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 25 people, including the leader.
Part 2 of a long-distance trail across Bedfordshire - join us for any 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 10 mile linear walk from Northill to Clophill. These are both accessible by bus from Biggleswade or Bedford - see meeting/end point info for full details.
This section is very rural, taking us through undulating farmland, horse paddocks and woodland, leaving the countryside only once between Northill and Clophill when we pass through the village of Haynes. There are a few moderate slopes, so walking boots are recommended. There are no shops along the route, so please bring a packed lunch, snacks and drinks.
We will begin by heading out of Northill into the countryside, quickly entering Home Wood. Early into the walk, we become increasingly aware of being on a ridge, with good views north towards Bedford and the Cardington Hangars. Before long, we come across Old Warden Tunnel, which was used by the former Bedford to Hitchin railway line going beneath the ridge and is now a nature reserve. We will pause here for a drink stop, and those who are interested can have a look at the disused tunnel portal.
We then cross the first road of our walk and head into Warden Little Wood then Warden Great Wood. Leaving the woods and tunnel of Warden behind, we continue to Haynes, the only settlement on our route, where we will stop for packed lunch and then a pub stop at The Greyhound.
We then re-enter the fields and skirt along the outside of Chicksands Woods before coming to the ruins of St Mary's Old Church at Clophill, which we will stop to have a look at. The site is thought to be from the 10th century, and is now out of place with the main village further down the hill at the end of 'Old Church Path'.
Sitting next to the old church are the Clophill Eco Lodges, which would be a handy place to stay if doing the Greensand Ridge Walk in one stint! After passing these we walk along country lanes above Clophill, before descending into the village itself, walking along the back streets (including one named Back Street) and down to the village green to finish the walk.
There is an optional pub stop at The Stone Jug near the end of the walk.
Please note this walk is not suitable for dogs.
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 A, take Grant Palmer bus 74 at 09:32 to Northill St Mary's Church, arriving 09:44, and walk a few minutes to the start point outside The Crown pub. Biggleswade Bus Station is 6 mins walk from Biggleswade Railway Station. Parking in Biggleswade includes Rose Lane Car Park, Rose Lane, Biggleswade SG18 0JT (free at weekends, 140 spaces, 7 minute walk to bus station). If coming from Hitchin, you can catch the 74 from Bancroft stop E at 09:00, and stay on the bus all the way to Northill. If coming from Bedford, you can catch the 74 in the opposite direction, leaving Bedford Bus Station stand B at 09:40, arriving opposite Northill St Mary's Church at 09:49. The walk leader is likely to meet the group at the start point in Northill, but will confirm on the morning on Meetup.
By the pond in front of The Crown Pub, 2 Ickwell Rd, Northill, Biggleswade SG18 9AA. If wishing to leave a car at the start point, please park on nearby streets with consideration for local residents. However, we recommend taking the bus to the start point at Northill from either Biggleswade or Bedford and from the end point at Clophill taking the bus back to where you began - see meeting/end point info for full details.
Clophill Village Green, Bedfordshire
