Trig Pillar Walks: Long Wittenham and Little Wittenham
Ascending Round Hill from the Earth Trust Visitor Centre
Start & Finish: On-street parking opposite the The Plough Inn, High St, Long Wittenham, Abingdon, OX14 4QH
Distance: 10 km (6.2 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 81m
Terrain: Undulating grassy paths, woodland trails, and steep chalk hill climbs with some uneven sections.
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): The Roman Way
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 5
Pubs / Cafes on route: The The Plough Inn, Long Wittenham at the start and end of the walk. Cafe at the Earth Trust at 5.7 km in
OS Trig Pillar: TP2825 - Down Hill
Map: Vale of White Horse Map | Abingdon-on-Thames, Wantage, Wallingford & Faringdon | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 170
Links: Wittenham Clumps, Long Wittenham, Little Wittenham, The Earth Trust
This is part of a series of walks that combine beautiful countryside trails with finding (or “bagging”) an OS Trig Pillar. If you’ve searched for or stumbled across this page then you probably already know what an OS Trig Pillar is. If you don’t then this article from the Ordnance Survey is a good place to start.
Walking Directions
This picturesque circular route showcases some of the finest scenery in South Oxfordshire, taking you from the peaceful streets of Long Wittenham across the Thames Valley fields. The journey begins on relatively flat, easy terrain that allows you to warm up your legs before the landscape dramatically changes.
The undisputed highlight of the trek is the ascent up the Wittenham Clumps. Rising sharply from the otherwise gentle landscape, these hills provide an excellent vantage point across the surrounding countryside. After catching your breath at the summit, the route loops back down through the nature reserves of Little Wittenham, returning you to your starting point just in time for a well-earned pub lunch.
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 in High Street in Long Wittenham, where there is free on-street parking near The Plough Inn and at the junction of High Street and Didcot Road.
Follow High Street in a south-westerly direction from The Plough Inn and continue along High Street where the main road curves to the south along Didcot Road. At the junction continue along High Street rather than following Didcot Road.
A little way down, take a right onto the first footpath on the right: this leads behind some houses and out into fields to meet the River Thames.
Take a left onto a footpath alongside a small stream that leads back to High Street.
Upon reaching High Street, take a right onto National Cycle Route 5 heading through the fields.
Take a left onto a footpath that follows the hedgeline and a stream across the fields in a southerly direction, curving around to the east.
Shortly after, take a right onto a footpath along a tree line in a southerly direction until reaching Sires Hill Road.
Turn left onto Sires Hill Road and follow it for approximately 10 metres, then carefully cross over to take a right onto a footpath ascending the hill in a south-south-easterly direction.
At the top of the hill, look to the left along the hedgeline to spot the Down Hill trig pillar peeping over the top of the hedges on the farm side of the track.
After the trig pillar, continue in a south-easterly direction until meeting a well-maintained path. Turn left onto this path and continue in an east-north-easterly direction all the way to the Earth Trust visitor centre.
Optional stop at the visitor centre for a rest and a drink at the café, if open.
After the visitor centre, cross over the small lane and pass through the gates into the field to ascend Round Hill, one of the Wittenham Clumps.
Take in the views of the surrounding countryside from the top of Round Hill, then walk around to the north-easterly edge of the hill (the 1 o'clock position on a map).
Take the path heading in a north-easterly direction down the hill towards the River Thames. At the bottom of the hill, pass through a gate and turn left to walk diagonally across the field in a north-westerly direction, arriving at the village of Little Wittenham by St Peter's Church (which is well worth a visit).
After visiting the church, turn left and follow the Little Wittenham village lane until reaching a junction with Little Wittenham Road. Turn right and follow Little Wittenham Road for 300 metres.
Take a footpath on the left, walking diagonally across a hill towards Paradise Wood.
Upon reaching Paradise Wood, turn right and follow the outskirts of the wood as it curves around towards the north-west. Pass through a gate and turn left to follow a path winding through Neptune Wood, eventually emerging at John's Woods, a new plantation.
Follow the path in a north-westerly direction up to High Street in Long Wittenham, turn left, and follow High Street all the way back to the starting point.
Points of Interest along or near to the Route
Long Wittenham: A charming South Oxfordshire village with a rich history stretching back to the Anglo-Saxon period and beyond. Set beside the River Thames, it is known for its historic timber-framed and thatched cottages, including the celebrated 13th-century Cruck Cottage, making it an idyllic starting point for walkers.
Little Wittenham and the Earth Trust: Nestled beneath the Sinodun Hills, this small village is closely connected to the surrounding landscape and the River Thames. It is home to Earth Trust, the environmental charity that cares for Wittenham Clumps and extensive areas of woodland, farmland and wildlife habitat across the area.
Wittenham Clumps: Formed by Round Hill and Castle Hill, these iconic wooded hills are visible for miles across the Thames Valley. Castle Hill is crowned by an Iron Age hillfort, while both summits offer outstanding panoramic views over the Thames, the surrounding countryside and some of Oxfordshire’s most historically rich landscapes.
Walking The Oxfordshire Way Part 7: Adwell and Stoke Talmage
Surviving buildings from Wheatfield Manor
Start & Finish: Parking spaces on the A40 High Street at Tetsworth just south of the Old Red Lion pub
Distance: 10.3 km (6.4 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 97m
Terrain: Quiet country lanes, waymarked field-edge footpaths, and agricultural tracks with some gentle undulations across South Oxfordshire farmland.
Oxfordshire Way Section Covered: Path junction near Wheatfield to A40, Tetsworth: 4.6 km
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): The Oxfordshire Way
Other routes touched (cycle): None
Pubs / Cafes on route: The Old Red Lion, Tetsworth at the start and finish
Map: OS Explorer Map (171) Chiltern Hills West, Henley-on-Thames and Wallingford
Links: Adwell, Wheatfield, Oxfordshire, Stoke Talmage, South Weston, Tetsworth
Welcome to Part 7 of our series of short circular walks along the Oxfordshire section of the Oxfordshire Way. This is a 66 mile long-distance path connecting Bourton-on-the-Water in the Cotswolds with Henley-on-Thames. For a complete overview of the trail's history, and the end-to-end route, please read my complete Oxfordshire Way Guide.
Walking Directions
This seventh instalment of the Oxfordshire Way series explores a tranquil pocket of South Oxfordshire between the historic London to Oxford coaching road (the A40) and the quiet parishes of Adwell, Wheatfield, and Stoke Talmage. As you traverse open pasture and arable fields, the views open up towards the wooded escarpment of the Chiltern Hills to the south and the distinctive mound of Adwell Cop to the east.
What makes this circular walk particularly engaging is the sheer sense of rural solitude across parishes where populations have remained remarkably small for centuries. After following the Oxfordshire Way southwards to connect with the northernmost point of Part 6, the return leg loops eastwards through the tiny village of Stoke Talmage and past ancient farmsteads towards Adwell. The combination of quiet country lanes, historic churchyards, and gentle rises makes for a thoroughly rewarding countryside outing.
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 in the village of Tetsworth, where there is free on-street parking just south of the Red Lion pub on the A40 High Street.
Walk south down Back Street, following the Oxfordshire Way in a southerly direction.
Continue onto Parkers Hill, leading into farmland before passing under the M40 in a tunnel.
Upon reaching the unnamed road, turn right and follow the track in a south-westerly direction, crossing over Hazeley Brook.
Approximately 2.3 kilometers into the walk, turn right onto a footpath leading into fields, then left to continue south-west.
Join a farm track that meets another road, take a left, and then turn right onto the main road through Stoke Talmage, following it south.
Before reaching the village of Clare, turn left to cross a field in a south-easterly direction.
At about 5 kilometers, turn left onto a farm track across the field to the edge of the field where you previously left the Oxfordshire Way.
Take an immediate right to follow the Oxfordshire Way north-easterly, then turn left at the end of the next field.
Walk north-westerly towards Wheatfield to the remaining buildings of the old manor house.
Turn right to continue on the Oxfordshire Way, passing the old church, and continue until reaching the outskirts of Adwell.
Take a left to follow the Oxfordshire Way, following the Hazeley Streams on your right.
Continue walking north-westerly until reaching the farm where you were previously following the Oxfordshire Way in a southerly direction at the start of this walk.
From here, retrace your steps north under the M40 back to the village of Tetsworth.
Points of Interest along or near to the Route
Adwell and Adwell Cop: Located just east of the return leg, Adwell is an ancient estate village recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Half a mile southeast of the village rises Adwell Cop, a hill crowned with a Bronze Age burial mound that was historically linked to local fairy folklore and once mistakenly attributed by early antiquarians to 11th-century Danish encampments. The village church of St Mary was rebuilt in 1865 by Arthur Blomfield, though it retains a 12th-century transitional Norman doorway and an effigy of a knight dating from around 1300. An OS Trig Pillar can be found at Adwell Cop.
Wheatfield and St Andrew's Church: Wheatfield is a classic example of a deserted medieval village. While its Tudor and Stuart manor house, Wheatfield Park, was destroyed by fire in 1814, the Grade II* listed coach house, stables, and farmhouse survived, alongside the isolated Grade I listed Church of St Andrew. The church dates from the 14th century and was extensively remodelled in the early 18th century, preserving rare Georgian box pews and a Venetian east window.
Stoke Talmage and St Mary Magdalene Church: Stoke Talmage is a tiny rural parish whose boundaries have remained largely unchanged since the medieval period. The parish church of St Mary Magdalene has 12th-century origins and was rebuilt in 1758 before undergoing restoration in 1860. Note on conflicting sources: while Wikipedia and the Gilbert Scott architectural archive record the 1860 restoration as the work of Sir George Gilbert Scott, a local Chiltern Society walking guide attributes the 1860 work to his grandson, Giles Gilbert Scott (who was born in 1880, making Sir George Gilbert Scott the chronologically factual architect).
Red Lion Farmhouse: Situated near the junction as you approach Stoke Talmage, this 18th-century building formerly operated as The Red Lion public house. In 1923, it was purchased by Thomas Haynes and run alongside a smallholding before continuing as a country pub for decades; it permanently closed in 2007 and was converted into a private dwelling.
Oxfordshire Way next section (north): Tetsworth and Oxfordshire Golf Club (coming soon)
Oxfordshire Way next section (south): Pyrton and Clare
Trig Pillar Walks: Whittenham Clumps and Brightwell Barrow
View to Castle Hill from Round Hill
Start & Finish: On-street parking opposite the Red Lion Pub, Brightwell-cum-Sotwell, Brightwell St, Wallingford OX10 0RT
Distance: 8.2 km (5.1 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 137m
Terrain: Undulating grassy paths, woodland trails, and steep chalk hill climbs with some uneven sections.
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): The Roman Way
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 5
Pubs / Cafes on route: The Red Lion at the start and end of the walk
OS Trig Pillar: TP1629 - Brightwell Barrow
Map: Vale of White Horse Map | Abingdon-on-Thames, Wantage, Wallingford & Faringdon | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 170
Links: Wittenham Clumps, Brightwell Barrow, Brightwell-cum-Sotwell
This is part of a series of walks that combine beautiful countryside trails with finding (or “bagging”) an OS Trig Pillar. If you’ve searched for or stumbled across this page then you probably already know what an OS Trig Pillar is. If you don’t then this article from the Ordnance Survey is a good place to start.
Walking Directions
The walking directions below follow a scenic loop encompassing both the Wittenham Clumps and Brightwell Barrow. This route offers a fantastic mix of ancient history and sweeping views across the Thames Valley. While the undulating paths and steep chalk climbs might not be suitable for a fast and flat parkrun, they provide an excellent workout and a rewarding countryside trek for weekend walkers.
