Bedfordshire Cycle Route 3 - Marston Vale

This information has been provided courtesy of Let's Go. Simply log onto their website for more information.

This description should be read in conjunction with the route map. A link to the map is given below.

Route Map (PDF, 469kb)

Introduction

This attractive circular ride around mid-Bedfordshire meanders through several lovely villages and visits the historic Georgian market town of Ampthill on the Greensand Ridge.
 

Start/Finish Point

Horne Lane, Bedford. The nearest station is Bedford St Johns. Exit via the town centre exit. Head diagonally across the car park, and head left along Melbourne Street. Head on the cycle path to the left next to Kingsway. Turn left at the traffic lights, and turn right at the next set of lights onto Prebend Street. At the end of the bridge, take the left path down to the river side, and head left under the bridge. Follow the cycle path to Horne Lane.

You can buy tickets to Bedford St Johns station on our website

Access and General Information

Length: 27 miles

Directions

The ride begins in Bedford on the cycle path running along the north side of the River Ouse.

Join the cycle path in Home Lane, Bedford, beside the Market Place. Follow the path to Kempston, then join the main road leading past the Saxon Centre and fork right at the roundabout into the High Street.

Follow this road for 2 miles to Wootton and continue on it for a further 2 miles. Take the left turn to Lower Shelton. Make sure to take the subway on the right, leading under the A421.

At the end of Lower Shelton Road turn right into Marston Moretaine. Take the left turn to Millbrook and in 2 miles, just past the Vehicle Proving Ground, turn right and follow the lane to Millbrook village. At the T-junction with the A507 turn left to Ampthill. After about a mile turn left again into Ampthill, passing by Ampthill Park, which is well worth ex-ploring.

In Ampthill town centre go left over the first mini roundabout, and then straight over the second one into Church Street. Continue on this road for 1 mile to Maulden. then turn left at The Brache which is signposted to Haynes. Follow this lane to a T-junction, and turn left still heading for Haynes. TAKE CARE at the A6 staggered junction which you must cross.

Continue on this road through Haynes Church End, and head towards Old Warden and Ireland. Pass straight across the A600 and then fork left and left again, following the signposts to Cardington. From the A600 to Cardington is approximately 5 miles.

In Cardington turn left and then, in just under ½ a mile, take the first left towards Harrowden. TAKE CARE to watch the traffic on the A600 as you turn right A507 at the end.

Go straight across the roundabout into Eastcotts Road, and then turn left into Cardington Road. Follow Cardington Road along for about ¾ mile going across the Beach Pool roundabout and following the signs for the town centre. Then take a left turn down Fenlake Road to join a signposted cycle track leading back to the town centre. TAKE CARE crossing Cardington Road and Longholme Way.

The cycle route follows a path to the left of the Riverside Car Park. Follow the signposted route, staying on the south side of the river, and eventually passing under Town Bridge. Turn sharp left here to come out on St. Mary's Street. Join the traffic and follow the one-way system back around St. Paul's Square to Home Lane.

Weather Forecast

Below is the weather forecast for Bedford.

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