When: May 25th 2026
Where: Marlow Rugby Club, Riverwoods Drive, Marlow, SL7 1QU
Organiser: Racing Line Running
Distance: 10 km
Elevation: +/- 91m
Course: Start and finish at the Marlow Rugby Club. Out onto the Thames Path for an anti-clockwise loop between Marlow Bridge and the Bourne End railway bridge. One steep climb up and down Winter Hill, otherwise flat.
Other routes touched (walk): Thames Path, Shakespeare’s Way, The Chiltern Way Berkshire Loop
Finish time: 64 minutes, 34 seconds
St Mary's Church, Whaddon
Start & Finish: The Swan Inn, 1 Winslow Road, Great Horwood, Milton Keynes, MK17 0QN
Distance: 11.4 km (7.1 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 85m
Terrain: A mixture of grassy footpaths, bridleways, agricultural field margins, and village pavements.
Midshires Way section covered: Great Horwood to Whaddon: 6.1 km
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Midshires Way, The Swan Way, North Bucks Way
Other routes touched (cycle): None
Pubs / Cafes on route: The Swan Inn, Great Horwood (at the start and end), The Lowndes Arms, Whaddon (just off route at 6 km in)
Map: Buckingham & Milton Keynes Map | Leighton Buzzard & Woburn | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 192
Links: Great Horwood, Whaddon, The Intelligence Zone
This is part of a series of short circular walks following the length of the Midshires Way in Buckinghamshire. The Midshires Way is a 225-mile (362 km) trail that journeys through the rural heart of Middle England, linking the Ridgeway National Trail at Bledlow in the south to the Trans Pennine Trail at Stockport in the north. Opened in 1994, this route traverses several counties, including Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, and Greater Manchester, following a scenic tapestry of ancient bridleways, quiet country lanes, and historic canals. In Buckinghamshire, the Midshires Way has a significant connection with the Swan's Way (often referred to as the Swan Way), a 65-mile long-distance bridleway. Essentially, the Swan's Way forms the backbone of the Buckinghamshire section of the Midshires Way, with the two routes being broadly coincident for approximately 50 miles between Salcey Forest and Bledlow. While the Swan's Way strictly adheres to bridleways to accommodate horse riders and cyclists, the Midshires Way sometimes offers alternative waymarked footpaths for walkers to avoid on-road sections.
This delightful circular route through the Buckinghamshire countryside offers a fantastic blend of historic village charm and open agricultural landscapes. Starting in the picturesque village of Great Horwood, the trail guides you north-east across gentle fields and along established bridleways towards the neighbouring village of Whaddon. It is a wonderfully peaceful stretch that feels miles away from the bustle of nearby Milton Keynes, making it an excellent weekend escape for walkers of all abilities.
After taking in the elevated views and historic architecture of Whaddon, the route loops back southwards through the rural remnants of Whaddon Chase. The return leg provides a slightly different perspective of the undulating fields before guiding you safely back into Great Horwood. Whether you are out for a leisurely afternoon stroll with a pub lunch in mind or getting some extra steps in ahead of your local parkrun, this route is highly rewarding.
The guidance below will help you navigate but don’t use it as a fully accurate turn-by-turn guide. Always take a map and/or a GPX route and prepare well for the weather and terrain.
Start at the Swan Inn in Great Horwood, or park in the free car park on the north side of High Street.
Take High Street north-easterly, then turn left onto Nash Road and follow it north for about 400 metres.
Leave the road on the left and follow the footpath north through fields to cross the A421.
Follow the path north-easterly through fields to Nash. Watch out for the geese in the farm as you arrive at Nash.
Cross Winslow Road, and take Wood End Lane to head east to Whaddon.
From Whaddon, take the footpath south from the church to cross the A421.
Take Warren Road in a south-southwesterly direction. There’s no pavement here and it’s a fairly quiet road but look out for cars.
When Warren Road takes a sharp turn to the south take the footpath on the right of the bend.
Follow the footpath in a south-westerly direction to Little Horwood Road.
Finally, turn right onto Little Horwood Road to return to the centre of Great Horwood.
The Swan Inn and Great Horwood Great Horwood is a quintessential Buckinghamshire village with a layout dating back to the mediaeval period. Its conservation area is home to numerous timber-framed buildings that provide a picturesque start to the walk. The Swan Inn, acting as your start and finish point, is a Grade II listed 18th-century pub with a rich history of serving thirsty travellers on the historic trade routes winding through the county.
Ridge and Furrow: As you make your way along the Midshires Way between Adstock and Whaddon, keep an eye out for the fascinating historical landscape known as ridge and furrow. These distinct, wave-like contours across the fields are the fossilised remains of medieval farming, offering a remarkable glimpse into centuries of agricultural history preserved beneath the turf.
St Mary's Church, Whaddon Dominating the skyline as you approach Whaddon, the Church of St Mary is a striking Grade I listed building with origins rooted in the 12th century. The church features a prominent 14th-century tower and contains historic monuments, including a memorial to Arthur Grey, 14th Baron Grey de Wilton, making it a culturally significant and highly visible landmark on your walk.
Whaddon: Perched on a slight hill, this village offers excellent panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. It is well known for the historic Lowndes Arms and its proximity to ancient royal hunting grounds. On the day that we were in Whaddon we were fortunate enough to observe an archaeological dig where enthusiastic volunteers were uncovering the remnants of buried World War Two telecommunications sites. These sites are remnants of the top-secret communications networks that were vital to the war effort. We also had the pleasure of meeting local author Alan Biggins, who joined us for part of the walk back to Great Horwood. He shared fascinating insights from his book, "The Intelligence Zone," which delves into the region's secret intelligence history. It truly brings the landscape to life to hear these stories first-hand and see the physical traces of history scattered across the area.
Whaddon Chase and Royal History Originally a Royal forest and mediaeval hunting ground, Whaddon Chase is an area steeped in local legend. Established before the Norman Conquest, it was historically reserved for hunting deer by the nobility. Although heavily deforested over the centuries and enclosed for agriculture, the undulating topography and remaining pockets of ancient woodland still offer walkers a tangible glimpse into Buckinghamshire's mediaeval past.
Nash Village As you pass through the small agricultural village of Nash, you are stepping through a settlement first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Historically a quiet farming community, its peaceful lanes and historic farmhouses showcase classic North Buckinghamshire vernacular architecture, providing a charming and historic mid-point between Great Horwood and Whaddon.
Midshires Way previous section (south): Addington and Great Horwood
Midshires Way next section (north): Whaddon and Oakhill Wood (blog post coming soon)
There are currently 83 parkrun events in Scotland of which I have completed 7. The first was Pollok parkrun which started on December 6th 2008 and the newest is Drumlarig Castle which started on May 9th 2026. The name for having completed all parkrun events in Scotland is ALLba
Only one 5k parkrun event has been permanently cancelled in Scotland. Inverness parkrun was held from September 2011 to March 14th 2020 and was replaced by Torvean parkrun
Numbers exclude 2k Junior parkruns and any events that are not open to the general public such as prisons or armed forces facilities.
If you are looking through the list of Scottish parkruns below, you’ll notice that I have included both the Historic County and the present-day Council Area for each event. The Historic Counties are the traditional geographical divisions of Scotland. These boundaries were established centuries ago, some tracing their origins back to the Middle Ages, and they were formally used for local administration from the late 19th century right up until 1975. Today, these boundaries remain static, offering a fascinating glimpse into the map history and traditional cartography of the landscape we are running through.
The present-day Council Areas are Scotland’s modern administrative units. The current system of 32 single‑tier councils came into effect on 1 April 1996, replacing the two‑tier structure of regions and districts that had existed since 1975. These councils handle local services such as waste collection, education, and planning.
Lanarkshire is the Historic County with the most 5k parkrun events with 9.
Highland is the Council Area with the most 5k parkrun events with 9.
Below are each of the Scottish 5k parkrun events in alphabetical order. A few things to note:
The interactive maps below take you to the approximate location for the course, typically the centre of the park. See the course instructions in the parkrun page for each event for specific directions to the start.
Course maps and elevation profiles show the route at the time that I ran it and may have changed since then. See the Course page in the event’s page on parkrun.org.uk for the current course outline. Note that course outlines are from Garmin data during a specific run and may vary from the officially measured distance.
Please contact me if you spot an event that doesn’t have a course map and elevation profile and you would like to donate one from your own run. I’m also interested in maps and elevation profiles for courses that have changed or where there’s a regular alternative route (e.g. Horsham). I’ll need a GPX file from your run plus the date. I’ll include a credit for you and will donate £1 to parkrun.
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Aberdeenshire
Council Area: Aberdeen City
Inaugural: October 8th 2011
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Wigtownshire
Council Area: Dumfries and Galloway
Inaugural: December 14th 2019
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Ross-shire / Ross and Cromarty
Council Area: Highland
Inaugural: August 26th 2017
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Morayshire
Council Area: Highland
Inaugural: August 23rd 2025
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: West Lothian
Council Area: West Lothian
Inaugural: January 7th 2023
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I completed this event on: June 14th 2025 with a finish time of: 25:43
Other routes touched (walk): Speyside Way
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 7
Historic County: Inverness-shire
Council Area: Highland
Inaugural: May 6th 2017
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Ayrshire
Council Area: South Ayrshire
Inaugural: September 20th 2014
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: West Lothian
Council Area: West Lothian
Inaugural: December 27th 2025
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Inverness-shire
Council Area: Highland
Inaugural: January 24th 2026
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: West Lothian
Council Area: Falkirk
Inaugural: October 4th 2025
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Shetland
Council Area: Shetland Islands
Inaugural: January 20th 2018
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I completed this event on: September 28th 2024 with a finish time of: 27:05
Other routes touched: None
Historic County: Angus
Council Area: Dundee City
Inaugural: May 19th 2012
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Kirkcudbrightshire
Council Area: Dumfries and Galloway
Inaugural: October 21st 2023
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Aberdeenshire
Council Area: Aberdeenshire
Inaugural: May 17th 2025
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Aberdeenshire
Council Area: Aberdeenshire
Inaugural: February 9th 2019
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Dumfriesshire
Council Area: Dumfries and Galloway
Inaugural: January 6th 2018
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Argyllshire
Council Area: Argyll and Bute
Inaugural: August 31st 2024
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Lanarkshire
Council Area: South Lanarkshire
Inaugural: March 8th 2025
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Ayrshire
Council Area: East Ayrshire
Inaugural: August 31st 2019
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Dunbartonshire
Council Area: Glasgow City
Inaugural: June 4th 2016
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Dumfriesshire
Council Area: Dumfries and Galloway
Inaugural: May 9th 2026
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Lanarkshire
Council Area: North Lanarkshire
Inaugural: July 27th 2019
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Fife
Council Area: Fife
Inaugural: July 4th 2015
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Midlothian
Council Area: City of Edinburgh
Inaugural: October 17th 2009
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Ayrshire
Council Area: North Ayrshire
Inaugural: March 16th 2013
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Lanarkshire
Council Area: Glasgow City
Inaugural: June 11th 2022
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Morayshire
Council Area: Moray
Inaugural: March 5th 2016
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Aberdeenshire
Council Area: Aberdeenshire
Inaugural: October 17th 2015
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Renfrewshire
Council Area: Renfrewshire
Inaugural: November 19th 2022
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I completed this event on: August 10th 2024 with a finish time of: 28:08
Other routes touched (walk): John Muir Way
Other routes touched (cycle): HArRTT
Historic County: Stirlingshire
Council Area: Falkirk
Inaugural: July 16th 2011
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Perthshire
Council Area: Perth and Kinross
Inaugural: March 7th 2020
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Perthshire
Council Area: Perth and Kinross
Inaugural: April 12th 2025
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Angus
Council Area: Angus
Inaugural: February 12th 2022
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I completed this event on: August 17th 2024 with a finish time of: 28:02
Other routes touched: None
Historic County: Inverness-shire
Council Area: Highland
Inaugural: April 7th 2018
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Argyllshire
Council Area: Argyll and Bute
Inaugural: August 20th 2016
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Ayrshire
Council Area: South Ayrshire
Inaugural: July 28th 2018
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Renfrewshire
Council Area: Inverclyde
Inaugural: May 17th 2014
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Peeblesshire
Council Area: Scottish Borders
Inaugural: November 3rd 2018
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Aberdeenshire
Council Area: Aberdeen City
Inaugural: August 16th 2014
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Midlothian
Council Area: City of Edinburgh
Inaugural: July 16th 2022
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
***Inverness parkrun is now permanently cancelled ***
I did not complete this event before it was closed
County: Inverness-shire / Highland
Inaugural: September 3rd 2011. Final event: #432 on March 14th 2020
Reason for cancellation: Original venue became unavailable
Replaced by: Torvean
Links: Event Home Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Fife
Council Area: Fife
Inaugural: February 14th 2015
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Orkney
Council Area: Orkney Islands
Inaugural: April 21st 2018
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Perthshire
Council Area: Perth and Kinross
Inaugural: April 18th 2026
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I completed this event on: September 25th 2025 with a finish time of: 27:27
Other routes touched: None
Historic County: Lanarkshire
Council Area: South Lanarkshire
Inaugural: August 11th 2018
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Ayrshire
Council Area: North Ayrshire
Inaugural: May 28th 2022
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I completed this event on: September 9th 2023 with a finish time of: 26:09
Other routes touched (walk): The Shore Circular Path
Historic County: Dunbartonshire
Council Area: West Dunbartonshire
Inaugural: December 7th 2019
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Ross-shire
Council Area: Outer Hebrides
Inaugural: January 11th 2020
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Renfrewshire
Council Area: Renfrewshire
Inaugural: July 9th 2016
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: West Lothian
Council Area: West Lothian
Inaugural: January 9th 2016
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Kinross-shire
Council Area: Perth and Kinross
Inaugural: August 11th 2018
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: East Lothian
Council Area: East Lothian
Inaugural: March 23rd 2019
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Fife
Council Area: Fife
Inaugural: May 19th 2018
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: East Lothian
Council Area: East Lothian
Inaugural: February 9th 2019
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Angus
Council Area: Angus
Inaugural: July 8th 2017
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Buteshire
Council Area: Argyll and Bute
Inaugural: September 7th 2019
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Nairnshire
Council Area: Highland
Inaugural: March 29th 2025
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Midlothian
Council Area: City of Edinburgh
Inaugural: November 2nd 2019
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Dunbartonshire
Council Area: North Lanarkshire
Inaugural: August 27th 2022
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Perthshire
Council Area: Perth and Kinross
Inaugural: November 30th 2013
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Stirlingshire
Council Area: Stirling
Inaugural: November 18th 2017
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: West Lothian
Council Area: West Lothian
Inaugural: May 25th 2019
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Lanarkshire
Council Area: Glasgow City
Inaugural: December 6th 2008
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Midlothian
Council Area: City of Edinburgh
Inaugural: April 18th 2015
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Lanarkshire
Council Area: Glasgow City
Inaugural: February 25th 2012
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Fife
Council Area: Fife
Inaugural: June 14th 2024
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Lanarkshire
Council Area: Glasgow City
Inaugural: April 15th 2017
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Inverness-shire
Council Area: Highland
Inaugural: August 10th 2024
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Lanarkshire
Council Area: Glasgow City
Inaugural: May 10th 2014
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Fife
Council Area: Fife
Inaugural: April 21st 2012
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Kincardineshire
Council Area: Aberdeenshire
Inaugural: September 10th 2016
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Lanarkshire
Council Area: North Lanarkshire
Inaugural: April 10th 2010
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Caithness
Council Area: Highland
Inaugural: April 14th 2018
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Lanarkshire
Council Area: Glasgow City
Inaugural: May 18th 2013
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Inverness-shire
Council Area: Highland
Inaugural: September 4th 2021
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Ayrshire
Council Area: South Ayrshire
Inaugural: December 2nd 2017
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I completed this event on: September 24th 2022 with a finish time of: 24:20
Other routes touched (walk): Henry Milne Walk
Historic County: Stirlingshire
Council Area: Stirling
Inaugural: October 12th 2019
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Aberdeenshire
Council Area: Aberdeenshire
Inaugural: November 2nd 2019
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Lanarkshire
Council Area: Glasgow City
Inaugural: October 12th 2013
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Midlothian
Council Area: Midlothian
Inaugural: March 11th 2017
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Roxburghshire
Council Area: Scottish Borders
Inaugural: January 18th 2020
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Angus
Council Area: Angus
Inaugural: January 15th 2022
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: East Lothian
Council Area: East Lothian
Inaugural: September 16th 2023
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Roxburghshire
Council Area: Scottish Borders
Inaugural: April 11th 2026
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
parkruns are free, weekly, community 5k events all around the world. I started in December 2012 and have been obsessive about it ever since. See my parkrun Collection page for details.
