Introductory Walk: RSPB The Lodge, Sandy (5.5 miles / 9km - Leisurely, Booking Required)

This walk is for up to 30 people, including the leader.

Join us on Valentine’s Day, the day for lovebirds, or at least bird lovers for a leisurely walk from Sandy to The Lodge Nature Reserve, headquarters of the RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds).

This event has been organised as an introductory walk, aimed particularly at people who are new to our group or to countryside walking in general. It’s a relatively short route, graded Leisurely, so it should be suitable for most people in our age group. However, some sections may be muddy with relatively steep gradients, so boots or good-quality walking shoes are recommended.

We will start by walking from Sandy railway station to the reserve, where we’ll join the Hillfort Trail and ramble through rolling heathland enriched with acid grassland, sand quarries, and tranquil mixed woodland filled with towering oaks, where large flocks of thrushes may gather during the winter. 

We will then cross over to the Old Quarry Trail, climbing some fairly hilly paths through the old wood and past a former sandstone quarry. You can also enjoy a lovely view of Biggleswade in the distance, along with the surrounding countryside, before reaching The Lodge building (the headquarters of the RSPB). Here, we will pass the wildlife gardens, admire an owl statue, then head towards the visitor centre for our lunch stop, where a café and facilities are available.

We will continue the rest of our walk via Bunker's Hill and follow the Turbine Trail, which meanders through oak and birch woodland while once again offering good views of Biggleswade in the distance. If we’re lucky, you may see or at least hear some woodpeckers. Finally, we will head down and walk along the edge of the reserve via the hamlet of Stratford, before returning to Sandy. There will be an optional pub stop at The Bell, just opposite the station, at the end of our walk.

Please note that this walk is not suitable for dogs, as they are not allowed on most paths in the nature reserve.

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.