Greensand Ridge Walk #2: Northill to Clophill (10 miles/16km - Moderate, Booking Required)

This walk is for up to 25 people, including the leader.

Part 2 of a long-distance trail across Bedfordshire - join us for any of these! The Greensand Ridge Walk is a waymarked route of around 40 miles which we’ll walk in five sections on the second Saturday of each month.

Please note this is a 10 mile linear walk from Northill to Clophill. These are both accessible by bus from Biggleswade or Bedford - see meeting/end point info for full details.

This section is very rural, taking us through undulating farmland, horse paddocks and woodland, leaving the countryside only once between Northill and Clophill when we pass through the village of Haynes. There are a few moderate slopes, so walking boots are recommended. There are no shops along the route, so please bring a packed lunch, snacks and drinks. 

We will begin by heading out of Northill into the countryside, quickly entering Home Wood. Early into the walk, we become increasingly aware of being on a ridge, with good views north towards Bedford and the Cardington Hangars. Before long, we come across Old Warden Tunnel, which was used by the former Bedford to Hitchin railway line going beneath the ridge and is now a nature reserve. We will pause here for a drink stop, and those who are interested can have a look at the disused tunnel portal.

We then cross the first road of our walk and head into Warden Little Wood then Warden Great Wood. Leaving the woods and tunnel of Warden behind, we continue to Haynes, the only settlement on our route, where we will stop for packed lunch and then a pub stop at The Greyhound. 

We then re-enter the fields and skirt along the outside of Chicksands Woods before coming to the ruins of St Mary's Old Church at Clophill, which we will stop to have a look at. The site is thought to be from the 10th century, and is now out of place with the main village further down the hill at the end of 'Old Church Path'. 

Sitting next to the old church are the Clophill Eco Lodges, which would be a handy place to stay if doing the Greensand Ridge Walk in one stint! After passing these we walk along country lanes above Clophill, before descending into the village itself, walking along the back streets (including one named Back Street) and down to the village green to finish the walk. 

There is an optional pub stop at The Stone Jug near the end of the walk.

Please note this walk is not suitable for dogs.

For information about walking with the group, including our dog policy, please visit the Stag Walkers website.

Booking your place: Please book your place using the free Meetup website/app. Join the Stag Walkers Meetup group and click the 'Attend' button on the event page.

Please do not turn up for a walk without booking, as places are limited.

If the walk is fully booked, please click 'join waitlist' then please check back regularly as you will likely get a place. The waitlist gives priority to single bookings so if you wish to bring a guest, we recommend booking separately.

Unless you opt in to further communications, we will only use contact information you provide to get in touch about the walk.