Featured and popular parkrun posts:
V-shaped junction on the Cross Bucks Way near Addington
Start & Finish: Church End, Adstock, Buckingham, MK18 2HY
Distance: 10.3 km (6.4 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 79m
Terrain: A pleasant mix of open arable fields, ancient bridleways, and quiet village lanes.
Midshires Way section covered: Addington to Great Horwood: 4.3 km
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Midshires Way, The Swan Way, Cross Bucks Way
Other routes touched (cycle): None
Pubs / Cafes on route: The Old Thatched Inn, Adstock (at the start and end), The Swan Inn, Great Horwood (6.1 km in)
Map: Buckingham & Milton Keynes Map | Leighton Buzzard & Woburn | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 192
Links: Addington, Great Horwood, Midshires Way
This is part of a series of short circular walks following the length of the Midshires Way in Buckinghamshire. The Midshires Way is a 225-mile (362 km) trail that journeys through the rural heart of Middle England, linking the Ridgeway National Trail at Bledlow in the south to the Trans Pennine Trail at Stockport in the north. Opened in 1994, this route traverses several counties, including Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, and Greater Manchester, following a scenic tapestry of ancient bridleways, quiet country lanes, and historic canals. In Buckinghamshire, the Midshires Way has a significant connection with the Swan's Way (often referred to as the Swan Way), a 65-mile long-distance bridleway. Essentially, the Swan's Way forms the backbone of the Buckinghamshire section of the Midshires Way, with the two routes being broadly coincident for approximately 50 miles between Salcey Forest and Bledlow. While the Swan's Way strictly adheres to bridleways to accommodate horse riders and cyclists, the Midshires Way sometimes offers alternative waymarked footpaths for walkers to avoid on-road sections.
This delightful circular walk takes you through the serene Buckinghamshire countryside, starting in the quiet village of Adstock. The path initially guides you south across open farmland to Addington, picking up the Cross Bucks Way. From Addington Church, you join the official Midshires Way trail heading east and then north-eastwards. The wide views of the agricultural landscape serve as a fantastic backdrop as you make your way towards the picturesque village of Great Horwood.
Once you reach Great Horwood, you will find a charming village centre that makes for a perfect mid-walk rest stop. Leaving the Midshires Way behind, the route loops back towards the west via quiet lanes, taking you through more peaceful meadows before returning to Adstock. The gentle undulation of the landscape makes this an excellent afternoon stroll or a highly scenic alternative to your weekend parkrun.
The guidance below will help you navigate, but don’t use it as a fully accurate turn-by-turn guide. Always take a map and/or a GPX route and prepare well for the weather and terrain.
Start your walk where there are free parking spaces in the village of Adstock, near the junction of Church End, Main Street and East Street.
Walk south down Main Street, then take a left onto Scots Lane.
Continue heading in a south-easterly direction to carefully cross over the Buckingham Road (A413).
Keep heading south through the fields to pick up the Cross Bucks Way, eventually reaching the road that runs east to west through the village of Addington.
Take a left onto this road, continuing to follow the Cross Bucks Way, then take a left to join the Midshires Way near Addington Church (the Church of St Mary the Virgin).
Continue east along the Midshires Way until you reach the equestrian centre, then take a left to follow the road to the east of the centre heading north.
Upon reaching the Buckingham Road (A413) again, carefully cross over to the north side of the road and follow the pavement in an easterly direction.
Take the footpath on the left to leave the A413, following this path (which is the Midshires Way and North Bucks Way) in a north-easterly direction.
Keep following the path until you reach Winslow Road, then take a left and follow it into the village centre of Great Horwood.
At the village centre, you will see The Swan Inn: a good halfway spot for a rest and a drink.
Leave the Midshires Way here by taking a left off Winslow Road onto Singleborough Road, following it in a westerly direction.
Continue as this leads onto Pilch Lane, heading in a west or north-westerly direction.
Just after a bend and crossing a bridge over a stream, leave Pilch Lane by taking a left onto a footpath through the fields.
Follow this footpath as it curves down to the south-west, taking you all the way to The Gardens, a small lane in Adstock.
Keep following this down to West Street, then onto East Street, before finally returning to your starting point in the Adstock village centre.
Church of St Cecilia, Adstock: Dating back to the late 11th or early 12th century, this historic parish church boasts a remarkable Norman doorway featuring intricate zigzag and dog-tooth carvings. Its peaceful churchyard is a fantastic starting point, grounding the walk in a millennium of Buckinghamshire history.
Addington Estate & Equestrian Centre: The Addington estate is not only steeped in Civil War history but is also renowned today for its prestigious Equestrian Centre. The surrounding parkland, with its ancient trees and well-kept bridleways, offers lovely glimpses of the 19th-century landscaping originally designed by William Andrews Nesfield.
Great Horwood & The Swan Inn: Great Horwood is a designated conservation area characterised by a charming village green and 17th-century timber-framed cottages. The village was granted a royal charter in 1447 to hold a weekly market. Today, it hosts the historic Swan Inn, a perfect resting point that has been serving weary travellers for centuries.
Pilch Lane & Rural Meadows: The return leg via Pilch Lane crosses vital local waterways and natural meadowlands. These fields are prime habitats for local wildlife, including grazing deer, red kites soaring overhead, and a variety of hedgerow songbirds that thrive in the undisturbed Bucks countryside.
Midshires Way previous section (south): Verney Junction and Winslow
Midshires Way next section (north): Great Horwood and Whaddon
Timea and I visited Ibiza in May 2026 for a warm break and to finish off our Balearic Islands collection. While over there I remembered that my parents took my sister Lisa there in 1972 when she was 2. This kicked off our occasional quest to recreate old family photos in the same locations.
Dalt Villa - Ibiza Old Town 1972 - View from the Harbour
Dalt Villa - Ibiza Old Town 2026 - View from the Harbour
Portal de ses Taules, Dalt Villa, Ibiza Old Town - 1972
Portal de ses Taules, Dalt Villa, Ibiza Old Town - 2026
Plaça de la Constitució, Ibiza Old Town, 1972
Plaça de la Constitució, Ibiza Old Town, 2026
Portal Nou, Dalt Villa, Ibiza Old Town - Dad and Lisa - 1972
Portal Nou, Dalt Villa, Ibiza Old Town - Me and my rucksack - 2026
Finding this one gave us the most amusement. Finding the Dalt Vila locations was fairly easy as we just had to wander around Ibiza Old Town until we found the exact places. Google Lens and some AI-enabled searching helped too.
The beach photo below was a bit trickier as the resort wasn’t obvious. My first attempt at solving it with Google AI told me: “This is the Bay of San Antonio (Bahía de San Antonio) on the west coast of Ibiza. The man in the photograph is Maurice Gibb of the Bee Gees. The Gibb family had strong ties to Ibiza at the time: his parents relocated to the island in late 1971, and the brothers frequently visited.”. This was immediately suspicious as San Antonio isn’t on the west of the island and, as far as I was aware, my dad wasn’t in the Bee Gees. I was intrigued though and some further research confirmed the Maurice did visit Ibiza at the time and he did look a little like my dad at the time. Maurice was married to the singer Lulu back then who did look a little like my mum.
After a couple more attempts I managed to work out that the Beach was Cala Longa, conveniently just 15 minutes from the hotel where we were staying. We couldn’t match the camera angles and the beach seemed to have been widened since then but it was definitely the place. You can see the old hotels still there but extended upwards.
Cala Longa Beach - Dad and Lisa - 1972
Cala Longa Beach - Me - 2026
Cala Longa Beach - Lisa - 1972
Cala Longa Beach - Me - 1972
View to the south-east from Sa Talaiassa, Ibiza
Two years ago, we visited Menorca and ticked off its rather modest high point at just over 350 metres. We decided it was time to return to the Balearics to visit the final two islands, Ibiza and its very close neighbour, Formentera.
Here is how we got on walking the highest points of both islands.
Also known as: Sa Talaia / Sa Talia de Sant Josep
Significance: High point of the island of Ibiza
Elevation: 487m
Date climbed: 5th May 2026
Coordinates: 38° 54' 39'' N, 1° 16' 25'' E
Start & Finish: Aparcament públic de Sant Josep, 07830 Sant Josep de sa Talaia, Ibiza
Distance: 5.1 km (3.2 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 262m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched: None
Links: Ibiza, Sant Josep de sa Talaia, Sa Talaiassa, Peakbagger
The highest area in Ibiza is generally known as Sa Talaia or Sa Talaiassa. It is an enjoyable and relatively easy out-and-back route totalling about 5 kilometres (roughly 2.5 kilometres up and the same back down).
The best place to start your hike is the Aparcament públic de Sant Josep in the town of Sant Josep, which sits right near the mountain. From the car park, turn right onto the main street heading towards the town centre, and then take a left onto Carrer des Pujol d'en Cardona. You just need to continue walking up to the end of this road. There is actually some additional parking just off this road before it ends, which is where we ended up parking as the main car park was full.
Just before the road comes to an end, you will see the signposted entrance to the trail. It goes steeply up the hill through the woods, winding its way up the northeasterly side of the mountain. As you climb, you get several glimpses of the hill ahead marked with a transmitter in the distance.
Keep heading up the hill and ignore any paths that branch off to the left. At around 1.8 kilometres from the car park, you will reach a fork in the path. We took the right-hand fork, climbing steeply in a northerly direction.
This path leads you to Cap de Sa Talaia. There is a transmitter mast here and absolutely fantastic views over the coast, the old town, and Formentera in the distance. It is an obvious viewpoint and you could easily be fooled into thinking this is the summit if you didn't know better! I imagine many people walk up to here, take in the view, and head back down. However, the true high point is a little further on.
We turned around and followed the small road that runs along the ridge. You will pass another transmitter and a bump in the ridge called Talaia de Sant Josep at 463 metres, but keep going. A little further down the track is the actual high point: Roca Grossa at 487 metres, clearly marked by a Spanish trig pillar.
One sombre piece of history about this mountain: in January 1972, Sa Talaia was the site of a tragic aviation accident. Aviaco Flight 118 crashed into the mountain in dense fog while on approach to the airport, resulting in the loss of all 104 people on board. Coincidentally, my parents visited Ibiza that exact same year. In an even stranger twist of fate, my parents also visited Madeira in 1977 during the exact same week as a major plane crash there. That accident involved TAP Air Portugal Flight 425, which tragically overran the runway at Madeira Airport in heavy rain and high winds, claiming 131 lives.
Beyond this sombre history, the area boasts a rich and varied past. The foothills of the Sa Talaia mountain range are home to the Sa Caleta settlement, dating back to the 7th century BC. The Phoenicians used the area for metallurgy, melting down minerals to extract lead and silver. Additionally, the coastline visible from these high ridges was historically heavily plagued by pirate attacks. This led to the construction of coastal defences in the 18th century, such as the nearby Torre des Savinar (often called the Pirate's Tower), which you can spot from the elevated vantage points.
