Length: 19.6 km (12.2 miles). Toughness: 3/10
10:01 Thameslink Horsham - Peterborough service from London Bridge (but this train calls at multiple London stations including: Coulsdon South 9.39, East Croydon 9.45, Blackfriars 10.07, City Thameslink 10.09, Farringdon 10.11, St. Pancras 10.16, Finsbury Park 10:23), arriving Sandy at 11:05.
Return trains from Biggleswade to London are at xx:00 and xx:30. Buy a return to Sandy.
Originally written by Pete B and inspired by the Guardian‘s Country Diary, this stile-free walk has only gentle gradients. It follows the Greensand Ridge Walk in the morning. The route is a mix of attractive broad grassy tracks along field edges and woodland trails. Muntjac deer and hares have been spotted in the area. We visit two lovely villages – Northill and Old Warden. Optional diversions lead to Queen Anne's Summerhouse and Keepers Cottage.
Refreshments:
The Crown at Northill. (01767 627337) is after about 25% (5km) of the walk and The Hare and Hounds, Old Warden (01767 627225) is after about 60% (12km) of the walk. As it's Bank Holiday and both pubs are said to be "excellent" I'd suggest calling and booking a table wherever you can (perhaps stopping for a snack at both)
The walk notes say "Biggleswade has a number of pubs, cafés and restaurants dotted around the central area". For tea, coffee and cakes the suggested place is the popular Surfin café in Market Place (01525 403783), five minutes before reaching the station. It's website says it stays open until 17.00 on Bank Holidays. Alternatively, you could opt for one of the pubs in town.
These walks don't have a leader so you'll need to bring the directions from the L=swc.264