An overview of walking the Icknield Way through Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire and Suffolk, England part of the walking on the web guide to walking in England

Icknield Way Path 166km / 103 miles part of the Walking on the Web guide to walking in England

Part of this walk forms part of European Walking Route

Start Ivinghoe Beacon, Buckinghamshire SP960168 Finish Knettishall Heath, Suffolk TL944807

Map Ordnance Survey Explorer 181 , 193 , 194 , 209 , 210 , 229, 230

Contecting the ridgeway to the Peddars Way the route follows a chalk ridge from the Chilterns at Ivinghoe Beacon in Buckinghamshire to Knettishall Heath Country Park in Suffolk. The Way passes through Luton, Baldock, Royston, Great Chesterfield and Icklington and there are connections with the Bunyan Trail near Luton, the Greensand Ridge Walk, the Harcamlow Way between Elmdon and Linton, the Lea Valley Walk, the St Edmund Way and the Stour Valley Path around Stetchworth.

The nearestto the start is at Cheddington north west of Ivinghoe. In Ivinghoe itself there is a and a pub.

The walk starts at the old fort at Ivinghoe Beacon at the end of the Ridgeway and the Ivinghoe Hills and heads for the Dunstable Downs. Check out this site for butterflies on the downs in spring and summer. Beware of what's above you as the Downs are a major kite flying venue and at the end of the downs you also pass a gliding club before entering suburbia in the form of Dunstable and Luton .

....from Warden Hill (195m) drop down to the Dray's Ditches turn right along the John Bunyan Trail for 500m before turning left and climbing back up to the tumili on top of Galley Hill. A short descent brings you to a crossroads. Turning left you continue along the main route, going straight on takes you on a slight detour through the village of Streatley and on to Sharpenhoe Clappers ancient settlement and monument.

Hoe Bit wood

B655

Tingley Wood

Pirton

Ickleford

Wilbury Hill

Letchworth

Norton

Norton Bury

Ashwell...

Therfield (PH) north into Royston . Harcamlow Way Heydon, Chrishall (PH), Elmdon (PH) {moats and earthworks}, Strethall, Great Chesterford (PH), Linton (PH) {Zoological Gardens, Windmill}, Harcamlow Way, Balsham, Brinkley (PH), Burrough Green (PH), Stetchworth (PH) Stour Valley Path, Cheveley, Ashley (PH), Dalham Church, Dalham Hall Stud and windmill

Beware Cheddington, Luton, Letchworth, Royston and Great Chesterford stations are all on different routes

The Ickneild Way is joined by the Lark Valley Path at Temple Bridge on the Lark and both routes continue together through Icklingham (PH) and out to the edge of the West Stow Country Park where there is a reconstructed Anglo Saxon Village and wildfowl nature reserve.

At the point where the Lark Valley Path leaves the route the St Edmund's Way joins and both head north north east into the King's Forest along Weststow Raod and on to Queen Mary's Avenue. Out of the forest the route crosses an open field before it turns left and leaves the St Edmund Way.

There could be a slight confusion because the original Icknield Way Roman Road continues with the St Edmund Way but the Icknield Way path doesn't?

Euston and Euston Hall

...turn left along the "First Cross Belt" to join the Rushford Road. Turn left and continue along the road until the woodland finishes on both sides. Turn right picking up the edge of an elongated copse to your left. After crossing two field boundaries turn left to join the alternative route at the OS triangulation point. Continue along the well defined track to the minor road. Cross over the road and head north west again along a well defined path to enter the Knettishall Heath Country Park. The track will lead you to a car park and the finish of the walk. The Peddars Way and Norfolk Coast Path starts here!

Further Information

Offical web site of the Icknield Way Association

 

E-mail WalkingontheWeb with your thoughts, suggestions & questions