After finding the trig pillar and taking a few photos, we retraced our steps along the ridge for about 200 metres. We then took a fork on the right to head down the hill in a northwesterly direction. This brought us back to the original trail at the fork we had encountered earlier. From there, it was a simple case of retracing our steps down the steep wooded descent, back to the road, and down to the car park.
Also known as: Sa Talaïassa
Significance: High point of the island of Formentera
Elevation: 197m
Date climbed: 6th May 2026
Coordinates: 38° 39' 56'' N, 1° 32' 8'' E
Links: Formentera, La Mola, Peakbagger
Having successfully ticked off Ibiza, we set out the very next day on a day trip to Formentera. We caught the ferry from Ibiza Old Town. Formentera is a lovely, small island, and taking a hire car over on the ferry (which takes about an hour) is incredibly convenient. Alternatively, you can take the foot ferry and rent a bike, scooter, or car once you arrive. As we had our own hire car for the week, we brought it with us.
Once you arrive at the Formentera port, it is about a 20-minute drive to the far end of the island to reach the La Mola peninsula. A real highlight here is visiting the lighthouse right at the far end of the peninsula, which also boasts a really good cafe. This was our first stop to fuel up for the day.
This lighthouse actually has a famous literary history. It is widely said to have inspired Jules Verne’s sci-fi novel Hector Servadac (Off on a Comet), where it is described as the "lighthouse at the end of the world". There is even a small monument plaque dedicated to Verne right next to the lighthouse to commemorate this. The astronomer character in Verne's book was based on a real person, François Arago, who stayed at the La Mola site around 1808 while working on measuring the meridian arc, which helped to officially define the exact length of a "metre".
After the cafe and the lighthouse, we drove to the island's high point, which is only about 10 minutes away, just outside the main town of El Pilar de la Mola. Another quirky sight to look out for near here is the Molí Vell de La Mola. Built in 1778, it is one of the oldest and best-preserved flour windmills in the Balearics.
A quick warning: while it is definitely possible to drive to the summit, the road heading up is a very rough, single-lane track. You need a car with good ground clearance, and you have to be very careful as it is difficult to pass if you meet another car coming the other way. If you have a bit more time, walking or cycling up is a great alternative.
Because we had the car, we carefully drove up. You can park very close to the actual high point, which is located right at the back of a bed and breakfast called Casa Rural Formentera. It is very easy to spot because there is a large telecommunications pole right next to it. We found the exact coordinates of the high point right at the back of the B&B, next to what looks like an abandoned building.
And with that, we have completed our visits to all of the Balearic islands! However, our high-point mission isn't quite finished yet: we need to revisit Mallorca one day to officially bag the high point there.
Warriner Windmill near Bloxham Grove
National Cycle Network (NCN) Route 5 spans roughly 370 miles from Holyhead on Anglesey down to Reading. It takes in a long, varied stretch of the country, picking up the North Wales coast, weaving through Chester, Birmingham, and Oxford, and uses a mix of canal towpaths and river valleys.
The Banbury to Reading segment is highly practical for a point-to-point ride. Heading south from Banbury, it uses the Salt Way and the Oxford Canal towpath. South of Oxford, it crosses the River Thames and climbs over the Chiltern ridge before dropping into Reading.
I cycled this section of NCN 5 on my own years ago, but it was before the installation of the Millennium Mileposts. Since I’ve recently become obsessive about 'bagging' all the Mileposts in the South East, I had to go back and ride it properly.
Start: Banbury Station, Station Road, Banbury OX16 5AB, United Kingdom
Finish: Oxford Station, Park End Street, Oxford OX1 1HS
Distance: 54 km (33.5 miles)
Elevation change: +396 / -428m (-32m)
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Jurassic Way, Oxford Canal Walk, Cross Cotswold Pathway, Salt Way, Oxfordshire Way, The Roman Way, Shakespeare’s Way,
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 5, National Byway
Pubs / Cafes on route: Several. We stopped in Woodstock (39 km in) for lunch at The King's Arms
Millennium Mileposts: 684, 686, 706, 818, 819
Maps:
- Banbury, Bicester & Chipping Norton Map | Brackley | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 191
- Oxford Map | Witney & Woodstock | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 180
Links: Banbury, Bodicote, Bloxham, Barford St Michael, Woodstock, Yarnton, Oxford
Back in January, my friend Brian and I tackled the Oxford to Reading leg. Although it slightly disturbed me that we were doing the 2 part route out of order, we did Part 2 first as it was closer to home and we had to work around the shorter daylight. We waited for the weather to improve before attempting the northern Banbury to Oxford. By April it was finally warm and dry enough to finish the job.
The logistics of the Banbury to Reading corridor are straightforward thanks to a direct rail link. We parked near Oxford station and caught the train up to Banbury: a 17-minute journey. Factoring in a 45-minute wait at Oxford, we’d already consumed enough coffee and cake, allowing us to bypass the Banbury town centre cafes entirely.
Banbury isn’t directly on the National Cycle Route so the first few kilometres were through the town centre and quiet roads and paths to the western part of town.
At 4 km, we hit the NCN5. We spotted the first Millennium Milepost of the day right away. Getting to it, however, meant hauling the bikes up a steep, unexpected set of wooden steps from the cycle path onto the main road.
Across the road, we joined the Salt Way. This is a straight, off-road track. The Salt Way Activity Group notes this was an ancient route used for transporting salt.
By the 11 km mark, we found our second Millennium Milepost in the small town of Bloxham. Just outside of town, we passed a yellow rapeseed field with a small windmill in the middle: the banner photo for this post. The route continued south through the "Barfords" (Barford St. John and Barford St. Michael), leading us to Nether Worton at 18 km, where we bagged milepost number three.
Reaching Middle Barton at 23 km, the "second breakfast" cravings had set in. However, we ran into a recurring logistical failure for Brian and me: we start so early that we consistently beat the opening hours of rural pubs and cafes.
The fourth milepost appeared just outside Glympton around the 35 km mark. Shortly after, there is a great section running through a forest parallel to a river. It is easily one of the best parts of the route.
We rolled into Woodstock at 40 km at exactly 1:00 pm. We paused the ride here, finding a pub in the town centre for fish and chips. Pointing the bikes south-east toward Oxford post-lunch, we located the final Millennium Milepost (number five) at 48 km where the route joins the Oxford Canal at the north end of the city. Following the canal path through the residential streets of North Oxford, we arrived back at the train station and the car by 3:30 pm.
It was an efficient and hugely enjoyable day out and much warmer than the January attempt.
Start: Oxford Station, Park End Street, Oxford OX1 1HS
Finish: Reading Station, Bagnall Way, Reading, RG1 8BT
Distance: 68 km (42 miles)
Elevation change: + 455 / -476m. Net +21 m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Thames Path, Oxford Green Belt Way, The Vale Way, The Roman Way, The Ridgeway, Chiltern Way Southern Extension, St Frideswide's Way
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 4, 5, 544, Icknield Way Trail
Pubs / Cafes on route: Many on the route. We stopped for a coffee at Abingdon at 15 km in
Millennium Mileposts: 231, 223, 224, 225, 226, 227, 230, 229, 222, 58, 141, 140
Maps:
- Oxford Map | Witney & Woodstock | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 180
- Vale of White Horse Map | Abingdon-on-Thames, Wantage, Wallingford & Faringdon | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 170
- Chiltern Hills West Map | Henley-on-Thames & Wallingford | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 171
Links: Oxford, Abingdon, Didcot, Wallingford, Stoke Row, Caversham, Reading
On the 2nd of January, Brian and I set off to tackle the southern section. Our original plan was to cycle from Reading to Oxford and return by train. However, during the drive, Brian actually checked the forecast and discovered we would be cycling directly into a headwind the entire way. We aborted the original plan, drove to Oxford, parked near the station, and cycled south instead.
Conditions were terrible. It had rained overnight, and the ground was covered in snow and ice. For the first 10 km, we spent an hour cycling cautiously to avoid slipping. By the time we reached Abingdon, we were moving significantly slower than my standard parkrun pace. We stopped at a coffee shop to warm up, establishing a contingency plan to abandon the ride at Didcot and take the train back if the ice persisted.
Leaving the cafe, the weather broke. The sun melted the ice, and our pace drastically improved. Around the 20 km mark, we passed Didcot, bagging several Millennium Mileposts along the way. Ten kilometres later, we passed Wallingford, crossed the River Thames, and entered the Chilterns. Riding from Wallingford across the Ridgeway and into the Chiltern Hills under clear skies made up for the freezing start.
The final major leg at 55 km required a climb up and over the Chiltern ridge, followed by a fast descent into Caversham from Stoke Row. Finally, at 60 km, we bagged one final Millennium Milepost in Caversham, crossed the river, and finished the ride at Reading station.
Technically, NCN 5 continues east along the Thames for another 1.5 km to the confluence with the River Kennet. Having cycled that section previously and already bagged its two mileposts, we opted to skip it to ensure we got back to Oxford in daylight.
Day 1 in red, day 2 in blue
Dotting the UK's National Cycle Network are over 1,000 unique markers known as the Millennium Mileposts. Unveiled in 2000, these cast-iron sculptures are more than just waymarkers. Designed by four artists, one from each nation of the UK, they celebrate the diversity of the cycling routes. These artistic mileposts come in various shapes and can be found in both bustling towns and scenic landscapes, adding a touch of artistic charm to a cycling adventure.
Early morning crossing on the Portsmouth to Gosport Ferry
It had been a few months since our last cycling trip back in early January, so Brian and I were definitely overdue a catch-up and another stretch of the south coast. The plan this time was to tackle a segment of National Cycle Route 2 (NCN2). We originally aimed to ride from Brighton to Bournemouth, but we ended up tweaking our plans to finish in Southampton instead. Here is how the weekend unfolded.
We set off on Friday afternoon. After finishing work, we met up at Slough station to catch the Elizabeth line into London. We were aiming for the Thameslink from Farringdon down to Brighton, but we hit a familiar snag: you can't take non-folding bikes on the train during the Friday evening rush hour.
Rather than stressing about it, we used the time to grab dinner in Farringdon. We eventually boarded the 19:00 train and arrived in Brighton around 20:00. By the time we pushed the bikes to the Premier Inn, it was already dark. We parked them securely in our room and wandered into the centre of Brighton for a couple of drinks to properly catch up.
Start: Brighton Palace Pier, Madeira Drive, Brighton, BN2 1TW
Finish: Clarence Pier, Southsea, Portsmouth, PO5 3AA
Distance: 95 km (59 miles)
Elevation change: + 316m / -321m (Net -5m)
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): King Charles III England Coast Path, Monarch’s Way, New Lipchis Way, The Selsey Tramway, Centurion Way, Sussex Border Path, The Shipwrights Way, Wayfarers Walk, Solent Way, Langstone Habrobour Waterside Route,
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 2, 222, 288
Pubs / Cafes on route: Loads but we stopped for lunch at Soul Kitchen & Bar, Littlehampton (35 km in)
Maps:
- Brighton & Hove Map | Lewes & Burgess Hill | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map OL11
- Arundel & Pulborough Map | Worthing & Bognor Regis | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map OL10
- Chichester Map | South Harting & Selsey | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map OL08
- Meon Valley Map | Portsmouth, Gosport & Fareham | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map OL3
Links: Brighton, Hove, Shoreham-by-Sea, Worthing, Ferring, Angmering, Littlehampton, Felpham, Bognor Regis, Aldwick, North Mundham, Chichester, Warblington, Havant, Hayling Island, Eastney, Southsea
I've been cutting down on alcohol this year, so those couple of glasses of wine on Friday night had an unfortunate consequence: I snored loudly all night. Brian barely got a wink of sleep.
Because of that, our Saturday morning started separately. I headed out early for the Hove Promenade parkrun. Usually, Brian would tag along and chill in a cafe, but he desperately needed to catch up on sleep. We met up at 09:30 after my run. I was in serious need of coffee and food by then, so we stopped at a lovely little independent bakery and cafe in Hove called MAKA for a sausage roll and a coffee while looking out to the sea.
We finally hit the road around 10:00, heading west on NCN2. We quickly spotted our first Millennium Milepost just past a bench in Hove. We were looking out for them as they were a major feature of our previous south coast trips, but they were pretty sparse this time: we saw two close together in Hove, and only one more just outside Chichester.
The morning ride stuck closely to the seafront. We actually cycled along the routes of several south coast parkruns, passing through Shoreham-on-Sea, Lancing, Worthing, and Goring-on-Sea. The route dips inland at Ferring to bypass a coastal path you can't cycle on, goes through Angmering, briefly touches the coast at Littlehampton, and then heads inland again before reaching Bognor Regis. We had planned an ice cream stop there, but despite the warm sunshine, the wind coming off the sea was incredibly strong, so we just pressed on.
Just after Bognor Regis, between Aldwick and Nyetimber, the official NCN2 signs simply vanished. We ended up following a path that seemed to be either a future or decommissioned section of the route. Despite this, the section actually turned out to be a real highlight of the day. It took us off the hard pavements and guided us cross-country through some beautiful fields, farmland, and dirt tracks.
The NCN2 signs finally picked up again at South Mundham. From there, we headed north into Chichester and stopped for a well-deserved coffee and cake to make up for the missed ice cream. Our original plan was to stay overnight in Chichester, but when I was booking, the hotels were completely full due to an event in town that weekend.
Suitably refreshed, we pushed west along the road bordering the top of Chichester Harbour, a National Landscape that I previously visited a couple of years back while hunting for its very low High Point.