The trail begins with a steady ascent towards the Bronze Age site of Brightwell Barrow, a prominent peak marked by a classic Ordnance Survey trig pillar. From there, the path dips and climbs again to the iconic Round Hill before looping back through the lower fields. The landscape is rich with archaeological history, making this short but energetic walk a true delight for both nature lovers and history enthusiasts.
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.
Park for free on-street opposite the Red Lion pub in Brightwell Street, Brightwell-cum-Sotwell.
From the pub, walk west on Brightwell Street, then continue onto West End at the junction with Church Lane.
Follow West End north-west as it curves right to become Didcot Road.
Turn right at Little Martins and take the footpath on the left following the road north.
Cross the A4130 carefully and continue north-west to meet Sires Hill.
Turn right on Sires Hill, then take the footpath north-west to the farm.
Follow the path diagonally across the fields to a water trough; Brightwell Barrow is south-east.
Visit the trig pillar and return to the trough, then descend north-west between the fields.
Go through the gate at the hedgerow, turn right, and follow the track north-east.
Curve left north-west before the forest, then ascend south-west to Castle Hill.
Walk around the southern path to the west, then clockwise to a small path descending towards Round Hill.
Ascend to Round Hill, turn right on the outer circle, and descend steeply towards the River Thames.
Go through the gate at the bottom and take a right through Little Wittingham Wood.
Continue south-west for 1.7 km, follow the field edge to a private property gate, then turn right south-west.
Meet Roman Way, ascend Castle Hill, then descend to the A4130.
Cross the road, continue south over High Road, and follow Green Mere to Brightwell Street.
Points of Interest along or near to the Route
Wittenham Clumps: Also known historically as the Sinodun Hills, this prominent pair of wooded chalk hills comprises Round Hill and Castle Hill. Managed by the Earth Trust, the site features the substantial earthworks of an Iron Age hillfort on Castle Hill and has yielded important archaeological evidence spanning the Bronze Age, Iron Age and Roman periods. The elevated position offers extensive panoramic views across the Thames Valley and the wider Oxfordshire landscape.
Brightwell Barrow: This historic Bronze Age round barrow is marked by an Ordnance Survey trig pillar (TP1629) and a distinctive small clump of trees. Situated on a ridge near Brightwell-cum-Sotwell, the barrow forms a notable landmark and elevated viewpoint, providing wide-ranging views across the surrounding countryside.
Brightwell-cum-Sotwell: A picturesque civil parish in Oxfordshire formed from the historic villages of Brightwell and Sotwell, whose origins can be traced to the Anglo-Saxon period. The village is characterised by narrow leafy lanes, a high concentration of medieval timber-framed and thatched cottages, and the rare survival of two historic parish churches: St Agatha's and St James's. The settlement's name derives from the local springs or “bright wells”, which have long influenced settlement and daily life in the area.
Walking The Oxfordshire Way Part 6: Pyrton and Clare
Field of Dreams, near Pyrton
Start & Finish: Parking space at junction of Church Lane and Knightsbridge Lane, Pyrton,
Distance: 9.2 km (5.7 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 71m
Oxfordshire Way Section Covered: Church Lane, Pyrton to path junction near Wheatfield: 3.6 km
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): The Oxfordshire Way
Other routes touched (cycle): None
Pubs / Cafes on route: None
OS Trig Pillar: TP2197 - Clare Hill
Map: OS Explorer Map (171) Chiltern Hills West, Henley-on-Thames and Wallingford
Links: Pyrton, Clare, Oxfordshire
Welcome to Part 6 of our series of short circular walks along the Oxfordshire section of the Oxfordshire Way. This is a 66 mile long-distance path connecting Bourton-on-the-Water in the Cotswolds with Henley-on-Thames. For a complete overview of the trail's history, and the end-to-end route, please read my complete Oxfordshire Way Guide.
Walking Directions
This circular route from Pyrton is a brilliant way to explore the South Oxfordshire countryside, offering a fantastic option for a relaxed weekend stroll or a great way to keep your legs moving after a Saturday morning parkrun. The path makes use of the established Oxfordshire Way, taking you out through sweeping agricultural land and quiet rural tracks towards the hamlet of Clare.
The terrain is straightforward to navigate, featuring well-marked field boundaries and mostly flat ground for the initial stretches. As you approach Clare Hill, you will encounter a steady but gentle incline up to the trig point, which rewards you with excellent views over the landscape before a pleasant, gradual descent back down into the village.
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.
Park at the junction of Knightsbridge Lane and Church Lane, just south of Pyrton Village Hall.
Walk north up Knightsbridge Lane, passing Pyrton Village Hall.
0.4 km: At the path junction by a farm entrance, turn right to follow the signs for the Oxfordshire Way. Continue northeast along the track past the farm.
1.2 km: Turn left through a gate to stay on the Oxfordshire Way, now walking in a northerly direction.
2.0 km: The route curves northeast and then northwest. Keep following the Oxfordshire Way.
3.6 km: Following a field edge with a hedge on your right, you will reach a path junction. Take a sharp left across the field and follow the path for 700 metres.
4.3 km: Take a sharp right and follow the path along the field to the edge bordering the small road connecting Stoke Talmage with Clare and Islip.
Head southwest: keeping to the field edge is a safer option than walking on the quiet road. Continue until you cross over the junction of Stoney Lane and Knightsbridge Lane.
Optional detour: Just after this road junction, you can cut into the field through the hedge to bag the Clare Hill trig pillar.
Continue southwest, then take a footpath on your left to head southeast across a field.
Cross a small stream as you walk through the woods at Diamond Plantation. The path will then curve southwest to reconnect with Knightsbridge Lane in Pyrton.
Turn right onto Knightsbridge Lane for the final 400 metres back to your starting point.
Points of Interest along or near to the Route
Pyrton Manor and St Mary's Church: Pyrton is an ancient settlement recorded in the Domesday Book. St Mary's Church features Norman origins, anchoring the start of the walk in centuries of local architectural heritage.
The Chiltern Escarpment & Clare Hill: Situated on the lower northwestern slopes of the Chilterns National Landscape (formerly Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty), Clare Hill provides a vantage point looking across the fertile Vale of Thame.
Ordnance Survey Trig Pillar (TP2197): Clare Hill hosts a classic concrete flush bracket trig pillar installed as part of the OS retriangulation of Great Britain, standing as a familiar waypoint for regional hill walkers.
Wheatfield Environs: The pastoral trackways skirting toward Wheatfield pass through quiet agricultural land that once formed part of historic parish estates lost or altered over centuries of agrarian change.
Oxfordshire Way next section (north): Adwell and Stoke Tamage (coming soon)
Oxfordshire Way next section (south): Watlington and The Ridgeway
Trig Pillar Walks: Stowe Landscape Gardens
Path leading to the Gothic Temple
Start & Finish: National Trust - Stowe Gardens, New Inn Farm, Buckingham MK18 5EQ
Distance: 9.8 km (6.1 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 111m
Terrain: Mostly well-made estate paths, open parkland grass, and sheltered woodland trails.
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Home Front Route Stowe, Blue Trail Stowe, Military Route Stowe, Stowe Parkland Walk, Ouse Valley Way,
Other routes touched (cycle): None
Pubs / Cafes on route: Cafe at the National Trust Visitors Centre
OS Trig Pillar: TP6219 - Stowe Park
Map: Buckingham & Milton Keynes Map | Leighton Buzzard & Woburn | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 192
Links: Stowe Landscape Gardens, Stowe House, Buckingham
This is part of a series of walks that combine beautiful countryside trails with finding (or “bagging”) an OS Trig Pillar. If you’ve searched for or stumbled across this page then you probably already know what an OS Trig Pillar is. If you don’t then this article from the Ordnance Survey is a good place to start.
Walking Directions
This circular walking route takes you through the stunning historic parkland of Stowe, a landscape sculpted by some of Britain's most famous garden designers. Starting near the New Inn Visitor Centre, the trail heads northward through the sprawling estate, gently descending before steadily climbing towards the northern boundary where you will find the main objective: Trig Pillar TP6219.
After visiting the trig pillar, the route loops westward before tracking south along the quieter, wooded edges of the estate boundary. The return leg provides a contrasting perspective of the landscape, swapping manicured lawns for rustic bridleways and field margins before finally turning eastwards to guide you back to the start. It offers a perfectly balanced morning or afternoon out in the Buckinghamshire countryside.
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.
We begin at the New Inn, now serving as the National Trust visitor centre, neatly situated by the main car park. Pass through the inn's buildings to emerge onto the main track, a wide avenue known as the Home Front route, which acts as the grand artery leading up to the landscape garden proper. Follow this deep into the estate.
After a mile or so (roughly 1 km), the path is interrupted by a second ticket booth. It feels slightly incongruous here, but the land is criss-crossed by ancient public rights of way; they must check again to ensure you have bought passage into the inner, managed sanctuary of the gardens.
Once officially within the gardens, take a right turn, followed swiftly by a left. You are now on the 'military route', a path that deliberately traces the southern bank of the Octagon Lake, drawing you north-eastwards along the water’s edge.
Ahead lies the Palladian Bridge, stretching elegantly across the water. It’s worth pausing here; the views, both of the bridge’s flanks as you approach and from the span itself, offer perfectly framed classical vistas. Cross over it to the far bank.
Continue tracing a northerly line. Here, the track is burdened with a double identity, known as both the military route and the Path of Liberty. Follow its course until it meets the Gothic Tower.
The tower, a property now in the care of the Landmark Trust, usually keeps its doors firmly shut to the casual walker. However, on fortunate days, it stands open, revealing its interior. Whether you manage to slip inside or merely admire its heavy stone silhouette, press on northwards afterwards, keeping to the military route.
You will soon encounter a towering monument, which one might instinctively call an obelisk, but the estate insists is Lord Cobham's Pillar. Note the distinction and continue your march northwards along the military route.
As you reach the north-eastern extremity of the estate, the formal boundaries fall away, and you slip back out onto public land. You are now joining the Stowe Parkland Walk, a sweeping, longer trail that curves around the hidden back of Stowe House.
Upon meeting the wide stretch of Buckingham Avenue, take a right, then the first left. This footpath strikes out across the open, grazed parkland, an expanse that feels distinctly different from the manicured gardens, leading you towards the Wolfe Obelisk.
At the obelisk, step off the worn path, turning left into the grass to locate the rather more utilitarian concrete form of a trig pillar sitting quietly in the landscape. Having paid your respects to the surveyors, retrace your steps to the obelisk.
Pressing north again on the Stowe Parkland Walk, the land drops away, descending across an open field. Look for a distinctive, solitary bush—a waymarker in the green—and here take a left. The path now leads west, eventually curving southward to shadow a lake.
The route brings you to the unassuming back entrance of Stowe School. Here, turn right, rejoining the main artery of the Stowe Parkland Walk.
Shortly after passing the bulk of the school buildings, take a footpath that draws you closer in against the outer, enclosing wall of the landscape gardens.
At the corner of the gardens stands a gatehouse entrance. It has an imposing, almost prohibitive air, looking as though the public shouldn't trespass, but with no one to bar the way, we slipped through. Do the same, and follow the main drive to reconnect with the intricate inner paths of the gardens.
You are now walking the Path of Bravery. Follow this until it meets the Path of Vice, where you must turn left. Continue on, passing the quiet, stony recess of Dido's Cave.
The path eventually delivers you to the grand southern front of Stowe House. While not a National Trust property, it often opens its doors for heritage walks and harbours a small cafe—a welcome modern intrusion for the weary walker.
Continue past the great facade of the house, picking up the blue trail which leads south-eastwards. Pause briefly to take in the Temple of Ancient Virtues, before crossing the bridge that spans the lake.
On the far side, you are greeted by the Temple of British Worthies. From this pantheon, turn south, keeping to the eastern margin of the lake, until the blue trail dictates you cross back over the water via another bridge.
