Thursday 3rd September Woburn / Eversholt walk led by Janet & John

 9 of us met in Woburn on an ideal morning for a walk - dry and pleasantly warm with a breeze. 
We walked into town turning left at the crossroads and about 1/2 mile along turned left into the deer park. Keeping to the designated paths we went past the abbey where a film crew had parked but we didn’t see any celebrities!
 At the exit to the park we went across fields to the road and a short walk led us to Eversholt church where hot drinks and various cakes were waiting for us. After eating our fill and making donations we set off past the cricket ground and down a small lane into fields which eventually brought us out onto the Woburn/Steppingley road. We crossed then turned right a little further along up a small lane signposted Ridgemont. After a few minutes we turned left onto the path with a small hill into the Deer park. We  stopped for drinks making use of logs and a good place for  a photo opportunity. 

Geoff, Debbie, Tony R, Lynn, Cathy & Diane on the log with John in the foreground & Neal hiding in the back ground.

Then it was on through the park observing plenty of deer including a stag who came to see us. 

 

 We then returned to the car park after crossing the road
 There was some debate how long the walk had been but rounding up 7 miles. 

Thursday 20th August Woburn / Woburn Sands walk led by Tony M

This was Tony M's usual walk starting at Woburn car park with lunch at the Fir Tree in Woburn Sands & returning via "the steps"
We passed through the woods just outside of Woburn where we encounter a tree shelter

Lynn & Debbie in the tree shelter

 We continued to the Fir Tree but left Beryl & Geoff on the seat at the sand pit to eat their sandwiches.
When we arrived at the Fir Tree we found Margaret, Bill, Val & Hilda had already arrived by car.

The rest of us at the Fir Tree

 

Saturday 18th July Chairman's Garden Party

This was held in the Chairman's back garden in Harlington on a nice sunny, but not too hot day.
28 members attended bring a variety of cakes & nibbles. These were shared out with plenty to go round.
Many cups of tea & coffee were provided. Some members brought other drinks. 

Much chatting was done & everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. 
Unfortunately many members sent their apologies as they were unable to attend due to other commitments.

Thursday 16th July MK walk of 4 miles led by Beryl & Tony R

This was a very special walk as it was decided to take Yvonne, our programme secretery on a 4 mile walk. Yvonne, who although organises most walks, is not able to participitate due to her walking ability. Therefore  we took a wheelchair on the walk & Yvonne was able to either push it or ride in the chair.
We started offf from Manor Farm Court at 11pm. There were 9 of us including Yvonne, however Penny felt that the distance may be too long for her at present & therefore after a short while she reurned to her car leaving 8 of us on the walk. Yvonne started by pushing the wheelchair passing along a tarmaced path through several gates. 

Anna, Beryl, Tony R, Yvonne, Debbie, Brenda & Tony P

When the path became rougher she sat in the chair & was pushed along a difficult section to meet the Grand Union canal. Yvonne the returned to pushing until a leaving the canal via a fairly steep section where Tony P pushed her up to Old Wolverton Road & the bridge crossing the canal. we passed the Galleon pub before leaving the road on the path to Old Wolverton church. The church was closed but several members found bench in the shade for their coffee stop. With difficulty Tony R pushed Yvonne downhill past the remains of Old Wolverton castle now sadly almost non existent. We continued crossing a dried up water course before waiting for the others to arrive. Here we had another coffee break before reaching the path alongside the Great Ouse river. We followed the river until we came to the tunnel under the canal, here yvonne had the walk through the tunnel as the wheelchair had to be squashed to pass through the narrow tunnel. Yvonne continued walking downhill using the handrail to rejoin the river path. 
Several members then took it inturns pushing Yvonne until crossed a brdge & turned away from the river. We then followed a path, though several gates back to the car park. A good day & well worthwhile giving Yvonne a day out in lovely weather & nice countryside. A particular thank you to Tony P for pushing in the difficult places.

Thursday 2nd July Tingrith Walk led by Tony R

As some of the club were away on the annual UK holiday the chairman decided to offer other members a local walk. 5 members met at Tingrith church. We followed the track north, went through a kissing gate into a field which had recently been cut for hay. We followed the field boundary to enter a field of sheep mainly sheltering from the sun. Then then came to a road which we crossed on to a new footpath which we followed alongside a wheat field. After a while we turned right across a footbridge to enter Basil's Wood, noting the recently installed fence stopping dogs etc from entering an area reserved for ground nesting birds. We continued on until we came to Higher Rads End where we turned left passing some large houses. We left the road to cross another field of hay before passing through a kissing gate onto a farm track. We left this and followed a footpath to rejoin the original path along the wheat field further southwest. Another kissing gate led to Castle Farm Lane  which we followed for a short distance before turning left through a kissing gate into a sheep field with Washer's Wood on our left. Another kissing gate led us into a wood where we stopped for our coffee break. 

