John Bunyan Trail
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This description should be read in conjunction with the route map.
A link to this map is given below.
Route Map
(PDF, 1.24mb)
Introduction
A 25-mile “Pilgrims Progress revisited" through the
Bedfordshire countryside. The Trail, described from North to South,
begins at the Moot Hall in Elstow and finishes at Sundon Hills, an
outcrop of the Chilterns, which are reputed to be John
Bunyan’s delectable mountains.
Today's Pilgrims setting out on this Trail pass through some of
Bedfordshire's most attractive and scenic countryside, and can
experience a variety of nostalgic places, full of interest and
intrigue, connected with John Bunyan. Some of these places are
associated with his travels as a tinker, while others are believed
to be secret meeting places, where he would preach in contravention
of the laws then governing the Established Church. He was, in fact,
imprisoned as a result of his non-conformist views and illegal
preaching and it was during his time in Bedford Jail that his world
famous book, Pilgrim's Progress, was written. His book describes
his preaching activities, as well as many of the places which he
visited, including the delectable mountains as seen from the house
beautiful (Houghton House near Ampthill), which he recalls from a
visit made plying his trade.
However, those Pilgrims intent on learning more about this
legendary Puritan evangelist can visit the Bunyan Meeting House in
Mill Street, Bedford.
Please Note: Waymarking may be sporadic in places of the route and
it is strongly advised that you carry the appropriate Ordnance
Survey maps as listed below, which clearly depict the route.
Pathfinder Series of Maps: 1072, 1048 and 1025
Landranger Series of Maps: 153 & 166
Start/Finish Point
Elstow Moot Hall, Elstow. Plan your journey to the start point
by bus from Bedford St Johns station by using the below journey
planner. The start point is in the
Bedford PlusBus zone.
You can buy tickets to Bedford St Johns on our website.
Access and General Information
Length: 25 miles
Directions
Leaving Moot Hall, turn right into the High Street, passing the
White Swan PH and noting the marvellous cottages which have been
restored to their former glory.
Continue forward to cross the new bridge over the southern bypass,
then immediately taking the bridleway on the left to Medbury Farm.
Keeping forward through the farm, the path then swerves left and
right soon after. Now straight ahead until the road is reached at
Herrings Green, this is the eastern end of Wilstead. Now turn right
and then left into Elms Lane and proceed forward to pass through
Manor Farm. Go through a gate and keep forward on this track to go
uphill, and on to Northwood End Farm, pausing first at the top of
the hill, to look back toward Bedford and the Marston Vale. At the
farm note the old corn store, before making your way to Haynes
village.
This is thought to be the original route used by John Bunyan when
he visited Haynes for religious meetings.
On reaching the village turn right then left into Northwood End
Road. Take the second footpath on the right after passing the
village hall and Greyhound PH, this crosses a meadow. At the road
cross with care and go forward across a field and over a small
bridge on the way. On reaching a hard surfaced bridleway turn left,
cross a service road with care and follow the bridleway through the
farm and out onto a field edge track. Follow this until emerging at
a roundabout on the bypass.
Cross the road with care and proceed towards Shefford, noting the
remains of a railway bridge. Turn down Riverside, a short
cul-de-sac on the right, and left along a path at the bottom,
keeping between the bungalows and the River Flitt. At the road go
right, cross the bridge and on to the traffic lights, noting on the
way a plaque to Robert Bloomfield, the poet.
Turn right at the lights, into Bridge Street, so called as the
aforementioned railway crossed over a bridge by the Bridge PH.
Cross the road by the pub, keeping forward, soon turning left into
New Street. You will pass by some of the older properties of
Shefford (Sheep-Ford), at the end of this street, proceed forward
at the signpost, to enter part of the playing field. Go over a
stile into a paddock and down to the river following waymarkers.
Take the trail over a wooden bridge and under the bypass, to emerge
onto a riverside path keeping forward until a stile is reached,
turn left over this stile, passing Polehanger Farm, to reach
Meppershall village.
Turn right at the High Street, passing the Sugarloaf PH and
continuing forward to the top of the High Street, keeping right to
reach a signpost and stile, indicating the trail forward, follow
several waymarkers en route to Shillington, noting the marvellous
panorama from the high point along the way.
At the road turn left, then right down Bury Road, passing a shop on
the way. Bear left at the bottom of this road to pass by the
Noah’s Ark PH. Almost opposite a path will take you up to the
church, allowing splendid views toward the Clappers. Keep to the
right of the church to emerge, through a gate, to a signpost and
cross a meadow. To straight across, crossing a boggy patch in the
middle to reach a gate in the far right hand corner, emerging onto
Shillington High Road. Turn right and , on reaching a crossroads,
go straight on towards Pegsdon, passing some very attractive
cottages, and the Musgrave Arms PH (perhaps a refreshment stop
here).
