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Royston Group

The Royston Ramblers invite you to enjoy fresh air and wonderful countryside in great company. Try us! We really are a very friendly group

Join the Ramblers and enjoy

  • unlimited free access to 50,000 Ramblers group walks
  • a library jam-packed with thousands of tried-and-tested routes
  • a welcome pack teeming with top tips plus our Walk magazine
  • exclusive discounts from our partners
  • knowing your support is opening up more places to walk and helping more people discover the joy of walking
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Overview

We turn right onto the Weneslawe Walk from the High St almost opposite the pub and ascend the John O’Gaunt Hill, soon walking alongside the similarly named Golf Course and through Pegnut Wood (accommodating the largest collection of Pegnut trees in the known universe), out of the wood across the BUSY, FAST road at the official crossing place and up, up and away via Galley Hill, from which we get our first glimpse of the Sandy Transmitter to our right. In due course we come to Carthagena Road, past Fen Farm on the left, taking GREAT CARE as the cars hurtle round the corners, walking over the dismantled railway and then across the BUSY road (past what used to be the Old Locomotive Pub on the right hand corner). Proceeding up Snow Hill we turn left onto an almost invisible path which becomes very steep very quickly before cresting the hill and, as with all things that go up, coming down again, but even more steeply: bring poles, wear footwear with good soles, do take care - landing us on a long, flat, sandy track alongside the transmitter, and then on to the corner where we turn left onto the very appropriately named Long Ride. That takes us to RSPB Sandy (toilets here) and over the road at the traffic lights. Following the path straight up, eventually we come out the other side (“Thanks for visiting us!”) onto Biggleswade Common (300 acres of common land) on very good paths. We come through a kissing gate, cross the road to the gate on the other side, and proceed on very uneven ground - WATCH EVERY STEP - then better tracks between fields until we reach the final stretch which takes us back to the pub. This last stretch is over rutted, grassy tracks with not-quite-boot-width treads. Tread carefully, for you tread upon uneven ground.

 

Thursday, 24 October 2024
Start time:
10:00 am
Estimated finish time:
2:00 pm
Difficulty:
Moderate
Distance:
13.7km / 8.5mi
Ascent:
N/A
Type:
circular

On the recce (13th Oct) it was cold at first, no rain, sunny later and almost no mud. If there is much rain in the intervening days there is a high probability of mud. Bring poles, wear proper hiking boots, take it slowly. I walked at an average 3.2mph. We’ll do it a bit slower on the 24th.

Features

  • Refreshments available (Pub/cafe)
  • Toilets available

Starting point

Grid reference:
TL 22263 47376
Nearest postcode:
SG19 2NE
what3words:
youths.tailwind.good
Start time:
10:00 am

The John O’Gaunt PH please park considerately and safely on the High Street. The pub carpark is not large enough to accommodate our cars as well as paying customers! They are open until 3pm on Thursday so there should be plenty of time for drinks and food after the walk.

Join the Ramblers and enjoy

  • unlimited free access to 50,000 Ramblers group walks
  • a library jam-packed with thousands of tried-and-tested routes
  • a welcome pack teeming with top tips plus our Walk magazine
  • exclusive discounts from our partners
  • knowing your support is opening up more places to walk and helping more people discover the joy of walking