Sandy & Willington River, Heritage & Rail Trail (14 miles / 22.5km - Moderate, Booking Required)

This walk is for up to 30 people, including the leader.

A lengthy but relatively flat route through varied landscapes west of Sandy, with a chance to visit the historic Dovecote and Stables at Willington.

After setting off from Sandy station, we follow the Greensand Ridge Walk southwest alongside the River Ivel, over the Great North Road and through open farmland to the pretty village of Northill. We then turn northwest past fields and woods to join the North Bedfordshire Heritage Trail. A gentle ascent takes us to the top of a small hill where we can see the countryside before us and the massive Cardington Sheds, used for building airships and filming blockbusters. We can pause at this viewpoint for a packed lunch break before heading down to the village of Willington.

At Willington we can have a drink at the village pub then go along to the impressive Tudor Dovecote and Stables, National Trust properties which are open for viewing from 2pm. We’ll hope to have a look inside these historic buildings before we continue with our walk; the local church is also open for tea and cake.

The second half of our route begins with a mile heading east along the Bedford to Sandy Country Way, formerly part of the Varsity Line railway between Oxford and Cambridge and now used for walking and cycling. We then continue along the Ouse Valley Way, following the River Great Ouse to Great Barford and its splendid bridge with seventeen arches.

It’s then a couple of miles around fields to Blunham, where if we’re thirsty we can visit the pub to refresh ourselves before the last three miles back south along the Kingfisher Way and Sandy Green Wheel, following the River Ivel again to return to our start point.

Dogs are welcome on a lead.

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

Booking your place: If you would like to join, you must book in advance using the Stag Walkers Meetup group - see Notes for how to book & what to bring. If you are unable to attend, please cancel your booking so that someone else can take your place.

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

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

Please car-share or use public transport if possible. To offer a lift or ask for one from a fellow walker, please use the Meetup event page.