You find yourself deposited on the northern shore of the Octagon Lake. Walk westward, following the water's edge, until a left turn onto the green trail pulls you back to the lake's southern side.
From here, it is a straightforward retreat back to where the journey began, following the paths out to the visitor centre and the New Inn to conclude the walk.
Points of Interest along or near to the Route
There are many interesting features in Stowe Landscape Gardens and if you get the free map at the National Trust Visitor Centre it will detail all of them. The ones below are the points of interest that are directly on the route that we covered.
Stowe Landscape Gardens: A masterpiece of 18th-century garden design, this vast estate features works by Charles Bridgeman, William Kent, and Lancelot 'Capability' Brown. While historians sometimes debate the exact attribution of specific early monuments between Kent and Brown, the sheer scale and beauty of their combined vision is unquestionable.
New Inn and Parlour Rooms: Originally built in the 18th century by the Temple family, this early 18th-century inn provided lodgings for the first visitors keen to see the new gardens. It has recently been meticulously restored by the National Trust. Visitors can now explore the beautifully recreated parlour rooms that reflect their authentic Georgian appearance.
Palladian Bridge: Constructed in 1738, this iconic crossing is only the second of its kind ever built in the world, closely modelled on the original at Wilton House. The Stowe version was specially designed without steps to allow horse-drawn carriages to pass directly through its colonnades. It remains one of the most photographed monuments in the entire estate.
The Gothic Temple: Designed by James Gibbs and built in 1741, this striking triangular building was dedicated by Lord Cobham to the liberty of his ancestors. It stands out uniquely among the classical monuments due to its ecclesiastical, gothic style. Today, the property is maintained by the Landmark Trust and can even be rented as a holiday cottage.
Lord Cobham's Pillar: Standing prominently at 104 feet tall, this is the highest of all the monuments and temples across the Stowe estate. Built between 1742 and 1749, it features a spiral staircase inside that leads up to a belvedere viewing platform. The statue of Lord Cobham himself sits proudly at the very top, surveying his landscaped masterpiece.
The Wolfe Obelisk: Rebuilt in 1754 using stone from a former water feature, this towering obelisk sits proudly in the Deer Park. It was dedicated in 1759 to General James Wolfe following his victory and death at the Battle of Quebec. The trees surrounding it were famously planted to represent the layout of Wolfe's regiments during the battle.
Trig Pillar TP6219 (Stowe Park): Situated near the northern boundary of the estate at 147 metres above sea level, this classic Ordnance Survey trig pillar remains in good condition. It marks the highest point of the trail and offers excellent views over the surrounding Buckinghamshire countryside.
Dido's Cave: Originally built as a simple garden alcove, historians debate whether it was initially designed by Sir John Vanbrugh or James Gibbs. It was later remodelled with a textured tufa rockwork facade around 1800 to create a picturesque grotto. The interior was once painted with scenes depicting the tragic love story of Dido and Aeneas.
Stowe House: An extraordinary Grade I listed country house that sits at the heart of the estate and currently serves as an independent school. Its grand neoclassical facade provides a stunning focal point that can be admired from multiple vantage points along the walk.
Temple of Ancient Virtue: Designed by William Kent in the 1730s, this circular, domed building was heavily inspired by the Temple of Vesta at Tivoli. Lord Cobham built it as a shrine to four exemplary ancient Greeks: Socrates, Homer, Lycurgus, and Epaminondas. The monument served as a bold political statement, championing the noble virtues that Cobham felt were lacking in contemporary British politicians.
Temple of British Worthies: Also designed by William Kent around 1735, this curved stone wall sits opposite the Temple of Ancient Virtue across the Elysian Fields. It features sixteen niches containing busts of renowned British thinkers and historical figures, notably featuring Queen Elizabeth I as the only woman. The monument was an overt political statement by Lord Cobham, using these individuals to represent his Whig ideals in opposition to the ruling government.
Triglav: Slovenia's High Point
Summit of Triglav at sunrise
Significance: Highest Point in Slovenia
Nearest Higher Neighbour: Reißeck, Austria
Elevation: 2,864m
Date “climbed”: September 8th 2026
Coordinates: 46° 22' 42'' N, 13° 50' 12'' E
Subsidiary tops on route: Mali Triglav (2,738m)
Links: Wikipedia: (Julian Alps, Triglav National Park, Triglav). Peakbagger
The seed for this adventure was planted exactly a year ago, right after we completed our Mount Fuji hike. We enjoyed that experience so much that when we sat down to plan our adventures for this year, we knew we wanted to tackle another challenging climb. After some research, and hearing some great stories from friends who had done it before, we landed on Mount Triglav.
The mountain is culturally significant to Slovenians, so much so that its iconic three peaks are actually featured on the national coat of arms on the Slovenian flag. Knowing its importance made the climb feel even more special, and we mapped out a week in Slovenia this September, with the two-day Triglav hike as the main event.
Originally, we had planned our own route and were thinking of going self-guided. However, we eventually decided to use a local guide instead, based on a recommendation from a friend I met years ago on the High Peaks of the Balkans trip. As it turned out, hiring our guide, Jakob, was the best decision we could have made. We probably wouldn't have made it all the way, particularly the exposed via ferrata sections, without him, and we definitely wouldn't have attempted the pitch-black morning hike to catch the sunrise!
With the plans in place, we arrived in Slovenia. After a rainy weekend, the weather turned absolutely fabulous, and we could finally see Mount Triglav clearly from our hotel room in Bled on Monday morning.
Jakob picked us up at around 8:00 am to start the adventure. I have to admit, there was a brief moment of panic from Timea when she first saw the sheer height of the peak, and trying to manage gluten-free and dairy-free food on a mountain expedition proved to be a bit of a nightmare for her digestion. But once we were on the trail, it was all systems go.
Day 1: Krma Valley to Dom Planika Refuge
Date: September 7th 2026
Start: Car park at the end of the road in the Krma Valley (46°23'06.6"N 13°54'25.5"E)
Finish: Dom Planika Refuge, Stara Fužina 243, 4265 Bohinjsko jezero
Distance: 10.4 km (6.5 miles)
Elevation change: +1,454m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other Routes Touched: JK11, JK10
We did the route as an out-and-back starting from the car park in the Krma Valley. Jakob suggested this specific route because, while it is the longest approach, it avoids the sheer vertical drops of the northern valleys and is a bit less technical. For a first Triglav summit, it was definitely the smart choice.
We parked the car at roughly 1,000 metres and started the climb. The valley looked spectacular all the way up, completely transforming as we gained altitude. It started with peaceful, shaded beech and spruce forests before opening up into vast alpine pastures. Eventually, as we pushed higher above the tree line, all the green disappeared completely, leaving us surrounded by a harsh, stark landscape of white limestone rock and loose alpine scree slopes.
Though incredibly beautiful, the terrain was gruelling. It took us six hours to conquer the 8.7 kilometres and 1,400 metres of elevation to reach the Dom Planika rescue hut at 2,408 metres. Fun fact: "Planika" is actually the Slovenian translation for the edelweiss flower, which you can spot growing on the mountain!
Because the ascent took a little longer than we initially anticipated, we made the wise decision to rest for the afternoon instead of pushing straight for the summit. The hut is wonderfully remote. We were lucky enough to have booked a private twin room, which offered a nice bit of personal space to decompress, but the rest of the facilities are incredibly basic: just outside stinky toilets and absolutely no running water or electricity. (Conveniently, though, if you don't have your own gear, you can rent a via ferrata kit at the hut for €25 per person).
Despite the basic setup, we actually had a much better sleep here than we did on Mount Fuji. The lower elevation and having a private room meant we managed to get several hours of decent rest - a massive upgrade from the ten minutes of sleep I got on Fuji! The hut enforces a strict 22:00 noise curfew, which was highly necessary given a boisterous group of hikers who enthusiastically belted out John Denver’s "Country Roads, Take Me Home" right up until the exact minute of the cut-off.
A quick tip for future hikers: in hindsight, there is another, larger refuge located just on the other side of Mali Triglav (Little Triglav). It has slightly better facilities and sits a bit closer to the start of the via ferrata. If we were to do this trek again, we’d probably look into booking a room there instead.
Day 2: Dom Planika Refuge to Summit and descent to Krma Valley
Date: September 8th 2026
Start: Dom Planika Refuge, Stara Fužina 243, 4265 Bohinjsko jezero
Finish: Car park at the end of the road in the Krma Valley (46°23'06.6"N 13°54'25.5"E)
Distance: 14.6 km (9 miles)
Elevation change: +500m / -1,942m. Net -1,492m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other Routes Touched: Slovenska planinska pot, JK11, JK10
We were up and out the door by 4:15 am, kitted out with helmets, climbing harnesses, and via ferrata sets. You absolutely need the carabiners to clip onto the heavy steel cables for these final 400 metres, as the route becomes highly exposed with massive drops on either side. We had about two hours to tackle the remaining elevation before the 6:15 am sunrise. We were incredibly lucky with the weather: it was surprisingly warm with no wind.
Honestly, it was probably for the best that we could only see as far as our torch beams during the first twenty minutes of scrambling, as it hid the sheer vertical drops around us. Just as the sky started to break, we reached the narrow pass where you have to clip onto the metal via ferrata wires. It looks terrifying in the dim light, but with the right gear and guidance, you are as safe as you can be on the side of a mountain.
We reached the summit at exactly 2,864 metres. The views were out of this world, and watching the sunrise from the literal roof of Slovenia was breathtaking. On a clear day like the one we had, the panoramas stretch endlessly. We could look out across the jagged peaks of the Julian Alps, see the Italian Dolomites to the west, gaze south all the way to the Adriatic coast, and even spot the landscapes of Austria and Croatia in the distance.
Sitting proudly at this very highest point is the Aljaž Tower, a cylindrical metal storm shelter that looks a bit like a tiny rocket ship. It has a fascinating history: it was erected back in 1895 by a local priest named Jakob Aljaž, who bought the summit for just one Austro-Hungarian gulden. He built the shelter specifically to preserve the mountain's Slovenian identity during a time of intense Germanization. Today, it stands as the ultimate symbol of Slovenian national pride.
Standing on those very peaks we'd seen on the national flag, beside this historic tower, we even received a traditional 'rite of passage' spanking from Jakob, which is apparently customary (and inescapable!) for everyone reaching the Triglav summit for the first time. There was a summit stamp available to collect too, which means I had a new mission to track down a Slovenian stamp collection passport.
The descent back down to the hut for breakfast was intense. It actually took us ten minutes longer than the climb up, mostly due to traffic from other climbers making their way up the via ferrata, which forces you to unclip and move slowly. It involved a lot of crab walking, sliding, and stepping backwards to find secure footholds. It is definitely not a route for the faint-hearted, but it was exhilarating, and Timea absolutely loved the rock climbing element; she used to be great at it and doing it in such an amazing environment was incredibly inspiring.
However, once we were past the adrenaline of the via ferrata, the long descent back to the car was brutal. Those final two hours were particularly tough on both of us. The ground itself wasn't highly technical, but navigating all that loose scree required careful, constant attention. Despite managing a few hours of sleep the night before, our bodies were completely drained by the challenge of the early morning summit. With our energy reserves depleted, we both really struggled to push through the sheer exhaustion at the very end.
Looking back, this was the second most challenging thing we have ever done, right behind Mount Fuji last year. The massive difference this time was that all the panchakarma retreat and strength training paid off: Timea's knee didn't hurt at all! Unlike on Fuji where she was relying on painkillers and could barely walk by the end, this time a knee brace and tape worked perfectly.
A massive thank you to our guide Jakob, who managed our routes, safety, equipment, mental health, and even drove us there and back. It was an unforgettable adventure.