Continue along this road with care ignoring footpath signs on the
left and right until a bridleway is reached on the right, follow
this forward bearing left after a while, until a crossing track is
met, here turn right, and soon pass an old mill, and on to reach
the lovely village of Hexton.
Leave the village, on a road to the right just before the Raven PH,
go round a corner passing by the cricket ground, taking the left
hand path, crossing a field diagonally to the far corner of a wood,
here cross a wooden bridge, to proceed toward Barton-le-Clay, with
marvellous views of the hills on the left, and noting the soil
type, which gives Barton its name, proceed forward following the
path to reach a stream. Turn left for a short distance to cross
over a bridge, and onto a surfaced path and up to Manor Road in
Barton.
At this point two options are possible, to keep to the trail turn
left and proceed to Hexton Road, and cross with great care into
Church Road. Alternatively, should refreshments or shops be
required, cross Manor Road to a footpath opposite to go through to
Osborn Road and keep right to follow this road for approximately
300 yards to reach a right hand path.
This again passes through a small estate to emerge on the A6 road
opposite the Bull PH. Now turn left passing the old school and
library, then shops. At the Royal Oak PH bear left through to the
Coach and Horses PH, keeping left up Hexton Road until meeting
Church Road, again cross with care.
Barton Church is certainly worth a visit, also look at the new
Church Hall, one of the most impressive new buildings in the
county.
Proceed along Church Road, passing the Rectory, and turn left at
the signpost. This will go forward towards the Barton Hills, and in
a short distance a gate will be seen. Please note that when through
this gate the hills are managed by English Nature.
After 50-60 yards climb to the right to reach a fence at the top on
the left, proceed along this path, with the fence on your left.
Note that this is not a right of way but a permissive path. After a
while go through a gate, then further on just prior to a hedge at
the end of the reserve. Cross a stile over the left hand fence and
turn right to go forward to a clump of trees. Soon Barton Hill Farm
will be seen in front, on reaching this farm the trail keeps to the
right through a small copse of trees to reach the road.
At the road turn right, then left at the signpost, now proceed
towards Warden Hills, in approximately three-quarters of a mile a
crossing track will be met, this is the original Icknield Way. The
Icknield Way is reputed to be the oldest road in the country, at
one time connecting Falmouth in the west with The Wash in the east.
Turn left keeping forward to meet the road, keep straight ahead to
a car park known as Treasure’s Grove. Just through the
barrier turn right, leaving the Icknield Way, onto a field edge
path, follow the path and Bunyan waymarkers to reach Lilley High
Street. Turn left, passing the pond, and forward to the village
turning right into West Street where you will find the Lilley Arms
PH.
John Bunyan undoubtedly frequently used the Icknield Way in his
travels, for he often visited Hitchin and several other villages in
the vicinity. Meetings usually took place in the evening, or after
dark, and would be held occasionally in a farm house or barn, but
mostly in the open. However at Lilley several houses registered for
dissenters were used, one of these had a cellar, where he could
hide to preach in secret.
This would be another good place for a refreshment stop and Lilley
is well worth a stroll round, especially the church.
Proceed down West Street passing several notable cottages on the
way, this street now becomes Wardswood Lane, and going forward
passes around the edge of Wardswood, to reach a wide green lane.
Ignore a sharp left hand path but take the next left hand path to
follow a field edge by some large beech trees keeping forward until
a small gate is reached. Go through this gate on a chalky track
through the golf course, passing the clubhouse on the right,
keeping forward through a few bushes to meet up again with the
original Icknield Way and down to the A6 road.
After passing through the small gate, a short detour up to the left
offers wide panoramic Views. Keep right at a post then descend to
the golf course and pick up the chalky track to pass by the
clubhouse as described earlier.
To continue the trail cross the A6 with care and walk up Bramingham
Lane, taking a right hand footpath just prior to the New Hospice.
Now proceed virtually straight forward to a pond at Streatley
village. At the road turn left almost immediately into Bury Lane.
Go forward and over a stile to turn right onto a grassy field edge
path, following waymarkers through into Streatley churchyard, then
emerge by the Chequers PH.
On leaving the Chequers, turn left up the road, keeping forward in
the direction of Sharpenhoe. In a short distance take a left hand
path to emerge by tall masts, and go forward to take a right hand
waymarked path through the hedge, and carry on until a way mark
post is reached. This will probably be confusing as the trail
arrows will point both directions, however turn left to follow
Bunyan Waymarkers back to Sundon Hills Country Park, and the
information panel at the beginning of the Trail.
Weather Forecast
Below is the weather forecast for Bedford.
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