historical house
Sunday 26 November: Exclusive walk & tour of Chicheley Hall awaits
A stunning countryside walk from Cranfield University via the quintessentially English village of North Crawley to the beautifully restored Chicheley Hall awaits us this coming Sunday. All thanks to a special invitation extended to the Cranfield University’s walking society and its members.
Chicheley Hall is home to The Royal Society and its Kavli Royal Society International Centre that offers residential working retreat for scientists worldwide. It is a stunning Grade I listed mansion surrounded by 80 acres of beautifully kept grounds. Now a wedding venue and a conference centre with accommodation available to book.
This walk to Chicheley Hall is one of the longest circular countryside walks you can undertake in proximity of Cranfield University; about 15km and 2 hours each way. Expect to spot lively livestock along the way!
If you are romantically inclined, a true Jane Austin moment awaits you as approach the beautiful Chicheley Hall.
The walk on 26th November is fully booked. If you are interested in joining a countryside walk from Cranfield University to Chicheley Hall sometimes in the future, please get in touch.
photos: @cranfielduniversity’swalks
Sunday 14 May walk: exclusive tour of Chicheley Hall
Update on 10th May: the event has been cancelled
Join us for a delightful countryside walk from Cranfield University to the home of The Royal Society and its Kavli Royal Society International Centre. Attend an exclusive guided tour of the house and gardens. A very special event not to be missed!
Chicheley Hall is a stunning Grade I listed mansion surrounded by 80 acres of beautifully kept grounds. Now a wedding venue and a conference centre. Home to Kavli Royal Society International Centre that offers residential working retreat for scientists worldwide.
Meet in front of the Cafe Bookshop. Depart at 11.30 hours.
Return: circa 19.00 hours. En route picnic stop. Optional pub stop on the way back. Total walk length: circa 14 km (2 hours one way) Surface: footpaths, some stiles to cross over, it may be muddy. Cost: £3. Light refreshments at Chicheley Hall included in the price.
Read more about our last walk to Chicheley Hall.
Walk to the amazing Chicheley Hall – what a delight!
On Sunday 2nd April Chicheley Hall, owned by The Royal Society, opened its doors to Cranfield University’s students and staff .
This special visit was part of the longest countryside walk so far organised by the university’s walking society in the academic year 2016/2017. The walk was attended by 23 Cranfield students, alumni, and staff from numerous countries: China, India, Saudi Arabia, Italy, France, Cameroon, Nigeria, UK, Czech Republic, and Malaysia. It followed from a similar event five years ago when Cranfield students visited Chicheley Hall as part of The Royal Society’s Heritage Open Day.
Chicheley Hall is a stunning Grade I listed mansion surrounded by 80 acres of beautifully kept grounds. Now a wedding venue and a conference centre. Home to The Royal Society and its Kavli Royal Society International Centre that offers residential working retreat for scientists worldwide.
About the walk: Chicheley Hall lies circa 8km from Cranfield University in north-easterly direction. It provides the perfect opportunity for a lovely countryside walk between these two locations, by using a network of public footpaths. The walk to Chicheley Hall took us under 2 hours and we repeatedly crossed the local watercourse, Chicheley Brook. Having turned off left just before reaching the village of North Crawley through the fields; having passed a field with horses, we crossed Folly Lane towards Brook End; then continued until crossing the main road towards Chicheley; walking along the road on the inside hedge of a field (with the permission of a local farmer) before turning right and continuing on a track until reaching a turning on the left through the fields. Then it was an opportunity to experience a true Jane Austin moment where at one point Chicheley Hall emerges on the horizon as you walk through a small woodland not far from the final destination.
Before arrival at the beautiful grounds of Chicheley Hall and its manicured lawns, we passed primitive Hebridean sheep in the field. A guided tour of the house was arranged; we learned about the fascinating history of the house and admired its interior. Next was time for a tea/ coffee and cake, freshly prepared at the hall’s kitchen, before we headed outside to explore the gardens and visit the unique raptors’ sculptures hidden among the trees. Then it was time to head back to the university. A quick drink stop at North Crawley’s local pub energised us for the last leg of the journey across the fields back to Cranfield University‘s campus. We were back before sunset. What a fabulous day of walking it was!
Special thank you goes to Chicheley Hall staff who made our visit possible and very enjoyable: Lauren kindly made special arrangements for our visit. Charles and Maurice, our guides, shared their knowledge of the hall and its history and patiently answered our numerous questions.
Next walk to Chicheley Hall: 14 May 2017. Bookings will open soon, check this website for updates.
Photos by Ali, our Photo Editor; Hoiken & Kristina. @Cranfield University's Walks 2017.
Sunday 2 April walk: exclusive tour of Chicheley Hall
Experience a true Jane Austin moment as you walk from Cranfield University via the quintessentially English village of North Crawley to the beautifully restored Chicheley Hall. Attend an exclusive guided tour of the house and gardens, followed by tea & cakes. A very special event not to be missed!
Chicheley Hall is a stunning Grade I listed mansion surrounded by 80 acres of beautifully kept grounds. Now a wedding venue and a conference centre.
Home to The Royal Society and its Kavli Royal Society International Centre that offers residential working retreat for scientists worldwide.
Walk itinerary:Meet in front of the Cafe Bookshop. Depart at 12.30 hours.
Return: circa 19.00 hours. Optional stop at The Cock Inn pub on the way back. Total walk length: circa 14 km (2 hours one way) Surface: footpaths, some stiles to cross over, it may be muddy. Cost: £7 members, £10 non-members. Teas & cake at Chicheley Hall included in the price.
Limited places available. Book online here via our Eventbrite page.
Read more about our last walk to Chicheley Hall.
Walk to the amazing Chicheley Hall – what a delight!
On Sunday 9th September Chicheley Hall, owned by The Royal Society, hold a Heritage Open Day – a special event attended by “Cranfield University Walks“. Our walking society was represented by Cranfield University staff and students that come from different parts of the world: including UK, Malaysia, Italy, Dominica, China, Ecuador and Czech Republic.
Chicheley Hall lies circa 6km from Cranfield University in north-easterly direction. It provides a perfect opportunity for a lovely countryside walk between these two locations, using a network of public footpaths. The walk to Chicheley Hall took us under 2 hours in blazing sunshine. In North Crawley we were delighted to be joined by Angela who runs a farm shop at Lodge Farm. And let’s not forget the true Jane Austin moment where at one point Chicheley Hall emerges on the horizon as you walk through a small woodland not far from the final destination. Following our arrival in the beautiful grounds of Chicheley Hall and its manicured lawns, we joined other visitors for a special guided tour by Sir Peter Knight. We’ve learned about the history of the Hall and the current work of the Royal Society. We had a peak into what are now guests’ bedrooms, including a bridal suite. Next amazing afternoon tea in the gardens was awaiting us – with lots of delicious cakes!-) We then explored the grounds: visiting a historical dovecote and amazing dinosaur sculptures in one corner of the gardens, before setting off on a walk back to the university. A quick stop at North Crawley in a local pub for a drink energised us for the last leg of the journey via working stables across the fields back to Cranfield campus. We just made it before sunset. What a fabulous day it was – and a very special indeed, given the Chicheley Hall opens its doors to the public only once a year.
We would like to thank Sir Peter Knight for the very warm welcome Cranfield University students received at Chicheley Hall.
Special thank you also goes to Royal Society’ staff who made our visit to the Chicheley Hall this year possible: Rebecca, Helle, and Tom.
Cranfield University's Walks 