Short walks in Bled: the lake circuit, Vintgar Gorge, and the Castle climb
View across Bled Lake at sunset
Bled functions as the obvious logistics hub for the Julian Alps. Most hikers treating it as a gateway to Triglav National Park overlook the immediate perimeter trails, which is a mistake: the topography around the glacial basin gives you roughly 20 km of immediate trail options right from the town centre without touching a highway.
We used a day and a half in Bled to sort our kit and acclimatise before our two-day traverse of Triglav. Getting there from the UK is remarkably painless: Ljubljana Airport sits 35 km southeast of Bled, well north of the capital itself. We collected our hire car and reached the lake in 45 minutes on the A2 motorway. Catching the first view of Triglav from the road provided an immediate reality check: it looks monstrously high from valley level, prompting a brief bout of mild panic from Timea about what we had signed ourselves up for.
Beyond the trails, Bled Castle sits on a 130-metre limestone precipice dominating the northeastern shore. Below are the logistics and field notes for three short routes we logged around the basin.
The Bled Lake Circuit
Start & Finish: Kavarna Park, Cesta svobode 10, 4260 Bled, Slovenia
Distance: 5.8 km (3.6 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 86m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Juliana Trail, Vintgar-Bled, Blejski Razgledni Trail, Gorenjska veja Jakobove poti, Veslaška Promenade,
Pubs / Cafes on route: Many in Bled Town, plus Restavracija Zaka Camping Bled (2.8 km in)
Links: Lake Bled, Bled, Bled Island
A midday downpour scuppered our initial plans on Day 1, so we found a warm lunch in town: local menus are generally decent for Timea’s dairy-free and gluten-free dietary requirements: followed by a short reset nap. By late afternoon the rain cleared, leaving an 8 km perimeter circuit as our evening shakedown.
We started at the eastern promenade by the town centre, heading anticlockwise. The first kilometre tracks west beneath the sheer cliff face supporting Bled Castle, passing the Grajsko kopališče lido. Around the 3 km mark on the northwestern shore, you run past the Olympic Rowing Centre at Mala Zaka: an unassuming facility that has produced multiple world champions on this flat water.
Continuing past the 5 km mark brings you to the western bay at Zaka, which houses the lakeside campsite and a small pebble beach. From here, the terrain tilts sharply upwards into the dense forest behind the shoreline, where steep spurs climb towards the Ojstrica and Mala Osojnica viewpoints. The path then hugs the southern bank, passing below the grounds of Villa Bled: Tito's former summer residence: before curving back towards the town hotels.
Doing this loop in the late afternoon pays dividends: as the cloud deck broke, the low sun completely transformed the water. The light shifted every ten minutes, throwing distinct colour bands across the lake that Timea immediately earmarked for future landscape paintings.
The focal point for the entire loop is the teardrop island sitting in the western half of the lake. Officially the Church of the Mother of God on the Lake (Cerkev Marijinega vnebovzetja), the site has carried masonry since 1142. The present structure is early Baroque, built following the earthquake of 1688, retaining a 54 m freestanding bell tower and the famous south staircase with 99 stone steps. The tower houses a 1534 wishing bell cast by Paduan founder Francesco Patavina, linked to the local legend of Polixena, a grieving widow whose original gift sank to the lake bed during a squall. Visitors still pull the nave rope continuously: you will hear the chime across the water every few minutes until dusk.
The Bled Castle Walk and St. Martin's Parish Church
Start & Finish: Kavarna Park, Cesta svobode 10, 4260 Bled, Slovenia
Distance: 2.4 km (1.5 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 84m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Juliana Trail, Vintgar-Bled, Blejski Razgledni Trail, Gorenjska veja Jakobove poti,
Pubs / Cafes on route: Many in Bled Town, plus Bled Castle Restaurant
Links: Bled Castle, St. Martin's Parish Church
To get above the water without tackling the full mountain ranges, the spur trail to Bled Castle (Blejski grad) is the quickest vertical hit in town.
We started in the town centre, walking anticlockwise along the lake promenade past the Castle Bathing Area (Grajsko kopališče). Immediately after the bathing enclosure, a wooden trail marker points right, indicating the start of the footpath. The trail wastes no time: it climbs via a series of steep, jagged switchbacks directly up the northern cliff. It is short, but the grade is unforgiving on cold legs.
Bled Castle is the oldest recorded fortress in Slovenia, first documented in an imperial deed of 1004 when Emperor Henry II granted the manor to Bishop Albuin of Brixen. The compound features a Romanesque double layout: an inner residential core reserved for the feudal lords, and an outer curtain wall designed to shelter retainers and livestock. Earthquakes in 1511 and 1690 wrecked much of the medieval fabric, forcing extensive Renaissance rebuilds. There is a high-end restaurant operating inside the upper courtyard, but we bypassed the formal dining, sat on the terrace cafe overlooking the lake basin, and had black coffee and cake instead.
For the descent, head back down the same switchback path for roughly 300 metres. At the trail junction halfway down the slope, fork left rather than continuing straight to the lake.
This branch path drops you directly onto the terrace of St. Martin's Parish Church (Župnijska cerkev sv. Martina). The current neo-Gothic building was erected between 1903 and 1905 on the foundations of an earlier 15th-century Gothic church, featuring a 57 m bell tower. The highlight outside is the stone signpost and Marian column in front of the facade, designed in the 1930s by architect Jože Plečnik. From the church steps, a short paved ramp drops you straight back onto the town promenade.
Vintgar Gorge
Start & Finish: Park and Ride drop off & collection bay, Soteska Vintgar, Turistično društvo Gorje, Podhom 80, 4247 Zgornje Gorje
Distance: 5.7 km (3.5 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 140m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Vintgar-Bled, Slovenska geološka pot, Pot kralja Triglava,
Pubs / Cafes on route: Gostilna Vintgar, (near the entrance), Okrepčevalnica Jurček (3 km in)
Links: Vintgar Gorge, Bohinj Railway, Triglav National Park, Blejska Dobrava
On Day 2 we refuelled with another warm lunch, took a brief nap, and sorted our logistics for Vintgar Gorge (Soteska Vintgar).
Do not try to drive directly to the gorge entrance: parking there is restricted and strictly managed. We drove 4 km northwest to the Central Vintgar Lip park-and-ride facility in Blejska Dobrava, leaving the car there and taking the 10-minute electric shuttle bus to the visitor centre. Entry is strictly regulated: you cannot buy tickets on arrival. We booked timed-entry slots online beforehand, which include entry, compulsory hard-hat hire, parking, and the shuttle transfer.
While you can walk the boardwalk unguided, we took a guided group to get the local historical context. Jakob Žumer, the local mayor of Gorje, and photographer Benedikt Lergetporer discovered the impassable section in 1891 during a drought, using basic ropes and ladders to survey the river Radovna. They opened the first timber boardwalks just two years later in 1893.
The trail through the canyon is 1.6 km long and strictly one-way. You walk along cantilevered timber gantries pinned directly into vertical limestone walls, with the river running violently underneath. Around the 1 km mark, look up to see the Bohinj Railway bridge spanning the chasm: a single-arch stone viaduct built between 1901 and 1906, carrying the line 33 m above the water.
The boardwalk section terminates at the 13-metre Šum Waterfall (Slap Šum) and the intake for Slovenia's oldest operating hydroelectric plant. Timea had an Instagram glitch that stripped the audio track from her video clips here, but the natural white noise of the waterfall in the gorge made recorded music completely redundant anyway.
The return leg cannot be done via the boardwalks. From the hydro plant, the route climbs south on a dirt track through beech forest over the homeward ridge. It is 4 km of undulating, often slick woodland trail before you arrive back at the shuttle stop.
We could easily have filled an entire week here. Because our schedule was locked to our mountain guide's weather window for Triglav, we ran out of time for several local objectives: namely hiring a traditional wooden pletna boat out to the island, running the Sava Dolinka zipline, parascending off the peaks, and the Straža summer toboggan run on the town's former FIS ski hill. We will be back to clear the ledger.
Walking The Midshires Way through Buckinghamshire
Along the disused railway by Bradwell windmill, Milton Keynes
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.
We walked the Chilterns part of the Mishires Way in 17 sections over a 8 months in 2026. Each section was a circular walk of between 8 and 14 km of which part was along the Midshires with a return to the start along other nearby footpaths.
Point to Point: Walking the Midshires Way in Buckinghamshire
Start: ions Of Bledlow, Church End, Bledlow, Princes Risborough, HP27 9PE
Finish: Salcey Forest Visitor’s Centre, Wootton Rd, Northampton NN7 2HX
Distance: 80 km (50 miles)
Elevation change: + 647m / - 666m. Net +78m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
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
- Newport Pagnell & Northampton South Map | Towcester & Olney | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 207
See individual section posts linked below for other links.
Walking the Midshires Way in Buckinghamshire in 17 walks
If you’re not up for a 80 km walk in one go, you can take in the Midshires Way in Buckinghamshire in 17 walks of between 8 and 14 km each. We chose this option, completing all 17 sections over 8 months in 2026. The advantage of this option is exploring more of the villages and side paths close to the route.
Each number refers to a circular walk below. Base map: Esri Topo via RideWithGPS
Section 1: Hempton Wainhill & Bledlow
Start & Finish: Lions Of Bledlow, Church End, Bledlow, Princes Risborough, HP27 9PE
Distance: 10.2 km (6.4 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 121m
Terrain: Elevated ridge-top bridleways, sheltered woodland trails, and level field-edge paths following the old railway line.
Midshires Way section covered: The Ridgeway at Wainhill to North Mill Road: 3.7 km
Start & Finish: Longwick Stores And Post Office, Thame Road, Longwick, Princes Risborough, HP27 9SF
Distance: 8.3 km (5.2 miles). Can be shortened by ~1 km by removing the detours. See walk description.
Elevation change: +/- 37m
Terrain: Level field-edge paths, quiet country lanes, and agricultural tracks.
Midshires Way section covered: North Mill Road to Longwick: 3.6 km
Section 3: Ford and Kemble Wick
Start & Finish: The Dinton Hermit, Water Lane, Ford, Aylesbury, HP17 8XH
Distance: 11.6 km (7.2 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 58m
Terrain: Predominantly level terrain consisting of field-edge footpaths, narrow country lanes, and farm tracks across the Aylesbury Vale.
Midshires Way section covered: Longwick to Michael’s Peace: 4.3 km
Section 4: Ford and Michael's Peace
Start & Finish: The Dinton Hermit, Water Lane, Ford, Aylesbury, HP17 8XH
Distance: 8.3 km (5.2 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 41 m
Terrain: Mostly level field-edge paths, quiet country lanes, and a short optional section through community woodland.
Midshires Way section covered: Michael’s Peace to Bishopstone Road: 3.8 km
Start & Finish: Stone Village Hall, 50 Oxford Road, Stone Aylesbury, HP17 8PB
Distance: 10.1 km (6.3 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 75 m
Terrain: A mixture of quiet village lanes and open field-edge bridleways.
Midshires Way section covered: Bishopstone Road to the River Thame: 3.5 km
Section 6: Waddesdon and Eythrope
Start & Finish: Waddesdon Manor Car Park, Waddesdon, Aylesbury, HP18 0JE
Distance: 11.1 km (6.9 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 160 m
Terrain: A mixture of paved estate roads, grassy footpaths, and woodland tracks across undulating farmland.
Midshires Way section covered: River Thame to Waddeston: 3.7 km
Section 7: Waddesdon and Quainton Road
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
Section 8: Quainton and Botolph Claydon
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
Section 9: Verney Junction and Winslow
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
Section 10: Addington and Great Horwood
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
Section 11: Great Horwood and 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
Section 12: Whaddon and Oakhill Wood
Start & Finish: St Mary's Church, Church Hill, Whaddon, Milton Keynes, MK17 0LZ
Distance: 8.3 km (5.2 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 74m
Terrain: A combination of quiet country lanes, well-marked grassy footpaths, and rustic woodland tracks.
