ISE VALLEY VAGABONDS

PROBABLY THE BEST WALKING CLUB IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

Marston Vale Millennium Country Park Trail BWF App No PT195

 START & FINISH:  The Forest Centre, Station Road, Marston Moretaine, Bedford  MK43 0PR

OS map 153    GR 005418    Distance 10km

Fee £1.00    Patch £2.00

Route last updated on 21 November 2007

This route description is valid until 31 December 2008

 

This walk has been established by members of the Ise Valley Vagabonds Walking Club (BWF Club No 70) and is a qualifying event in the IVV award scheme. 

 It can be walked at any time.

Notes

1          There are 3 types of path/trail/track in the Millennium Park:        

            a  Footpaths for pedestrians only

            b  Mixed cycle/pedestrian trails

            c  Horse riding trails

2                    We would remind you that a range of refreshment and information services is available in the Forest Centre.

3                    All sections of the described trail are open to the public at all times.

4                    Keep dogs under close control.

5                    Remember that the Forest Centre car park is locked up at 18.00 hours  on Mondays to Fridays and at 17.00 hours on Saturdays and Sundays.

 

 

 Exit the Forest Centre and turn right, past the cycle hire building, towards the ‘Node’, the point where all trails meet.  At the signpost at the ‘Node’, turn right onto cycle/pedestrian trail and ahead (parallel to you, on the right, is the horse trail).  After just over 200 meters, by the yellow marker post, bear right crossing the horse trail to follow the grass public footpath.  You will see that there is a ditch on your right.  At the next yellow marker post, keep going in the direction indicated, to another yellow marker post which marks an intersection of trails.  Here, turn left.  You soon come to 2 more yellow marker posts.  Cross the horse trail and cycle/pedestrian trail, through the gap in the fence and turn left onto tree-lined footpath.  Keep ahead passing a kissing gate on your left and another yellow marker post.  Either follow the path to the right or go up the steps on the right to go up a rise overlooking the lake.  This is the highest point in the Country Park and where you’ll get the best view of the whole site including Stewartby Lake. The carved oak bench here was created to reflect the wildlife in the area.  Facing the lake, turn left.  There is soon a footpath forking off to the right, a smaller one than the one you are currently on.  Bear right on it towards the lake.  Where there are path junctions, bear right to keep heading towards the lake.  You will then pass another yellow marker post and a small steel-fenced compound beside the lake.  Cross the wooden bridge over the stream and go through the kissing gate.  Keep following the path meandering alongside the lake, then eventually go past a slight mound on the left, to the main cycle/pedestrian trail.  Turn right along this track and follow ahead ignoring a footpath which exits the park to the left.  Staying on the cycle/pedestrian trail, bear right in the direction of Stewartby.

 QUESTION 1.  AS YOU WALK ALONG THIS TRACK, YOU CAN SEE SOME TALL CHIMNEYS AT THE BRICK WORKS ACROSS THE LAKE.  HOW MANY CHIMNEYS ARE THERE?

 There is another path off to the left.  Ignore it and stay in the Country Park.  You eventually come to small open area with a picnic table and signpost.  Ignore another path off to the left which leaves the Country Park. 

QUESTION 2.  ON THE SIGNPOST, HOW FAR IS IT TO STEWARTBY?

 Bear right to continue following the cycle/pedestrian trail ignoring yet another path off to the left as once again, it leaves the Country Park.  Cross the wooden bridge over Elstow Brook.  As you approach the corner of the lake there is a road to the left and another exit from the Country Park.  Across the road is a bridge.  It is an enclosed conveyor belt crossing the road.  Staying in the park, follow the track as turns right then left to cross the access road into the boat club.

 QUESTION 3.  STEWARTBY WATER SPORTS CLUB OFFERS ANGLING, SAILING AND 2 OTHER ACTIVITIES.  NAME THEM.

 Keep ahead through the fence to keep following the main cycle/pedestrian trail as it bears to the right.  Then ahead with the private boat club on the right.  Follow this track until you come to 2 paths off to the right.  The first one only takes you to a nature reserve and viewpoint, 0.3km away.  Turn right at the second path marked Forest Centre, 0.8km and in 30 meters, at the yellow marker post, turn left, cross the horse trail and take the grass path through the young trees.

 QUESTION 4.  AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS PATH, THERE IS A WOODEN POST WITH A PLAQUE.  WHO IS IT IN LOVING MEMORY OF? 

At the next yellow marker post turn right, then in just a few meters, at a 4-way marker post, turn left.  Cross the wooden bridge and go ahead with ditch and hedge on the right.  At the yellow marker post, cross the hard track and continue on the footpath beside the horse trail.  This path bears left at yet another yellow marker post, then crosses the horse trail.  At the main cycle/pedestrian trail, turn right.  Ignore a small path off to the left.

 QUESTION 5.  JUST HERE THERE IS A BENCH CARVED OUT OF A TREE TRUNK.  IT IS PAINTED GREEN AND BLUE DEPICTING FOREST AND WATER.  HOW MANY BIRDS ARE PAINTED ON IT? 

Keep following cycle/pedestrian trail as it turns to the right.  Ignore the path which exits the park to the left.  But just before this, look to the left.  There is a small railway station.  Stay in the Country Park and on the cycle/pedestrian trail as it meanders around the edge of the wetlands.  Eventually the cycle/pedestrian trail returns to the Forest Centre, the end of this walk.

 

We hope you have enjoyed the walk!

 

 

The Ise Valley Vagabonds have established other Permanent Trails at Bedford (2), Chester, Daventry, Kempston, Kettering, Kings Lynn, London (2), Marston Moretaine (2),

Oxford, Rugby, Stamford, Stratford upon Avon, Warwick and Wellingborough.

They are all qualifying events towards the IVV award scheme. 

Further information about these walks, the IVV, the club and all its activities can be found by visiting our Web Site www.vagabonds.org.uk

 

 

THE ORGANISERS ARE NOT LIABLE FOR ACCIDENTS, THEFT, AND/OR DAMAGE TO PROPERTY. 

EVERY EFFORT WILL BE MADE BY THE ORGANISERS TO MAKE THIS A SAFE, ENJOYABLE AND MEMORABLE EVENT.

 
   
 
 
 
 

ISE VALLEY VAGABONDS
PERMANENT TRAIL INTERNET REGISTRATION FORM


Name of Trail:     Marston Vale Millennium Country Park Trail
Date Completed:
Name:
Address: 

 
Additional 
Walkers
Entry Fee:                                              ______ Walkers @ £1.00 Each    Total £ 
Badge:                                                   ______ Badges @ £2.00 Each    Total £ 
Total Fees:      (Cheques payable to Ise Valley Vagabonds)                        Total £
Insert Cards:   ( Do you want your IVV stamps on  new insert cards)   Yes   /   No 

 
 
ANSWERS
1:
2:
3:
4:
5:

When completed, this form should be forwarded to
Carol Jones,138 Rushden road, Wymington, Rushden,Northants,NN10 9LE.

                                                 Please remember to enclose:
                                                    1) The Correct Fee.
                                                2) A Stamped Addressed Envelope of a suitable size.
                                                    3) Your IVV Records books, or Insert Cards.

Insert Cards can be used instead of having to send your books away by post. they must be submitted
with a normal Record card when claiming an award.
( these cards are accepted by both the AVV and the CVF.)

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