We’re a Ramblers group aimed mainly at people in their 20s, 30s and a bit beyond, offering guided hikes and social events across Herts, Beds and south Cambs.
This walk is for up to 30 people, including the leader.
Part 1 of a long-distance trail across Bedfordshire - join us for any or all of these! The Greensand Ridge Walk is a waymarked route of around 40 miles which we’ll walk in five sections on the second Saturday of each month.
Please note this is a 9 mile linear walk from Gamlingay to Northill. We recommend meeting in Biggleswade then taking a bus to the start at Gamlingay, and from Northill either take a bus back to Biggleswade or walk another 4 miles to Biggleswade (the total distance for this second option is 13 miles / 21 km, graded moderate due to distance).
This section takes in farmland, parkland, villages and some town walking, and includes some moderate slopes.
We will begin by heading out of Gamlingay and walk towards Tetworth Hall, an 18th-century red-brick mansion set along the edge of the Greensand Ridge. We will then roam the estate grounds before following the crest of the Greensand Ridge to the village of Everton, where we will pause for a short break by the village hall.
From here, we will head downhill with views over RAF Tempsford, a former Royal Air Force station. Crossing open farmland, we will join a Roman road that leads us towards Caesar’s Camp, an ancient British hill fort that dates back to the Iron Age and may later have been used by the Romans. Our packed lunch stop will be at the Pinnacle, an ancient hill overlooking the Bedfordshire town of Sandy. After lunch, we will descend into Sandy where you are welcome to use facilities provided by the High Street car park.
As we leave Sandy, we will make our way towards the water meadows of the River Ivel and continue on to the village of Beeston. Here, we will cross the A1 via a footbridge and walk through part of the village’s impressive, tree-lined green. Departing Beeston, we will follow farm tracks across open fields to the village of Northill, finishing this section at St Mary’s Church. Some walkers may choose to end the walk here, followed by an optional pub stop at The Crown.
For those wishing to continue for an additional 4 miles, we will set off again after approximately half an hour. This final stretch takes us off the Greensand Ridge Walk and through the village of Ickwell, past Shuttleworth House and Aerodrome, and on through Broom Lakes, before finishing in Biggleswade, where there will be an optional pub stop to conclude the whole walk.
Dogs are welcome on a lead.
For information about walking with the group, including our dog policy, please visit the Stag Walkers website.
Booking your place: Please book your place using the free Meetup website/app. Join the Stag Walkers Meetup group and click the 'Attend' button on the event page.
Please do not turn up for a walk without booking, as places are limited.
If the walk is fully booked, please click 'join waitlist' then please check back regularly as you will likely get a place. The waitlist gives priority to single bookings so if you wish to bring a guest, we recommend booking separately.
Unless you opt in to further communications, we will only use contact information you provide to get in touch about the walk.
This is a linear walk.
The start time is when we aim to start walking and the finish time is an estimate.
Walks are graded Easy, Leisurely, Moderate or Strenuous in increasing order of difficulty. Please read the walk description to check it is within your abilities and contact the group if you are unsure.
Please:
We are a Ramblers group, non-members are welcome to try us out for three free walks before joining Ramblers as a full member.
As a charity we ask that non-members consider making a voluntary donation to Ramblers until they purchase membership. We suggest £3-4 per walk. You can donate in person or online.
The Ramblers’ Association is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales. Company registration number: 4458492. Registered Charity in England and Wales number: 1093577. Registered office: Stone King LLP, Boundary House, 91 Charterhouse Street, London EC1M 6HR.
Biggleswade Bus Station, Market Place, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, SG18 8UU From Bus Stop C, take Grant Palmer bus 190 at 10.10am to Beechside, Gamlingay, arriving 10:37, then walk 0.5 miles to start point. Biggleswade Bus Station is 6 mins walk from Biggleswade Railway Station. Parking available in Biggleswade includes Rose Lane Car Park, Rose Lane, Biggleswade SG18 0JT (free at weekends, 140 spaces, 7 minute walk to bus station).
Gamlingay Cinques Nature Reserve car park, The Cinques, Gamlingay, Cambs, SG19 3NU Free parking is available but with limited spaces. We recommend meeting in Biggleswade then taking the bus to the start point at Gamlingay and from the end point at Northill taking the bus back to Biggleswade. Please consider car sharing where possible.
Church of St Mary the Virgin, 3 Thorncote Rd, Northill, Biggleswade SG18 9AQ