Midshires Way section covered: Whaddon to Oakhill: 3.2 km
Section 13: Oakhill and Loughton
Start & Finish: Lodge Lake Car Park, Bradwell Road, Loughton Lodge, Great Holm, Milton Keynes, MK8 9LG
Distance: 9.8 km (6.1 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 84m
Terrain: A mix of ancient woodland paths, paved Milton Keynes redways, and grassy parkland trails.
Midshires Way section covered: Oakhill to Lodge Lake: 5.8 km
Section 14: Bradwell Abbey and Linford Wood
Start & Finish: Lodge Lake Car Park, Bradwell Road, Loughton Lodge, Great Holm, Milton Keynes, MK8 9LG
Distance: 11.6 km (7.2miles)
Elevation change: +/- 84m
Terrain: Predominantly flat, well-paved redways and shaded woodland paths suitable for most weather conditions.
Midshires Way section covered: Lodge Lake to Great Linford: 6.1 km
Section 15: Stantonbury Lake and Little Linford
Start & Finish: Great Linford Memorial Hall Car Park, 630 Marsh Dr, Great Linford, Milton Keynes MK14 5AS
Distance: 10.4 km (6.5 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 74m
Terrain: A mixture of paved suburban footpaths, established park trails, and potentially muddy rural tracks.
Midshires Way section covered: Great Linford to Little Linford Wood : 5.0 km
Section 16: Stoke Goldington and Tathall End
Start & Finish: High Street, Stoke Goldington, Newport Pagnell MK16 8NR
Distance: 12.9 km (8.0 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 125m
Terrain: A mixture of village pavements, country lanes, field paths, and rural tracks.
Midshires Way section covered: Little Linford Wood to (near) Stokepark Wood: 4.5 km
Section 17: Salcey Forest and the Northamptonshire Border
Start & Finish: Salcey Forest Visitor’s Centre, Wootton Rd, Northampton NN7 2HX
Distance: 13.6 km (8.5 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 90m
Terrain: A mix of ancient woodland trails, quiet country lanes, and undulating field paths.
Midshires Way section covered: (near) Stokepark Wood to Salcey Forest: 6.3 km
Walking The Midshires Way Part 17: Salcey Forest and the Northamptonshire Border
Farmland to the south of Salcey Forest
Start & Finish: Salcey Forest Visitor’s Centre, Wootton Rd, Northampton NN7 2HX
Distance: 13.6 km (8.5 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 90m
Terrain: A mix of ancient woodland trails, quiet country lanes, and undulating field paths.
Midshires Way section covered: (near) Stokepark Wood to Salcey Forest: 6.3 km
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Midshires Way, The Swan Way, Hanslope Circular Ride, Milton Keynes Boundary Walk, Northamptonshire Round
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 6
Pubs / Cafes on route: The Grounds Cafe at Salcey Forest, at the start and end of the route.
Map: Newport Pagnell & Northampton South Map | Towcester & Olney | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 207
Links: Salcey Forest, Hartwell, Hanslope
Welcome to Part 17 of our series of short circular walks along the Buckinghamshire section of the Midshires Way. For a complete overview of the 225-mile trail's history, its connection to the Swan's Way, and preparation tips, please read my complete Midshires Way Through Buckinghamshire Guide.
Walking Directions
This section of the Midshires Way offers a fantastic blend of dense ancient woodland and wide open countryside. Starting in the heart of Salcey Forest, you get to experience the tranquil atmosphere of a former medieval hunting ground before the route opens up into the rolling fields of Northamptonshire. It is an excellent route for walkers who enjoy varied scenery and want to experience both shaded tree canopies and expansive rural views.
The terrain is generally forgiving, with well-surfaced forestry tracks making up the first and final sections of the loop. The middle section takes you across farmland and along quiet country lanes near Hanslope, which can get a little muddy after heavy rain but are otherwise straightforward to navigate. Whether you are adding this to a larger Midshires Way trek or simply stretching your legs after a Saturday parkrun, this circular route provides a wonderful half-day out.
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 and end the walk at the Salcey Forest Visitor Centre, which is located just off Wootton Road.
Note that the Buckinghamshire and Northamptonshire border runs directly through Salcey Forest: as this is the last of the Midshires Way walks in Buckinghamshire, the route takes you right up to the county border.
From the car parking area, walk in a north-westerly direction through the car park.
Take the first path on the left at the end of the car park to cross over Wootton Road.
Enter the western side of Salcey Forest, which is sandwiched between Wootton Road and the M1.
Continue walking along the bridle path in a south-westerly direction as it curves around.
Cross over Forest Road: you will notice on the map a spot height called Hartwell Heights at 130m, though there is nothing to see here other than a gate as you cross the road.
Continue on the bridle path heading in a south-easterly direction through the forest, keeping the M1 on your right.
At just over 2 kilometres into the walk, you will reach a path junction.
Take a left to head in an easterly direction and cross over Wootton Road again.
Keep heading easterly until you reach another path junction at 2.8 kilometres into the walk.
Take a right here to start walking south, soon meeting the edge of Salcey Forest and exiting out into farmland.
Follow the path along the edge of the field, which is contained by a fence, and keep walking south past Forest Farm.
Continue walking south until you reach the M1, then walk parallel to it for about 100 metres until you reach a farm footbridge.
Cross over the M1 via the footbridge into more farmland on the western side of the motorway.
At the next path junction by a tree-lined farm road, take a left.
Follow this farm road in a south-easterly direction past the farmhouse and into the fields.
Continue until you reach the edge of the field just in front of a stream, then take a left to walk in a north-easterly direction.
Cross under the M1 via the footbridge underpass and keep walking north-easterly.
Proceed until you reach a junction where you meet the Midshires Way again at the section where you left it on part sixteen of the walk.
Take a left, heading towards Stoke Park Wood: do not enter Stoke Park Wood, but instead take the next left to follow the Midshires Way in a north-westerly direction.
Zigzag around the edges of the farmland until you eventually re-enter Salcey Forest woods.
Continue walking in a northerly direction until you reach Forest Road.
Take a left onto Forest Road at the corner where you will see the Salcey Forest Horse Box car park.
Follow the edge of this road all the way back to the junction of Forest Road and Wootton Road.
Take a right onto Wootton Road and follow it back up to the Salcey Forest Visitor Centre car park to finish the walk.
Points of Interest along or near to the Route
Salcey Forest: An ancient medieval hunting forest managed by Forestry England. It is famous for its veteran oak trees and diverse wildlife, providing a tranquil woodland escape with roots dating back centuries.
The Ancient Oaks: Several veteran oak trees, some estimated to be over 500 years old, are scattered throughout the woodland. They serve as living monuments to the ecological history of the area and are well worth stopping to admire.
Hanslope Spire: Though located just off the primary path, the towering spire of St James the Great in Hanslope dominates the local skyline. It stands as one of the tallest steeples in Buckinghamshire and acts as a helpful navigational landmark for walkers in the surrounding fields.
Midshires Way previous section (south): Stoke Goldington and Tathall End
Running The Bakerloo Line
A few weeks ago, I completed my run of the Circle Line above ground. That particular challenge was actually completed in two parts, with a whole ten years between them! The first part covered the main circle, while the second part, completed much more recently, ticked off the Hammersmith Spur. That most recent run sparked something in me, inspiring me to take on more London Underground runs and walks.
Next up on the list: the Bakerloo line.
The line was originally called the "Baker Street and Waterloo Railway", but a journalist coined the term "Bakerloo" in a newspaper column shortly after it opened in 1906, and the railway company quickly adopted it. On paper, running the Bakerloo line is a much more straightforward undertaking. It’s a single point-to-point line with no complicated spurs and no circles to navigate.
The plan was simple: start at the northern terminus of Harrow & Wealdstone, follow the route as closely as possible above ground, visit every station for a mandatory selfie, and finish at Elephant & Castle 27 kilometres later. Afterwards, I’d simply take the tube all the way back to the start.
I’ll admit, the prep for this one wasn't ideal. I’d had a pretty heavy week at work, and the day before the run, I had been out on a day adventure on the south coast hunting OS Trig Pillars. Safe to say, when Sunday morning rolled around, I didn't feel completely up for a continuous 27 km run. I decided to adapt. The new plan was to run as much of the route as I could, and then walk the rest. To be honest, staying above ground seemed like the better option anyway: if I had taken the tube for that first leg, I would have been travelling on the oldest rolling stock on the London Underground, dating back to 1972, and sharing the tunnels with the Culex molestus, a unique breed of mosquito specific to the Underground network.
I drove to Harrow & Wealdstone station, parked up, and set off in a south-easterly direction. The first section of the route took me through the fairly residential north-west stretches of the line, through areas including Kenton, Wembley, Harlesden, and Queen's Park. There is nothing wrong with this section, but it is fairly residential and not massively distinct compared to what comes later.
By the time I reached Maida Vale, I was well and truly ready for a coffee and a piece of cake. I ducked into a Starbucks, completely satisfied that I had done all the running I wanted to do for the day. While taking a breather there, I was at a site of Underground history: when Maida Vale opened in 1915 during the First World War, it was the first station on the network to be staffed entirely by women. From this point on, it was going to be a walk.
From Maida Vale onwards, the route gets more interesting as you enter the pleasant, affluent parts of north-west London. There is a lot more to see, so it made perfect sense to take it slow, conserve my energy, and actually take in the sights.
Shortly after Maida Vale, I hit the Grand Union Canal. This is very familiar territory for me as I work nearby, and I enjoyed the stroll through Paddington Basin before scooting around St. Mary's Hospital towards Edgware Road.
It was at Edgware Road that I encountered my first navigational issue. When mapping out the run, I had accidentally planned my route to the wrong Edgware Road station. As tube trivia fans will know, there are two stations with the same name located very close to each other, but they aren't physically connected. One serves the Hammersmith & City and Circle lines, while the other, situated on the opposite side of the A40, serves the Bakerloo line. Naturally, I ended up visiting both of them by accident.
To compound my planning errors, I realised at Edgware Road that I had completely missed Marylebone station off my route list. Thankfully, I was able to divert and get that one in before heading on to Baker Street.
Upon reaching Regent's Park, the Bakerloo line takes a sharp right turn to the south. Interestingly, this station was actually an afterthought: it only received planning permission after construction had already begun on the rest of the line. I followed suit, walking down Regent Street, past the bustling crowds of Oxford Street, and on to Piccadilly Circus. From there, I headed down to Charing Cross and finally crossed the river towards Waterloo Station.
Arriving at Waterloo, my patchy route planning struck again. I realised I had also left Lambeth North out of my itinerary. It is quite ironic that I missed it, as the station has historically struggled with its own identity. When it opened in 1906, it was originally called Kennington Road, was renamed Westminster Bridge Road months later, and finally settled on Lambeth North in 1917. I made a quick detour south to visit it, snapping the required selfie before finally ending up at the southern terminus: Elephant & Castle.
I had covered the 27 kilometres. The run/walk was complete. Or so I thought. As I stood at Elephant & Castle, reviewing the day's efforts, I had a sudden, sinking realisation. I had walked straight past Embankment station without getting a selfie.
There was only one thing to do. I hopped on the Bakerloo line at Elephant & Castle, rode it a few stops north, and got out at Embankment to take the forgotten selfie. Mission officially accomplished, I got back on the train and took the tube all the way back up to Harrow & Wealdstone to collect my car and head home.
Back at Harrow & Wealdstone station, I decided to do a little extra bit of geekery by finding the eponymous Weald Stone. It is a seven-minute drive away, sitting unassumingly outside the Bombay Central restaurant on a roundabout.