Joy, Jean, Debbie & Tony P at our coffee stop

On leaving the wood we entered a field of oilseed rape which we struggled through the first section before walking along the field edge to avoid the worst of the crop. At the field corner we turned right & carried on until the path turned left. After a while we realised that we had missed the stile through the hedge into the adjacent field. As we didn't wish to retrace our steps we carried on passing Herne Green Farm & eventually rejoining or original route. Unfortunately this led through some more oilseed rape crop making walking difficult. After passing Lodge Farm we diced against crossing another field of oilseed rape so we continued along the farm trach to reach Long Lane. Here we turned left & followed the lane until we found a footpath on our right leading to Tingrith. With difficult due to overgrown bushes we reached the famous red telephone box in Tingrith. We the made our way up Church Road the reach our cars. We found the the distance that we had walk was just over 6 miles instead of the palled 5 miles due to missing a stile. 

 

Track of walk, walked in anti-clockwise direction

 

Toddington Ramblers Club Group Holiday- Abingworth 29th June- 3rd July

 

18 members car shared down to HF Abingworth on the edge of Thakeham, near Storrington   on the Monday 29th June and checked in in time for the obligatory "Cream Tea" to start our annual holiday break. Abingworth is a small hotel venue and together with our 18 members , there were another group of 14 from Abingdon, near Oxford and a few couples selfguiding.

View of Abingworth House

View from the House of the lake nearby

 

Once again we had opted for Gentle guided walking, being offered three levels of walks each day , roughly 4, 7 or 9 miles in scope.  The options were  explains for each day on the evening of the previous day before Dinner. The meals as usual were excellent as were the breakfasts and packed lunches to order.

Day 2  ( first day of walking) walk started with a coach trip that dropped the groups of at various stages , all aiming to arrive in the afternoon at Petworth. Those on the shorter walk had plenty of time to explore the National Trust property at leisure. All groups approached the Petworth house through the 700 acre Deer park with stunning views of the house on approach.

 

Day 2:Group 1 on route

   

Day 2 Some of group 1 traversing the Petworth Estate deer park

 

 

Day2:Group 1 approaching Petworth House

 

Some of our group at a Petworth cafe!

Day 3, our second day of walking started with each group doing a circular walk of varying size, starting from Abingworth house, visiting Thakeham and Storrington before returning, That evening after dinner, we all had the chance to participate in the HF  countrywide quiz, Unfortunately no big winners but we all enjoyed the atmosphere.

 

Mark and Flora: Two of our guided walks leaders

Relaxing in the lounge after a walk

Lovely to see Joan ....

  and Anna able to get on holiday with us!

 

Day 4 walks  once again started out with a coach trip to drop us off as the various start points and all passed through Singleton on our way to end at the Gardens of West Dean with a fine cafe to finish. 

Day 4 Walk2 , a sighting of Group 3 in the distance!

Day4 Walk2 uphill in the heat 

Day4 Walk2 The rolling hills

Day4 Walk2 View of Goodwood Race course

Day4 Walk2 At trig point on way to Singleton

Day4 walk2 A well earned rest form the heat

Day4 Walk2 Lovely house on way to West Dean!

That evening, after dinner we all participated in a charity Bingo session and the winner of a mug was Sue!

 A mug shot of the Bingo winner

 

 

Day 5 , we concluded with a fine extensive breakfast and all checked out to make our way back home.  

 

Sunday 21 June 2026 Midsummer walk led by Beryl

It had been an extremely hot day,  but when 10 ramblers set off from Ampthill Great Park at 6 pm it was perfect with a pleasant cooling breeze.   We walked at a very gentle pace along the ridge in open parkland with views over Bedfordshire. 

We continued on through the wooded area and out onto Bedford Road.

We safely negotiated crossing the road at a nasty bend and proceeded to stroll along the path and track to Houghton House.   At the small car park we were pleased to be joined by Penny.  

When we arrived at the ruin we could hear a man singing and a young person was videoing him.   We later discovered that the group of young men were all family from Romania.  They told us that they were recording Christian Songs to send home.  From time to time we could hear the gentleman serenading us.

We sat on the steps admiring the view across the vale contemplating how it would change when Universal Studios UK was completed.  Some bubbly and nibbles were handed round to supplement our picnic meal.    

Gill, Diane, Mary, Anna, Tony, Keith & Beryl with Brenda, Sandra & Paul at the rear.

