Local walk
Saturday 26th November – Salcey Forest Afternoon Walk
Visit the nearest densely wooded area to Cranfield University the beautiful Salcey Forest. Enjoy the magnificent views from the top, as we follow its tree top trail.
Walk itinerary:
Meet in front of the Cafe Bookshop by the large chestnut tree Depart at 13.00 hours Return: circa 17:30 hours
Total walk length: circa 10 km/ 6miles
Lunch/ Refreshment stop at Salcey Forest cafe at the start of the walk. Bring your own lunch or purchase.
Number of places: only 8 – more places will be available if more volunteer drivers come forward. If you are a driver, get in touch.
Cost: £3 (members), £6 non-members
Book your place online here.
Surface mostly suitable for trainers. Bring a waterproof jacket and a bottle of water with you.
About Salcey Forest: A former medieval hunting forest, it can be found in the south of the county of Northamptonshire, to the east of Hartwell village and about 23km east/north of Cranfield University. Map of the forest can be found here.
The Tree Top Way rises to 15 metres above the woodland floor, with a crow’s nest platform at 20 metres reached by steps. The structure offers stunning views across Salcey Forest and the adjoining woodlands of Yardley Chase.
Reminders of the forest’s past are visible, such as miles of ancient woodbanks, building remains and ancient trees. The ‘druids’ or veteran oaks in Salcey are rare and amazing wildlife habitats, and some of the old oaks are believed to be over 500 years old.
It is said that during the Second World War, elephants from circuses were put to use to fall trees in the forest. There is a pond named The Elephant Pond where the elephants could bathe at the end of the day. The forest was served by its own railway station on the Stratford-upon-Avon and Midland Junction Railway until 1908.
More info: Forestry Commission
Photos: @Cranfield University's Walks
Ampthill – Golden hare Walk (Sun. 28/06/2015)
On the 7th of August 1979, an artist buried a casket containing a golden hare (like a big rabbit) at a secret location within England. The artist announced that his forthcoming book contained all clues necessary to decode the treasure’s precise location “within a few inches.” At the time, the only additional clue he provided was that it was buried on public property that could be easily accessed.
The book sold hundreds of thousands of copies worldwide, many in the United Kingdom, but also in Australia, South Africa, West Germany, Japan (where the book was called 仮面舞踏会 kamenbutoukai), France and the United States. Searchers often dug up public and private property acting on hunches.
The picture is the first page in the puzzle book:
Join us as we follow to trail of the golden hare around the historic market town of Ampthill uncovering the mystery and scandal of the puzzle. This walk will also visit the ruins of Haughton house near Ampthill.
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Activity date:
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Sunday 28th June 2015 |
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Meeting point:
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The Café Bookshop (Cranfield University)
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Departing time from Cranfield:
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10:00
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Arriving time to Cranfield (aprox):
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15:00
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Walk length (Km):
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9.5 Km (6 miles)
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Club members only?:
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No |
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Sign up at:
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Email walking@cranfield.ac.uk with “Golden hare” in the subject title
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Sign-up deadline:
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Friday 26th June by 1pm |
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Price:
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£3 for members, £4 for non-members. If we have sufficient drivers this may be discounted. |
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Meal provided?:
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No, bring snacks and water if you wish. If the weather is good we may have a picnic in the park afterwards.
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Gear:
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We will be walking on footpaths so normal footwear is ok however check the weather beforehand and be prepared accordingly. |
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Other information:
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Drivers needed |
“The Jewel in the Crown”, Bedford walk (Sat. 06/06/15)
Undoubtedly the Jewel in Bedford’s Crown is the Embankment area and the River Great Ouse. Find out how the construction of this part of the town came about and of the many important features that stand on either side of the river but are often overlooked
These include the very rare trees, some
unusual bridges, the extra special War Memorial (rated as the 5th most important in the world), and you’ll hear the story of a major collector of some….ahem….unusual items!
We are delighted to have the very entertaining Trevor, an official Bedford tour guide, back again to take us on another adventure around Bedford! The walk will be along the riverbank and will take about 2 hours. As we are travelling by bus you are free to explore Bedford yourself after and return when you want.
The walk is free, but please let us know if you intend to come so that we can let Trevor know the numbers.
| Activity date: | Saturday 6th June, 2015 |
| Meeting point: | Bus stop, main gate (Cranfield University) |
| Departing time from Cranfield: | 11:05am |
| Arriving time to Cranfield (approx): | 16:00 |
| Walk length: | 2.5 miles |
| Club members only?: | No. But please let us know if you are coming so we can tell the tour guide |
| Sign up at: | Email walking@cranfield.ac.uk with “Baba – Bedford Walks” in the subject title |
| Sign-up deadline: | Friday 5th June by 1pm |
| Price: | Free (except you will need to pay the bus fare – remember to bring your student cards!) |
| Meal provided?: | No, bring snacks and water if you wish |
| Gear: | We will be walking on footpaths so normal footwear is ok however bring a water/windproof jacket as it is supposed to be very windy this weekend…and it’ll probably rain as it’s the UK! |
Leighton Buzzard and Grand Union Canal (Sat. 30/05/2014)
Sign up by tomorrow!!
