Shefford Walks - Rivers and Woods Walk

15 miles (24 km)

This Bedfordshire based town is close to several areas of woodland with miles of walking and cycling trails to try. To the east there are also some pleasant waterside paths along the River Ivel and the River Hiz.
This walk from the town uses sections of the John Bunyan Trail and the Greensand Ridge Walk to visit Rowney Warren Wood,Maulden Woods,Chicksands Wood and the neighbouring village of Clophill.
The walk starts in the town centre where you can pick up the John Bunyan Trail and follow the waymarked footpath north west to Rowney Warren Wood. The woods include a network of walking paths and the Chicksands Bike Park where you can try some fine mountain bike trails.
After leaving the woods you come to Appley Corner near Haynes where you can pick up the Greensand Ridge Walk. Follow the trail south west and it will take you into Chicksands Wood where there are lot of woodland birds and bluebells to see in the spring months.
You continue west to the village of Clophill before entering Maulden Woods. These woods consist of semi-natural broadleaf woodland, acidic grassland and some conifer plantations. Look out for deer roaming around as you pass through this area. Near the woods you'll find the village of Maulden where you can enjoy some refreshments before the return leg.

Postcode

SG17 5AH - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locations

Shefford Ordnance Survey Map - view and print off detailed OS map

Shefford Open Street Map - view and print off detailed map

Shefford OS Map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Shefford Open Street Map - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Pubs/Cafes

The Railway Steamer is a good choice for some post walk refreshments in the town. They serve a fine Sunday lunch and have a lovely garden area where you can hire garden pods and sit out even if the weather is not so good. You can find them on Clifton Road at postcode SG17 5AH for your sat navs.

Dog Walking

The woodland trails are ideal for dog walking and the Railway Steamer mentioned above is also dog friendly.

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

Just to the east there's Arlesey where you can enjoy a pleasant watereside stroll along the River Hiz in the Old Moat Nature Reserve. Near here there's Henlow where there's a noteworthy 12th century church and the Champneys Health farm which is used by the rich and famous.
Just to the south of Clophill there's Silsoe where you can enjoy easy trails around Wrest Park. There's 92 acres of landscaped early eighteenth-century gardens to explore here. You can also enjoy a pleasant stroll around Silsoe village where there are a number of historic properties associated with the park estate.
To the north is the chocolate box village of Old Warden. The village is famous for the Shuttleworth Museum�of historic airplanes and motor vehicles at�Old Warden Aerodrome. The area also includes Old Warden Park where there are some lovely Swiss gardens, parkland walks and pretty lakes.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Chilterns Walks and the Bedfordshire Walks pages.