It turns out that this ancient stone traditionally marked the old boundary between the parishes of Harrow and Harrow Weald. Interestingly, it is a sarsen stone, which is the exact same type of stone used to build Stonehenge. Finding this quirky piece of history made for a very satisfying end to a weekend of adventures.
Start: Harrow & Wealdstone Station, The Bridge, High St, Harrow HA3 5BP
Finish: Elephant & Castle Station, Bakerloo Line, Elephant and Castle, London SE1 6LW
Distance: 27 km (16.8 miles)
Elevation change: +145m /-193m. Net -48m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (Walk): Capital Ring, Regents Canal Towpath, Jubilee Greenway, Thames Path
Other routes touched (Cycle): C3, C5, C6, C27, C57, NCN4
Map: OS Explorer Map (173) London North, The City, West End, Enfield, Ealing, Harrow & Watford
More London Posts
If you enjoyed reading this post, there is plenty more to explore across the capital. I have put together a dedicated London Outdoors page where I keep track of all my other adventures around the city. It is a handy index where I group my posts by the different types of places I have visited: including historic boundary lines, canal towpaths, and some surprising urban high points.
The collection covers a bit of everything: from long-distance cycling routes to tracing the underground network on foot, and ticking off another Saturday morning parkrun. If you are looking for some inspiration for your own weekend outings, head back over to the London Outdoors page to see what else I have been up to.
Yorkshire and The Humber parkruns
Yorkshire and the Humber is a vast and dramatically contrasting region of the UK, situated across northern and eastern England, acting as a major historical, cultural, and industrial hub. The region is composed of the ceremonial counties of West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, the East Riding of Yorkshire, and parts of two others: the majority of North Yorkshire (excluding areas north of the River Tees) and the northern portion of Lincolnshire. Geographically, Yorkshire and the Humber is characterised by its sweeping, often wild topography, most notably across the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors: two distinct, rugged National Parks spanning the north and west of the region. It contains the towering, wind-swept ridges of the Pennine Chain and the uniquely flat, vast agricultural expanse of the Humber Estuary. Landscapes across the region are varied, ranging from the steep, dramatic limestone valleys of the dales to the heavily industrialised, densely populated urban centres of West and South Yorkshire, and the sheer, chalky cliffs of Flamborough Head on the east coast.
The administrative map of Yorkshire and the Humber underwent significant transformations following the Local Government Act 1972, which came into effect in 1974. Prior to this, the region was largely defined by the ancient, historic county of Yorkshire (subdivided into the North, West, and East Ridings) alongside the historic county of Lincolnshire to the south. The 1974 reforms sought to modernise local government and address the sprawling industrial conurbations, leading to the creation of the metropolitan counties of West Yorkshire and South Yorkshire, absorbing the heavily populated areas of the former West Riding. The reforms also created the controversial, and later abolished, county of Humberside, which merged the East Riding with the northernmost parts of Lincolnshire across the Humber estuary. Following further reorganisations in 1996, Humberside was dissolved, restoring the East Riding of Yorkshire and establishing the modern administrative landscape, though the distinct historic and cultural identities of the region's ancient boundaries continue to be fiercely celebrated.
parkrun event numbers per county
There are currently 68 parkrun events in the counties of the Yorkshire and The Humber region.
Notes and exceptions.
All South Yorkshire parkrun events were part of the historic county of Yorkshire except for Graves and Rother Valley which were in historic Derbyshire. The Rother Valley course crosses the border between the 2 historic counties.
Five North Yorkshire events in the Tees Valley: Albert, Flatts Lane, Marshall Drive, Redcar and Stewart are in North East England region. All other North Yorkshire events are in the Yorkshire and The Humber region.
Most of Lincolnshire is in the East Midlands Region, however the most northerly 6 parkrun events are in the Yorkshire and the Humber region: Ancholme Valley Way, Baysgarth Park, Cleethorpes, Normanby Hall, Scunthorpe, Vermuyden Way
The Yorkshire and The Humber Counties parkrun pages
Click on each of the images below to go to the page with details of the parkrun events for the county.
More parkrun posts
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:
North East England parkruns
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 North West England.
The North East of England is a diverse and distinctive region of the UK, situated in the far north of the country, bordered by the North Sea to the east and sharing a long, historic border with Scotland. The region is composed of three ceremonial counties: County Durham, Northumberland, and Tyne and Wear. Geographically, the North East is characterised by its rugged coastline and expansive, sparsely populated uplands, most notably across Northumberland National Park: a dramatic and ancient landscape stretching south from the Cheviot Hills. It contains the deeply historic, rolling hills of the North Pennines (predominantly in County Durham and Northumberland) and the iconic, windswept route of Hadrian's Wall. Landscapes across the region are varied, ranging from the steep limestone cliffs and sandy bays of the Durham coast to the vast coniferous woodland of Kielder Forest and the rich, post-industrial river valleys of the Tyne, the Wear, and the Tees.
The administrative map of the North East underwent a significant transformation following the Local Government Act 1972, which came into effect in 1974. Prior to this, the region was defined by the ancient historic counties of Northumberland and County Durham (and historically, a portion of northern Yorkshire). The 1974 reforms sought to modernise local government, particularly to address the dense, industrial urban growth around the major rivers. This led to the creation of the metropolitan county of Tyne and Wear, which absorbed heavily populated, heavily industrialised swathes of south-east Northumberland and north-east County Durham (including Newcastle upon Tyne and Sunderland). The reforms also created the short-lived county of Cleveland in the south (absorbing parts of Durham and Yorkshire around the Tees), though this was later abolished. These boundaries, particularly the establishment of Tyne and Wear alongside the slightly reduced modern counties of Northumberland and Durham, were solidified for the purposes of appointing Lord-Lieutenants by the Lieutenancies Act 1997, firmly establishing the modern "ceremonial counties" we recognise today, even as the region's historic identities continue to hold deep cultural significance.
parkrun event numbers per county
There are currently 43 parkrun events in the counties of the North East England region.
Notes and exceptions.
Five North Yorkshire events in the Tees Valley: Albert, Flatts Lane, Marshall Drive, Redcar and Stewart are in North East England region. All other North Yorkshire events are in the Yorkshire and The Humber region.
The North East England Counties parkrun pages
Click on each of the images below to go to the page with details of the parkrun events for the county.
More parkrun posts
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:
Walking The Midshires Way Part 16: Stoke Goldington and Tathall End
Thatched cottages on Stoke Goldington High Street
Start & Finish: High Street, Stoke Goldington, Newport Pagnell MK16 8NR
Distance: 12.9 km (8.0 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 125m
Terrain: A mixture of village pavements, country lanes, field paths, and rural tracks.
Midshires Way section covered: Little Linford Wood to (near) Stokepark Wood: 4.5 km
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Midshires Way, The Swan Way, Hanslope Circular Ride, Three Shires Way
Other routes touched (cycle): None
Pubs / Cafes on route: The Lamb, Stoke Goldington, although this was shut down when we visited in August 2026
Map: Newport Pagnell & Northampton South Map | Towcester & Olney | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 207
Links: Milton Keynes, Stoke Goldington, Tathall End
Welcome to Part 16 of our series of short circular walks along the Buckinghamshire section of the Midshires Way. For a complete overview of the 225-mile trail's history, its connection to the Swan's Way, and preparation tips, please read my complete Midshires Way Through Buckinghamshire Guide.
Walking Directions
This is a delightful loop exploring the Buckinghamshire countryside between Stoke Goldington and the hamlet of Tathall End. This walk offers a quiet escape through open fields and rural tracks, providing a fantastic opportunity to appreciate the local wildlife and historic village architecture. It is a brilliant way to spend a few hours stretching your legs in the fresh air.
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.
You can find free on-street parking on Stoke Goldington High Street, quite close to the former Lamb pub and opposite the old post office, which is now a private house. The Lamb was shut down when we visited in August 2026, so it is worth checking if it has reopened before you leave if you plan to eat or drink there, as there are no other pubs or cafes on the route.
Walk south down the high street to the war memorial and the lovely Stoke Goldington village sign.
Just after the war memorial, take a footpath on the right and follow Ram Alley in a south-westerly direction into a farm.
At the farm, take a left at the T-junction, follow it for a little bit, and then take a right at the next T-junction to walk along a path beside a hedgerow.
Keep going south-west until you reach a lane, then turn left and follow it in a south-easterly direction.
You will have Buntsy wood on your right and open farms and farmland on your left.
Keep following the lane past the edge of the wood, and when it curves to the left, take the footpath on the right into the fields.
Walk until you reach the edge of New Plantation, which is part of Gayhurst wood.
Look out for a clump of trees on a raised artificial hill on your left: if you walk up into the trees, you get a great line of sight through to Gayhurst Court. This is a historic manor house, but instead of being a training centre, the house and service buildings were actually converted into houses and flats in the 1970s.
Follow the edge of New Plantation as it curves around to the right.
At the path junction, turn left to cross the fields in a southerly direction towards the M1. You cannot miss the motorway: you can clearly see and hear it.
When you reach the edge of the M1, turn left and follow the path parallel to the road in a south-easterly direction.
Take the underpass on the right, which is also on the Three Shires Way, to go under the M1.
Continue in a south-westerly direction until you reach the edge of Little Linford wood.
Turn left to follow the boundary of the wood, and at the southern corner, take a right onto the Hanslope Circular Ride.
Follow the ride in a north-westerly direction: about halfway into Little Linford wood, you will pick up where you left off on part 16 of the Midshires Way.
Keep on the Hanslope circular ride to the north-westerly corner of the wood, and follow the Midshires Way as it opens out into farmland.
Walk north-west across the farmland until you reach the boundary of Hanslope Park, which is a government communications research centre that is part of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
Follow the Midshires Way as it skirts around the north-eastern side of Hanslope Park.
When you reach the road, turn right and head in a north-easterly direction towards Tathall End.
Be careful on this stretch of road: it was fairly quiet when we were there, but there is no footpath, so watch out for traffic.
At Tathall End, the road curves right, but you need to keep walking north on the footpath that continues the Hanslope circular ride and Midshires Way.
Pass under another M1 underpass and head into the flat farmland, continuing to walk north.
The Midshires Way will leave to the left, but keep walking straight north into Stoke Park Wood.
When you reach a cross junction of paths in the centre of Stoke Park Wood, take a right to head east towards the edge of the wood. Here, you get a really nice view over to Stoke Goldington and down Small Valley, and there is a bench right at the edge of the wood if you want to sit for a rest.
To continue the walk, turn left, and then turn right at the edge of the field by a mobile phone mast.
Follow the farm lane in an easterly direction, passing the church on your left-hand side.
Follow the path around to the left and take the bridleway that runs parallel to Dag Lane.
Continue all the way along Dag Lane until you arrive back on the High Street at the start of your walk.
Points of Interest along or near to the Route
Stoke Goldington: Stoke Goldington is a historic village whose roots can be traced back to the Domesday Book of 1086. The village's name derives from the Old English 'stoc', meaning a settlement, and 'Goldington', likely referring to a local landowner. Its picturesque High Street features beautiful thatched cottages and a striking war memorial, making it a quintessential starting point for a rural walk.
Church of St Peter, Stoke Goldington: This Grade I listed parish church is dedicated to St Peter and anchors the village. The earliest parts of the building date from the 12th century, showcasing deep historical roots.
Little Linford Wood: Part of the ancient woodland network in the region. These sites are crucial for biodiversity, often harbouring protected species and providing a glimpse of the landscape as it appeared centuries ago before intensive agriculture.
Hanslope Park: Hidden behind a perimeter of trees lies Hanslope Park, a highly secure government estate with a fascinating history. Requisitioned during the Second World War, it became the base for the Radio Security Service and His Majesty's Government Communications Centre (HMGCC). It was here in 1944 that computing pioneer Alan Turing developed 'Delilah', a groundbreaking portable speech encryption system. The site remains a vital, secretive hub for the UK's national security and diplomatic communications.