Approaching Havant, we picked up the pace. We were pretty tired, but I knew we had to catch the 17:40 Hayling Ferry to Eastney Point, or we'd be stuck waiting an hour for the next one. I managed to roll up to the jetty with about 30 seconds to spare.
I got on board and anxiously told the ferry staff my friend was right behind me. Turns out he wasn't. The boat was full, the crew were eager to leave, and I was torn between getting off to wait at the pub for an hour or holding the boat up. Just as I reached the point where I couldn't make them wait any longer and was about to step off, Brian came pedalling down the jetty. He was five minutes late but just in time. The crossing only took five minutes, but catching it gave us an extra hour for dinner and an early night.
From Eastney Point, it was a short 20-minute ride to our hotel, the Southsea Premier Inn. After checking in and showering, we were absolutely starving. We decided to walk northwest along the seafront into Old Portsmouth and found a nearby pub called The Dolphin. We enjoyed fish and chips and a much more modest amount of wine before finally getting some proper sleep.
Start: Clarence Pier, Southsea, Portsmouth, PO5 3AA
Finish: Central Station Bridge, Blechynden Terrace, Southampton SO15 1AL, United Kingdom
Distance: 36 km (22 miles) … plus an additional 12km for the Warsash Ferry diversion (see text below).
Elevation change: + 190m / -188m (Net -2m)
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): King Charles III England Coast Path, The Shipwrights Way, Solent Way, Strawberry Trail, Hamble Rail Trail Route
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 2, 22, 23, 236
Pubs / Cafes on route: Several options but we had breakfast in Jenny’s Cafe, Hamble-le-Rice (24 km in)
Maps:
- Meon Valley Map | Portsmouth, Gosport & Fareham | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map OL3
- New Forest Map | Southampton, Ringwood, Ferndown, Lymington, Christchurch & Bournemouth | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map OL22
Links: Southsea, Portsmouth, Gosport, Lee-on-the-Solent, Warsash, Hamble-le-Rice, Netley, Southampton
Thankfully, I didn't snore quite as much, and we both woke up well-rested around 06:00. We left the hotel at 07:15 for a 15-minute cycle over to Portsmouth Harbour. The Gosport Ferry runs every 15 minutes, so we barely had to wait at all. The crossing was really nice, with the morning sun coming up and illuminating the Spinnaker Tower and the Historic Dockyard.
The cycle through Gosport was a lovely stretch, passing through quiet little villages with great views of the Isle of Wight to our left. Feeling pretty good, we debated pushing on to our original goal of Bournemouth (which is about 55 km past Southampton). However, our second ferry drama of the weekend ended up making the decision for us.
We arrived at the jetty for the Pink Ferry at Warsash (which crosses the River Hamble to Hamble-le-Rice) at 09:00. I had completely forgotten to check the times, and unfortunately, a sign informed us the Sunday service didn't start until 10:00. We were an hour too early. We had flashbacks of our West Coast Ireland trip a few years back when we made an early start to catch a ferry that turned out to start much later on a Sunday.
Waiting a whole hour would have seriously thrown off our timings for getting home for a rest in the hot tub. The alternative was to avoid the ferry with a 20-minute detour north to Lower Swanwick, crossing the bridge to Bursledon, and cycling down the other side. Brian decided his legs just couldn't take the extra cycling, so we made the call: Southampton would be our final destination.
Rather than taking the direct road to Southampton station, we decided to cycle back down south to Hamble-le-Rice on the opposite side of the ferry crossing. Since we were stopping in Southampton, we weren't pressed for time, and it meant we could still continue our journey along NCN2 as originally planned.
This actually turned out to be a fantastic decision. Hamble-le-Rice is a gorgeous, quaint little village. We were starving by this point, having cycled for nearly three hours, so we stopped at a really nice cafe called Jenny's. We stayed for an hour, taking it easy and chatting over a massive, much-needed breakfast.
The final leg into Southampton was packed with interesting history. Just outside Hamble-le-Rice, the cycle route joins the Hamble Rail Trail. This is a disused railway track originally built during the First World War to serve an aircraft factory, and later used to transport oil from the BP terminal.
We followed the route through some lovely parkland, passing right through the grounds of Netley Abbey and the Royal Victoria Country Park: the site of the historic Royal Victoria Military Hospital, which also had its own dedicated railway line.
We followed the waterfront up to Woolston, crossed over the big Itchen Bridge, and navigated the city streets until we reached Southampton Central station at midday. From there, we bought our tickets and caught the train home via Reading, ready for a well-earned soak in the hot tub before the week ahead.
Day 1 in red, day 2 in blue
Dotting the UK's National Cycle Network are over 1,000 unique markers known as the Millennium Mileposts. Unveiled in 2000, these cast-iron sculptures are more than just waymarkers. Designed by four artists, one from each nation of the UK, they celebrate the diversity of the cycling routes. These artistic mileposts come in various shapes and can be found in both bustling towns and scenic landscapes, adding a touch of artistic charm to a cycling adventure.
Here’s the 3 Mileposts that I spotted on day 1 of the trip. There were none on day 2.
Previous South Coast Cycle trip: Dover to Hastings
Next South Coast Cycle trip: Southampton to Weymouth (coming soon)
Rapeseed field between East Claydon and Verney Junction
Start & Finish: St Mary's Church, Church Way, East Claydon, Buckingham, MK18 2ND
Distance: 12.7 km (7.9 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 97m
Terrain: Mixed terrain including field paths, bridleways, and quiet country lanes.
Midshires Way section covered: East Claydon to Addington: 4.7 km
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Midshires Way, The Swan Way, Cross Bucks Way, Bernwood Jubilee Way
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 51
Pubs / Cafes on route: None, although there are several in Winslow if you take a diversion from the main route at 7 km in.
Map: Buckingham & Milton Keynes Map | Leighton Buzzard & Woburn | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 192
Links: East Claydon, Verney Junction, Winslow, Addington, East West Rail
This is part of a series of short circular walks following the length of the Midshires Way in Buckinghamshire. The Midshires Way is a 225-mile (362 km) trail that journeys through the rural heart of Middle England, linking the Ridgeway National Trail at Bledlow in the south to the Trans Pennine Trail at Stockport in the north. Opened in 1994, this route traverses several counties, including Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, and Greater Manchester, following a scenic tapestry of ancient bridleways, quiet country lanes, and historic canals. In Buckinghamshire, the Midshires Way has a significant connection with the Swan's Way (often referred to as the Swan Way), a 65-mile long-distance bridleway. Essentially, the Swan's Way forms the backbone of the Buckinghamshire section of the Midshires Way, with the two routes being broadly coincident for approximately 50 miles between Salcey Forest and Bledlow. While the Swan's Way strictly adheres to bridleways to accommodate horse riders and cyclists, the Midshires Way sometimes offers alternative waymarked footpaths for walkers to avoid on-road sections.
This delightful circular walk takes you through the serene Buckinghamshire countryside, starting at East Claydon. The highlight is the historic site of Verney Junction. From the remnants of this once bustling railway hub, the path guides you northwards across open farmland and peaceful meadows, offering wide views of the Buckinghamshire landscape. The route gently undulates as it loops towards the charming market town of Winslow, dropping from around 124 metres in elevation down to 83 metres, making it an excellent afternoon stroll or a scenic alternative to your weekend parkrun.
Upon reaching the western edges of Winslow, the trail turns back southwest, following well-trodden bridleways and field margins. The return leg provides a contrasting perspective of the countryside, with quiet copses and the occasional glimpse of local wildlife. It is a manageable route with varied terrain, though sensible footwear is recommended during wetter months when the field paths can become muddy.
The guidance below will help you navigate but don’t use it as a fully accurate turn-by-turn guide. Always take a map and/or a GPX route and prepare well for the weather and terrain.
Start near St Mary’s Church where there’s several spots of free on-street parking on Church Way.
Walk along Church Way in a westerly direction, onto Sandmill Road, then take a right onto the footpath at the junction with Lacemakers Close.
Follow the path through fields for 1.6 km to Verney Road then take a left to follow Verney Road to Verney Junction village.
Take a moment to explore the village that was formerly the site of Verney Junction Station. The former station building is now a private house and the old rail line has now been replaced by the new East West Rail line.
Continue along Verney Road past the village then take a right onto the bridge that takes you over the East West Rail line. After the bridge, follow the path round to the right until you reach the track that previously crossed the disused rail line to the village.
Take a right at this track to follow the path in a north-easterly direction.
When you reach St Mary The Virgin Church in Addington follow the road as it curves round to the east. This is the furthest point on the Midshires Way for this section. You’ll now be following the Cross Bucks Way into Winslow.
You’ll reach a T junction where you’ll take a right then take a left to leave the road and follow a path through a field in an east / south-easterly direction.
Follow the path as it crosses under the East West Line then runs parallel to the rail line to reach Furze Lane on the western edge of Winslow.
Follow Gibbs Close, Featherbed Close, Selby Lane, Verney Road and Langley Close through Winslow until you reach a footpath near some stables on the southern edge of Winslow. Take a right onto this path to head east.
Follow this path through fields, initially in a westerly direction then curving to the south to reach East Claydon Road.
Take a right onto East Claydon Road and follow it for 600m to the East Claydon Substation. Be careful on this road as there’s no pavement but there is a grass verge to avoid cars.
Take a left onto the footpath that starts on the service road at the western end of the substation.
Follow the path as it zig-zags across fields to rejoin the Midshires Way then continue back to St Mary’s Church in East Claydon.
East Claydon: An historic Buckinghamshire village with clear Anglo‑Saxon origins, its name deriving from the Old English clægig dun, meaning “clay hill.” At its heart stands the parish church of St Mary, a building that today reflects several centuries of architectural development. Although the church was largely destroyed during the English Civil War by Parliamentarian official Cornelius Holland, it was rebuilt after the Restoration and now incorporates elements from the 13th to 16th centuries, including a 14th‑century chancel. The village provides a peaceful and culturally rich backdrop as you explore the surrounding countryside.
Claydon House and Estate: Just a stone's throw from East Claydon lies the magnificent Claydon House, a National Trust property renowned for its extraordinary 18th-century rococo interiors. For generations, it has been the ancestral home of the Verney family—the namesakes of Verney Junction. The house also boasts a deep connection to Florence Nightingale, who was a frequent visitor and had her own bedroom there, as her sister Parthenope was married to Sir Harry Verney.
Verney Junction: Once a significant interchange on the Oxford–Cambridge Varsity Line, Verney Junction played an important role in the region’s Victorian railway network. Passenger services ceased in 1968 with the closure of the line, but the site remains a notable landmark for railway historians and enthusiasts, offering a quiet reminder of the area’s transport heritage.
The Varsity Line Landscape: Much of the landscape you will encounter has been shaped by the former Varsity Line, the rail route that once linked Britain’s two great university cities. Though the line closed in the late 1960s, major efforts are now underway to revive parts of this historic corridor through the East West Rail project, which aims to restore modern rail services across sections of the original route.
Addington: Set within the Buckinghamshire countryside, Addington is a secluded village with deep historical roots, recorded in the Domesday Book as Edintone. Its parish church, dedicated to St Mary the Virgin, reflects a long architectural history with Norman origins. During the English Civil War, the original manor house served twice as the national headquarters for Parliamentarian forces, giving the village an important—if brief—strategic role. Today, Addington is characterised by the extensive Addington Manor estate, whose mid‑19th‑century parkland was laid out with input from the noted landscape designer William Andrews Nesfield.
Winslow: Winslow is a historic market town known for its traditional architecture and lively high street. Its most prominent landmark is Winslow Hall, a grand mansion built in 1700. The house is traditionally attributed to Sir Christopher Wren, although the attribution remains a matter of scholarly debate. Regardless of authorship, the building stands as one of the finest examples of late 17th‑century domestic architecture in the region.
Midshires Way previous section (south): Quainton and Botolph Claydon
Midshires Way next section (north): Addington and Great Horwood
There are currently 47 parkrun events in Northern Ireland of which I have completed 3. The first Northern Irish event was Waterworks which started on 6th November 2010 and the newest is Claudy Country Park which started on May 16th 2026. The name for having completed all parkrun events in Northern Ireland is “Northern Entireland”.
Two 5k parkrun events in Northern Ireland have been permanently cancelled: Knockbracken Reservoir and Stranmillis College.
Numbers exclude 2k Junior parkruns and any events that are not open to the general public such as prisons or armed forces facilities.
The counties of Antrim and Down jointly have the highest number of parkrun events with 14 each. The full counts are:
15 parkrun events in County Antrim
14 parkrun events in County Down
7 parkrun events in County Derry/Londonderry
6 parkrun events in County Tyrone
3 parkrun events in County Armagh
2 parkrun events in County Fermanagh
Below are each of the Northern Ireland 5k parkrun events in alphabetical order. A few things to note:
The interactive maps below take you to the approximate location for the course, typically the centre of the park. See the course instructions in the parkrun page for each event for specific directions to the start.
Course maps and elevation profiles show the route at the time that I ran it and may have changed since then. See the Course page in the event’s page on parkrun.org.uk for the current course outline. Note that course outlines are from Garmin data during a specific run and may vary from the officially measured distance.
Please contact me if you spot an event that doesn’t have a course map and elevation profile and you would like to donate one from your own run. I’m also interested in maps and elevation profiles for courses that have changed or where there’s a regular alternative route (e.g. Horsham). I’ll need a GPX file from your run plus the date. I’ll include a credit for you and will donate £1 to parkrun.
