Walks from Ridgmont
Bedfordshire · South East England
MapBeautiful walks starting or ending at Ridgmont Station.
Alternatively, view walks you can reach directly from Ridgmont by train.
Ridgmont Circular
An easy, stile-free circular from Ridgmont station on good waymarked paths, passing the edge of Woburn Safari Park and climbing onto the Greensand Ridge before dropping back to the line. A short steep climb and stepped section, one railway crossing and several road crossings; some stretches get very muddy after rain.
Woburn Safari Park: a 300-acre wildlife park opened in 1970, home to over 80 species including critically endangered hoofed mammals.
All Saints' Church: designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott and built in 1854, replacing the old Segenhoe church.
Time: 2h30
Lunch: Refreshments and toilets at the Heritage Centre & café at Ridgmont station; vending refreshments at the Woburn Safari Park entrance; and a shop, café and pub in Ridgmont village (just over a mile from the station).
Warnings: Some sections can be very muddy when wet; includes a short steep climb, a flight of steep steps and a railway crossing.
Walk details: Marston Vale Community Rail Partnership (PDF).
Ridgmont Circular via the Old Brickworks
A moderate circular over the hills around Ridgmont, Lidlington and Brogborough, with wide views across the Marston Vale towards Cranfield and the Cardington hangars. Good waymarked paths shared in places with the Bunyan Trail and the Clay Way; around 140 metres of ascent, two stiles, a railway crossing and several road crossings, and some stretches that get very muddy after rain.
The Old Brickworks: the ruins of a brickworks that reputedly had 25 chimneys at its peak and was the second largest in the world.
Time: 2h30
Lunch: Refreshments and toilets at the Heritage Centre & café at Ridgmont station; a shop, café and pub in Ridgmont village (just over a mile from the station).
Warnings: Some sections can be very muddy when wet; two stiles and a railway crossing.
Walk details: Marston Vale Community Rail Partnership (PDF).
Stewartby to Ridgmont
Flat farmland, lake shores, ancient woods, open countryside, quiet lanes and Sustrans cycle tracks.
Warnings: Can be muddy.
Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).
Woburn Sands to Ridgmont
Farmland, conifer plantation, semi-ancient woodland, deer park, open grassland, safari park perimeter and muddy field paths.
Warnings: Can be muddy.
Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).