Silsoe walks

A walk through two of the finest nature reserves in the North Chilterns linked by the ancient Icknield Way track. Fine views and a wealth of natural interest.

Starting from Hexton this walk on the borders of Befordshire and Hertfordshire offers mile after mile of beautiful countryside with the hilltops steeped in ancient history. The route includes sections of the Icknield and John Bunyan Ways.

Starting from Hexton this walk on the borders of Befordshire and Hertfordshire includes the attractive downland between Telegraph and Deacon Hills and a section of the Icknield Way.

This route offers the walker some of the most stunning views in the whole of the Chilterns and visits a number of important wildlife sites featured in the book by Gay Beattie "The Pilgrim’s Progress Wild Flowers and Where to Find Them in The Chilterns." Pegsdon and Deacon Hills were a favourite of the writer and preacher John Bunyan who referred to them in as the "Delectable Mountains".

A circuit from Pegsdon, through the Pegsdon Hills Nature Reserve to Deacon Hill with its ancient earthworks. Return past a mature beech wood and Knocking Hoe reserve.

This is a surprisingly hilly walk for this general area, being the northern end of the Chilterns AONB, mostly through rolling farmland, with some wonderful views across the flatlands of south Bedfordshire to the north, especially if the air is clear. Most of it is along the edges of/through fields, along grass & hard-surfaced paths & tracks. There are two tree-covered 'alleys'. It passes a large late-Tudor manor house. You will walk part of the Icknield Way & visit Pegsdon Hills Nature Reserve.

Starting near the site of Catherine of Aragon's house arrest and venturing into the surrounding areas. You'll see some lovely rolling countryside with views to the Chilterns and across Marston Vale to Bedford. The walk takes in a variety of environments : farmland, woods, an ancient meadow, parkland with Capability Brown landscaping, the ruins of a Jacobean/Classical mansion and memorials to Catherine of Aragon and the men of the Bedfordshire regiment who trained in the park and died in WW1.

Only a short distance from Bedford, this is really a delightful rural ramble in the home country of John Bunyan, starting on open uplands, descending to the plain surrounding Bedford and finishing through a stretch of woodland reserve. (The latter only in spring through autumn; in winter a longer alternative must be taken.) There is opportunity for refreshment near the end of the walk. It could be combined with walk 1130.

A circular walk visiting the South-Western part from Lower Stondon via Holwell.

This circular walk covers the northern/western footpaths in Stondon and also strays into Meppershall and Shillington.

This circular walk covers the footpaths of Stondon to the south and east and also strays into Hertfordshire.

A walk that’s attractive at any time of year. The route is quiet and peaceful, with magnificent views looking north into Bedfordshire and beyond. Visit the Iron Age hillfort at Sharpenhoe Clappers.

A moderate stile-free walk The walk starts in the village of Great Offley, heading south-west along the ridge above Hitchin before descending to the small hamlet of Charlton. From there, there is a steady, scenic climb back to Offley.

It is surprising how easy it is to escape from urban Luton to quiet open countryside. This walk is a short circuit from Bushmead to Lilley and back.

Particularly lovely late on a June evening, during the summer when the fields are full of ripe crops or in winter to blow away the cobwebs.

A short circuit from Preston village through Hitch Wood, one of the finest woods in the North Chilterns. Worth following for spectacular bluebells in spring or as a pre-pub leg stretch.

A walk along quiet country paths to Caddington and the ancient woodland of Badgerdell wood before emerging at the top of the steep hillside above Dunstable. Enjoy the extensive views from Blow's Down.

A riverside walk along the Ouse Valley Way between Bedford and St Neots.
Despite the increasing urbanisation between Bedord and St Neots, the riverside sections of this walk provide some pleasant rambles. Particularly notable is the 15th century river bridge at Great Barford and the riverside parks at St Neots.

This is a thoroughly enjoyable walk with lots of variety, all on the more elevated parts of Bedfordshire. The fields are open so there are plenty of views, but there are stretches of woodland, three interesting villages and plenty of wildlife. It is no more than a guess, but I would think keen bird watchers might find it worthwhile to tote field glasses. At worst it will give them a closer look at the aerobatics over Biggleswade airfield.

A circuit around the village of St Paul’s Walden passing through some of the finest woodland in the North Chilterns and the picturesque parkland surrounding the grand houses of Stagenhoe and St Paul’s Walden Bury. The bluebells in Hitch Wood are spectacular in spring!

This is a pleasant walk through the Bedfordshire countryside with a variety of scenery and some interesting points of interest along the way.

A mainly level walk through open farmland to the foot of the Dunstable Downs, with a gentle climb to pick up the Icknield and Chiltern Ways. Great views over the Bedfordshire plain and Ivinghoe Beacon.

This Hertfordshire walk mainly uses old green lanes to go through a varied landscape of fields, woods and hedgerows to arrive at the Holt and then by footpaths to Cuckolds Cross. After that there is a section of larger arable fields where you join the Hertfordshire Way to reach Whitwell, an expanded village with an interesting older centre. The final leg passes through a rare breeds farm and The Bury, birthplace of the late Queen Mother.

This walk takes in a variety of the landscapes of Central Bedfordshire: heathland, woods, meadows, arable land and even a short stretch of market gardening. It starts and finishes in the RPSB nature reserve. Lunch time refreshment is available at the Thornton Arms in Everton.