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How to get there

Click here for details about how to get to the Forest Centre

Start/finish points

The Forest Centre, Marston Moretaine, MK43 0PR

Explorer Maps 193 and 208

Length

7 miles

Accessibility

Steps - At point 6 on the map, with a max step height of 300mm.

Crossfalls - 1:9 and steeper.

Surface types – Ranging from hard and firm without stones to uneven cultivated ground.

Linear gradient – Steepest linear gradient is 1:6.

Barriers – A bridge with a max width of 980mm (between points 2 and 3 on the map); there are stiles and kissing gates on this route.

Route description

1 - From the map board outside the Forest Centre walk right, past the cycle hire shed, through the pergola and turn right down the bridleway, passing a picnic table and towards a waymark post, following the right hand grass track.  Continue forward past a field gate on the right and turn right at a waymark post and turn right again over a wooden foot bridge. Continue ahead, keeping the hedgerow on your right, and past a bench after approximately 100m. Continue along the surfaced track parallel with the Bedford to Bletchley railway until you come to a wooden kissing gate that leads out of the Park onto Station Lane and Millbrook Train Station. 

2 - Cross the railway at Millbrook Station and continue along Station Lane using the grass verge for 430m to a public footpath signpost on your left.  Please take care when walking along the road verge.  At the signpost walk down steps and through trees, over a wooden footbridge that crosses one of the many ditches that flow into the Elstow Brook.  At the bridge and footpath junction follow the right hand path heading uphill over arable fields keeping the pylons on your left.

3 - At the crest of the hill there’s a good view of the Cardington sheds, old brick pits and Millbrook test track to your right. Head straight along the path towards a waymark post in the distance.  Descend into a conifer

plantation and follow the path through some trees. Continue across an open field to a footpath junction.  Ignore the footpath to the right and head through a gap in the hedge with a waymark post to side. Continue across the next field to a gap in the hedgerow and Millbrook Road.  Cross the road and follow the footpath sign over a small field where you will emerge onto a gravel track. Take the second left across a bridge heading along a surfaced track towards buildings at Park Farm Cottage.  Follow a surfaced track past farm buildings and head across a small paddock to another gate in the far right hand corner.  There’s a very

prominent old oak tree on the right.

 4 - Head uphill and through a gate into

Ampthill Park (can be boggy if it has rained). Continue forwards at a waymark post and take the left hand fork uphill following the sandy path.  Turn into right fork and continue uphill towards a gate. Ignore path into the woods and head along the path. Continue up a steep hill (bench at the top).  At the top head straight along the path; ignore the gate on the left and go through a wood.  Head straight past a bin at the bottom of the hill and through another wooded area. Keep on left  path then turn left, exiting the Park through a kissing gate onto Bedford Street

5 - From the kissing gate turn right downhill along Bedford Street towards Waitrose and the Prince of Wales pub, heading into Ampthill town centre.  At the mini roundabout turn right uphill along Woburn Street, passing the Queen’s Head pub on your left.Turn right along Chapel Lane following signs for the Timberland Trail.  Continue along Chapel Lane and then into Park Hill and continue forwards entering Ampthill Park via a gate along a narrow path. Continue, following the Timberland Trail path that opens out into woodland and a broad track. Continue along the track and over an intersection of paths which leads to a park keeper’s cottage (now a private dwelling) and open area.  At a waymark post take the left hand path along the Greensand Ridge and past the Ampthill Camp Memorial Cross and then Catherine’s Cross with excellent views across the Marston Vale and plenty of benches. Continue to follow Timberland Trail discs and cross a footpath junction that leads to the park car park. Gradually make your way down to a kissing gate that leads you over a grass field, then out of the park and through a small woodland.

6 - Follow the fenced path past grass fields, still following the Timberland Trail discs. Continue along a gravelled path thenat crossroads continue straight on.  Ahead will be Millbrook Parish Church. Descend the left hand path leading into Millbrook village then turn right along the footpath past the Chequers pub to a T-junction in the road. Turn right along Sandhill Close for 50m to a public footpath on your left. Follow the footpath down the field, cross a small wooden footbridge and along a path next to trees, continuing across a field towards a hedge. From here you can retrace your steps back to the Forest Centre from point 7 on the map.

Pit stops/points of interest

There are toilets and benches at the Forest Centre.

The Forest Centre

Prince of Wales

Acknowledgments

Forest Volunteers

Central Bedfordshire Council

Bedford Borough Council

The British Horse Society

Funded by Natural England as part of the Paths for Communities Project