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How to get there

As the start/finish point is the Forest Centre & Millennium Country Park, click here for directions and public transport information.

You can access the start point using public transport (but not on Sundays).

Start/finish points

The Forest Centre & Millennium Country Park, Marston Moretaine, MK43 0PR

TL 00488 41734

Length

6.5 miles

Accessibility

No stiles, width restrictions or barriers.

Surface types – The walk uses public footpaths and bridleways throughout, which may be muddy.

Linear gradients – Sections of the walk are steep and may be muddy.

Route description

1. From just outside the entrance to the Forest Centre, walk through pergola past the bike hire and onto a gravel path to the circular node. Turn left, heading to a bridge over the Elstow Brook. Continue along the path following the edge of Stewartby Lake until you reach a timber bridge on your left that takes you onto Allens Court/Bedford Road. Turning right, follow the path along Lower Shelton Road that leads to an underpass (on the right) and walk though. At the top of the exit ramp turn left and walk along Lower Shelton Road, passing the Wesleyan Methodist Chapel.
2. Just where the road bends to the right, turn left onto the public footpath (between 119 and 121 Lower Shelton Road). At the end of the alley turn right, passing behind gardens and continue straight ahead passing another footpath junction to your left. Cross the open field, following the waymark posts to the gap in the hedge. Walk to the pylon and turn left over the ditch; go straight ahead across another field to a waymark post amongst a group of trees.
3. Keeping the trees on your left, walk along the field edge then through two more fields, each separated by ditch crossings until you reach the start of a farm track. Pass through the field entrance on your right and walk diagonally up the field to the yellow waymark post opposite the houses, to the top of the hill on Beancroft Road (with views of Charity Farm to your left).
4. Cross Beancroft Road and follow the tree lined public bridleway until it opens out into a field and turn right. Continue along field edge bridleway to the top of Hunger Hill, where you’ll get great panoramic views.
5. Continue along the crest of Hunger Hill to the edge of Marston Thrift - a semi ancient natural woodland. Follow the bridleway past a junction with two footpaths and alongside the edge of the Thrift to Plunders Hill and a welcome panel for Rectory Wood. Entering Rectory Wood, continue along the bridleway and turn left at the bottom of Plunders Hill. Follow the bridleway around the Thrift along a tree lined avenue and you’ll reach Marston Thrift public car park at Wood End. Needs updating to include Wood End Thrift.
6. From the car park, turn right and pass through the gap adjacent to a large gate and follow the public bridleway to open fields. Turn left along the field edge path beside a dep ditch. Continue along the bridleway towards the A421 turning left at the road boundary. Walk onto the road bridge and follow the bridleway down the ramp, turning left at the bridleway junction along a field edge path lined by hawthorn hedge.
7. From the bridleway continue forwards along Wood End Lane towards the footpath that crosses the old A421. Cross the road and continue along the footpath though Wood End Triangle. The footpath leads you onto Woburn Road which takes you into Marston, past Moreteyne Manor and the former Nation School. Cross over Woburn Road after the Manor and turn right onto the Green.
8. Walk down the Green heading towards St Mary’s Church and through the iron gates into the churchyard. Take the tarmac path to the right of the church and follow it over the bridge and alongside a field. Pass through the alleyway between the Jubilee Cottages to Station Road. On entering the Park, follow the gravel path to the Forest Centre (signposted).

Pitstops/points of interest

The Forest Centre & Millennium Country Park has a Lakeside Café and accessible toilets. Both Marston Moretaine and Cranfield have pubs and shops.

Marston Thrift 

Rectory Wood 

Moreteyne Manor 

St Mary’s Church 

Acknowledgments

Marston Moretaine P3 Group

Natural England

Forest of Marston Vale Volunteers