Best walks near Bedford by train
Bedfordshire · South East England | Walks by foot
Stations: Bedford St Johns · Bedford
MapA day hike in the countryside is just a simple train journey away — explore the most charmingly located railway stations in South East England and plan your next day of green.
Aspley Guise Station Circular via the Woburn Estate (Bedfordshire)
30m direct from Bedford St Johns.
13km. Moderate ascents. 3h–5h.
Beginner-friendly: A shortish but satisfying walk. It’s hard to go wrong and, if you do, it’s easy to recover. Lunch is in the pleasant village of Woburn, where there are many choices, so no faffing with making reservations needed. Plus it goes through a safari park and you’ll likely spot some of the beasts.
A rambler favourite!
Highlights: Woburn Safari Park.
Lunch stops in Woburn (1h–2h in): the Black Horse, Lussmanns, or the Woburn Hotel.
End-of-walk reward: the Anchor.
Harpenden Station to St Albans City Station (Hertfordshire)
30m from Bedford, with one change.
17km. Gentle ascents. 4h30–7h30.
Mostly fields and country lanes. Some beautiful new bluebell woods, stunning historic city streeets, commons, golf courses, and parkland. Best in April (bluebell season). Some sections are busy.
Highlights: Heartwood Forest, St Albans Cathedral, and St Albans itself.
Lunch stops in Sandridge (2h–3h in): the Green Man (excellent; reservations recommended), Heartwood Tea Rooms (busy!), the Rose & Crown, or the Queens Head (not great).
End-of-walk rewards: the Lower Red Lion, the Mad Squirrel Tap, the Peahen, the Snug, or the Boot.
Kettering Station Circular via Pytchley (Northamptonshire)
15m direct from Bedford.
19km. Moderate ascents. 5h–8h30.
Villages and countryside.
Lunch stops in Broughton (3h30–6h in): Best Plaice, the Red Lion, Broughton Fish and Chips, or the Broughton & Cransley WMC. Other lunch stop: the Overstone Arms (1h30–2h in).
Adapted from a route by the Leicester Ramblers — download GPX route
Market Harborough Station Circular via Braybrooke (Leicestershire)
30m direct from Bedford.
17km. Moderate ascents. 4h30–8h.
Lunch stops: the Swan Inn (2h–3h30 in), or Waterloo Lodge (2h–3h30 in).
End-of-walk rewards: the Beer House, the Freemasons Arms, the Cherry Tree, or the Oat Hill.
Adapted from a route by the Leicester Ramblers — download GPX route
Bow Brickhill Station to Woburn Sands Station (Buckinghamshire)
30m direct from Bedford St Johns.
19km. Moderate ascents. 5h–8h30.
Woods, golf course, gentle hills, landscaped deer park, village streets, playing fields, and golf links. Can be muddy.
Highlights: Woburn Safari Park.
Lunch stops in Woburn (2h–4h in): the Black Horse, Lussmanns, Galloways, Woburn Thai, or the Woburn Hotel.
End-of-walk reward: the Station Tavern.
Barrow-upon-Soar Station to Leicester Station (Leicestershire)
30m direct from Bedford.
Tough: 21km. Flat terrain. 5h30–9h30.
On decent paths.
Lunch stops in Birstall (3h30–6h in): the Earl of Stamford, the Old Plough, or the White Horse.
End-of-walk rewards: the Corn Exchange, or the Rainbow and Dove.
Adapted from a route by the Leicester Ramblers — download GPX route
Loughborough Station Circular via Walton on the Wolds (Leicestershire)
45m direct from Bedford.
16km. Gentle ascents. 4h30–7h30.
Canal, footpaths, and roadside footpath. Last section on busy road.
Lunch stops: the Anchor Inn (1h30–3h in), the Blacksmith's Arms (2h30–4h30 in), or the Moorings (3h–5h in).
End-of-walk reward: the Boat Inn.
Adapted from a route by the Leicester Ramblers — download GPX route
East Midlands Parkway Station Circular via Gotham (Nottinghamshire)
45m direct from Bedford.
19km. Moderate ascents. 5h–8h30.
Lunch stops in Gotham (3h–5h in): the Sun Inn, the Cuckoo Bush Inn, or the Star Inn.
Adapted from a route by the Leicester Ramblers — download GPX route
East Midlands Parkway Station to Barrow-upon-Soar Station (Nottinghamshire)
45m direct from Bedford.
Tough: 23km. Flat terrain. 6h–10h.
Mostly on decent paths and along the River Soar and Grand Union Canal.
Lunch: Nowhere to eat en route — pack lunch!
End-of-walk rewards: the Boat Inn, the Navigation Inn, or the Hunting Lodge.
Adapted from a route by the Leicester Ramblers — download GPX route
Nottingham Station to East Midlands Parkway Station (Nottinghamshire)
45m direct from Bedford.
18km. Gentle ascents. 4h30–8h.
Canal, river, wooded track, and roadside footpath. Short stretch on busy A453.
Lunch stops: Wilford Farm (1h30–2h30 in), or Dovecote Barn Café (3h–5h30 in).
Adapted from a route by the Leicester Ramblers — download GPX route
Long Eaton Station to Ilkeston Station (Derbyshire)
1h direct from Bedford.
16km. Flat terrain. 4h–7h.
Canal, industrial towns, and disused railway viaduct.
Lunch stops in Hallam Fields, Ilkeston (2h30–4h in): Gallows Grub, or the Gallows Inn. Other lunch stop: La Rock (1h30–2h in).
End-of-walk reward: the Dew Drop Inn.
Adapted from a route by the Leicester Ramblers — download GPX route
Derby Station to Long Eaton Station (Derbyshire)
1h direct from Bedford.
Tough: 21km. Flat terrain. 5h30–9h.
Waterways — River Derwent, Derby & Sandiacre Canal, and Erewash Canal.
Lunch stops: Canal Cottage Cafe (2h30–4h30 in), or the Navigation (3h–5h30 in).
End-of-walk rewards: Peking House, or the Sawley Junction.
Adapted from a route by the Leicester Ramblers — download GPX route