The Grand Union Canal weaves its way along the northern and eastern fringes of Milton Keynes from Cosgrove in the north to Fenny Stratford in the south. The Grand Union Canal passes within a five minute walk of Leighton Buzzard High Street and train station, yet feels like a world away.
The walk will be about 6 miles and will mainly be along the
Grand Union Canal passing through the Leighton Buzzard city centre.
| Activity date: | Saturday 30th May |
| Meeting point: | The Café Bookshop (Cranfield University) |
| Departing time from Cranfield: | 10:30 |
| Arriving time to Cranfield (approx): | 16:30 |
| Walk length: | 6 miles |
| Club members only?: | No. But limited spaces depending on the whole number and the drivers’ number. |
| Sign up at: | Email walking@cranfield.ac.uk with “Luca – Leighton Buzzard” in the subject title |
| Sign-up deadline: | Friday 29th May by 1pm |
| Price: | £2 members and £4 non members |
| Meal provided?: | Please ensure you bring a packed lunch for a lunch stop |
| Gear: | Wear appropriate clothing and walking boots for a country walk taking into account the weather. It is liable to be wet and muddy underfoot |
| Other information: | Drivers Wanted. If you have a car and are willing to drive please let us know in the email. The drive will be reimbursed |
Woburn-Eversholt (Sunday 17/05/15)
A walk through the wooded parkland around Woburn and Eversholt villages, taking in parts of Woburn Abbey deer park and skirting the edges of the Safari Park.
Woburn Village
Following three major fires between 1595 and 1724 which destroyed the earlier mediaeval settlement, major rebuilding works took place in the 18th century giving this pretty village a distinctive Georgian character. The 19th century church of St Mary in Park Street is considered to be one of the finest Victorian buildings in the county.
Woburn village – The 19th century church of St Mary
Woburn Abbey
The history of the Abbey dates back to 1145, and was originally a religious house for Cistercian monks but in 1538 the Abbot, Robert Hobbes, was found guilty of treason and the monastery was confiscated. In 1547 King Edward VI granted Woburn Abbey to Sir John Russell but it took 70 years for it to become a family home. In 1694 during the reign of William and Mary the head of the family was given the title of Duke of Bedford and today it is occupied by the 15th Duke of Bedford and his family.
The west front of Woburn Abbey
The Deer Park
Woburn Abbey is set in a beautiful 3,000 acre deer park with 10 species of deer roaming free. These include Red, Sika, Fallow and Muntjac deer as well as Milu or Pere David deer introduced in 1894 from the Imperial Herd of China and saved from extinction at Woburn. Landscaped in the 19th century by Humphrey Repton, the park has remained mostly unchanged and contains many magnificent, ancient oak trees within the extensive grasslands.
Woburn Safari Park opened in 1970, and today is an award winning attraction making a valuable contribution to conservation. You may be rewarded by the sight of elephants, tigers, camels or bears (safely within their enclosures) as you follow this walk.
Woburn deer park
Eversholt
A pretty traditional village whose name means “wood of the boar” its village hall overlooks the cricket pitch and 12th century church of St John the Baptist. There are thirteen “Ends” or hamlets to the village and many comprise of old stone built houses. The Domesday Book of 1086 lists Hugh de Beauchamp as the Lord of the Manor of Eversholt whose descendants continued to own property in the area until the 13th century when the land passed to Woburn Abbey.
| Activity date: | Sunday 17th May |
| Meeting point: | The Café Bookshop (Cranfield University) |
| Departing time from Cranfield: | 10:00 |
| Arriving time to Cranfield (approx.): | 16:00 |
| Walk length: | 9 miles |
| Club members only?: | No. But limited spaces depending on the whole number and the drivers’ number. |
| Sign up at: | Email walking@cranfield.ac.uk with ‘Nelia – Woburn-Eversholt’ in the subject title |
| Sign-up deadline: | Friday 15th May by 1pm |
| Price: | £3 members and £4 non-members |
| Meal provided?: | Please ensure you bring a packed lunch for a lunch stop |
| Gear: | Wear appropriate clothing and walking boots for a country walk taking into account the weather. It may be wet and muddy underfoot. |
| Other information: | Drivers Wanted. If you have a car and are willing to drive please let us know in the email. The drive will be reimbursed |
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