I have not yet completed this event
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 94
Historic County: Antrim
Inaugural: September 28th 2013
Course Map and Elevation Profile by: Tim McEvoy on May 9th 2026
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I completed this event on: July 15th 2017 with a finish time of: 26:49
Other routes touched: None
Historic County: Armagh
Inaugural: October 12th 2013
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Other routes touched: None
Historic County: Down
Inaugural: March 29th 2014
Course Map and Elevation Profile by: Joel Adcock on February 28th 2026
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Down
Inaugural: May 7th 2011
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Down
Inaugural: September 13th 2025
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Other routes touched: None
Historic County: Antrim
Inaugural: February 1st 2014
Course Map and Elevation Profile by: Joel Adcock on April 26th 2025
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Down
Inaugural: September 23rd 2017
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 96 Causeway Gateway
Historic County: Londonderry
Inaugural: May 17th 2025
Course Map and Elevation Profile by: Joel Adcock on May 17th 2025
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Armagh
Inaugural: August 11th 2012
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Londonderry
Inaugural: May 16th 2026
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Antrim
Inaugural: October 10th 2015
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Other routes touched: None
Historic County: Down
Inaugural: May 31st 2014
Course Map and Elevation Profile by: Joel Adcock on November 29th 2025
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Other routes touched (walk): North Down Coastal Path
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 93
Historic County: Down
Inaugural: February 29th 2020
Course Map and Elevation Profile by: Joel Adcock on March 21st 2026
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Londonderry
Inaugural: January 12th 2013
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Londonderry
Inaugural: February 26th 2022
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Tyrone
Inaugural: August 18th 2018
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Down
Inaugural: March 26th 2022
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Antrim
Inaugural: March 31st 2012
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Fermanagh
Inaugural: April 13th 2013
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Antrim
Inaugural: May 26th 2012
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Londonderry
Inaugural: July 31st 2021
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Down
Inaugural: June 26th 2021
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Tyrone
Inaugural: June 15th 2019
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
***Knockbracken Reservoir parkrun is now permanently cancelled ***
I did not complete this event before it was closed
Historic County: County Down
Inaugural: February 29th 2020. Final event: #189 on June 28th 2025
Reason for cancellation: Organisers couldn't reach a compromise with the landowner, Let's Go Hydro, regarding the use of their private grounds.
Replaced by: Belvoir Forest
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Antrim
Inaugural: November 9th 2013
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Londonderry
Inaugural: March 28th 2015
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Antrim
Inaugural: August 6th 2022
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Fermanagh
Inaugural: September 20th 2025
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Tyrone
Inaugural: May 10th 2025
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Other routes touched: None
Historic County: Armagh
Inaugural: May 10th 2025
Course Map and Elevation Profile by: Joel Adcock on April 4th 2026
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Down
Inaugural: April 13th 2024
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Tyrone
Inaugural: July 26th 2014
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Down
Inaugural: May 31st 2025
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Tyrone
Inaugural: October 17th 2015
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Other routes touched (walk): Connswater Community Greenway
Historic County: Down
Inaugural: August 4th 2018
Course Map and Elevation Profile by: Joel Adcock on January 10th 2026
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I completed this event on: April 30th 2016 with a finish time of: 25:39
Other routes touched (walk): None
Historic County: Down
Inaugural: June 22nd 2013
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Antrim
Inaugural: October 5th 2024
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Tyrone
Inaugural: May 23rd 2026
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Antrim
Inaugural: September 8th 2012
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I completed this event on: May 7th 2016 with a finish time of: 25:37
Other routes touched: None
Historic County: Antrim
Inaugural: February 25th 2012
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Antrim
Inaugural: April 25th 2026
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Down
Inaugural: November 11th 2017
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Antrim
Inaugural: July 20th 2019
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Other routes touched: None
Historic County: Down
Inaugural: August 29th 2015
Course Map and Elevation Profile by: Joel Adcock on February 21st 2026
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
***Stranmillis College parkrun is now permanently cancelled ***
I did not complete this event before it was closed
Historic County: County Antrim
Inaugural: February 2nd 2019. Final event: #54 on March 14th 2020
Reason for cancellation: Due to increasing conflicts with the college's sporting activities, particularly football, meaning the event couldn't safely run when pitches were in use from late summer to mid-February, leading to a mutual decision to stop the weekly run
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Londonderry
Inaugural: May 11th 2024
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Antrim
Inaugural: October 11th 2014
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Antrim
Inaugural: March 9th 2013
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Antrim
Inaugural: November 6th 2010
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
parkruns are free, weekly, community 5k events all around the world. I started in December 2012 and have been obsessive about it ever since. See my parkrun Collection page for details.
Featured and popular parkrun posts:
Deer grazing near the Tamsin Trail
Start & Finish: Various (see notes below)
Distance: 11.5 km (7.1 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 107m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Capital Ring, Beverley Brook Walk
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 4
Pubs / Cafes on route: Various (see notes below)
OS Trig Pillar: TP5674 - Richmond Park
Map: London South Map | Westminster, Greenwich, Croydon, Esher & Twickenham | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 161
Links: Richmond, Richmond Park, Pembroke Lodge, London’s Protected Views
The Tamsin Trail is a shared perimeter cycleway and walking path that traces the outskirts of Richmond Park, closely following the boundary wall. It was originally conceived as a way to reduce off-track cycling and protect the park's delicate grassland and flora from mountain bikers. In this regard, it is considered a highly successful addition to the park, having significantly reduced off-path riding in the vicinity.
Today, it is incredibly popular with walkers, runners, and cyclists. If you happen to be there on a Saturday morning, you will likely spot the local parkrun community using part of the route.
The factual origin of the Tamsin Trail's name is well documented. The trail was under construction for several years before being officially opened in September 1997 by celebrity Jerry Hall and Peter Beckwith. It was named after Tamsin, the daughter of Peter Beckwith, who was the Chairman of The Richmond Park Charitable Trust at the time. It was his significant private donation that funded the creation of the trail.
Despite this clear history, if you chat with some of the park regulars, you might hear a couple of local legends floating around. Some say the path was named after a beloved Labrador called Tamsin who belonged to a local cyclist, while others claim it was named after Tamsin Keys, the wife of a former park ranger. While these stories add a bit of charming folklore to the walk, it is the Beckwith family's generosity we ultimately have to thank for the route.
Because it is a shared path for both cyclists and pedestrians, there have been ongoing concerns and strong views regarding the safety and co-existence of both groups. Over the years, various measures have been taken to manage this: in 2003, the police even conducted a trial specifically to catch speeding cyclists on the trail.
Additionally, near Pembroke Lodge, cyclists using the upper part of the trail would sometimes ride directly down the slope to connect to a newer lower path: this led to the installation of barriers to prevent the descent and limit soil erosion.
The trail is accessible and relatively easy to navigate:
Terrain: The path is largely made of hard-packed crushed limestone and sand. While mostly flat, there are a few undulating sections, particularly the climb up Broomfield Hill near the Robin Hood Gate.
Time Needed: For walking, it is best to allow between 2.5 and 4 hours. This gives you plenty of time to stop for photographs, rest, or grab a coffee. You can also make the walk slightly longer by using some of the smaller paths that hug closer to the boundary. We used some of these for a quieter experience as some of the Trail stays close to the main park roads.
Starting Point: The trail connects all the main gates: Roehampton, Robin Hood, Kingston, Ham, Richmond, and East Sheen. Because of this, you can start your walk from any entrance and simply choose to go clockwise or anti-clockwise.
Walking the Tamsin Trail gives you a great tour of the park's varied landscapes and wildlife. Here are a few highlights to look out for:
Beverley Brook: Just past the Roehampton Gate, the trail crosses a footbridge over this beautiful little river. The name actually comes from the Old English 'Beaver's Ley', meaning a place where beavers live. While you will not see beavers today, the brook is a fantastic spot for wildlife. Keep your eyes peeled: you might spot the bright blue flash of a kingfisher, parakeets in the trees, or even deer cooling off in the shallow water during warmer weather.
The Deer: Richmond Park is famous for its hundreds of free-roaming red and fallow deer. The trail passes many of their favourite grazing spots. Just remember to keep a respectful distance and never feed them.
Pembroke Lodge: Situated on the high ground within the park, this Grade II listed Georgian mansion is a brilliant place to stop. It features beautifully landscaped gardens and a popular cafe. The lodge has a rich history, having once been the home of Prime Minister Lord John Russell, and its elevated position offers sweeping, panoramic views over the Thames Valley.
King Henry's Mound and the OS Trig Pillar: Located just north of Pembroke Lodge, King Henry's Mound is a prehistoric burial chamber that provides an incredible vantage point. If you look through the trees, you can see a specially protected, framed view of St Paul's Cathedral. Just a stone's throw from the mound, between the footpath and the road, you will also spot an Ordnance Survey trig pillar. These historic concrete pillars were part of the vast retriangulation network used to map Great Britain, and this specific one sits at an elevation of 56 metres above sea level.
Refreshments: You will not be short of places to stop. There are cafes, toilets, and water fountains at both Roehampton Gate and Pembroke Lodge, along with various refreshment kiosks located around the park.
Richmond Park is highly accessible, whether you are arriving by public transport or driving.
By Public Transport:
Train & Tube: The closest mainline stations are Richmond and North Sheen to the north of the park, and Norbiton to the south. You can also catch the District Line directly to Richmond Station. From these stations, it is roughly a 15 to 25-minute walk to the nearest park gate, or you can hop on a local bus.
Bus: Several bus routes serve the park's perimeter. The 85 and K3 stop near Ladderstile Gate on Kingston Hill, the 65 stops near Ham Gate Avenue, and the 371 stops near Ham Village.
Free Park Minibus: If you are visiting on a Monday, Wednesday, or Friday between March and November, you can take advantage of the free, volunteer-run RP1 minibus. It is fully accessible for wheelchair users and loops between all the car parks and main gates.
By Car (Gates, Car Parks, and Facilities): If you are driving, the park has several main vehicle gates with car parks. Since the Tamsin Trail is a loop, you can park at any of these and start your walk immediately. Here is a breakdown of the main car parks and their facilities:
Roehampton Gate: Car park, Roehampton Gate Café (which includes an ice cream parlour), and toilets.
Pembroke Lodge: Car park, a fantastic café (perfect for a classic cream tea), and toilets. This is located close to Richmond Gate.
Kingston Gate: Car park, a refreshment kiosk, and toilets.
Sheen Gate: Car park and toilets.
Robin Hood Gate: Car park and toilets.
Internal Car Parks: If the gate car parks are busy, there are also internal car parks at Pen Ponds (with a kiosk) and Broomfield Hill (with a kiosk). There is also a dedicated disabled visitors' car park at Isabella Plantation, which has accessible toilets.
Note: Parking in the Royal Parks is free, but it can fill up very quickly on weekends and bank holidays. There is a 20p contactless charge to use the public toilets.
Whether you are looking for a brisk weekend walk or a leisurely stroll to take in the wildlife, the Tamsin Trail is a fantastic choice. It is a wonderful reminder of the beautiful places we have access to right outside our doors, full of history and nature that is just waiting to be explored.
There are currently 13 parkrun events in the present-day county of Leicestershire of which I have not yet completed any. The first was Braunstone, which started on 25th September 2010, and the newest is Sence Valley Forest Park, which started on 23rd September 2023. The name for having completed all parkrun events in the county is “Flaw-Leics”.
The location of the Market Harborough event was in the historic county of Northamptonshire but is now in present-day Leicestershire.
Numbers exclude 2k Junior parkruns and any events that are not open to the general public such as prisons or armed forces facilities.
Below are each of the Leicestershire 5k parkrun events in alphabetical order. A few things to note:
The interactive maps below take you to the approximate location for the course, typically the centre of the park. See the course instructions in the parkrun page for each event for specific directions to the start.
Course maps and elevation profiles show the route at the time that I ran it and may have changed since then. See the Course page in the event’s page on parkrun.org.uk for the current course outline. Note that course outlines are from Garmin data during a specific run and may vary from the officially measured distance.
Please contact me if you spot an event that doesn’t have a course map and elevation profile and you would like to donate one from your own run. I’m also interested in maps and elevation profiles for courses that have changed or where there’s regular alternative route (e.g. Horsham). I’ll need a GPX file from your run plus the date. I’ll include a credit for you and will donate £1 to parkrun.
I have not yet completed this event
Inaugural: 15th April 2023
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Inaugural: 25th February 2023
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Inaugural: 15th January 2022
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Inaugural: 25th September 2010
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Inaugural: 16th April 2011
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Inaugural: 28th July 2018
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Inaugural: 26th March 2022
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Inaugural: 14th November 2015
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Inaugural: December 17th 2022
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Inaugural: April 25th 2015
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Inaugural: 10th January 2015
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Inaugural: 23rd September 2023
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Inaugural: 25th September 2021
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
parkruns are free, weekly, community 5k events all around the world. I started in December 2012 and have been obsessive about it ever since. See my parkrun Collection page for details.
Featured and popular parkrun posts:
View over Quainton from the Quainton Beacon
Start & Finish: George and Dragon pub, 32 The Green, Quainton, Aylesbury HP22 4AR
Distance: 13.2 km (8.2 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 144m
Terrain: The route predominantly follows public bridleways and quiet country lanes, with some muddy sections likely after heavy rain.
