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.
Mark the turning of the year and make the most of the shortest day with a long walk which takes in a modern monument, ancient earthworks and a spot of hillwalking!
The route is part suburban and part rural, and includes two trig pillars and sections of three long-distance trails - all to be found in and around Luton and the countryside east of the town.
Our walk will start in Leagrave Park with a visit to a new local landmark. While some people celebrate Winter Solstice at Stonehenge, we won’t go all the way to Wiltshire because we have a henge here in Luton! The Luton Henge, created this summer, comprises eight upright stones formed of local Totternhoe chalk and is located within Waulud’s Bank, a massive earthwork which dates from 3000 BC.
After we’ve admired the stones, we’ll head northwards, passing the source of the River Lea and the start of the Lea Valley Walk, which follows the river valley through Hertfordshire to London. We’ll walk through an avenue of mature trees then along a paved bridleway between Sundon Park and Marsh Farm to reach the northern outskirts of Luton. Turning eastwards, we’ll pass the distinctive Sundon Park water tower and the first of today’s trig pillars, then continue with houses to our right and fields on our left, and Warden Hill ahead of us. At Great Bramingham Park we’ll join the Icknield Way, which follows a ridge of chalk through southern England and is said to be the oldest road in Britain.
We leave Luton at South Beds Golf Course and enter the Chilterns National Landscape, ascending northeast towards Galley Hill. We’ll turn southwards onto the Chiltern Way and climb Galley then Warden Hills, which form a chalk grassland nature reserve and offer great views of the surrounding area. At Warden Hill we’ll bag our second trig, then progress through open countryside towards Stopsley.
On reaching Stopsley Common we’ll stop for a late packed lunch. There are picnic tables outside Inspire Sports Village and toilets are available inside the centre. There may also be a chance to buy a hot drink and snack from the cafe.
After our break, we’ll head across the common and through woodland, descending Bradgers Hill. On the eastern edge of Luton we’ll join the local Riddy Lane Trail, once a route between nearby farms and hamlets, which now cuts through the modern suburbs. Then, after passing the impressive new Barnfield College building, we’ll follow the Lea Valley Walk for a couple of miles through streets and green spaces, alongside the young River Lea and back to our start point, reaching the end of our walk near the end of this shortest day.
Please note walking boots are recommended for this walk as some paths may be muddy and there are some steep hills.
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, click 'join waitlist' to get a place if one becomes available and 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 circular 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: First Floor, 10 Queen Street Place, London EC4R 1BE.
Bramingham Road car park, Bramingham Road, Luton LU3 2SR. Free parking on weekends or 6 minutes’ walk from Leagrave railway station for trains from Bedford, Luton, St Albans, London St Pancras, etc.
