will be available from the Icknield Way Association (see below). Contact them for details. - The Icknield Way Accommodation List, £1. Order here!
- The Icknield Way, free leaflet guide covering the multi-user section between Bledlow and Ivinghoe, 37km/23 miles. From Buckinghamshire County Council, also available from the council in the Chilterns and South Bucks Countryside Pack, £3 (or £5 for a set of two packs also covering the Vale of Aylesbury.) See
www.buckscc.gov.uk/countryside/recreational_routes - The Icknield Way Trail, free leaflet covering the multi-user route through Bedfordshire from North Chilterns Trust (see below).
- The Greater Ridgeway from Lyme Regis to Hunstanton by Ray Quinlan, ISBN 1 85284 346 2. Cicerone £12.95 + p&p.
Compact guide describing 583km/363-mile route along the Wessex Ridgeway (Lyme Regis to Avebury), Ridgeway National Trail (Avebury to Ivinghoe), Icknield Way (Ivinghoe to Knettishall Heath) and Peddars Way National Trail (Knettishall Heath to Hunstanton) with OS 1:50 000 map extracts, route descriptions and background information. See the Ridgeway page for more information.
Contacts
- The Icknield Way Association 1 Edgeborough Close, Kentford, Newmarket CB8 8QY
www.icknieldwaypath.co.uk - North Chilterns Trust c/o Three Valleys Water, Crescent Road, Luton LU2 0AD, tel 01582 412225
- Icknield Way Partnership c/o Bedfordshire County Council