Midshires Way section covered: Quainton to East Claydon: 6.7 km
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Midshires Way, The Swan Way, North Bucks Way, Outer Aylesbury Ring, Bernwood Jubilee Way
Other routes touched (cycle): None
Pubs / Cafes on route: The George & Dragon, Quainton (at the start and end), Cafe at Hogshaw Farm and Wildlife Park (just off route at 9.7 km in)
OS Trig Pillar: TP5550 - Quainton Resr
Map: Buckingham & Milton Keynes Map | Leighton Buzzard & Woburn | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 192
Links: Quainton, East Claydon, Botolph Claydon
This is part of a series of short circular walks following the length of the Midshires Way in Buckinghamshire. The Midshires Way is a 225-mile (362 km) trail that journeys through the rural heart of Middle England, linking the Ridgeway National Trail at Bledlow in the south to the Trans Pennine Trail at Stockport in the north. Opened in 1994, this route traverses several counties, including Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, and Greater Manchester, following a scenic tapestry of ancient bridleways, quiet country lanes, and historic canals. In Buckinghamshire, the Midshires Way has a significant connection with the Swan's Way (often referred to as the Swan Way), a 65-mile long-distance bridleway. Essentially, the Swan's Way forms the backbone of the Buckinghamshire section of the Midshires Way, with the two routes being broadly coincident for approximately 50 miles between Salcey Forest and Bledlow. While the Swan's Way strictly adheres to bridleways to accommodate horse riders and cyclists, the Midshires Way sometimes offers alternative waymarked footpaths for walkers to avoid on-road sections.
This section of the Midshires Way offers a fantastic circular route through the heart of the Buckinghamshire countryside. Starting in the village of Quainton, the path almost immediately asks you to conquer Quainton Hill, where the elevation climbs from 98 metres to over 180 metres. It is a steady ascent that rewards walkers with sweeping views of the surrounding area before the path levels out and begins a gentle descent.
The guidance below will help you navigate but don’t use it as a fully accurate turn-by-turn guide. Always take a map and/or a GPX route and prepare well for the weather and terrain.
Begin your walk at the village green in Quainton outside the George and Dragon Pub.
Follow The Green in a north-easterly direction then take a right onto Church Street then take the footpath on the left to ascend Quainton Hill.
The Midshires Way ascends along the side of the hill where Quainton Beacon stands. It’s well worth taking a small diversion to the Beacon for the views to the south over Quainton Village and across the Vale to the Waddesdon Estate.
As you continue to climb Quainton hill in a north / north-easterly direction you’ll see the large transmitter mast and reservoir on your right. If you want to bag the OS Trig Pillar you can divert off the Midshires along a farm track to the reservoir. The Trig Pillar is on top of the reservoir and surrounded by a high fence so you can get within a few metres of it but not touch it. Follow the footpath that runs alongside the western edge of the reservoir until you rejoin the Midshires Way.
Once you pass the summit of Conduit Hill (just north of Quainton Hill) descend in a north-easterly direction following the Midshires Way. Note that this splits here from the Outer Aylesbury Ring which follows the more obvious route of the treeline. The Midshires Way is not obvious here so you’ll either need a GPX file or good compass skills to keep on track.
When you reach Hogshaw Road take a left to follow it for 400m then take a right to follow the footpath through fields in a north-westerly direction to Church Way in East Claydon.
Take a left off Church Way towards the entrance of St Mary’s Church. Follow the footpath in a south-westerly direction to join St Mary’s Road.
Follow St Mary’s Road in southerly direction, joining Botyl Road as it passes through Botolph Claydon. Cross over the junction with Orchard Way onto Weir Lane and continue walking in a southerly direction.
When you reach the farm buildings at the end of Weir Lane continue south across farmland and across the old Bernwood Farm Airstrip (now not visible)
When you reach the back of Hogshaw Farm and Wildlife Park you can either continue on the path through to Claydon Road or take a small diversion into the farm to reach the cafe. This is the only place to get food and drink on the route until you are back at Quainton.
Cross over Claydon Road and follow the driveway towards Hill Cottage Farm, taking the footpath on the right before the farm buildings.
Continue to follow the footpath through fields until you reach Upper Street in Quainton. Take a left onto Upper Street and follow it back to the start at The Green.
Quainton’s Village Heritage The walk begins and ends in the picturesque village of Quainton, dominated by the magnificent Quainton Windmill. Built in 1830, this towering six-storey working mill remains the tallest in Buckinghamshire and stands as a stunning monument to 19th-century agricultural engineering. Just below the turning sails sits The George & Dragon, a historic free house on the village green dating back to 1777, offering a quintessential village pub experience. As you ascend out of the village, you pass the Quainton Beacon atop Mill Hill—a ceremonial site recently lit for Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee, which offers elevated, sweeping views over the Waddesdon Estate.
East Claydon: This historic Buckinghamshire village has Anglo Saxon origins, with its name deriving from the Old English term for a clay hill. The settlement is home to the parish church of St Mary, which features a 14th century chancel and was partially rebuilt following the English Civil War. It provides a picturesque and culturally rich backdrop as you navigate the local countryside.
Botolph Claydon: A historic Buckinghamshire village that is home to a community-run bar. It would be a perfect mid-walk rest stop if it opened during the day. At time of writing the bar only opens in the evenings.
Conservation and Countryside The return leg of the journey crosses a diverse blend of agricultural land and dedicated conservation areas. The route crosses the old unpaved Bernwood Farm Airstrip, a subtle nod to local civil aviation that has been active since the 2000s. Just beyond lies Hogshaw Farm and Wildlife Park, set within 44 acres of open countryside. Dedicated to protecting rare breeds and local natural habitats, this environmentally conscious farm is a haven for European wildlife and a perfect refreshment stop for walkers exploring the local nature trails.
Midshires Way previous section (south): Waddesdon and Quainton Road
Midshires Way next section (north): Verney Junction and Winslow
There are currently 61 parkrun events in Wales of which I have completed 5. The first Welsh event was Cardiff which started on February 16th 2008 and the newest is Llwybr Dyffryn Tywi, Nantgaredig which started on April 11th 2026. The name for having completed all parkrun events in Wales is “Plugged The Leek”.
Severn Bridge parkrun’s start and end are in Monmouthshire, Wales. However the course extends into Gloucestershire, England.
Three 5k parkrun events in Wales have been permanently cancelled: Bodelwyddan Castle, Caldicot and Llanelli Coast. Each has been replaced by other nearby events.
Numbers exclude 2k Junior parkruns and any events that are not open to the general public such as prisons or armed forces facilities.
If you’re exploring Welsh geography, the county names can feel a little tangled. Wales has layers of counties: some ancient, some administrative, some ceremonial, and they don’t all line up neatly. Here’s a clear guide to how the historic and preserved counties fit together.
The historic counties, with names like Glamorgan, Pembrokeshire, and Denbighshire, date back to the 16th century, when the Laws in Wales Acts (1535–1542) established them as the framework for local government, justice, and taxation.
They no longer have any official administrative role, but they remain deeply woven into Welsh life. People still use them for cultural identity, local geography, sporting organisations, and heritage. In many ways, these counties are the mental map that Wales still lives by.
The preserved counties are much more recent. They are based on the administrative counties created in 1974, when Wales underwent a major reorganisation of local government. Those 1974 counties, such as Dyfed, Gwent, and Clwyd, ran local services until 1996.
In 1996, another restructuring replaced them with today’s 22 principal areas. At the same time, the preserved counties were formally created to keep the old 1974 boundaries alive for ceremonial purposes.
Today, their role is narrow but important: they define the areas served by the Lord-Lieutenants and High Sheriffs of Wales. Beyond that, they don’t influence local government or everyday administration.
Glamorgan is the Welsh historic county with the most events at 19. Montgomeryshire has the least with 1 event.
Gwent is the Welsh preserved county with the most parkrun events at 12. Powys has the least with 4 events.
Cardiff and Gwynedd are the principal areas with the most parkrun events at 5 each. Merthyr Tydfil and Wrexham have the least with 1 each
Below are each of the Welsh parkrun events in alphabetical order. A few things to note:
The interactive maps below take you to the approximate location for the course, typically the centre of the park. See the course instructions in the parkrun page for each event for specific directions to the start.
Course maps and elevation profiles show the route at the time that I ran it and may have changed since then. See the Course page in the event’s page on parkrun.org.uk for the current course outline. Note that course outlines are from Garmin data during a specific run and may vary from the officially measured distance.
Please contact me If you spot an event that doesn’t have a course map and elevation profile and you would like to donate one from your own run. I’m also interested in maps and elevation profiles for courses that have changed or where there’s a regular alternative route (e.g. Horsham). I’ll need a GPX file from your run plus the date. I’ll include a credit for you and will donate £1 to parkrun.
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Monmouthshire
Preserved County: Gwent
Principal Area: Blaenau Gwent
Inaugural: November 3rd 2018
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Glamorgan
Preserved County: Mid Glamorgan
Principal Area: Rhondda Cynon Taf
Inaugural: June 9th 2018
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Glamorgan
Preserved County: Mid Glamorgan
Principal Area: Bridgend
Inaugural: August 19th 2023
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I completed this event on: August 15th 2015 with a finish time of: 24:42
Other routes touched: None
Historic County: Cardiganshire
Preserved County: Dyfed
Principal Area: Ceredigion
Inaugural: September 1st 2012
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Glamorgan
Preserved County: South Glamorgan
Principal Area: Vale of Glamorgan
Inaugural: May 2nd 2015
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
***Bodelwyddan Castle parkrun is now permanently cancelled ***
I did not complete this event before it was closed
Historic County: Flintshire
Preserved County: Clwyd
Principal Area: Denbighshire
Inaugural: August 18th 2018. Final event: #35 on June 29th 2019
Reason for cancellation: Closure of the castle and grounds to the public.
Replaced by: Nova Prestatyn (maybe not officially but many of the core team moved there)
Links: Event Home Page, Wikipedia
I completed this event on: April 4th 2015 with a finish time of: 25:12
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 46, 467
Historic County: Monmouthshire
Preserved County: Gwent
Principal Area: Blaenau Gwent
Inaugural: July 21st 2012
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Carmarthenshire
Preserved County: Dyfed
Principal Area: Carmarthenshire
Inaugural: September 21st 2019
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
***Caldicot parkrun is now permanently cancelled ***
I did not complete this event before it was closed
Historic County: Monmouthshire
Preserved County: Gwent
Principal Area: Monmouthshire
Inaugural: July 29th 2017. Final event: #7 on October 14th 2017
Reason for cancellation: Suspended due to railway works.
Replaced by: Rogiet
Links: Event Home Page
I completed this event on: August 19th 2023 with a finish time of: 27:12
Other routes touched (walk): Cambrian Way, Taff Trail
Other routes touched (cycle): Lôn Las Cymru (NCN 8)
Historic County: Glamorgan
Preserved County: South Glamorgan
Principal Area: Cardiff
Inaugural: February 16th 2008
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Monmouthshire
Preserved County: Gwent
Principal Area: Monmouthshire
Inaugural: July 16th 2022
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Glamorgan
Preserved County: Gwent
Principal Area: Caerphilly
Inaugural: September 24th 2022
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Pembrokeshire
Preserved County: Dyfed
Principal Area: Pembrokeshire
Inaugural: August 30th 2014
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Caernarfonshire
Preserved County: Clwyd
Principal Area: Conwy
Inaugural: January 10th 2015
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Glamorgan
Preserved County: South Glamorgan
Principal Area: Vale of Glamorgan
Inaugural: March 7th 2020
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Monmouthshire
Preserved County: Gwent
Principal Area: Torfaen
Inaugural: June 18th 2016
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Glamorgan
Preserved County: West Glamorgan
Principal Area: Neath Port Talbot
Inaugural: April 27th 2024
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I completed this event on: June 22nd 2019 with a finish time of: 24:53
Other routes touched (cycle): Lôn Las Cymru (NCN 8)
Other routes touched (walk): Mawddach Trail
Historic County: Merionethshire
Preserved County: Gwynedd
Principal Area: Gwynedd
Inaugural: February 13th 2016
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Denbighshire
Preserved County: Clwyd
Principal Area: Wrexham
Inaugural: May 14th 2016
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Flintshire
Preserved County: Clwyd
Principal Area: Flintshire
Inaugural: January 10th 2026
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Glamorgan
Preserved County: West Glamorgan
Principal Area: Neath Port Talbot
Inaugural: September 5th 2015
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Glamorgan
Preserved County: South Glamorgan
Principal Area: Cardiff
Inaugural: October 31st 2015
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Denbighshire
Preserved County: Clwyd
Principal Area: Flintshire
Inaugural: March 14th 2020
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Brecknockshire
Preserved County: Powys
Principal Area: Powys
Inaugural: March 2nd 2019
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Caernarfonshire
Preserved County: Gwynedd
Principal Area: Gwynedd
Inaugural: February 16th 2019
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Other routes touched (cycle): N/A, although NCN 4 runs past the southern edge of the course
Historic County: Pembrokeshire
Preserved County: Dyfed
Principal Area: Pembrokeshire
Inaugural: September 23rd 2017
This event is part of the Compass Club challenge
Course Map and Elevation Profile by: Mark Brace on August 27th 2022
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
***Llanelli Coast parkrun is now permanently cancelled ***
I did not complete this event before it was closed
Historic County: Carmarthenshire
Preserved County: Dyfed
Principal Area: Carmarthenshire
Inaugural: November 19th 2016. Final event: #161 on March 7th 2020
Reason for cancellation: Not due to a single event, but rather its operations shifted to become the nearby Sandy Water parkrun, though the original site faced issues like flooding and changing conditions over time.
