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How to get there

You can access the route by car but not easily by public transport. 

• Public transport - the number 42 bus (please check timetables)
• Car - The village can be reached from the A6 (Bedford – Luton) or from the B530 (Bedford to Ampthill). There is limited parking available at the village hall - otherwise you can park on the street (as long as you park considerately).

Start/finish points

Suggested starting point is the Knife and Cleaver Pub/opposite the church.

TL 04394 41404

Length

3 miles

Accessibility

No steps or cross falls recorded

Surface types – Varied surfaces ranging from hard/firm to grass/uncultivated earth paths without ruts. This route can be muddy in winter, especially between points 6 – 7 on the map (there is an alternative footpath through Kings Wood shown).

Linear gradient – Steepest gradient is steeper than 1:6 between points 6 and 7; at other points it is between 1:6 – 1:9 or 1:14 – 1:17.

Width Restriction – Width of 600mm between a post and a kerbing off Rectory Lane; footbridge at point 4 has a width of 950mm.

Barriers – 2 self closing gates (width 210mm), 5 kissing gates (width 1500mm), 3 two-way gates (width 750mm)

Route description 

1. Starting from the Knife and Cleaver (opposite the Village Church) follow the alleyway at the side of the pub to Rectory Lane and turn right. Proceed along the lane to the footpath sign on the right. Follow this path & through the 1st gate and turn left. Continue along hedgerow and the footpath joins a track. Follow this to the end.
2. You are now at an entrance to the Kings Wood and Glebe Meadows Nature Reserve. At this point turn right along footpath on outside of Round Close. Follow this and over a stile, along hedgerow to the comer of Kings Wood.
3. Turn right and then left across the bridge to follow path on the outside of the wood. At the top of the slope leave the wood edge and bear right along the hedgerow carrying on following the footpath signs.
4.  A bridge takes you left through the hedge. Carry straight on along the hedgerow in the direction of Houghton House. Cross another bridge and continue uphill across a field and a paddock & then past farm & house gates to join a concrete road (Houghton House is on your right).
5. Carry on along this road and shortly after passing the entrance to Houghton House on your right turn sharp left (before the houses) and follow the unmade up road to Kings Wood.
6. On approaching the wood, cross a small field and you are at the top entrance to Kings Wood. The route now follows the path along the outside of the wood although there are permissive paths within the wood should you wish to take them. Follow down to the bottom of the wood. Turn sharp right and continue to gate on left-
7. Through into Cowslip Meadow. Keeping the hedgerow on your right until you come to the gate. Through the gate & left alongside the Old Rectory garden and the houses in Rectory Lane, turning left along a short section between the houses before entering Rectory Lane. Turn right and retrace your steps to the Knife and Cleaver and the Church.

Pit stops/points of interest

The Knife and Cleaver, The Anchor and the village shop. No public toilets, picnic tables or seats on the route.

Houghton House

The Old Rectory 

Kings Wood and Glebe Meadows 

All Saints Church 

Acknowledgments

Houghton Conquest Parish Path Partnership Group

Funding from the Parish Paths Partnership Scheme