students
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.
Saturday 4 February: Stewartby Lake – Forest Centre – St Mary Church
Join us for a pleasant walk from Cranfield University, via Cranfield village and the wooded Marston Trift, to the Forest Centre & Millennium Country Park, with a view over the Stewartby Lake, where we will stop for a lunch at the cafe (bring your own lunch or purchase at the cafe). This will be followed by a walk to the ancient St Mary’s Church at Marston Moreteyne where we will get a tour of this historical church. Transport back to the university included.
Walk itinerary:Meet in front of the Cafe Bookshop. Depart at 10.30am.
Those joining us at Cranfield village, meet us at 11.30 am in front of The Swan pub.
Return: circa 16.30 hours Total walk length: circa 10 km (6.5miles) Surface: mainly tarmac or gravel path but it may be muddy. Cost: £6 members, £8 non-members. Stop for lunch: at Lakeside cafe
Book your place online here.
Weather forecast:unsettled.Please bring a waterproof jacket in case it rains.
Thursday 1 August – Mystery trip to the Seaside!
What better way to start the school holidays than by joining us on a mystery trip to the seaside on
Thursday 1 August. Coach leaves campus 9 a.m and leaves the mystery seaside destination at 5 p.m.
Coach fare: Adult £17.50 : Child (5 – 16) £10; infants (under 5) free.
Tickets are available from Mitchell Hall Reception, Cranfield University
Saturday 20 October: Stewarby Lake & St Mary’s Church
Walk itinerary:
Meet in front of Cafe Bookshop at 11.am for those departing from Cranfield University); Or at 11.50am for those joining us at Cranfield village: meet us by the gate where the footpath from Cranfield University leads into the road (click on the hyperlink on the word “by the gate” to see the point as an arrow on this map). Total walk length: circa 8 km (5 miles) Return: circa 18.00 hours Terrain: suitable for trainers but it may be bit muddy. Walk guides: Vikas and Kristina Cost: £3 for members and £5 for non-members (covers cost of refreshments at St Mary’s church + transport) Book your place with Glenda at CSA 1st floor. Have a look at this website on the day of the walk to see if there’s an update.
Join us for a walk from Cranfield University, via Cranfield village, to the Forest Centre & Millennium Country Park, with a view over the Stewarby Lake, where we will stop for a lunch at the cafe (bring your own lunch or purchase at the cafe). This will be followed by a walk to and a guided tour of the ancient St Mary’s Church at Marston Moretaine by Reverend Gillian Webb – who received our award for the most welcoming local community. The tour of the historical church will end with a nice a cup of tea. -) Transport will be arranged to take us back to the university.
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 