Replaced by: Sandy Water
Links: Event Home Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Cardiganshire
Preserved County: Dyfed
Principal Area: Ceredigion
Inaugural: January 6th 2018
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Monmouthshire
Preserved County: Gwent
Principal Area: Monmouthshire
Inaugural: November 22nd 2025
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Glamorgan
Preserved County: South Glamorgan
Principal Area: Cardiff
Inaugural: June 18th 2022
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Carmarthenshire
Preserved County: Dyfed
Principal Area: Carmarthenshire
Inaugural: April 11th 2026
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Carmarthenshire
Preserved County: Dyfed
Principal Area: Carmarthenshire
Inaugural: July 13th 2013
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Glamorgan
Preserved County: Mid Glamorgan
Principal Area: Bridgend
Inaugural: May 25th 2019
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Glamorgan
Preserved County: Mid Glamorgan
Principal Area: Merthyr Tydfil
Inaugural: April 22nd 2017
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Pembrokeshire
Preserved County: Dyfed
Principal Area: Pembrokeshire
Inaugural: September 7th 2019
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Anglesey
Preserved County: Gwynedd
Principal Area: Isle of Anglesey
Inaugural: August 25th 2018
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Anglesey
Preserved County: Gwynedd
Principal Area: Isle of Anglesey
Inaugural: June 23rd 2018
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Monmouthshire
Preserved County: Gwent
Principal Area: Newport
Inaugural: March 26th 2011
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Montgomeryshire
Preserved County: Powys
Principal Area: Powys
Inaugural: October 24th 2015
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Flintshire
Preserved County: Clwyd
Principal Area: Denbighshire
Inaugural: December 7th 2019
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Denbighshire
Preserved County: Clwyd
Principal Area: Denbighshire
Inaugural: June 17th 2023
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Glamorgan
Preserved County: West Glamorgan
Principal Area: Swansea
Inaugural: June 7th 2025
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Carmarthenshire
Preserved County: Dyfed
Principal Area: Carmarthenshire
Inaugural: November 29th 2025
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Flintshire
Preserved County: Clwyd
Principal Area: Flintshire
Inaugural: May 3rd 2025
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Glamorgan
Preserved County: Gwent
Principal Area: Caerphilly
Inaugural: July 25th 2015
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Caernarfonshire
Preserved County: Gwynedd
Principal Area: Gwynedd
Inaugural: November 15th 2014
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Merionethshire
Preserved County: Gwynedd
Principal Area: Gwynedd
Inaugural: April 13th 2019
The event is part of The Full Ponty challenge
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Monmouthshire
Preserved County: Gwent
Principal Area: Torfaen
Inaugural: November 23rd 2013
The event is part of The Full Ponty challenge
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Glamorgan
Preserved County: Mid Glamorgan
Principal Area: Rhondda Cynon Taf
Inaugural: October 12th 2013
The event is part of The Full Ponty challenge
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Glamorgan
Preserved County: Mid Glamorgan
Principal Area: Bridgend
Inaugural: April 6th 2013
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Monmouthshire
Preserved County: Gwent
Principal Area: Newport
Inaugural: January 21st 2017
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Brecknockshire
Preserved County: Powys
Principal Area: Powys
Inaugural: November 28th 2023
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Monmouthshire
Preserved County: Gwent
Principal Area: Monmouthshire
Inaugural: October 21st 2017
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Denbighshire
Preserved County: Clwyd
Principal Area: Denbighshire
Inaugural: May 28th 2022
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Carmarthenshire
Preserved County: Dyfed
Principal Area: Carmarthenshire
Inaugural: August 21st 2021
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I completed this event on: November 3rd 2018 with a finish time of: 28:14
Other routes touched (walk): Wales Coast Path
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 4
Historic County: Monmouthshire
Preserved County: Gwent
Principal Area: Monmouthshire
Inaugural: August 11th 2018
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Glamorgan
Preserved County: West Glamorgan
Principal Area: Swansea
Inaugural: October 24th 2015
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Cardiganshire
Preserved County: Dyfed
Principal Area: Pembrokeshire
Inaugural: July 22nd 2023
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Glamorgan
Preserved County: South Glamorgan
Principal Area: Cardiff
Inaugural: March 7th 2020
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Glamorgan
Preserved County: South Glamorgan
Principal Area: Cardiff
Inaugural: October 26th 2019
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Flintshire
Preserved County: Clwyd
Principal Area: Flintshire
Inaugural: May 14th 2016
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Brecknockshire
Preserved County: Powys
Principal Area: Powys
Inaugural: June 1st 2024
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Merionethshire
Preserved County: Gwynedd
Principal Area: Gwynedd
Inaugural: June 13th 2024
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Denbighshire
Preserved County: Clwyd
Principal Area: Conwy
Inaugural: November 29th 2025
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
parkruns are free, weekly, community 5k events all around the world. I started in December 2012 and have been obsessive about it ever since. See my parkrun Collection page for details.
Featured and popular parkrun posts:
Welcome to London Outdoors. London might be a busy city, but it is also packed with incredible green spaces and trails. This page is a collection of my outdoor adventures across the capital: whether I am heading out for a long walk, exploring new cycling routes, or lacing up my trainers for a local parkrun. Have a look through the index below to find all my posts about getting outside in the city.
Comment below or contact me if you have any questions, suggestions for improvement or if you spot any errors in any of the posts. I’ll donate £ to one of the outdoor causes that i support for any correction made.
This section brings together some of my most memorable urban explorations. It includes the fascinating history behind London's Coal Duty Posts and the challenge of navigating the historic City of London boundary.
You can also find my journeys tracing the Roman London Wall and my comprehensive treks around the London Loop and Capital Ring. These routes offer a fantastic mix of history and scenery: showcasing the diverse places that make the capital so unique.
Exploring on foot is one of the best ways to uncover the hidden details of the capital. This section brings together a variety of walking routes across the city, from short urban strolls through central neighbourhoods to much longer trails connecting the outer boroughs.
It is not just about the distance covered, either: these walks also take in a wide variety of fascinating places. Whether your route passes by historic National Trust properties, takes in the Royal Parks or other green spaces, these posts will guide you through the diverse landmarks that make navigating the city so rewarding.
Scroll down for a separate section on walks along London’s Waterways.
For those who like a good view or a geographical challenge, this collection focuses on the highest spots across the city. From standing at the specific peaks of every London Borough to tracking down Greater London OS Trig Pillars, there is plenty of elevation to seek out.
Whether you are aiming for the Middlesex County Top at Bushey Heath or uncovering the City of London High Point at High Holborn, these posts will guide you to the summits hidden within the urban landscape.
London is defined by its waterways, and walking their paths reveals a calmer side to the busy city. This section covers relaxing strolls along the River Wandle Trail and the River Brent Path, as well as tracing the fascinating historic route of the River Fleet.
If you prefer towpaths, you will also find my guides to navigating the Regent's Canal, the Limehouse Cut, and the Hertford Union Canal. These waterside routes are brilliant environments to explore at your own pace.
Public transport networks offer some surprising opportunities for outdoor adventures. Here you can read about tracking the Elizabeth Line stations above ground and the physical challenge of running the entire Circle Line.
It is not just about active lines, either: this section also explores historic transport routes transformed into nature trails, including the Parkland Walk near Alexandra Palace and the disused railway from Uxbridge to Denham.
Saturday mornings are often dedicated to parkrun, and this category is a dedicated hub for achieving the coveted 'LonDone' status. It details my experiences visiting events across Greater London and completing all the Middlesex courses.
For anyone else chasing the ultimate tourism goals, I have also included guides on transport connections and venturing into the extended challenges of LonDone + and LonDone ++.
Getting on the bike is one of the best ways to cover longer distances across the city's green spaces. These posts highlight dedicated cycling routes, including the vast orbital circuits of the London Loop and Capital Ring.
You can also follow my two-wheeled adventures along the River Crane and the River Ash: offering peaceful cycling alternatives away from the busy main roads.
For those looking to stretch their legs on longer rides, these routes connect the capital to the wider landscape. You will find journeys along the Grand Union Canal and the River Lea, offering straightforward navigation right into the heart of the city.
The collection also features epic rides tracking the Prime Meridian, following the historic Semaphore Line from Portsmouth, and riding out to the coast along the Thames Estuary to Margate.
When: March 15th 2026
Where: Ramsbury Brewery & Distillery Ltd, Stockclose Farm, Marlborough SN8 2NN
Organiser: Racing Line Running
Distance: 10 km
Elevation: +/- 223m
Course: Start and finish by the Brewery. 7 km big loop of country lanes and farmland connected by a 1.5km out and back to the brewery.
Other routes touched: The Ridgeway
Finish time: 63 minutes, 08 seconds
Approaching the Waddesdon Estate from the north-west on the Brill Tramway Walk
*** Note that at the time of writing in March 2026, this route is not possible to complete due to the HS2 works running through the centre. Please check the status of the HS2 work before attempting this route. Scroll down to see our alternative route that avoids the works ***
Start & Finish: Waddesdon Manor Car Park, Waddesdon, Aylesbury, HP18 0JE
Distance: 11.9 km (7.4 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 96m
Terrain: A mixture of paved surfaces, grassy footpaths, and countryside tracks with rolling elevations.
Midshires Way section covered: Waddesdon to Quainton: 4.5 km
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Midshires Way, The Swan Way, North Bucks Way, Aylesbury Ring, Windmill Hill at Waddesdon, Bernwood Jubilee Way, Brill Tramway Walk
Other routes touched (cycle): National Bridleway, Waddesdon Greenway
Pubs / Cafes on route: The Five Arrows, The Bow, The Lion, all near the start and finish at Waddesdon. The George & Dragon, Quainton (4.8 km in)
Maps:
- Chiltern Hills North Map | Aylesbury, Berkhamsted & Chesham | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 181
- Buckingham & Milton Keynes Map | Leighton Buzzard & Woburn | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 192
Links: Waddesdon Manor, Waddesdon National Trust, Waddesdon, Quainton, Quainton Road railway station
This is part of a series of short circular walks following the length of the Midshires Way in Buckinghamshire. The Midshires Way is a 225-mile (362 km) trail that journeys through the rural heart of Middle England, linking the Ridgeway National Trail at Bledlow in the south to the Trans Pennine Trail at Stockport in the north. Opened in 1994, this route traverses several counties, including Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, and Greater Manchester, following a scenic tapestry of ancient bridleways, quiet country lanes, and historic canals. In Buckinghamshire, the Midshires Way has a significant connection with the Swan's Way (often referred to as the Swan Way), a 65-mile long-distance bridleway. Essentially, the Swan's Way forms the backbone of the Buckinghamshire section of the Midshires Way, with the two routes being broadly coincident for approximately 50 miles between Salcey Forest and Bledlow. While the Swan's Way strictly adheres to bridleways to accommodate horse riders and cyclists, the Midshires Way sometimes offers alternative waymarked footpaths for walkers to avoid on-road sections.
This circular route offers a brilliant way to explore the Buckinghamshire countryside, taking you from the historic village of Waddesdon up towards Quainton and back. It is a lovely walk to enjoy on a weekend, whether you are looking for a relaxed hike or trying to build up your stamina for your local parkrun. The views across the Vale of Aylesbury are fantastic, making it a highly rewarding loop for walkers of all abilities.
The path itself is beautifully varied, combining well-trodden tracks with slightly more elevated sections that give you a great perspective of the surrounding landscape. You will wander past some iconic local spots and enjoy the fresh air without feeling like you are on a gruelling expedition. It is simply a great way to spend a few hours outdoors with friends or family.
The guidance below will help you navigate but don’t use it as a fully accurate turn-by-turn guide. Always take a map and/or a GPX route and prepare well for the weather and terrain.
Start at the main Waddesdon Manor car park and take the path through it in an easterly direction.
When you reach the junction with Midshires Way / Aylesbury Ring take a left and follow the Midshires Way / Aylesbury Ring. It will meander through the edge of the Waddesdon Estate, alongside the overflow car park and onto Goss Avenue. At the end of Goss Avenue turn left onto the A41.
Take a right onto Little Britain (road) and follow it as it leads onto a footpath between garden fences and out into open fields.
Continue walking north along the Midshires Way until you reach The Strand (road) at Quainton. Take a left onto The Strand. Here is a good place to stop for a mid-point rest at The George and Dragon pub.
Take a left off The Strand / Lower Road onto Station Road and follow it in a southerly direction for 3.1 km until you reach the A41. Along the way you'll pass the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre at the Old Quainton Road Station. After the station you'll be following the route of the old Brill Tramway.
Cross over the A41 and continue to follow the Brill Tramway Walk through fields and into the Waddesdon Manor Estate. Once into the estate take a right to follow the road back to the Visitor Centre and car park where you started.
Waddesdon Manor: Built between 1874 and 1889 for Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild, this striking French Renaissance-style château is a spectacular place to visit. Beyond its impressive architecture, the manicured grounds and meticulously designed parterre showcase Victorian horticultural excellence, occasionally hosting vibrant light festivals that illuminate the Buckinghamshire night.
Quainton Windmill: Dominating the picturesque village green, this towering six-storey working windmill was built in 1830 and remains the tallest in Buckinghamshire. Carefully restored by dedicated volunteers, it stands as a testament to the region's agricultural heritage, offering visitors a fascinating glimpse into 19th-century milling practices.
Quainton Road Railway Station: Opened in 1899 and closed to passengers in 1936. A nostalgic stop that once served the far reaches of the Metropolitan Line, this historic station is now a beautifully preserved heritage site. It forms a central part of the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre, where the legacy of the old Brill Tramway and the golden age of steam travel are kept alive for modern enthusiasts.
The George & Dragon: Situated right on the village green in Quainton, this historic pub believed to date from 1777. It provides a quintessential village experience and a fantastic spot to grab a hearty bite to eat or a refreshing drink whilst enjoying uninterrupted views of the nearby windmill turning in the breeze.
We attempted this route in March 2026 but had to replan it on the fly when we couldn't get much further north than Waddesdon. The HS2 line runs right through the middle of the route between Waddesdon and Quainton and there was no practical route through the construction works. Instead we followed Quainton Road from Waddesdon High Street until the junction of Station Road, then took a left to rejoin the original route following the Brill Tramway Walk towards the Waddesdon Estate. As the walk was slightly shorter than planned we spent some time exploring the Waddesdon Manor grounds. Allow an extra 3 km on top of the walk route distance to explore the Waddesdon grounds.