Tathall End: Located on the periphery of Hanslope, Tathall End is a small, tranquil hamlet that retains its traditional English rural character. Historically, such "Ends" were satellite settlements linked to a larger manor, serving as agricultural hubs for the surrounding open-field system. Today, it provides a peaceful, pastoral backdrop as you traverse the Buckinghamshire landscape.
Midshires Way previous section (south): Stantonbury Lake and Little Linford
Midshires Way next section (north): Salcey Forest and the Northamptonshire Border
Completing all Northumberland parkruns
There are currently 9 parkrun events in the present-day county of Northumberland, of which I have not yet completed any. The first was Carlisle Park which started on 5 October 2013 and the newest is Kirkharle Courtyard which started on 13 structural May 2023. The name for having completed all parkrun events in Yorkshire is “North-done-berland”.
There are an additional 6 parkrun events in the historic county of Northumberland that are now in the present-day county of Tyne & Wear.
Numbers exclude 2k Junior parkruns and any events that are not open to the general public such as prisons or armed forces facilities.
All of the Northumberland parkrun events …
Below are each of the Northumberland 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.
Ashington Community Woodland
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Northumberland
Ceremonial County: Northumberland
Inaugural: 20 January 2024
Links: Home Page, Course Page
Blyth Links
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Northumberland
Ceremonial County: Northumberland
Inaugural: 20 April 2019
Links: Home Page, Course Page
Carlisle Park
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Northumberland
Ceremonial County: Northumberland
Inaugural: 5 October 2013
Links: Home Page, Course Page
Druridge Bay
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Northumberland
Ceremonial County: Northumberland
Inaugural: 9 August 2014
Links: Home Page, Course Page
Kirkharle Courtyard
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Northumberland
Ceremonial County: Northumberland
Inaugural: 13 May 2023
Links: Home Page, Course Page
Newbiggin-by-the-Sea
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Northumberland
Ceremonial County: Northumberland
Inaugural: 13 October 2018
Links: Home Page, Course Page
Prudhoe Riverside
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Northumberland
Ceremonial County: Northumberland
Inaugural: 12 November 2016
Links: Home Page, Course Page
The Pastures
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Northumberland
Ceremonial County: Northumberland
Inaugural: 12 January 2019
Links: Home Page, Course Page
Tyne Green
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Northumberland
Ceremonial County: Northumberland
Inaugural: 20 April 2019
Links: Home Page, Course Page
More parkrun posts
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:
Completing all Tyne and Wear parkruns
There are currently 14 parkrun events in the present-day county of Tyne and Wear, of which I have not yet completed any. The first was Town Moor which started on 16 January 2010 and the newest is Windy Nook which started on 20 April 2024. The name for having completed all parkrun events in Tyne and Wear is “Full Tyne”.
Tyne and Wear is a present-day / Ceremonial county that was formed from the north-eastern part of County Durham and the south-eastern part of Northumberland. The event listings below show which are in either of the historic counties.
Gibside was a parkrun event in Tyne and Wear but has now been permanently cancelled.
Numbers exclude 2k Junior parkruns and any events that are not open to the general public such as prisons or armed forces facilities.
All of the Tyne and Wear parkrun events …
Below are each of the Tyne and Wear 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.
Chopwell Wood
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: County Durham
Ceremonial County: Tyne and Wear
Inaugural: 30th October 2021
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Denton Dene
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Northumberland
Ceremonial County: Tyne and Wear
Inaugural: 17th June 2023
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Elemore Park
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: County Durham
Ceremonial County: Tyne and Wear
Inaugural: 15th November 2025
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Fulwell Quarry
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: County Durham
Ceremonial County: Tyne and Wear
Inaugural: 18th May 2024
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Gateshead
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: County Durham
Ceremonial County: Tyne and Wear
Inaugural: 18th February 2012
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Gibside
This parkrun event has been permanently cancelled. I did not complete this event before it was closed.
Historic County: County Durham
Ceremonial County: Tyne and Wear
Inaugural: February 22nd 2014. Final event: #280 on March 14th 2020
Reason for cancellation: Due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and changes on the Gibside estate (National Trust property) making the original course unviable.
Replaced by: Chopwell Wood
Links: Event Home Page
Herrington Country
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: County Durham
Ceremonial County: Tyne and Wear
Inaugural: 20th July 2019
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Jesmond Dene
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Northumberland
Ceremonial County: Tyne and Wear
Inaugural: 12th October 2019
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Leazes
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Northumberland
Ceremonial County: Tyne and Wear
Inaugural: 17th August 2019
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Rising Sun
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Northumberland
Ceremonial County: Tyne and Wear
Inaugural: 4th June 2016
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Silksworth
I have not yet completed this event
Original name: Sunderland. Changed to more accurately reflect the specific location of the course within the Silksworth Sports Complex, particularly as other parkrun events began to populate the wider Sunderland area.
Historic County: County Durham
Ceremonial County: Tyne and Wear
Inaugural: 10th October 2009
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
South Shields
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: County Durham
Ceremonial County: Tyne and Wear
This event is also part of parkrun Compass Club
Inaugural: 20th April 2013
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Town Moor
I have not yet completed this event
Original name: Newcastle. Changed when the event restarted after the COVID-19 pause. Several other parkruns had launched in Newcastle, requiring a more specific location name, which was accompanied by a route change.
Historic County: Northumberland
Ceremonial County: Tyne and Wear
Inaugural: 16th January 2010
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Whitley Bay
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Northumberland
Ceremonial County: Tyne and Wear
Inaugural: 16th June 2012
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Windy Nook
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: County Durham
Ceremonial County: Tyne and Wear
Inaugural: 2nd December 2017
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
More parkrun posts
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:
Completing all County Durham parkruns
There are currently 15 parkrun events in the present-day county of County Durham, of which I have not yet completed any. The first was Durham which started on 13th August 2011 and the newest is Oakey Park which started on 27th June 2026. The name for having completed all parkrun events in the county is The Pink Panther.
There are an additional 8 parkrun events in the historic county of County Durham that are now in the present-day county of Tyne & Wear.
Tees Barrage was a parkrun event in County Durham but has now been permanently cancelled.
Numbers exclude 2k Junior parkruns and any events that are not open to the general public such as prisons or armed forces facilities.
All of the County Durham parkrun events …
Below are each of the County Durham 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.
Blackhill
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: County Durham
Ceremonial County: County Durham
Inaugural: 13th July 2013
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Cotsford Fields
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: County Durham
Ceremonial County: County Durham
Inaugural: 23rd June 2018
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Darlington South Park
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: County Durham
Ceremonial County: County Durham
This event is also part of parkrun Compass Club
Inaugural: 15th December 2012
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Durham
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: County Durham
Ceremonial County: County Durham
Inaugural: 13th August 2011
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Hackworth
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: County Durham
Ceremonial County: County Durham
Inaugural: 9th March 2013
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Hamsterley Forest
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: County Durham
Ceremonial County: County Durham
Inaugural: 6th November 2021
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Hartlepool
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: County Durham
Ceremonial County: County Durham
Inaugural: 26th April 2014
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Heritage Coastal Path, Easington
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: County Durham
Ceremonial County: County Durham
Inaugural: 21st June 2025
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Jubilee
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: County Durham
Ceremonial County: County Durham
Inaugural: October 2019 (Note: exact inaugural Saturday is unspecified in the source records)
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Oakey Park
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: County Durham
Ceremonial County: County Durham
Inaugural: 27th June 2026
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Riverside
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: County Durham
Ceremonial County: County Durham
Inaugural: 14th July 2012
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Sedgefield
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: County Durham
Ceremonial County: County Durham
Inaugural: 17th March 2012
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Tees Barrage
This parkrun event has been permanently cancelled. I did not complete this event before it was closed.
Historic County: County Durham
Ceremonial County: County Durham
Inaugural: June 23rd 2012. Final event: #378 on March 14th 2020
Reason for cancellation: Reportedly due to a runner tripping and injuring themselves then making a claim against the water authority who are the landowners. The landowners decided not to continue with permission to allow the event.
Replaced by: “Sure some of the core team set up Wynyard Woodlands as its replacement”
Links: Event Home Page
The Demesnes
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: County Durham
Ceremonial County: County Durham
Inaugural: 11th October 2025
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Ushaw Historic House
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: County Durham
Ceremonial County: County Durham
Inaugural: 11th October 2025
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Wynyard Woodland
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: County Durham
Ceremonial County: County Durham
Inaugural: 15th April 2023
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
More parkrun posts
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:
Completing all West Yorkshire parkruns
There are currently 27 parkrun events in the present-day county of West Yorkshire, of which I have not yet completed any. The first was Woodhouse Moor which started on 6th October 2007 and the newest is East Holmes Field which started on 2nd August 2025. The name for having completed all parkrun events in Yorkshire is “Yorkshire Pud-done”.
Storthes Hall was a parkrun event in West Yorkshire but has now been permanently cancelled.
Numbers exclude 2k Junior parkruns and any events that are not open to the general public such as prisons or armed forces facilities.
All of the West Yorkshire parkrun events …
Below are each of the West Yorkshire 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.
Armley
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Yorkshire
Ceremonial County: West Yorkshire
Inaugural: 16th June 2018
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Bowling Park
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Yorkshire
Ceremonial County: West Yorkshire
Inaugural: 22nd February 2020
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Bramley
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Yorkshire
Ceremonial County: West Yorkshire
Inaugural: 13th June 2015
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Centre Vale
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Yorkshire
Ceremonial County: West Yorkshire
Inaugural: 9th March 2019
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Chevin Forest
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Yorkshire
Ceremonial County: West Yorkshire
Inaugural: 28th August 2021
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Cliffe Castle
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Yorkshire
Ceremonial County: West Yorkshire
Inaugural: 15th September 2018
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Cross Flatts
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Yorkshire
Ceremonial County: West Yorkshire
Inaugural: 30th March 2013
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Dewsbury
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Yorkshire
Ceremonial County: West Yorkshire
Inaugural: 23rd June 2012
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
East Holmes Field
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Yorkshire
Ceremonial County: West Yorkshire
This event is also part of parkrun Compass Club
Inaugural: 2nd August 2025
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Frickley Country
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Yorkshire
Ceremonial County: West Yorkshire
Inaugural: 6th January 2018
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Halifax
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Yorkshire
Ceremonial County: West Yorkshire
Inaugural: 7th March 2015
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Horton Park
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Yorkshire
Ceremonial County: West Yorkshire
Inaugural: 30th May 2015
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Huddersfield
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Yorkshire
Ceremonial County: West Yorkshire
Inaugural: 2nd April 2011
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Lister Park, Bradford
I have not yet completed this event
Original name: Bradford. Changed to align with parkrun HQ's naming rules by referencing the specific park rather than the wider city, especially since multiple parkrun events exist within the Bradford district.
Historic County: Yorkshire
Ceremonial County: West Yorkshire
Inaugural: 17th April 2010
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Middleton Woods
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Yorkshire
Ceremonial County: West Yorkshire
Inaugural: 13th April 2019
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Myrtle
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Yorkshire
Ceremonial County: West Yorkshire
Inaugural: 3rd November 2018
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Nostell
I have not yet completed this event
Original name: Nostell Priory. The name was shortened to align with parkrun's naming conventions, referencing the wider Nostell village and estate rather than specifically the Priory building.
