Greensand Ridge Walk 2

Kissing Gate

I rejoined the path at this gate.

Crossing the M1

Fields

After crossing the M1, the path heads along a strip of grass between two fields.

Ploughed field and trees

Track beside wood

Silver birches

Millbrook Proving Ground

The path here runs between the perimeter fence of Millbrook Proving Ground and a golf course. At this point there are some benches so that walkers can enjoy the view. Unfortunately this is mostly of the back of a small copse on the other side of the fence, presumably planted by Millbrook to restrict views of their test tracks.

Wood

The bark at the bottom of many of these trees has been stripped off. Rabbits?

Ampthill Park and Ampthill Park House

Crosses in Ampthill Park

The nearer cross on the right is a memorial to Catherine of Aragon, on the site of the castle in which she was imprisoned for two years. The other cross is a memorial to 707 men who trained at a camp in the park built by the Duke of Bedford, and who did not return from the First World War

Ampthill Park

The path follows the crest of the Greensand ridge.

Looking North-West from Ampthill Park

Ploughed field

Houghton House

Bedford can be seen in in the background.

Kings Wood

Ploughed field near Maulden

Footpath near Maulden

Maulden Church

Orchard

Heavy duty barrier

St Mary's Church, Clophill

When a new church was built in the village in 1848, this building was redundant. In 1956 the lead roof was stolen and the building has decayed severely since.

Fields near Clophill

Ploughed field and Chicksands Wood