Start & Finish: Waddesdon Manor Car Park, Waddesdon, Aylesbury, HP18 0JE
Distance: 9.7 km (6 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 81m
Midshires Way section covered: Waddesdon Manor to Little Britain (road): 1.4 km
Midshires Way previous section (south): Waddesdon and Eythrope
Midshires Way next section (north): Quainton and Boltoph Clayton
The parkrun Regionnaire status used to be a major part of parkrun tourism. Changes in the parkrun website in 2019 removed the regions making it harder to track completion status. All is not lost though as here’s the complete parkrun guide to what’s in and what’s out of the counties of East of England.
The East of England is a diverse and low-lying region of the UK, situated to the north and east of London, with which it shares a significant economic and commuter relationship. The region is composed of six ceremonial counties: Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk, and Suffolk. Geographically, the East of England is characterised by its remarkably flat topography and vast open skies, most notably across the Fens: a reclaimed marshland spanning parts of Cambridgeshire and Norfolk. It contains the unique inland waterways of the Broads National Park (predominantly in Norfolk and Suffolk) and the ancient, sandy heathlands of Breckland. Coastal features are varied, ranging from the expansive salt marshes and bird reserves of the North Norfolk Coast to the iconic pier at Southend-on-Sea and the crumbling soft-rock cliffs of the Suffolk shoreline.
There are currently 110 parkrun events in the present-day counties of the East of England region. The Historic Counties, prior to the various boundary changes had a further 10 events which are now part of Greater London.
Numbers of event above exclude prison parkruns and permanently cancelled events.
3 Cambridgeshire events were in Historic Huntingdonshire: Ferry Meadows, Huntingdon, Pocket.
Gorleston Cliffs was part of Historic Suffolk and is now part of present-day Norfolk.
Parts of Historic Essex and Hertfordshire are now part of Greater London. See the individual pages for those counties for the list of which events are now part of Greater London.
Click on each of the images below to go to the page with details of the parkrun events for the county.
parkruns are free, weekly, community 5k events all around the world. I started in December 2012 and have been obsessive about it ever since. See my parkrun Collection page for details.
Featured and popular parkrun posts:
There are currently 16 parkrun events in the present-day county of Cambridgeshire. The first was Milton Country parkrun which started on 30th January 2010 and the newest is Frank’s Farm parkrun which started on 15th November 2025. The name for having completed all parkrun events in the county is Camb-which or Cambridge Don(e).
Three events were in the Historic County of Huntingdonshire: Ferry Meadows, Huntingdon and Pocket. The name for having completed all parkrun events in Huntingdonshire is Huntingdone
There is one permanently cancelled event, Storeys Field which was replaced by Brook Leys.
Numbers exclude any events that are not open to the general public such as prisons or armed forces facilities.
Below are each of the Cambridgeshire 5k parkrun events in alphabetical order. A few things to note:
The interactive maps below take you to the approximate location for the course, typically the centre of the park. See the course instructions in the parkrun page for each event for specific directions to the start.
Course maps and elevation profiles show the route at the time that I ran it and may have changed since then. See the Course page in the event’s page on parkrun.org.uk for the current course outline. Note that course outlines are from Garmin data during a specific run and may vary from the officially measured distance.
Please contact me if you spot an event that doesn’t have a course map and elevation profile and you would like to donate one from your own run. I’m also interested in maps and elevation profiles for courses that have changed or where there’s regular alternative route (e.g. Horsham). I’ll need a GPX file from your run plus the date. I’ll include a credit for you and will donate £1 to parkrun.
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Cambridgeshire. Ceremonial County: Cambridgeshire.
Inaugural: 5th April 2025
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Cambridgeshire. Ceremonial County: Cambridgeshire.
Inaugural: 6th September 2025
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Cambridgeshire. Ceremonial County: Cambridgeshire.
Inaugural: 15th June 2024
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Cambridgeshire. Ceremonial County: Cambridgeshire.
Inaugural: 29th September 2018
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Huntingdonshire. Ceremonial County: Cambridgeshire.
Inaugural: 3rd August 2013
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Cambridgeshire. Ceremonial County: Cambridgeshire.
Inaugural: 15th November 2025
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Cambridgeshire. Ceremonial County: Cambridgeshire.
Inaugural: 7th December 2019
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Huntingdonshire. Ceremonial County: Cambridgeshire.
Inaugural: 13th April 2013
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Cambridgeshire. Ceremonial County: Cambridgeshire.
Inaugural: 23rd June 2018
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Cambridgeshire. Ceremonial County: Cambridgeshire.
Inaugural: 8th September 2018
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Cambridgeshire. Ceremonial County: Cambridgeshire.
Inaugural: 23rd January 2016
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Cambridgeshire. Ceremonial County: Cambridgeshire.
Inaugural: 30th January 2010
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Huntingdonshire. Ceremonial County: Cambridgeshire.
Inaugural: 16th June 2018
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Cambridgeshire. Ceremonial County: Cambridgeshire.
Inaugural: 23rd November 2019
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
This parkrun event has been permanently cancelled.
I completed this event on: July 15th 2023 with a finish time of: 27:07
Historic County: Cambridgeshire. Ceremonial County: Cambridgeshire.
Inaugural: July 31st 2021. Final event: #206 on August 30th 2025
Reason for cancellation: A new road was built directly through its course in the Eddington development, making the route unsafe and unviable.
Replaced by: Brook Leys
Links: Event Home Page, Course page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Cambridgeshire. Ceremonial County: Cambridgeshire.
Inaugural: 12th January 2013
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Cambridgeshire. Ceremonial County: Cambridgeshire.
Inaugural: 19th August 2023
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
parkruns are free, weekly, community 5k events all around the world. I started in December 2012 and have been obsessive about it ever since. See my parkrun Collection page for details.
Featured and popular parkrun posts:
Descent of Box Hill
When: February 7th and 8th 2026
Start and Finish: Sandy Farm Business Park, Sands Road, The Sands, Farnham, Surrey, GU10 1PX
Organiser: XNRG
Distance: 55km (34 miles) x 2 days = 110km (68 miles), including the diversion.
Elevation change: +/- 1,155m per day = +/- 2310m for the 2 day event
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): North Downs Way, The Fox Way, Wey South Path, Scholar’s Trail, Downs Link, Prospects of Polesden, Ranmore Circular, Mole Gap Trail, Box Hill Hike, Stepping Stones Path, Leith Hill Greenway, Reigate Hill Walk Harewoods, Greensand Way
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 22, Surrey Cycleway
Other routes touched (run): Downs Link Ultra, Hardest of Snails 10k
Summits: St. Martha's Hill (175m), Reigate Hill (235m)
OS Trig Pillars: TP1553 - Box Hill
Maps:
- Guildford & Farnham Map | Godalming & Farnborough | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 145
- Dorking, Box Hill & Reigate Map | Leatherhead & Caterham | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 146
Finish time Day 1: 9 hours, 41 minutes, 53 seconds
Finish time Day 2: 11 hours, 33 minutes, 27 seconds
Links: North Downs Way, Puttenham, Guildford, St. Martha’s Hill, Newlands Corner, Shere, Denbies, Box Hill, Betchworth, Redhill
After loving The Lap Ultra around Lake Windermere the previous year, I was looking for inspiration for a new event. My social media feeds had no shortage of ads for big races, but they were either ones I had done before, too long, too far away, or simply didn't inspire me enough.
It was at a pre-Christmas family lunch when my sister, Lisa, gave me that inspiration: she had recently completed the Druid's Challenge on the Ridgeway. That was a 3-day event with overnight stays along the way. I had only done single-day Ultras before, so the novelty of doing a multi-day event with Lisa gave me the "Hell Yes" decision I was looking for.
I tried in vain to recruit my friend Mark to sign up too: he is normally up for Ultras but didn't seem too keen on a winter one or the prospect of sleeping in a school. Timea also had no interest in being my support crew in the bleak midwinter (which was fair enough). Then, shortly after New Year, Lisa decided that the race wasn't right for her this year. I briefly considered deferring my place but decided to go ahead anyway when I remembered how much I enjoyed The Hurtwood, an Ultra I did a few years back which was also in the winter.
My January was both dry and wet. I had pressed pause on alcohol before New Year, except for some pre-Christmas drinks with a friend that we postponed until Jan 14th. The wet part came from nearly constant rain for the 3 weeks leading up to the event. The North Downs Way is known for its mud, and I could feel that this was going to be tough.
On the night before the race, we received an email from XNRG, the organisers, stating that a diversion would add a mile to each day. At that point, my attitude was "bring it on". If it was going to be tough, then why not an extra hilly 2 miles? That was the same attitude that meant I wasn't bothered that it was pissing it down with rain through the hour's drive to the start.
I was in the 08:00 walkers start based on the predicted finish time I gave when I signed up. The runners would start an hour later. After a short briefing, we were off. I usually run the first half of an Ultra but decided to take this one easier. I also didn’t want to be at the front of the pack and risk getting everyone lost.
As it happened, the group I was following took a wrong turn after the first 5 minutes, following the edge of the starting field rather than exiting via the corner. Luckily, other participants noticed and called us back, only adding about 100m to our route.
Having previously walked the whole of the North Downs Way, the route was very familiar and felt like an old friend. The first 16 km took us through the villages of Seale and Puttenham, across the River Wey at Guildford and over to Chantry Wood.
This was also the section with the diversion to avoid repairs on the trail. Not only was it an extra mile, but it was all hill: the route climbed a steep hill to the A31 then descended steeply again shortly after.
After the first checkpoint, we climbed up to St Martha’s Hill. This would have been the first great view, but the mist and rain didn’t show off the Downs at their best. Newlands Corner came next, which felt like a big milestone in the race. I half-considered stopping in the cafe for a coffee and cake, but I was making good time and didn’t need the food, so I pressed on.
The 12 km after Newlands Corner through Shere Woodlands is beautiful, but it involves a lot of the same view, so I found it one of the less interesting parts of the route. This was also where I was overtaken by the faster runners who had started an hour behind me.
After the Ranmore Common checkpoint, the trail became much more interesting again. The descending curve around Denbies gave us great views across the vineyard over to Dorking and Box Hill.
After crossing under the A24 near Dorking, we came to the River Mole crossing. We were told in the briefing that the Mole had burst its banks and it would be a wet one: we would have a choice of crossing over the Stepping Stones or using the dry route over the footbridge.
It was only because I had been to the crossing before that I knew where the stepping stones would be. That day they were submerged under fast-flowing water and couldn’t be seen at all. Even the bridge option wasn’t completely dry as there was a large, deep puddle on the other side that required wading.
Next up was the steep climb up the steps to the Box Hill viewpoint, followed by an equally steep descent through a narrow wooded path.
After Checkpoint 3 at Betchworth, I joined a fellow participant named Lee for the final couple of hours. Like several others on the route, Lee was using the event as training for the Marathon des Sables. He was suffering, having fallen earlier in the day, and was going slower than planned. Lee’s slow pace was my normal pace, and it gave us the opportunity to chat for a couple of hours.
I’ve learned that there are two types of Ultra conversation. The usual one is the 2-minute chat as you briefly pass someone at a similar speed before one of you pulls ahead. That chat is a mixture of "tough isn’t it?", "how are you feeling?" and "is this your first Ultra?"
The other type of chat only happens when your pace exactly matches another runner for a long period and you can have a much deeper conversation. Ultra runners tend to have very interesting backstories, and Lee was no exception. I think the chat helped both of us, and it certainly helped me through the last 15 km, which always feel longer.
We arrived at the school in Redhill just after it got dark. I was mostly interested in going straight to bed and waking up in the morning, but I managed to summon the energy to get showered, changed, sort my kit and have dinner. Lisa had given good reviews about the evenings based on her Druid's Challenge experience. The food was great, and it was nice to hear the Ultra-related speeches after dinner.
I slept better than expected, although my Garmin wasn't happy with me in the morning. The focused rest I had before the weekend had given me good Body Battery, Sleep and HRV scores. At the start of Day 2, however, I was down to 33% Body Battery, a 43% Sleep Score and an HRV of 54 (down from 91 the previous night). Not the best numbers to have in the tank ahead of the second Ultra distance of the weekend.
Based on my Saturday finish time, I was placed in the earliest starting wave at 07:00. I was happy with this as I had decided I would walk the day and needed all the daylight I could get. Even being in the walker's group, I was still near the back. I wasn't worried, though, as I decided that I would just enjoy another day on the trail.
Day 2 was dry with no rain for much of the route. The mud was still there and the first couple of hours of steep, narrow and mud-filled paths were slow going. I was only 100 minutes in before the fastest of the second wave overtaken me. They may have been half my age and likely to have done significantly more Ultras and training than I had, but the speed they went through on the second day was incredibly impressive.
With my decision to just walk and enjoy the day, I settled into getting through my backlog of podcast episodes and finished an audiobook. On the quieter times without headphones, I got into a "zone": a fairly Zen-like state where the miles slipped away slowly but peacefully towards the finish.
The final hour was a bit tougher as it was all in the dark and with mostly no one else around. With the finish line in sight and the sounds of the event crew audible, I decided to do my only running of the day: the 100 metres to the finish. A bit of drizzle turned into heavy rain within minutes of crossing the finish, so I didn't hang around too long. I was so tired and cold at the end that I couldn't get changed fully, so I drove home still kitted up.
After 14 Ultras, it was good to do one that was a real challenge again. At 110 km, it was the longest distance I've done in a single event. I also found out what it's like to do a 2-dayer with a sleep in between. I think I've scratched that itch for now and will probably stick to single-day 50ks for a while.
A huge thanks goes to the crew at XNRG for putting on a very well-managed, safe and friendly event. When the skin grows back and I've had a few weeks of rest, I'm sure I will be coming back for more.