 Finally, we wended out way back through Ampthill Great Park to the cars.   All in all it had been a pleasant evening

Thursday 18th June Harlington to Pulloxhill 7 miles led by Tony Price

Leaving the village hall on an overcast but humid morning, 11 of Toddington Ramblers finest walkers crossed Bury Orchard then walking along Barton Rd, before taking the track into the fields giving us views of Bunyans Oak and Sharpenhoe Clappers,

On through the plantation, through a field of cattle, coming out at Upper Sampshill farm.

Carrying on through Portobello farm which looked deserted, we continued on to the church yard at Pulloxhill where we stopped for a well earned coffee break. 

On our way again with the weather changing to hot and humid, we followed the track past Meadhook Farm.

With the leader to busy talking he missed our turn once again and had to double back on ourselves to get back onto the right track.

With that little mishap behind us we walk past Meadhook woods, now in full sunshine and very little shade we continued along the John Bunyan trail onto Grange Farm and the derelict house, crossing the busy road into Wateroff.

Crossing the little stream we continued up to the Bottoms walking along the road before turning into the fields taking us back into Harlington.

One last incline and we were crossing the playing fields back towards the village hall.

On what turned out to be a very hot and humid day, I think all walkers were grateful to be back for the end of the walk.    Regards   Anthony Price 

Track of walk, walked in clockwise direction

Thursday 28th May Flitwick walk led by Anthony P

 

On one of the hottest days so far with the mercury hitting 32 deg, six of Toddington Ramblers finest walkers set off on their adventure around Flitwick.

Leaving the village hall, we made our way down through the estate towards Pusey pond, on the track between the industrial units, we carried on towards the gun club.

Entering the nature reserve, we walked along the decking coming out into a field of cows seeking shade under the trees.

Now walking following the river we were making our way up to Flitwick Manor where we stopped for our well earned coffee & snack break.

 

Tony R, Beryl, Jean, Neal. Kathy & Anthony P

Once refreshed we were on our way again out towards Westoning, crossing over the top of church Rd to take the track leading us through another field of cows and on towards the disused Priestley's farm.

We now joined with the track through fields of wheat and started on our journey back for the end of our walk at the village hall.

On such a hot day it was very pleasing to see everyone arrive back at their cars safely after a very pleasant if not hot and humid 7 mile walk.

 

Track of walk, walked in anti-clockwise direction

 

Langford to Arlesey 21/ 5/ 26 7 Miles led by Neil and Cathy

 

Eleven of us met at Langford where we made our way across the railway and after a mile or so  came to the upper reaches of the River Ivel, following the course of the river until arriving at Arlesey. 

 

 

 We then crossed the railway once more by using the station footbridge.

 

 

 

After a break we passed Champneys at Henlow Grange before following the river along the Kingfisher way back to Langford.

 

Thursday 23rd April - Millbrook circular led by John and Janet

11 of us met on a glorious spring morning at the Greensand Ridge car park in Millbrook. 
Beryl very publicly spirited got her tools out of her car to pick up litter! Didn’t take too long as there wasn’t a lot.
 We set off along the track towards the golf club where we stopped for  a group photo.  

Geoff, Tony R, Joy, David, Tony P, John, Dianne, Beryl, Jean & John G

Bluebells in the background didn’t show on the photo! Next photo is the view where we were going - a very steep hill but thankfully short.

 

 

This took us along the edge of a wood where we crossed the Lidlington road, to carry on walking on the edge of fields and down to the A507 main road where we crossed and proceeded along the verge a short way then back onto the path beside what can only be described as a very strange piece of land full of old dilapidated vehicles and also pretty flowers! We were soon walking up hill towards woods where we stopped on convenient logs for our break. 

From there continued on past the pig farm along by Center Parcs , crossing the A507 again and on down through the woods back to Millbrook. 

Tony P, Tony R, Geoff, Beryl, Dave, John W, Jean, Joy, John G & Diane 

   

Track of the route, walked in anti-clockwise direction. 6.5 miles enjoyed by all.

THURSDAY 7TH MAY - Stewartby - 5 miles - led by Tony Price

A dozen or so keen walkers met outside the village hall in Stewartby in  Churchill Close MK43 9LU at 10 AM , for a largish circular walk of 5....well 6.5 miles around the group of lakes adjacent to the Forest Centre.  

 

 Coffee break and snacks were enjoyed half way and the weather was glorious again!

Thursday 30th April Maulden walk led by Tony Madeley

A gloriously fine day and wonderful company . A circular Walk of 6 miles starting and ending at the George pub!