Ridgmont Clay Way Leisure Rail Trail
This information has been
provided courtesy of Bedford to Bletchley Rail Users
Association.
Introduction
There are many opportunities for enjoyable walks from stations on
the Bedford to Bletchley rail line. The walks associated to this
leaflet (there are four: Fenny Stratford Circular Walk, Stewartby
to Millbrook walk via Stewartby Lake, Bow Brickhill Circular Walk,
Ridgmont 'Clay Way' Circular Walk) are suggestions, suitable for
most ages, but not advisable with pushchairs. The length of the
walks is generally between 1 and 2 hours, depending on stops made
at places of interest. These walks all begin and end at stations on
the Marston Vale rail line.
Start/Finish Point
This circular route starts from Ridgmont station. You can buy
tickets to Ridgmont on our website.
Access and General Information
Length: 3 miles
Directions
Leaving Ridgmont Station, turn right towards Ridgmont village (1.5
miles distance) and take the bridleway, on the left just before
reaching the M1 overbridge. The bridleway signs bear the "Clay Way"
motif. Look out for these throughout the walk.
Continue ahead, with a field to the left and the M1 to the right
for about 100m before turning left and taking a path across the
field. Follow signs ahead to a grassed path with hedgerows to your
right.
The path bears left passing a farm, towards the railway and
industrial park. Cross the railway by a bridge then follow the path
straight ahead towards the Roundhouse. Bear left at the ruins of
the Roundhouse, towards the A421 trunk road, but descend to the
right just before reaching a blue bridge over an old wagonway. The
wagonway is now a footpath and bridleway.
At the bottom of the slope turn right and follow the path down
hill. At the bottom, turn left and walk under the A421. Take a
sharp left turn immediately on the other side and walk up a steep
slope and then right onto an old road.
This leads to Brogborough Hill picnic site (to the left). Before
reaching this site, on the right is access to the Forest Trail and
Reynold Wood. This site was bought by the Woodland Trust in 1992.
Since then more than 60,000 trees have been planted to create a new
wood within the Forest of Marston Vale.
Impressive views across west Bedfordshire can be seen on a clear
day. There is good signage provided for additional possible walks
to Holcot Wood and to Cranfield and Bromham following the Clay
Way.
Cross the picnic site and take the steps down to the A421 and take
great care in crossing this busy road. Alternatively retrace your
steps back to the wagonway under the road. If you have crossed the
road you need to cross the wagonway by the blue bridge (mentioned
earlier ) and descend to the wagonway path.
Turn sharp left and walk under the bridge, uphill, towards
Brogborough village, The Industrial Park, called 'Marston Gate' is
to the left. The wagonway ends in a children's playground. Bear
right then left towards a lane leading onto a cycle path. This
leads through Marston Gate and back to Ridgmont Station
Weather Forecast
Below is the weather forecast for Ridgmont.
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