Historic County: Yorkshire
Ceremonial County: West Yorkshire
Inaugural: 19th July 2014
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Oakwell Hall
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Yorkshire
Ceremonial County: West Yorkshire
Inaugural: 19th July 2014
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Pontefract
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Yorkshire
Ceremonial County: West Yorkshire
Inaugural: 7th May 2011
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Potternewton
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Yorkshire
Ceremonial County: West Yorkshire
Inaugural: 17th November 2018
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Roberts Park
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Yorkshire
Ceremonial County: West Yorkshire
Inaugural: 2nd October 2021
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Rothwell
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Yorkshire
Ceremonial County: West Yorkshire
Inaugural: 29th July 2017
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Roundhay
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Yorkshire
Ceremonial County: West Yorkshire
Inaugural: 23rd April 2011
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Storthes Hall
This parkrun event has been permanently cancelled. I did not complete this event before it was closed.
Historic County: Yorkshire
Ceremonial County: West Yorkshire
Inaugural: January 19th 2019. Final event: #50 on March 14th 2020
Reason for cancellation: The Storthes Hall Student Village, its host venue, closed down due to business challenges.
Links: Event Home Page
Temple Newsam
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Yorkshire
Ceremonial County: West Yorkshire
Inaugural: 2nd February 2013
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Wakefield Thornes
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Yorkshire
Ceremonial County: West Yorkshire
Inaugural: 20th September 2014
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Wetherby
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Yorkshire
Ceremonial County: West Yorkshire
Inaugural: 21st March 2015
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Woodhouse Moor
I have not yet completed this event
Original name: Hyde Park Time Trial. The original set of Time Trials were rebranded as "parkrun" in 2008 to appeal to a wider, non-traditional running community. The event became known as Leeds parkrun before changing again to Woodhouse Moor parkrun.
Historic County: Yorkshire
Ceremonial County: West Yorkshire
Inaugural: 6th October 2007
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
More parkrun posts
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:
Completing all North Yorkshire parkruns
There are currently 20 parkrun events in the present-day county of North Yorkshire, of which I have not yet completed any. The first was Albert which started on 31 May 2008 and the newest is York Community Woodland which started on 14 December 2024. The name for having completed all parkrun events in Yorkshire is “Yorkshire Pud-done”.
Five North Yorkshire events in the Tees Valley: Albert, Flatts Lane, Marshall Drive, Redcar and Stewart are in North East England region. All other North Yorkshire events are in the Yorkshire and The Humber region.
Castle Howard, Catterick and New Earswick were parkrun events in North Yorkshire but have now been permanently cancelled.
Numbers exclude 2k Junior parkruns and any events that are not open to the general public such as prisons or armed forces facilities.
All of the North Yorkshire parkrun events …
Below are each of the North Yorkshire 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.
Albert
I have not yet completed this event
Original name: Albert Park Time Trial. The original set of Time Trials were rebranded as "parkrun" in 2008 to appeal to a wider, non-traditional running community.
Region: North East England
Historic County: Yorkshire
Ceremonial County: North Yorkshire
Inaugural: 31st May 2008
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Castle Howard
This parkrun event has been permanently cancelled. I did not complete this event before it was closed.
Region: Yorkshire and The Humber
Historic County: Yorkshire
Ceremonial County: North Yorkshire
Inaugural: September 14th 2019. Final event: #23 on March 7th 2020
Reason for cancellation: The owners (the Howard Family) felt the parkrun got in the way of their daily operation & opening hours. Also - dissolution of the core volunteer team.
Links: Event Home Page
Catterick
This parkrun event has been permanently cancelled. I did not complete this event before it was closed.
Region: Yorkshire and The Humber
Historic County: Yorkshire
Ceremonial County: North Yorkshire
Inaugural: June 17th 2017. Final event: #135 on March 14th 2020
Reason for cancellation: Catterick racecourse management decided they could no longer host it, citing reasons like public liability risks, potential disturbance to the on-site fishing club, and plans for their own redevelopment.
Replaced by: Thorp Perrow
Links: Event Home Page
Conyngham Hall
I have not yet completed this event
Region: Yorkshire and The Humber
Historic County: Yorkshire
Ceremonial County: North Yorkshire
Inaugural: 18th May 2019
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Dalby Forest
I have not yet completed this event
Region: Yorkshire and The Humber
Historic County: Yorkshire
Ceremonial County: North Yorkshire
Inaugural: 19th March 2016
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Flatts Lane
I have not yet completed this event
Region: North East England
Historic County: Yorkshire
Ceremonial County: North Yorkshire
Inaugural: 16th September 2017
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Fountains Abbey
I have not yet completed this event
Region: Yorkshire and The Humber
Historic County: Yorkshire
Ceremonial County: North Yorkshire
Inaugural: 1st March 2014
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Harrogate
I have not yet completed this event
Region: Yorkshire and The Humber
Historic County: Yorkshire
Ceremonial County: North Yorkshire
Inaugural: 21st January 2012
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Heslington
I have not yet completed this event
Region: Yorkshire and The Humber
Historic County: Yorkshire
Ceremonial County: North Yorkshire
Inaugural: 13th January 2018
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Marshall Drive
I have not yet completed this event
Region: North East England
Historic County: Yorkshire
Ceremonial County: North Yorkshire
Inaugural: 23rd February 2019
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Millfield
I have not yet completed this event
Region: Yorkshire and The Humber
Historic County: Yorkshire
Ceremonial County: North Yorkshire
Inaugural: 15th June 2019
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
New Earswick
This parkrun event has been permanently cancelled. I did not complete this event before it was closed.
Region: Yorkshire and The Humber
Historic County: Yorkshire
Ceremonial County: North Yorkshire
Inaugural: April 21st 2018. Final event: #241 on August 30th 2025
Reason for cancellation: Due to unresolved capacity issues and conflicts with other activities at the New Earswick Sports & Social Club, the venue's home, leading to unsafe overlaps, parking complaints, and inability to find a workable solution
Links: Event Home Page
North Yorkshire Water Park
I have not yet completed this event
Region: Yorkshire and The Humber
Historic County: Yorkshire
Ceremonial County: North Yorkshire
This event is also part of parkrun Compass Club
Inaugural: 26th February 2022
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Northallerton
I have not yet completed this event
Region: Yorkshire and The Humber
Historic County: Yorkshire
Ceremonial County: North Yorkshire
This event is also part of parkrun Compass Club
Inaugural: 16th April 2016
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Redcar
I have not yet completed this event
Region: North East England
Historic County: Yorkshire
Ceremonial County: North Yorkshire
Inaugural: 28th April 2012
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Selby
I have not yet completed this event
Region: Yorkshire and The Humber
Historic County: Yorkshire
Ceremonial County: North Yorkshire
Inaugural: 24th February 2018
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Skipton
I have not yet completed this event
Region: Yorkshire and The Humber
Historic County: Yorkshire
Ceremonial County: North Yorkshire
Inaugural: 7th September 2013
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Stewart
I have not yet completed this event
Region: North East England
Historic County: Yorkshire
Ceremonial County: North Yorkshire
Inaugural: 7th July 2012
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
The Cinder Track
I have not yet completed this event
Region: Yorkshire and The Humber
Historic County: Yorkshire
Ceremonial County: North Yorkshire
Inaugural: 23rd October 2021
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Thorp Perrow
I have not yet completed this event
Region: Yorkshire and The Humber
Historic County: Yorkshire
Ceremonial County: North Yorkshire
Inaugural: 16th September 2023
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Woodlands, Scarborough
I have not yet completed this event
Region: Yorkshire and The Humber
Historic County: Yorkshire
Ceremonial County: North Yorkshire
Inaugural: 28th June 2025
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
York
I have not yet completed this event
Region: Yorkshire and The Humber
Historic County: Yorkshire
Ceremonial County: North Yorkshire
Inaugural: 14th January 2012
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
York Community Woodland
I have not yet completed this event
Region: Yorkshire and The Humber
Historic County: Yorkshire
Ceremonial County: North Yorkshire
Inaugural: 31st January 2026
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
More parkrun posts
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:
Completing all South Yorkshire parkruns
There are currently 13 parkrun events in the present-day county of South Yorkshire, of which I have not yet completed any. The first was Endcliffe which started on 10th July 2010 and the newest is Waverley Lakes which started on 11th January 2025. The name for having completed all parkrun events in Yorkshire is “Yorkshire Pud-done”.
All South Yorkshire parkrun events were part of the historic county of Yorkshire except for Graves and Rother Valley which were in historic Derbyshire. The Rother Valley course crosses the border between the 2 historic counties.
Numbers exclude 2k Junior parkruns and any events that are not open to the general public such as prisons or armed forces facilities.
All of the South Yorkshire parkrun events …
Below are each of the South Yorkshire 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.
Barnsley
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Yorkshire
Ceremonial County: South Yorkshire
Inaugural: 22nd January 2011
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Concord
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Yorkshire
Ceremonial County: South Yorkshire
Inaugural: 8th January 2011
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Cusworth Hall
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Yorkshire
Ceremonial County: South Yorkshire
Inaugural: 5th October 2019
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Endcliffe
I have not yet completed this event
Original name: Sheffield Hallam. Name changed following a route alteration to exclude a pavement section on Rustlings Road for safety reasons. This evolution into a fully park-based route prompted a rebrand.
Historic County: Yorkshire
Ceremonial County: South Yorkshire
Inaugural: 10th July 2010
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Graves
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Derbyshire
Ceremonial County: South Yorkshire
Inaugural: 14th April 2012
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Hillsborough
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Yorkshire
Ceremonial County: South Yorkshire
Inaugural: 2nd February 2013
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Millhouses
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Yorkshire
Ceremonial County: South Yorkshire
Inaugural: 19th October 2019
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Penistone
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Yorkshire
Ceremonial County: South Yorkshire
Inaugural: 12th October 2024
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Rother Valley
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Derbyshire
Ceremonial County: South Yorkshire
Inaugural: 11th May 2013
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Rotherham
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Yorkshire
Ceremonial County: South Yorkshire
Inaugural: 29th June 2013
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Sandall Park
I have not yet completed this event
Original name: Doncaster. Changed to align with parkrun HQ's naming policy, which stipulates events should be named after the smallest identifiable geographical area (the park) rather than the town.
Historic County: Yorkshire
Ceremonial County: South Yorkshire
Inaugural: 30th March 2013
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Sheffield Castle
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Yorkshire
Ceremonial County: South Yorkshire
Inaugural: 19th October 2013
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Waverley Lakes
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Yorkshire
Ceremonial County: South Yorkshire
Inaugural: 11th January 2025
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
More parkrun posts
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:
Completing all East Riding of Yorkshire parkruns
There are currently 7 parkrun events in the present-day county of East Riding of Yorkshire, of which I have not yet completed any. The first was Hull parkrun which started on 3rd April 2010 and the newest is Withernsea Promenade parkrun which started on 27th July 2024. The name for having completed all parkrun events in Yorkshire is “Yorkshire Pud-done”.
Numbers exclude 2k Junior parkruns and any events that are not open to the general public such as prisons or armed forces facilities.
All of the East Riding of Yorkshire parkrun events …
Below are each of the East Riding of Yorkshire 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.
Beverley Westwood
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Yorkshire
Ceremonial County: East Riding of Yorkshire
This event is also part of parkrun Compass Club
Inaugural: 13th July 2019
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Goole
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Yorkshire
Ceremonial County: East Riding of Yorkshire
Inaugural: 30th May 2015
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Hull
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Yorkshire
Ceremonial County: East Riding of Yorkshire
Inaugural: 3rd April 2010
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Humber Bridge
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Yorkshire
Ceremonial County: East Riding of Yorkshire
Inaugural: 7th June 2014
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Peter Pan
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Yorkshire
Ceremonial County: East Riding of Yorkshire
Inaugural: 13th April 2013
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Sewerby
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Yorkshire
Ceremonial County: East Riding of Yorkshire
Inaugural: 5th November 2011
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Withernsea Promenade
I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Yorkshire
Ceremonial County: East Riding of Yorkshire
Inaugural: 27th July 2024
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
More parkrun posts
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: