Posts tagged Disused Railway

Walking The Midshires Way Part 14: Bradwell Abbey and Linford Wood

Along the disused railway by Bradwell windmill

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
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Midshires Way, The Swan Way, Hanslope Circular Ride, Railway Walk
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 6, Milton Keynes Redways: H4, V6, V8, Millennium Circular Route
Pubs / Cafes on route: Costa Coffee (8.3 km in)
Map: Buckingham & Milton Keynes Map | Leighton Buzzard & Woburn | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 192
Links: Milton Keynes, Bradwell Abbey, Linford Wood, Milton Keynes redway system, Concrete Cows, Bancroft Roman Villa, Bradwell Windmill, Wolverton to Newport Pagnell Line, Grand Union Canal

This is part of a series of short circular walks following the length of the Midshires Way in Buckinghamshire. The Midshires Way is a 225-mile (362 km) trail that journeys through the rural heart of Middle England, linking the Ridgeway National Trail at Bledlow in the south to the Trans Pennine Trail at Stockport in the north. Opened in 1994, this route traverses several counties, including Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, and Greater Manchester, following a scenic tapestry of ancient bridleways, quiet country lanes, and historic canals. In Buckinghamshire, the Midshires Way has a significant connection with the Swan's Way (often referred to as the Swan Way), a 65-mile long-distance bridleway. Essentially, the Swan's Way forms the backbone of the Buckinghamshire section of the Midshires Way, with the two routes being broadly coincident for approximately 50 miles between Salcey Forest and Bledlow. While the Swan's Way strictly adheres to bridleways to accommodate horse riders and cyclists, the Midshires Way sometimes offers alternative waymarked footpaths for walkers to avoid on-road sections.

Walking Directions

This relatively flat and accessible route takes you from the historic medieval grounds of Bradwell Abbey, winding through the city's unique redway network, and into the ancient greenery of Linford Wood. It is a fantastic mix of history and modern urban planning: offering plenty of shade and solid footing for year-round walking.

As you make your way northwards, you will cross under and over some of the major grid roads, highlighting how seamlessly nature is integrated into the city's design. The woods themselves are a haven for local wildlife, and if you are a fan of parkrun, you might recognise some of the paths as you loop through the trees before heading back towards your starting point.

The guidance below will help you navigate but don’t use it as a fully accurate turn-by-turn guide. Always take a map and/or a GPX route and prepare well for the weather and terrain.

Start your walk at the Lodge Lake car park: there is free parking here for approximately 20 cars. From the car park, head left to walk anti-clockwise around the beautiful lake in a north-westerly direction, picking up the Midshires Way.

Just before you reach Loughton Brook, take a right off the main lake path and head through the underpass beneath the Dansteed Way dual carriageway.
As you emerge from the underpass, cross the lovely small wooden footbridge over Loughton Brook and immediately turn right. This keeps you on the Midshires Way as it winds through Loughton Valley Linear Park.
Keep heading north with the brook on your right, passing under the A5 via another underpass, and continue on your north-westerly path.
At the 1.2-kilometre mark, you will hit a T-junction where you need to take a left. The official Midshires Way skirts around the boundary of Bradwell Abbey here, but I highly recommend taking a little shortcut through the abbey's nature trail. It is a fantastic spot to see the remains of the old abbey buildings and read the notice boards to soak up some local history.
Once you are on the northern side of the abbey, rejoin the Midshires Way heading north-east and cross under the main railway line.
When you meet Loughton Brook again, the path curves to the north. Keep following the Midshires Way north straight through the park until you reach the underpass for Miller's Way.
Head under Miller's Way and stick to the Midshires Way, which now puts you on the eastern side of the brook.
Just before the 4-kilometre mark, you will pass under the bridge of the old railway line that ran parallel to the Grand Union Canal. Walk under the bridge, take the ramp up onto it, and follow this old railway walk (which also doubles as a cycle route) in a north-westerly direction.
Keep an eye out on your right for the Bradwell Windmill: it is a brilliant spot to pause for some photos.
Stay on the Midshires Way along the disused railway line until just after the 6-kilometre mark. You will reach the Grand Union Canal and an old disused railway bridge. Do not cross this bridge! This is the point where we leave the Midshires Way to loop back towards the start.
Come off the bridge on the eastern side into an area known as the Quarry within Great Linford Manor Park.
Follow the path as it snakes down into St Leger Drive. Walk along the drive for about 100 metres, and just after Butler's Grove, take a right onto a footpath.
This path takes you through some quiet residential areas of Stantonbury and over a bridge crossing Marlborough Street.
You will soon meet another little stream: follow it down until you reach the underpass beneath Muck's Way.
Head through the underpass, and you will find a service area on the southern side with a McDonald's and a Costa Coffee. It is the perfect excuse for a quick tea break before tackling the small hill coming up!
Suitably refreshed, follow the path heading south up through the peaceful Linford Wood.
Emerge from the wood at Saxton Street. Cross over Saxton Street and Stanton Wood, then head under Dansteed Way to its southern side.
From here, it is a straightforward walk back: follow the path running parallel to the south side of Dansteed Way in a south-easterly direction.
Pass under Grafton Street via the underpass, keep on that south side of Dansteed Way, and it will lead you all the way back to your car at Lodge Lake.

Points of Interest along or near to the Route

Bradwell Abbey A scheduled ancient monument that was once a thriving medieval Benedictine priory. Today, only the small but historically significant Chapel of St Mary remains largely intact: featuring fascinating 14th-century wall paintings that are beautifully preserved.
Linford Wood An ancient woodland dating back at least 700 years, providing a vital green space within the Milton Keynes grid. It offers a dense canopy of oak and ash trees and features several public art installations scattered along its tranquil footpaths.
Milton Keynes Redways The extensive network of shared-use paths that crisscross the city. They provide safe, traffic-free routes for walkers and cyclists: uniquely integrating nature corridors and underpasses into the modern urban landscape.
Concrete Cows Created in 1978 by artist Liz Leyh and local schoolchildren, with subsequent repair work by Bill Billings, these iconic sculptures have become synonymous with Milton Keynes. While the original cows now reside at the Milton Keynes Museum, exact replicas stand at the original Bancroft site just off the redway network.
Bancroft Roman Villa This archaeological site preserves the foundations of an extensive Roman farming settlement and villa complex dating back to the late 1st century. Visitors can explore the outlined footprints of the ancient buildings and view interpretation boards detailing the history of the site: an excellent historical detour from the main path.
Bradwell Windmill Erected around 1814, this historic stone tower mill is a striking local landmark that was fully restored to working order in the late 20th century. It sits close to the canal and occasionally opens to the public during summer weekends: offering a fascinating glimpse into the area's agricultural past.
The Disused Railway Running adjacent to the canal in places, remnants of the old Wolverton to Newport Pagnell branch line can still be traced through the landscape. Much of this former railway trackbed has been cleverly repurposed by city planners: now serving as a wide, flat section of the modern redway system.
Grand Union Canal Serving as a major artery of the British waterway network, this historic canal provides a scenic, tranquil corridor through the heart of Milton Keynes. The towpaths offer a pleasant waterside alternative to the paved redways: complete with colourful narrowboats and abundant aquatic wildlife.

Midshires Way previous section (south): Oakhill and Loughton
Midshires Way next section (north): Stantonbury Lake and Little Linford (blog post coming soon)

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Richard gower11 July 2026Trek, Canal, Disused Railway, Buckinghamshire, EnglandComment

Cycling The Isle of Wight

Promenade between Sandown and Shanklin — Brian on the promenade between Sandown and Shanklin

The idea for this trip actually sparked on a train ride between Oxford and Banbury. Brian and I were en route to tackle a stretch of National Cycle Route 5, chatting about our ongoing mission to cycle the length of the South Coast. Over the past couple of years, we’ve worked our way clockwise from the Thames Barrier, passing through Margate, Dover, Hastings, and Brighton, before finally reaching Southampton.

Naturally, we assumed the next leg would take us west toward Weymouth. That was until we struck up a conversation with a fellow cyclist in the bike carriage. He recounted a recent coastal route he’d completed around the Isle of Wight, and his enthusiasm was infectious. We quickly realised that before pressing further west along the mainland, we had to conquer the island.

While there is a signposted cycle route around the Isle of Wight, we decided to craft a bespoke itinerary: a mix of disused railways, established cycle routes, and quiet residential lanes hugging the coast as closely as possible.

Day 1: Cowes to Newport

Start: East Cowes Ferry Terminal, East Cowes PO32 6RF
Finish: Premier Inn Isle Of Wight (Newport) hotel, Seaclose, Fairlee Road, Newport, PO30 2DN
Distance: 8.3 km (5.2 miles)
Elevation change: + 59m / -55m (Net +4m)
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Isle of Wight Coastal Path
Other routes touched (cycle): Isle of Wight Round-The-Island Cycle Route (Route 67), Newport to Cowes Cycleway, NCN 22, 23
Map: Isle of Wight Map | Cowes, Newport, Ryde, Sandown, Shanklin, Yarmouth & Ventnor | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map OL29
Links: East Cowes, Cowes Chain Bridge, River Medina, Newport

As soon as work finished on Friday, I picked Brian up and we drove south to Southampton. We parked the car right next to the ferry terminal: a great logistical move, as rolling our bikes onto the Red Funnel ferry as foot passengers was incredibly easy.

We arrived at East Cowes around 8:00 PM, hopped on the chain ferry across the River Medina, and picked up the Red Squirrel Trail. This mostly flat, slightly downhill route follows a disused railway line and made for a very pleasant 8 km evening cruise into Newport. We checked into the Premier Inn, which is brilliantly cycle-friendly, allowing us to store our bikes safely in the room.

Then came the unexpected challenge of the evening: finding dinner. Newport on a Friday night was surprisingly quiet. The receptionist’s glowing recommendation for a local Thai restaurant proved fruitless as it had already shut by 8:30 PM. An Indian restaurant down the road was also closed. In the end, we only managed to find one open restaurant to fuel up for the weekend.

Day 2: Newport to Chale (The Eastern Half)

Start: Premier Inn Isle Of Wight (Newport) hotel, Seaclose, Fairlee Road, Newport, PO30 2DN
Finish: Wight Mouse Inn, Church Place, Chale, Ventnor, PO38 2HA
Distance: 52.5 km (33 miles)
Elevation change: + 762m / -683m (Net +79m)
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Isle of Wight Coastal Path, The Bembridge Trail, The Culver Trail, Worsley Trail, Tip of the Wight, Yar River Trail,
Other routes touched (cycle): Isle of Wight Round-The-Island Cycle Route (Route 67), NCN 22, 23
Pubs / Cafes on route: Loads but we stopped at Chocolate Apothecary Ryde (13km in), The Harbour View Cafe Bembridge (23km in), Tradewinds Beach Cafe Shanklin (33km in), Crave Ice-cream Ventnor (41km in), The Wight Mouse Inn Chale at the end.
Map: Isle of Wight Map | Cowes, Newport, Ryde, Sandown, Shanklin, Yarmouth & Ventnor | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map OL29
Links: Newport, Ryde, Bembridge, Sandown, Shanklin, Ventnor, Chale

My Saturday started with a slight hiccup. The logistics for this trip had been carefully planned around my goal of ticking off the island's only parkrun. The Medina I.O.W parkrun is usually held just north of Newport, right next to our hotel. I arrived at the venue bright and early at 8:15 AM, only to find an oddly quiet field and a few other equally confused runners in their parkrun gear.

We eventually found a sign near the leisure centre explaining that the event had been relocated to Appley Park in Ryde for the rest of the summer due to the Isle of Wight Festival setup. The frustration was real: the new location in Ryde was directly on our planned cycle route! Had I known the night before, we could have set off at 7:30 AM, cycled to Ryde, and I could have still run it.

Top Tip for Medina, IoW parkrun: The official event page doesn't always reflect sudden venue changes. Always check their Facebook page before you travel to avoid missing out.

With the parkrun plan foiled, I headed back, met up with Brian, and we hit the road.

We picked up National Cycle Route 22, taking a few diversions until we reached Ryde. Our first proper stop was the Chocolate Apothecary, located just opposite the railway station at the bottom of Ryde Pier. They make a fantastic coffee, but the real star is their carrot cake: easily one of the best I’ve ever had.

Fuelled by cake, we carried on past Appley Park (cue another pang of parkrun regret) and cycled straight through the site of Puckpool Battery. This impressive site is a 19th-century Palmerston Fort, completed in 1865. It was built in response to the perceived threat of a French naval invasion and originally housed heavy 13-inch mortars designed to fire vertically onto the vulnerable, unarmoured decks of enemy warships. Today, it's a peaceful public park, but the massive concrete and earth gun emplacements are still incredibly striking to cycle past.

We navigated a sharp turn south at Nettlestone Point, stopping for another coffee at the Bembridge Cafe with lovely views over the harbour. Continuing south through Sandown, we pulled into Shanklin for lunch at Tradewinds Beach Cafe, a nice spot overlooking the promenade and the sea.

After lunch, instead of immediately tackling the ascent from the promenade, we decided to take the old Shanklin Cliff Lift to the top of the hill. The original lift was built in 1892 to help tourists bypass the steep climb between the beach and the town above, eventually becoming a famous and much-loved local landmark. We had a brief conversation about whether it was "cheating" to not cycle up the hill, but we quickly decided that it was perfectly fine. Given the history and quirkiness of the lift, taking it felt like a vital part of the Isle of Wight experience!

From the top, the real work began with the first of two major climbs. We ground our way up a steep hill behind Luccombe, rewarded with stunning views to the east, before tackling a sharp descent into Bonchurch. Rolling into Ventnor shortly after, we decided a sweet treat was in order. We stopped for ice creams at Crave and took a well-earned rest in the park just opposite. Suitably refreshed, we stayed off the main cycle routes, opting instead for small, quiet residential lanes right beside the sea. We soon hit Steep Hill: an aptly named, lung-busting ascent that eventually led us up to the highest point of our weekend near Blackgang.

We coasted down into the small village of Chale and checked into The Wight Mouse Inn, a fantastic pub with great rooms that sits roughly halfway around the coastal route.

After dinner, I highly recommend the 4.5 km circular walk from The Wight Mouse up to St. Catherine's Oratory. Also known as the "Pepperpot," it is the only surviving medieval lighthouse in Britain, built as a penance for plundered shipwrecked wine! I’ve written a separate post detailing this walk and the history of the Oratory, which you can read here.

Day 3: Chale to Cowes (The Western Half)

Start: Wight Mouse Inn, Church Place, Chale, Ventnor, PO38 2HA
Finish: East Cowes Ferry Terminal, East Cowes, PO32 6RF
Distance: 53 km (33 miles)
Elevation change: +492m / -574m (Net -82m)
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Isle of Wight Coastal Path, Shepherds Trail, Family Trail Mottistone, Hamstead Trail, Perimeter Route Mottistone, Compton Trail, Freshwater Way, Tennyson Trail, Tennyson Down Trail, Estuary Newtown Walk
Other routes touched (cycle): Isle of Wight Round-The-Island Cycle Route (Route 67), NCN 23
Pubs / Cafes on route: Loads but we stopped at The Rock Restaurant Freshwater Bay (17 km in), The Sportsman’s Rest Porchfield (42 km in)
Map: Isle of Wight Map | Cowes, Newport, Ryde, Sandown, Shanklin, Yarmouth & Ventnor | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map OL29
Links: Chale, Military Road, Freshwater Bay, Totland, Yarmouth, Newbridge, Newtown, Porchfield, Cowes

Eager to make the most of the day, we skipped the hotel breakfast and hit the road at 7:30 AM. Heading northwest along the old Nottage Road, we soon joined the famous Military Road (A3055). This iconic, sweeping coastal stretch was originally built in the 1860s as part of the island's Palmerston defences, allowing troops to deploy quickly along the coast to repel potential French invasions. It remained a private, gated military route until it was purchased and upgraded for public use in the 1930s.

Cycling along this historic road today, we enjoyed a gentle downhill stretch beside the dramatic, eroding cliffs before tackling a sharp climb right before Freshwater Bay. A short descent dropped us into the bay, where we pulled up to The Rock Restaurant inside the Albion Hotel. With 17 km already under our belts, their incredible breakfast overlooking the ocean was exactly what we needed.

Properly fuelled, we pushed on toward the south-westerly corner of the island, taking a sharp turn onto the B3322 near Alum Bay. We opted not to go all the way to the Needles on this trip as we had both seen them before, but it is an absolute must-do detour for anyone riding this route for the first time.

Our route then took us northeast through Totland, Norton Green, and Yarmouth. A major highlight of the afternoon was passing through Newtown. It is hard to believe today, but this quiet, picturesque hamlet was actually the bustling capital and primary commercial centre of the Isle of Wight in the 14th century, until a French raid in 1377 led to its decline. We paused to admire the Old Town Hall, a beautiful 17th-century brick building now managed by the National Trust, which stands as the only real evidence of the town's former political importance.

We made our final pitstop for the weekend at the Sportsman's Rest pub in Porchfield before tackling the final stretch through Rue Street and Gurnard. We rolled back into Cowes, crossed the chain ferry, and arrived at the Red Funnel terminal by 1:00 PM. Thanks to our early start, we easily hopped on an earlier ferry back to Southampton.

It was a brilliantly successful weekend of bespoke route finding, challenging climbs, and deep local history. The parkrun disappointment just gives me a solid excuse to return and explore even more of the island. For now, the Isle of Wight is officially ticked off the list.

Next up for the South Coast Cycle Adventure: Southampton to Weymouth.

The Full Route

A map showing a 3 day coastal cycle circuit of the Isle of Wight — Day 1 in blue, day 2 in red, day 3 in green

Previous South Coast Cycle trip: Brighton to Southampton
Next South Coast Cycle trip: Southampton to Weymouth (coming soon)

Back to Cycle Index

Richard gower31 May 2026Cycle, NCN, Coast, Isle of Wight, Hampshire, England, Disused RailwayComment

Cycling The NCN 2 from Brighton to Southampton

Early morning crossing on the Portsmouth to Gosport Ferry

It had been a few months since our last cycling trip back in early January, so Brian and I were definitely overdue a catch-up and another stretch of the south coast. The plan this time was to tackle a segment of National Cycle Route 2 (NCN2). We originally aimed to ride from Brighton to Bournemouth, but we ended up tweaking our plans to finish in Southampton instead. Here is how the weekend unfolded.

We set off on Friday afternoon. After finishing work, we met up at Slough station to catch the Elizabeth line into London. We were aiming for the Thameslink from Farringdon down to Brighton, but we hit a familiar snag: you can't take non-folding bikes on the train during the Friday evening rush hour.

Rather than stressing about it, we used the time to grab dinner in Farringdon. We eventually boarded the 19:00 train and arrived in Brighton around 20:00. By the time we pushed the bikes to the Premier Inn, it was already dark. We parked them securely in our room and wandered into the centre of Brighton for a couple of drinks to properly catch up.

Day 1: Brighton to Southsea

Start: Brighton Palace Pier, Madeira Drive, Brighton, BN2 1TW
Finish: Clarence Pier, Southsea, Portsmouth, PO5 3AA
Distance: 95 km (59 miles)
Elevation change: + 316m / -321m (Net -5m)
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): King Charles III England Coast Path, Monarch’s Way, New Lipchis Way, The Selsey Tramway, Centurion Way, Sussex Border Path, The Shipwrights Way, Wayfarers Walk, Solent Way, Langstone Habrobour Waterside Route,
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 2, 222, 288
Pubs / Cafes on route: Loads but we stopped for lunch at Soul Kitchen & Bar, Littlehampton (35 km in)
Maps:
- Brighton & Hove Map | Lewes & Burgess Hill | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map OL11
- Arundel & Pulborough Map | Worthing & Bognor Regis | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map OL10
- Chichester Map | South Harting & Selsey | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map OL08
- Meon Valley Map | Portsmouth, Gosport & Fareham | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map OL3
Links: Brighton, Hove, Shoreham-by-Sea, Worthing, Ferring, Angmering, Littlehampton, Felpham, Bognor Regis, Aldwick, North Mundham, Chichester, Warblington, Havant, Hayling Island, Eastney, Southsea

I've been cutting down on alcohol this year, so those couple of glasses of wine on Friday night had an unfortunate consequence: I snored loudly all night. Brian barely got a wink of sleep.

Because of that, our Saturday morning started separately. I headed out early for the Hove Promenade parkrun. Usually, Brian would tag along and chill in a cafe, but he desperately needed to catch up on sleep. We met up at 09:30 after my run. I was in serious need of coffee and food by then, so we stopped at a lovely little independent bakery and cafe in Hove called MAKA for a sausage roll and a coffee while looking out to the sea.

We finally hit the road around 10:00, heading west on NCN2. We quickly spotted our first Millennium Milepost just past a bench in Hove. We were looking out for them as they were a major feature of our previous south coast trips, but they were pretty sparse this time: we saw two close together in Hove, and only one more just outside Chichester.

The morning ride stuck closely to the seafront. We actually cycled along the routes of several south coast parkruns, passing through Shoreham-on-Sea, Lancing, Worthing, and Goring-on-Sea. The route dips inland at Ferring to bypass a coastal path you can't cycle on, goes through Angmering, briefly touches the coast at Littlehampton, and then heads inland again before reaching Bognor Regis. We had planned an ice cream stop there, but despite the warm sunshine, the wind coming off the sea was incredibly strong, so we just pressed on.

Just after Bognor Regis, between Aldwick and Nyetimber, the official NCN2 signs simply vanished. We ended up following a path that seemed to be either a future or decommissioned section of the route. Despite this, the section actually turned out to be a real highlight of the day. It took us off the hard pavements and guided us cross-country through some beautiful fields, farmland, and dirt tracks.

The NCN2 signs finally picked up again at South Mundham. From there, we headed north into Chichester and stopped for a well-deserved coffee and cake to make up for the missed ice cream. Our original plan was to stay overnight in Chichester, but when I was booking, the hotels were completely full due to an event in town that weekend.

Suitably refreshed, we pushed west along the road bordering the top of Chichester Harbour, a National Landscape that I previously visited a couple of years back while hunting for its very low High Point.

Approaching Havant, we picked up the pace. We were pretty tired, but I knew we had to catch the 17:40 Hayling Ferry to Eastney Point, or we'd be stuck waiting an hour for the next one. I managed to roll up to the jetty with about 30 seconds to spare.

I got on board and anxiously told the ferry staff my friend was right behind me. Turns out he wasn't. The boat was full, the crew were eager to leave, and I was torn between getting off to wait at the pub for an hour or holding the boat up. Just as I reached the point where I couldn't make them wait any longer and was about to step off, Brian came pedalling down the jetty. He was five minutes late but just in time. The crossing only took five minutes, but catching it gave us an extra hour for dinner and an early night.

From Eastney Point, it was a short 20-minute ride to our hotel, the Southsea Premier Inn. After checking in and showering, we were absolutely starving. We decided to walk northwest along the seafront into Old Portsmouth and found a nearby pub called The Dolphin. We enjoyed fish and chips and a much more modest amount of wine before finally getting some proper sleep.

Day 2: Southsea to Southampton

Start: Clarence Pier, Southsea, Portsmouth, PO5 3AA
Finish: Central Station Bridge, Blechynden Terrace, Southampton SO15 1AL, United Kingdom
Distance: 36 km (22 miles) … plus an additional 12km for the Warsash Ferry diversion (see text below).
Elevation change: + 190m / -188m (Net -2m)
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): King Charles III England Coast Path, The Shipwrights Way, Solent Way, Strawberry Trail, Hamble Rail Trail Route
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 2, 22, 23, 236
Pubs / Cafes on route: Several options but we had breakfast in Jenny’s Cafe, Hamble-le-Rice (24 km in)
Maps:
- Meon Valley Map | Portsmouth, Gosport & Fareham | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map OL3
- New Forest Map | Southampton, Ringwood, Ferndown, Lymington, Christchurch & Bournemouth | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map OL22
Links: Southsea, Portsmouth, Gosport, Lee-on-the-Solent, Warsash, Hamble-le-Rice, Netley, Southampton

Thankfully, I didn't snore quite as much, and we both woke up well-rested around 06:00. We left the hotel at 07:15 for a 15-minute cycle over to Portsmouth Harbour. The Gosport Ferry runs every 15 minutes, so we barely had to wait at all. The crossing was really nice, with the morning sun coming up and illuminating the Spinnaker Tower and the Historic Dockyard.

The cycle through Gosport was a lovely stretch, passing through quiet little villages with great views of the Isle of Wight to our left. Feeling pretty good, we debated pushing on to our original goal of Bournemouth (which is about 55 km past Southampton). However, our second ferry drama of the weekend ended up making the decision for us.

We arrived at the jetty for the Pink Ferry at Warsash (which crosses the River Hamble to Hamble-le-Rice) at 09:00. I had completely forgotten to check the times, and unfortunately, a sign informed us the Sunday service didn't start until 10:00. We were an hour too early. We had flashbacks of our West Coast Ireland trip a few years back when we made an early start to catch a ferry that turned out to start much later on a Sunday.

Waiting a whole hour would have seriously thrown off our timings for getting home for a rest in the hot tub. The alternative was to avoid the ferry with a 20-minute detour north to Lower Swanwick, crossing the bridge to Bursledon, and cycling down the other side. Brian decided his legs just couldn't take the extra cycling, so we made the call: Southampton would be our final destination.

Rather than taking the direct road to Southampton station, we decided to cycle back down south to Hamble-le-Rice on the opposite side of the ferry crossing. Since we were stopping in Southampton, we weren't pressed for time, and it meant we could still continue our journey along NCN2 as originally planned.

This actually turned out to be a fantastic decision. Hamble-le-Rice is a gorgeous, quaint little village. We were starving by this point, having cycled for nearly three hours, so we stopped at a really nice cafe called Jenny's. We stayed for an hour, taking it easy and chatting over a massive, much-needed breakfast.

The final leg into Southampton was packed with interesting history. Just outside Hamble-le-Rice, the cycle route joins the Hamble Rail Trail. This is a disused railway track originally built during the First World War to serve an aircraft factory, and later used to transport oil from the BP terminal.

We followed the route through some lovely parkland, passing right through the grounds of Netley Abbey and the Royal Victoria Country Park: the site of the historic Royal Victoria Military Hospital, which also had its own dedicated railway line.

We followed the waterfront up to Woolston, crossed over the big Itchen Bridge, and navigated the city streets until we reached Southampton Central station at midday. From there, we bought our tickets and caught the train home via Reading, ready for a well-earned soak in the hot tub before the week ahead.

The Full 2-Day Route

A 2-day cycle trip along the NCN2 from Brighton to Southampton — Day 1 in red, day 2 in blue

The Millennium Mileposts

Dotting the UK's National Cycle Network are over 1,000 unique markers known as the Millennium Mileposts. Unveiled in 2000, these cast-iron sculptures are more than just waymarkers. Designed by four artists, one from each nation of the UK, they celebrate the diversity of the cycling routes. These artistic mileposts come in various shapes and can be found in both bustling towns and scenic landscapes, adding a touch of artistic charm to a cycling adventure.

Here’s the 3 Mileposts that I spotted on day 1 of the trip. There were none on day 2.

Hove, King's Esplanade

Portslade-by-Sea, Wharf Road (near watersports lake), Brighton And Hove

MP167 - Fishbourne, Emperor Way

Previous South Coast Cycle trip: Dover to Hastings
Next South Coast Cycle trip: Southampton to Weymouth (coming soon)

Back to Cycle Index

Richard gower19 April 2026Cycle, NCN, Coast, Disused Railway, National Trails, Canal, Sussex, Hampshire, EnglandComment

Walking The Midshires Way Part 9: Verney Junction and Winslow

Rapeseed field between East Claydon and Verney Junction

Start & Finish: St Mary's Church, Church Way, East Claydon, Buckingham, MK18 2ND
Distance: 12.7 km (7.9 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 97m
Terrain: Mixed terrain including field paths, bridleways, and quiet country lanes.
Midshires Way section covered: East Claydon to Addington: 4.7 km
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Midshires Way, The Swan Way, Cross Bucks Way, Bernwood Jubilee Way
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 51
Pubs / Cafes on route: None, although there are several in Winslow if you take a diversion from the main route at 7 km in.
Map: Buckingham & Milton Keynes Map | Leighton Buzzard & Woburn | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 192
Links: East Claydon, Verney Junction, Winslow, Addington, East West Rail

Walking Directions

This delightful circular walk takes you through the serene Buckinghamshire countryside, starting at East Claydon. The highlight is the historic site of Verney Junction. From the remnants of this once bustling railway hub, the path guides you northwards across open farmland and peaceful meadows, offering wide views of the Buckinghamshire landscape. The route gently undulates as it loops towards the charming market town of Winslow, dropping from around 124 metres in elevation down to 83 metres, making it an excellent afternoon stroll or a scenic alternative to your weekend parkrun.

Upon reaching the western edges of Winslow, the trail turns back southwest, following well-trodden bridleways and field margins. The return leg provides a contrasting perspective of the countryside, with quiet copses and the occasional glimpse of local wildlife. It is a manageable route with varied terrain, though sensible footwear is recommended during wetter months when the field paths can become muddy.

The guidance below will help you navigate but don’t use it as a fully accurate turn-by-turn guide. Always take a map and/or a GPX route and prepare well for the weather and terrain.

Start near St Mary’s Church where there’s several spots of free on-street parking on Church Way.
Walk along Church Way in a westerly direction, onto Sandmill Road, then take a right onto the footpath at the junction with Lacemakers Close.
Follow the path through fields for 1.6 km to Verney Road then take a left to follow Verney Road to Verney Junction village.
Take a moment to explore the village that was formerly the site of Verney Junction Station. The former station building is now a private house and the old rail line has now been replaced by the new East West Rail line.
Continue along Verney Road past the village then take a right onto the bridge that takes you over the East West Rail line. After the bridge, follow the path round to the right until you reach the track that previously crossed the disused rail line to the village.
Take a right at this track to follow the path in a north-easterly direction.
When you reach St Mary The Virgin Church in Addington follow the road as it curves round to the east. This is the furthest point on the Midshires Way for this section. You’ll now be following the Cross Bucks Way into Winslow.
You’ll reach a T junction where you’ll take a right then take a left to leave the road and follow a path through a field in an east / south-easterly direction.
Follow the path as it crosses under the East West Line then runs parallel to the rail line to reach Furze Lane on the western edge of Winslow.
Follow Gibbs Close, Featherbed Close, Selby Lane, Verney Road and Langley Close through Winslow until you reach a footpath near some stables on the southern edge of Winslow. Take a right onto this path to head east.
Follow this path through fields, initially in a westerly direction then curving to the south to reach East Claydon Road.
Take a right onto East Claydon Road and follow it for 600m to the East Claydon Substation. Be careful on this road as there’s no pavement but there is a grass verge to avoid cars.
Take a left onto the footpath that starts on the service road at the western end of the substation.
Follow the path as it zig-zags across fields to rejoin the Midshires Way then continue back to St Mary’s Church in East Claydon.

Points of Interest along or near to the Route

East Claydon: An historic Buckinghamshire village with clear Anglo‑Saxon origins, its name deriving from the Old English clægig dun, meaning “clay hill.” At its heart stands the parish church of St Mary, a building that today reflects several centuries of architectural development. Although the church was largely destroyed during the English Civil War by Parliamentarian official Cornelius Holland, it was rebuilt after the Restoration and now incorporates elements from the 13th to 16th centuries, including a 14th‑century chancel. The village provides a peaceful and culturally rich backdrop as you explore the surrounding countryside.
Claydon House and Estate: Just a stone's throw from East Claydon lies the magnificent Claydon House, a National Trust property renowned for its extraordinary 18th-century rococo interiors. For generations, it has been the ancestral home of the Verney family—the namesakes of Verney Junction. The house also boasts a deep connection to Florence Nightingale, who was a frequent visitor and had her own bedroom there, as her sister Parthenope was married to Sir Harry Verney.
Verney Junction: Once a significant interchange on the Oxford–Cambridge Varsity Line, Verney Junction played an important role in the region’s Victorian railway network. Passenger services ceased in 1968 with the closure of the line, but the site remains a notable landmark for railway historians and enthusiasts, offering a quiet reminder of the area’s transport heritage.
The Varsity Line Landscape: Much of the landscape you will encounter has been shaped by the former Varsity Line, the rail route that once linked Britain’s two great university cities. Though the line closed in the late 1960s, major efforts are now underway to revive parts of this historic corridor through the East West Rail project, which aims to restore modern rail services across sections of the original route.
Addington: Set within the Buckinghamshire countryside, Addington is a secluded village with deep historical roots, recorded in the Domesday Book as Edintone. Its parish church, dedicated to St Mary the Virgin, reflects a long architectural history with Norman origins. During the English Civil War, the original manor house served twice as the national headquarters for Parliamentarian forces, giving the village an important—if brief—strategic role. Today, Addington is characterised by the extensive Addington Manor estate, whose mid‑19th‑century parkland was laid out with input from the noted landscape designer William Andrews Nesfield.
Winslow: Winslow is a historic market town known for its traditional architecture and lively high street. Its most prominent landmark is Winslow Hall, a grand mansion built in 1700. The house is traditionally attributed to Sir Christopher Wren, although the attribution remains a matter of scholarly debate. Regardless of authorship, the building stands as one of the finest examples of late 17th‑century domestic architecture in the region.

Midshires Way previous section (south): Quainton and Botolph Claydon
Midshires Way next section (north): Addington and Great Horwood

Back to Trek Index

Richard gower11 April 2026Trek, Buckinghamshire, England, Disused RailwayComment

London Outdoors

Welcome to London Outdoors. London might be a busy city, but it is also packed with incredible green spaces and trails. This page is a collection of my outdoor adventures across the capital: whether I am heading out for a long walk, exploring new cycling routes, or lacing up my trainers for a local parkrun. Have a look through the index below to find all my posts about getting outside in the city.

Comment below or contact me if you have any questions, suggestions for improvement or if you spot any errors in any of the posts. I’ll donate £ to one of the outdoor causes that i support for any correction made.

Featured and Popular Posts

This section brings together some of my most memorable urban explorations. It includes the fascinating history behind London's Coal Duty Posts and the challenge of navigating the historic City of London boundary.

You can also find my journeys tracing the Roman London Wall and my comprehensive treks around the London Loop and Capital Ring. These routes offer a fantastic mix of history and scenery: showcasing the diverse places that make the capital so unique.

Walking the City of London Boundary

Walking The Roman London Wall

London's Coal Duty Posts

London Borough Tri-Points

London's Protected Views

Walking in London

Exploring on foot is one of the best ways to uncover the hidden details of the capital. This section brings together a variety of walking routes across the city, from short urban strolls through central neighbourhoods to much longer trails connecting the outer boroughs.

It is not just about the distance covered, either: these walks also take in a wide variety of fascinating places. Whether your route passes by historic National Trust properties, takes in the Royal Parks or other green spaces, these posts will guide you through the diverse landmarks that make navigating the city so rewarding.

Scroll down for a separate section on walks along London’s Waterways.

Walking The London Loop and Capital Ring

Walking The Tamsin Trail in Richmond Park

Walking The Hillingdon Trail

Walking Trails in The Colne Valley

London High Points

For those who like a good view or a geographical challenge, this collection focuses on the highest spots across the city. From standing at the specific peaks of every London Borough to tracking down Greater London OS Trig Pillars, there is plenty of elevation to seek out.

Whether you are aiming for the Middlesex County Top at Bushey Heath or uncovering the City of London High Point at High Holborn, these posts will guide you to the summits hidden within the urban landscape.

London Borough High Points

Greater London OS Trig Pillars

Bushey Heath: Middlesex County Top

High Holborn: City of London High Point

London’s Rivers and Waterways

London is defined by its waterways, and walking their paths reveals a calmer side to the busy city. This section covers relaxing strolls along the River Wandle Trail and the River Brent Path, as well as tracing the fascinating historic route of the River Fleet.

If you prefer towpaths, you will also find my guides to navigating the Regent's Canal, the Limehouse Cut, and the Hertford Union Canal. These waterside routes are brilliant environments to explore at your own pace.

Walking The River Wandle Trail

Walking The River Fleet

Walking The Regent's Canal

Walking The Limehouse Cut and Hertford Union Canal

Walking The River Brent Path

Train and Tube

Public transport networks offer some surprising opportunities for outdoor adventures. Here you can read about tracking the Elizabeth Line stations above ground and the physical challenge of running the entire Circle Line.

It is not just about active lines, either: this section also explores historic transport routes transformed into nature trails, including the Parkland Walk near Alexandra Palace and the disused railway from Uxbridge to Denham.

Walking The Uxbridge To Denham Disused Railway

Alexandra Palace and The Parkland Walk

All The Elizabeth Line Stations

Running The Circle Line

All The Waterloo & City Line Stations

London parkruns

Saturday mornings are often dedicated to parkrun, and this category is a dedicated hub for achieving the coveted 'LonDone' status. It details my experiences visiting events across Greater London and completing all the Middlesex courses.

For anyone else chasing the ultimate tourism goals, I have also included guides on transport connections and venturing into the extended challenges of LonDone + and LonDone ++.

LonDone: Greater London parkruns

LonDone+ parkruns

LonDone Transport Connections

Middlesex parkruns

Cycling In London

Getting on the bike is one of the best ways to cover longer distances across the city's green spaces. These posts highlight dedicated cycling routes, including the vast orbital circuits of the London Loop and Capital Ring.

You can also follow my two-wheeled adventures along the River Crane and the River Ash: offering peaceful cycling alternatives away from the busy main roads.

Cycling The London Loop

Cycling London's Capital Ring

Cycling The River Crane & The Hounslow Baseline

Cycling The River Ash and Thames Path Circular

Cycling to and through London

For those looking to stretch their legs on longer rides, these routes connect the capital to the wider landscape. You will find journeys along the Grand Union Canal and the River Lea, offering straightforward navigation right into the heart of the city.

The collection also features epic rides tracking the Prime Meridian, following the historic Semaphore Line from Portsmouth, and riding out to the coast along the Thames Estuary to Margate.

Cycling The Grand Union Canal

Cycling The River Lea

Cycling The Prime Meridian

Cycling The Semaphore Line: Portsmouth to London

Cycling The Thames Estuary: Thames Barrier to Margate

Richard gower26 March 2026Run, parkrun, Cycle, NCN, Trek, UK County Tops, London Borough High Point, Trig Pillar, Coal Duty Post, Canal, Railway, Disused Railway, Thames, London, England Comments

Walking The Midshires Way Part 7: Waddesdon and Quainton Road

Approaching the Waddesdon Estate from the north-west on the Brill Tramway Walk

*** Note that at the time of writing in March 2026, this route is not possible to complete due to the HS2 works running through the centre. Please check the status of the HS2 work before attempting this route. Scroll down to see our alternative route that avoids the works ***

Start & Finish: Waddesdon Manor Car Park, Waddesdon, Aylesbury, HP18 0JE
Distance: 11.9 km (7.4 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 96m
Terrain: A mixture of paved surfaces, grassy footpaths, and countryside tracks with rolling elevations.
Midshires Way section covered: Waddesdon to Quainton: 4.5 km
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Midshires Way, The Swan Way, North Bucks Way, Aylesbury Ring, Windmill Hill at Waddesdon, Bernwood Jubilee Way, Brill Tramway Walk
Other routes touched (cycle): National Bridleway, Waddesdon Greenway
Pubs / Cafes on route: The Five Arrows, The Bow, The Lion, all near the start and finish at Waddesdon. The George & Dragon, Quainton (4.8 km in)
Maps:
- Chiltern Hills North Map | Aylesbury, Berkhamsted & Chesham | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 181
- Buckingham & Milton Keynes Map | Leighton Buzzard & Woburn | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 192
Links: Waddesdon Manor, Waddesdon National Trust, Waddesdon, Quainton, Quainton Road railway station

Walking Directions

This circular route offers a brilliant way to explore the Buckinghamshire countryside, taking you from the historic village of Waddesdon up towards Quainton and back. It is a lovely walk to enjoy on a weekend, whether you are looking for a relaxed hike or trying to build up your stamina for your local parkrun. The views across the Vale of Aylesbury are fantastic, making it a highly rewarding loop for walkers of all abilities.

The path itself is beautifully varied, combining well-trodden tracks with slightly more elevated sections that give you a great perspective of the surrounding landscape. You will wander past some iconic local spots and enjoy the fresh air without feeling like you are on a gruelling expedition. It is simply a great way to spend a few hours outdoors with friends or family.

The guidance below will help you navigate but don’t use it as a fully accurate turn-by-turn guide. Always take a map and/or a GPX route and prepare well for the weather and terrain.

Start at the main Waddesdon Manor car park and take the path through it in an easterly direction.
When you reach the junction with Midshires Way / Aylesbury Ring take a left and follow the Midshires Way / Aylesbury Ring. It will meander through the edge of the Waddesdon Estate, alongside the overflow car park and onto Goss Avenue. At the end of Goss Avenue turn left onto the A41.
Take a right onto Little Britain (road) and follow it as it leads onto a footpath between garden fences and out into open fields.
Continue walking north along the Midshires Way until you reach The Strand (road) at Quainton. Take a left onto The Strand. Here is a good place to stop for a mid-point rest at The George and Dragon pub.
Take a left off The Strand / Lower Road onto Station Road and follow it in a southerly direction for 3.1 km until you reach the A41. Along the way you'll pass the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre at the Old Quainton Road Station. After the station you'll be following the route of the old Brill Tramway.
Cross over the A41 and continue to follow the Brill Tramway Walk through fields and into the Waddesdon Manor Estate. Once into the estate take a right to follow the road back to the Visitor Centre and car park where you started.

Points of Interest along or near to the Route

Waddesdon Manor: Built between 1874 and 1889 for Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild, this striking French Renaissance-style château is a spectacular place to visit. Beyond its impressive architecture, the manicured grounds and meticulously designed parterre showcase Victorian horticultural excellence, occasionally hosting vibrant light festivals that illuminate the Buckinghamshire night.
Quainton Windmill: Dominating the picturesque village green, this towering six-storey working windmill was built in 1830 and remains the tallest in Buckinghamshire. Carefully restored by dedicated volunteers, it stands as a testament to the region's agricultural heritage, offering visitors a fascinating glimpse into 19th-century milling practices.
Quainton Road Railway Station: Opened in 1899 and closed to passengers in 1936. A nostalgic stop that once served the far reaches of the Metropolitan Line, this historic station is now a beautifully preserved heritage site. It forms a central part of the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre, where the legacy of the old Brill Tramway and the golden age of steam travel are kept alive for modern enthusiasts.
The George & Dragon: Situated right on the village green in Quainton, this historic pub believed to date from 1777. It provides a quintessential village experience and a fantastic spot to grab a hearty bite to eat or a refreshing drink whilst enjoying uninterrupted views of the nearby windmill turning in the breeze.

Alternative Route to Avoid The HS2 Works

We attempted this route in March 2026 but had to replan it on the fly when we couldn't get much further north than Waddesdon. The HS2 line runs right through the middle of the route between Waddesdon and Quainton and there was no practical route through the construction works. Instead we followed Quainton Road from Waddesdon High Street until the junction of Station Road, then took a left to rejoin the original route following the Brill Tramway Walk towards the Waddesdon Estate. As the walk was slightly shorter than planned we spent some time exploring the Waddesdon Manor grounds. Allow an extra 3 km on top of the walk route distance to explore the Waddesdon grounds.

Start & Finish: Waddesdon Manor Car Park, Waddesdon, Aylesbury, HP18 0JE
Distance: 9.7 km (6 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 81m
Midshires Way section covered: Waddesdon Manor to Little Britain (road): 1.4 km

Midshires Way previous section (south): Waddesdon and Eythrope
Midshires Way next section (north): Quainton and Boltoph Clayton

Back to Trek Index

Richard gower14 March 2026Trek, Buckinghamshire, National Trust, Disused Railway, EnglandComment

Walking The Midshires Way Part 2: Ilmer and Longwick

A historic wooden water wheel on North Mill Road near Longwick on the Midshires Way. — Water Wheel on North Mill Road

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
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Midshires Way, Swan Way, Outer Aylesbury Ring,
Other routes touched (cycle): None
Pubs / Cafes on route: The Red Lion Longwick, just off the route at the start and end.
OS Trig Pillar: TP5612 - Red House Farm
Disused Station: Ilmer Halt
Map: Chiltern Hills North Map | Aylesbury, Berkhamsted & Chesham | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 181
Links: Longwick, Ilmer, Aylesbury Vale,

Walking Directions

For this walk, we set out from Longwick, a pleasant village situated in the Aylesbury Vale just north of Princes Risborough. This circular route explores the quiet, low-lying farmlands of Buckinghamshire, leading us through the small hamlet of Ilmer and offering wide, open views of the Chiltern escarpment in the distance.

The trail is largely level, making it a relaxing journey through a patchwork of fields and narrow country lanes. It captures the quintessential rural charm of this part of the county, where ancient hedgerows and slow-moving streams define the landscape. 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 Longwick, where there’s free on-street parking near the Longwick Stores and Post Office on the A4129 Thame Road.
Take Walnut Tree Lane in a south-westerly direction toward the edge of the village.
When you reach the open field on the right hand side, where the Lane becomes a track, you have the option of taking a 800m out-and back diversion to bag the Red House Farm Trig Pillar. You’ll need to keep to the outside of the field to avoid damaging crops.
After passing under the railway bridge continue in a south-westerly direction for 300m then take a path on the left. Follow this path in a south-easterly direction for 220m then take a right to head south-west.
At the corner of the field you’ll meet the Midshires Way near a kink in the Horsenden Stream. You could take a right to follow the Midshires but you’ll have missed a very small section that connects to Part 1 of this series. For completer-finishers you can continue walking south-west to the corner of North Mill Road / Sandpit Lane where you crossed over the Horsenden Stream in Part 1. Retrace your steps back to the field-corner taking a moment to admire the old wooden water-wheel.
Follow The Midshires Way / Swan Way in a north-westerly direction along field edges until you meet Ilmer Lane. Take a right onto Ilmer Lane to cross under the railway bridge. On the right you can see a house called The Sidings, a clue that the old Ilmer Halt railway station was once located here.
Continue along Ilmer Lane in a north-easterly direction, cross over the A4129 Thame Road and along the track to the left of the entrance to the flower nursery.
Approximately 300m after crossing the A4129 take the first footpath on the right to leave the Midshires Way to cross open fields in an easterly direction to Bar Lane.
Take a right onto Bar Lane to follow it back to the start at the A4129 in Longwick Village.

Points of Interest along or near to the Route

Longwick: Our starting point is a village with a long agricultural history. Local produce from this area, including watercress and willow poles, was historically exported to London markets via the nearby railway.
Longwick Mill: Located in Longwick, this mill was part of a thriving network of local businesses that benefited from regional freight services.
Red House Farm Trig Pillar: Sitting at an elevation of 92m, this concrete pillar (TP5612) is part of the historic Ordnance Survey triangulation network used to map the UK.
Ilmer: A tiny, secluded hamlet known for the Grade II* listed St Peter’s Church. The name Ilmer is thought to mean "Yewmere," referring to a lake where yew trees grew.
The Horsenden Stream: A quiet tributary that the route follows near the Red House Farm. Its gentle flow is a key feature of the low-lying Aylesbury Vale landscape.
Ilmer Halt (Disused Station): Opened in 1929 and closed in 1963, this was one of the smallest "halts" on the Great Western Railway. The nearby house "The Sidings" marks the spot where commuters once boarded steam trains.
Views of the Chilterns: While the walk itself remains in the vale, the elevation changes provide a fantastic perspective of the nearby ridge, including Wain Hill.

Midshires Way previous section (south): Hempton Wainhill & Bledlow
Midshires Way next section (north): Ford and Kemble Wick

Back to Trek Index

Richard gower1 January 2026Trek, Trig Pillar, Disused Railway, Buckinghamshire, EnglandComment

Walking The Midshires Way Part 1: Hempton Wainhill & Bledlow

An old Buckinghamshire road sign pointing right to Bledlow Ridge and Left to Chinnor and Princes Risborough — Road junction at 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
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Midshires Way, The Swan Way, Chiltern Way, The Ridgeway, Risborough Pink Route, Risborough Green Route
Other routes touched (cycle): Phoenix Trail, NCN 57
Pubs / Cafes on route: Lions Of Bledlow at start and end
Disused Stations: Bledlow, Bledlow Bridge Halt
Map: Chiltern Hills North Map | Aylesbury, Berkhamsted & Chesham | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 181
Links: Bledlow, The Ridgeway, Midshires Way, Horsenden

Walking Directions

For this first section of the Midshires Way we parked near the Lions of Bledlow Pub. The route is a figure of 8, returning to the Lions at th3 3.6 km mark. The reason for this figure of 8 shape is to use the Chiltern Way and Ridgeway to get to the start of the Midshires Way then follow the Midshires Way in a northerly direction. This northerly direction will be consistent for all walks in this series. 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.

Starting from The Lions Of Bledlow walk along Church End (road) in a north-easterly direction then take the first footpath on the right to join the Chiltern Way. Follow the Chiltern Way in a south-easterly direction until the Upper Icknield Way.
Take a right and follow the Upper Icknield Way in a westerly direction, connecting to the Ridgeway before entering the woods. When you reach the house at the top of the hill you are now at the start of the Midshires Way.
Take a right to leave the Ridgeway and follow the Midshires Way down the hill back to the Lions of Bledlow. Here you’ll get a great view of the Vale of Aylesbury to the north of the Chilterns.
Pass the Lions of Bledlow to follow Church Lane again. This time continue past the Chiltern Way footpath that you took earlier and continue to the junction with Bledlow Ridge Road and Perry Lane.
Take a left onto Perry Lane and follow it in a northerly direction to the junction with Chinnor Road and Lower Icknield Way, Half way along Perry Road you’ll pass under a railway bridge that carries the Chinnor and Princes Risborough Heritage Railway. The old Bledlow Bridge Halt was near this bridge.
Cross over the junction to Chapel Lane then take a right to follow Sandpit Lane. Follow Sandpit Lane in a northerly direction, crossing over the Phoenix trail, another disused railway. As you cross the Phoenix Trail look to your left to see the old Bledlow Station building.
Continue north up Sandpit Lane to North Mill Road where you’ll cross a small bridge over the Lyde Brook. Take a right to continue along North Mill Road keeping the Lyde Brook on your right.
Take the first footpath on the right, leaving the Midshires Way to cross over the Lyde Brook / Horsenden Stream. Follow the path across the fields to Lower Icknield Way.
Take a right onto Lower Icknield Way, passing under the old railway bridge that carries the Phoenix Trail. On the southern side of the bridge take a left to follow the Risborough Pink Route to Horsenden. Along the way you’ll pass over the level crossing for the Chinnor and Princes Risborough Heritage Railway.
When you reach the small village of Horsenden take a right to continue along the Risborough Pink Route back to Perry Lane. Take a left onto Perry Lane the a right onto Church End to return back to the start at the Lions of Bledlow.

Points of Interest along or near to the Route

Bledlow Village: A quintessential Buckinghamshire village featuring flint and brick cottages and the beautiful church of the Holy Trinity.
The Lyde Garden: Located just past the Holy Trinity Church, this "secret" water garden was created in a deep chalk sunken garden where natural springs surface.
Holy Trinity Church: A 12th-century church that has remained largely unchanged since the 13th century. It features a prominent tower with a peal of eight bells and a nave with columns dating back to approximately 1200.
Bledlow Cross: A large cross cut into the chalk turf on the north slope of Wain Hill. Although often overgrown, it is a significant local landmark dating back to at least the late 1700s.

Bledlow Station: Now a private residence, this station was built in 1863 by the Wycombe and District Railway Company and absorbed into Isambard Kingdom Brunel's Great Western Railway in 1867. At its peak, it was a vital hub for local industries: importing rags for paper production at Bledlow Lower Mill and exporting finished goods, watercress, and willow poles to London markets. Though closed to passengers in 1967 due to the Beeching Act, the line served a freight depot in Thame until 1991.
Bledlow Lower Mill: Formerly known as Saunderton Lower Mill, this site harnessed the power of the Horsenden Stream to produce paper from linen and cotton rag. The mill's overshot waterwheel can still be seen today.

Midshires Way next section (north): Ilmer and Longwick

Back to Chiltern Walks Index

Richard gower31 December 2025Trek, Chilterns, Buckinghamshire, England, Disused RailwayComment

500 parkruns

This post was originally published as the Run Report for Brickfields parkrun, Bath for Saturday June 28th 2025

Back in 2014 when I got my 50th parkrun Milestone T-Shirt I imagined a time in the far future when I get my 500th. It seemed so far off it was like Science Fiction back then. Based on a rough calculation of completing an average of 45 parkruns per year I worked out that I could complete 500 before my 50th birthday.

That plan would have happened if it wasn’t for Covid thwarting 70 weeks of parkrun opportunities. As we entered 2025, my year of turning 50, I worked out that I would do my 500th run just 6 weeks after my birthday. It also nicely coincided with a planned weekend in Bath with friends.

Having already done Bath Skyline earlier in the year I planned to do either Shepton Mallet or Somerdale Pavilion. My excitement grew when I noticed a brand new event pop up at Brickfields Park. It would also link to another obsession of mine, Disused Railways. With that the venue for my 500th run was set. It also set in motion a series of coincidences that would unfold during the day.

On hearing that my 500th would be in Bath, Paul, a colleague and fellow parkrun tourist, decided to also plan a weekend in Bath with his partner around the event. Coincidence #1 was that their hotel was just round the corner from our B&B. We planned to walk to the event together but after a late arrival on the Friday and some complicated logistics we decided to drive separately and meet at the start.

I arrived at 08:30 with my wife and the friends that we were staying with. Shortly ahead of the First Timers Briefing, Paul texted me to say they had parked a mile away and were on their way. That checked out as we also parked a mile away at the stadium. By the time of the start I couldn't see him but figured that he must be at the back of the group and I’d see him on the out-and-back sections. I didn’t see him at all so I thought that something must have gone awry.

On finishing the run I checked my phone to see a message from him at 09:01 to say “it’s Bath Skyline, right?”. I replied with a Facepalm emoji. He’d travelled from Manchester for a weekend away to be at the wrong parkrun. It was all caused by something wrong with his 5k app not showing new events, so Bath Skyline was the only Bath parkrun event that showed up for him.

The situation also meant that I had two 500 Milestone pre-event shoutouts at two different events on the same day. Yet another coincidence was that Paul had unknowingly booked dinner at the same restaurant at the same time as us later in the day.

The final coincidence was having an accidental race to the finish line with Danny Norman, host of the parkrun With Me Now Podcast. I had met Danny once before but too long ago that I didn’t recognise him. What I did notice was a guy in a 500 milestone T-shirt just ahead of me as I closed in on the finish line. My wife was at the line waiting to video my 500th finish and I thought it would be fun to cross the line next to a runner in a 500 shirt. I sped up a bit to slightly overtake him to get both of us in the video. It was only later in the morning when a different friend of mine noticed Danny in the results 1 second behind me.

As well as all the funny coincidences, it was a lovely day for the run. It was a bright, warm summer day with a field of 282 runners and walkers. As a Disused Railway geek I loved the out-and-back on the old Somerset and Dorset Railway line.

First finisher was Harry McMurtrie coming in at 17:19 with a good spread of timings through to just over 1 hour. There were 174 First Timers to Brickfields Park and 32 PBs.

As always, a huge thanks to all of the volunteers who made the event possible. If you’ve not volunteered before or it’s been a while since you last did it, please consider signing up for one of your next events.

Thanks to everyone who helped make my 500th parkrun at Brickfields Park a fun and memorable event. A final special thanks goes to Neil Chapman who took me to my first parkrun on Boxing Day 2012. Saturday mornings have not been the same since.

Day 1: Dover to Hastings

Start: Dover Priory Station, Priory Station Approach Road, Dover CT17 9SB
Finish: Hastings Pier, 1-10 White Rock, Hastings, TN34 1JY
Distance: 97.4 km (54 miles)
Elevation change: + 602m / -609m (Net -7)
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Saxon Shore Way, North Downs Way, King Charles III England Coast Path, High Weald Landscape Trail, 1066 Country Walk
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 1, 2, 17, Cantii Way
Pubs / Cafes on route: Lots, but we stopped at Pedaler on the Port, Dover (1.5 km in), The Star, St Mary in The Marsh (40 kmi in), Brew at 32, Lydd (51 km in), The Lookout, Rye (66 km in)
OS Trig Pillar: TP4139 - Jurys Gap
Maps:
- Dover, Folkestone & Hythe Map | England Coast Path | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 138
- Romney Marsh, Rye & Winchelsea Map | Tenterden & New Romney | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 125
- Hastings & Bexhill Map | Battle & Robertsbridge | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 124
Links: Dover, Folkestone, Royal Military Canal, Romney Marsh, St Mary In The Marsh, Lydd, Camber Sands, Rye, Whichelsea, Hastings

Our trip started at 10:30 on the Saturday after Dover Waterfront parkrun and a slow breakfast at the Pedaler on the Port cycle cafe. The 87 km route was mostly flat but bookended by steep climbs at the start and end of the day. The early climb came right after Dover town as the NCN 2 ascends Shakespeare Cliff to Capel-le-Ferne before a steep descent into Folkestone. Watch out for the Sound Mirror next to the Millennium Milepost at 8 km which gives you a good excuse for a rest around half-way through the climb.

The first part of the flat section under Radnor Cliff in Folkestone and along the Royal Military Canal is a highlight of the route. We bypassed Hythe town but, in hindsight, we would have stopped there for some food as pubs and cafes are few and far between in the marshland west of Hythe. By the time we reached St Mary In The Marsh at 40km we more than ready for a rest in The Star pub. As it happened we were too late for lunch and too early for dinner so, after a short rest, we pressed onto Lydd to have a longer rest and some good food in the cycle-friendly Brew at 32.

After Lydd it’s only 6 km back to the coast at Jury’s Gap, although the strong wind in our face made it feel like 20 km. After another pub stop in Rye we pressed on towards Hastings via the steep climb at Fairlight. After 80 km of wind I had no interest in trying to keep in the saddle and decided to push the bike up most of the hill. The steep down into Hastings was the reward, as was the warm meal and early night ahead of day 2.

Day 2: Hastings to Brighton

Start: Hastings Pier, 1-10 White Rock, Hastings, TN34 1JY
Finish: Brighton Station, Queens Road, Brighton and Hove, Brighton, BN1 3XP
Distance: 72 km (44.7 miles)
Elevation change: +507m / -475m (Net +32m)
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Motoring Heritage Trail, 1066 Country Walk, Wealdway, South Downs Way, Vanguard Way, Sussex Ouse Valley Way, Newhaven-Brighton Clifftop Path, Greenwich Meridian Trail
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 2, 21, 90, Cuckoo Trail, Prime Meridan Cycle Route
Pubs / Cafes on route: Lots, but we stopped at Pevensey Starbucks (17.5 km in), Arlington Tea Garden (31.5 km in), The Ark, Newhaven (54.3 km in) and a chip shop near the beach in Brighton.
Maps:
- Hastings & Bexhill Map | Battle & Robertsbridge | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 124
- Eastbourne & Beachy Head Map | Newhaven, Seaford, Hailsham & Heathfield | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map OL25
- Brighton & Hove Map | Lewes & Burgess Hill | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map OL11
Links: Hastings, Bexhill-on-Sea, Pevensey, Cuckoo Trail, South Downs National Park, Alfriston, Seaford, Newhaven, Peacehaven, Rottingdean, Brighton

With no parkrun to work around we set off early along the Hastings to Bexford seafront with the aim of finding breakfast around 15km in. After passing several sea-side places that weren’t quiet open we settled for a Starbucks next to a petrol station in Pevensey. Not the nice coastal stop like we found in Walmer on the previous trip but it did the job.

Our original plan for this second day was to come off the NCN s at Pevensey, sticking to the coast through to Eastbourne then crossing the South Downs through Jevington. In the end we decided to stick to the NCN 2 through Polegate, Arlington and Alfriston. Although it takes a wide path away from the coast, it’s an interesting route through pretty villages.

After the South Downs section the NCN 2 took us back to the coast at Seaford. We were on familiar territory having visited Peacehaven, Rottingdean and Brighton on previous cycle trips.

Our final section took us along the coast to Brighton Pier with a quick stop near the beach for chips before heading north to the station to get the train back to London. The next section will likely be in 2026 with a return to Brighton for the next section to Poole.

The Full 2-Day Route

The Millennium Mileposts

Here’s the 26 Mileposts that I spotted on the 2 day cycle trip. The first 22 were on Day 1 and the final 4 were on day 2.

MP635 - Aycliffe

MP636 - Capel-le-Ferne

MP637 - Capel-le-Ferne

MP638 - Capel-le-Ferne

MP296 - Folkestone

MP295 - Folkestone

MP294 - Folkestone

MP292 - Radnor Cliff

MP763 - Hythe

MP762 - Hythe

MP761 - Hythe

MP760 - Hythe

MP291 - Hythe

MP290 - West Hythe

MP289 - Burmarsh

MP288 - Newchurch

MP287 - St Mary in the Marsh

MP285 - Old Romney

MP1009 - Lydd

MP1004 - Rye

MP1005 - Rye

MP1063 - Ore

MP344 - St Leonards-on-Sea

MP20 - Polegate

MP??? Brighton

MP890 Brighton

Back to Cycle Index

Richard gower25 May 2025Cycle, NCN, Coast, Disused Railway, National Trails, National Trust, Trig Pillar, South Downs, National Park, Canal, Kent, Sussex, EnglandComment

Leighton Buzzard 10K

When: September 15th 2024
Where: Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire
Course: Flatish circuit of south of town from Pages Park to the Grand Union. Mix of trail and pavement
Other routes touched: Grand Union Canal Towpath, Two Ridges Link
Finish time: 56 minutes 57 seconds

Back to Run Index

Richard gower15 September 2024Run, 10k, Canal, Disused Railway, Bedfordshire, EnglandComment

Cycling The Viking Coastal Trail and NCN 1 in Kent

This was a 2-day weekend cycle adventure on the NCN 1 and 15 in Kent. For Brian and I it was a continuation of the Thames Barrier to Margate trip that we did earlier in the year. This time we returned to Whitstable to pick up the NCN 15 to follow it to the end at Dover. For day 2 we followed the NCN 1 back to Whitstable. At 145 km and mostly flat it’s an easy ride giving more than enough time for coffee and cake stops along the way.

Day 1: The Viking Coastal Trail from Whitstable to Dover

Start: Premier Inn Whitstable hotel, Thanet Way, Whitstable, CT5 3DB
Finish: Premier Inn Dover Central (Eastern Ferry Terminal) hotel, Marine Court, Marine Parade, Dover, CT16 1LW
Distance: 79.5 km (49 miles)
Elevation change: + 554m / -602m (Net -48)
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): England Coast Path, Saxon Shore Way, Oyster Bay Trail, Wantsum Walk, Augustine Camino, Stonelees Trail, Miner’s Way Trail, Via Francigena
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 15: Viking Coastal Trail, NCN 16, EV5,
Pubs / Cafes on route: Lots, but we stopped at Westgate-on-Sea, Whitfield and Sandwich.
Maps:
- Canterbury & Isle of Thanet Map | Herne Bay, Deal & Whitstable | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 150
- Dover, Folkestone & Hythe Map | England Coast Path | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 138
Links: Whitstable, Herne Bay, Reculver, Westgate-on-Sea, Margate, Broadstairs, Ramsgate, Sandwich, Whitfield, Dover

Our trip started at the Premier Inn on the southern edge of the town. From there it’s a 2.5 km cycle to the coast where, as it was Saturday, we stopped for Whitstable parkrun. The NCN 15 (not to be confused with the same numbered route in Leicestershire) runs from Whitstable to Dover, with the Reculver to Pegwell Bay section called the Viking Coastal Trail.

As it passes through several sea-side towns there’s lots of options to stop for food and drink along the way. We planned to stop for breakfast in Margate but hunger got the better of us so we stopped early at Westgate-on-Sea. At Pegwell Bay there’s an option to return to Whitstable via the inland section of the Viking Coastal Trail. That would make a great half-day trip, effectively a circuit of the Isle of Thanet, but we carried on south along the route 15.

After Pegwell Bay the route leaves the coast and heads in-land to Sandwich. We planned to have lunch there, mostly for the childish amusement of having a sandwich in Sandwich. We timed it badly though and arrived just as cafes were closing for the afternoon and the pubs were packed. As we were retuning there the next day we grabbed some quick food and moved on.

After Sandwich the route continues south, gradually climbing in elevation to the highest point of the day at Dover Castle. After this there’s a steep descent to Dover town centre where we stayed the night at the Marina.

Day 2: Dover to Whitstable via the NCN 1

Start: Premier Inn Dover Central (Eastern Ferry Terminal) hotel, Marine Court, Marine Parade, Dover, CT16 1LW
Finish: Premier Inn Whitstable hotel, Thanet Way, Whitstable, CT5 3DB
Distance: 64.7 km (40 miles)
Elevation change: - 554m / +602m (Net +48)
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): England Coast Path, Saxon Shore Way, Stour Valley Walk, Augustine Camino, Canterbury Middle Ring Walk, Canterbury Outer Ring Walk, Crab & Winkle Way
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 1, NCN 15: Viking Coastal Trail
OS Trig Pillar: TP5672 - Richborough Hill
Pubs / Cafes on route: Lots, but we stopped at Walmer, Sandwich, Fordwich and Canterbury
Maps:
- Canterbury & Isle of Thanet Map | Herne Bay, Deal & Whitstable | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 150
- Dover, Folkestone & Hythe Map | England Coast Path | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 138
Links: Dover, White Cliffs of Dover National Trust, Walmer Sandwich, Fordwich, Canterbury, Canterbury and Whitstable Railway, Whitstable

For our return leg to Whitstable we followed the NCN 1, completing the London to Dover section that we started in our trip earlier in the year. The first section is very steep and follows a narrow path up to the top of the White Cliffs of Dover. We were an hour away from fully waking up so made the easy choice to slowly walk the bikes up the cliffs. From the top there were great views over the Channel and back to Dover Castle while we recovered from the climb.

From the top the route has an 8 km steady downhill section to the coast at Kingsdown to make up for the earlier climb. This coastal section was one of my favourite parts of the 2-dy trip with its mix of quiet country lanes and easy riding along the sea-front. We were not in a rush so decided to maximise the coffee and cake stops with the first one at Walmer. Stop #2 was in Sandwich where we had a lot more success than the previous day with cafes actually being open and wanting to sell us food.

The middle section from Sandwich to Canterbury was flat and pleasant but not particularly memorable. We pushed on to Canterbury for a long lunch near the Cathedral. The final section from Canterbury was far more interesting as it mostly follows a disused railway nicknamed the Crab and Winkle line.

This was a very easy weekend, both from a logistics and a cycling perspective. If you don’t have a hole weekend then it can be split into 2 shorter circles with Sandwich as the split.

The Full 2-Day Route

The Millennium Mileposts

Here’s the 22 Mileposts that I spotted on the 2 day cycle trip. The first 2 were on the Viking Coastal Trail on Day 1 and the rest were on the NCN 1 on Day 2.

MP788 - Dumpton Gap

MP790 - Pegwell Bay

MP176 - Dover

MP833 - Dover

MP632 - Saint Margaret's at Cliffe

MP630 - Walmer

MP629 - Deal

Deal, Golf Road

MP627 - Sandwich

MP625 - Sandwich

MP 624 - Richborough Castle, Sandwich, Kent

MP623 - Lower Goldstone

MP622 - Westmarsh

MP621 - Preston

MP312 - Fordwich

MP311 - Reed Pond

MP310 - Chaucer Road

MP315 - Canterbury

MP316 - Blean

MP317 - Blean

MP620 - Clowes Wood

MP318 - Whitstable

Back to Cycle Index

Richard gower4 August 2024Cycle, NCN, Coast, Disused Railway, Kent, National Trails, England, National Trust, Trig Pillar Comments

Cycling The Thames Estuary: Thames Barrier to Margate

This was a trip that had been at the back of my mind for thirty years. Back in the summer of 1994, I cycled the length of the Thames from its source near Kemble in Gloucestershire down to the Thames Barrier near Woolwich. The last day was a long one, and we ended up arriving at the Barrier long after dark. At the time, we considered the adventure to be complete. A few years later, however, I started to plan a second part: riding from the Barrier east along the Thames Estuary to Margate.

Over the intervening years, I got more excited about other trips. I also either lost contact with a few of the old Thames Path gang or they got preoccupied with having babies. Early in 2024, the stars finally aligned, and the Estuary adventure popped right back up to the top of my cycling backlog.

The route to Margate mostly follows NCN Route 1, linking up with a stretch of the Route 15 Viking Coastal Trail at the very end. Handily, it runs almost entirely parallel to the main rail line between London and Margate, making trip logistics incredibly simple. We did it over a weekend, staying both Friday and Saturday night at the Victory Pier Premier Inn in Chatham.

Day 1: Thames Barrier to Chatham

Start: Charlton Railway Station, London, SE7 7QG, United Kingdom
Finish: Premier Inn Chatham/Gillingham (Victory Pier) hotel, Blake Avenue, Gillingham, ME7 1GB, United Kingdom
Distance: 62.8 km (39 miles)
Elevation change: + 408m / -409m (Net +1m)
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Thames Path, Capital Ring, Jubilee Greenway, Green Chain Walk, London Loop. Cray River Way, Hoo Peninsula Path, Weald Way, Thames and Medway Canal Towpath, Saxon Shore Way, England Coast Path, Strood Community Trail,
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 1, 125, 179, Q14
Pubs / Cafes on route: At Woolwich Arsenal (4km in), Erith (15km in), Dartford (25km in), Gravesend (39 km in), Rochester (57km in), Chatham (59km in)
Maps:
- Greenwich & Gravesend Map | East End, Docklands, Bromley, Sidcup & Thurrock | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 162
- Gravesend & Rochester Map | Hoo Peninsula | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 163
Links: Charlton, Thames Barrier, Woolwich Arsenal, Erith, Dartford, Gravesend, Thames and Medway Canal, Rochester, Chatham, Gillingham

Like all Saturdays, the day started with a quick parkrun, this time at Great Lines Heritage Park, just over a mile from the hotel. From there, we headed to Chatham Station to catch the train to Charlton. The Thames Barrier is a very easy 1.4km ride from Charlton Station to officially begin the ride.

Navigation is very straightforward: you simply keep to NCN Route 1 all the way to Chatham. The first 20km hugs the riverside, passing a real mix of pleasant, gentrified areas like Woolwich Arsenal and much grittier industrial parts. After Erith, Route 1 cuts south away from the river towards Dartford to bypass the sprawling entrance to the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge. We had originally planned a coffee and cake stop in Dartford, but nothing really inspired us, so we carried on. By the time we reached Gravesend, we were genuinely hungry and optimistic about finding pub food. We found Gravesend equally uninspiring, so we didn't stop there either.

After Gravesend, the scenery becomes significantly more pleasant, with Route 1 following the towpath of the disused Thames and Medway Canal. Keep an eye out for the historic obelisk that marks the exact halfway point between the cities of London and Rochester. Route 1 eventually leaves the canal at Lower Higham, which conveniently happens to have a train station. Brian was having serious problems with his wheel after several punctures, and we had run out of options to fix it at the roadside. We decided that Brian would head to Chatham by train, and I would finish the first day on my own.

As it turned out, Brian missed one of the best parts of the first day. The final section included lovely, quiet countryside and a sweeping descent down into Rochester. Had we kept together, we would have stopped in Rochester for food ahead of the final few miles, but I decided that I was on a personal mission to beat Brian's train journey back to Chatham, so I wasn't hanging around. The canal tunnel at Higham was actually bought by the railway network in the 1840s, so Brian was literally riding the train through the canal tunnel I was meant to be cycling over!

A 20-minute wait for his train meant that I was back at the hotel before Brian even arrived at Halfords in Chatham. With a newly fixed wheel and fresh supplies of inner tubes, we were ready for Day 2.

Day 2: Chatham to Margate

Start: Premier Inn Chatham/Gillingham (Victory Pier) hotel, Blake Avenue, Gillingham, ME7 1GB, United Kingdom
Finish: Margate Lighthouse, Harbour Arm, Margate, CT9 1AP
Distance: 87 km (54 miles)
Elevation change: + 514m / -513m (Net -1m)
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Saxon Shore Way, England Coast Path, Swale Heritage Trail, Invicta Way, Wantsum Walk,
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 1, 174, 15: Viking Coastal Trail
Pubs / Cafes on route: At Sittingbourne (22km in), Faversham (40km in), Whitstable (59km in), Herne Bay (66km in), Westgate-on-Sea (83km in) and Margate.
- We stopped at Cafe Guild in Faverham (40 km in) and The Ship Inn, Herne Bay (66km in)
Maps:
- Gravesend & Rochester Map | Hoo Peninsula | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 163
- Sittingbourne & Faversham Map | Isle of Sheppey | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 149
- Canterbury & Isle of Thanet Map | Herne Bay, Deal & Whitstable | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 150
Links: Sittingbourne, Faversham, Crab & Winkle Way, Whitstable, Herne Bay, Reculver, Westgate-on-Sea, Margate, Margate Lighthouse

Shortly after leaving the Chatham/Gillingham area, Route 1 passes through Riverside Country Park. It was very popular with dog walkers early that Sunday morning, so it was a good excuse to take it slow as we warmed up our legs. After the park, the route cuts away from the estuary from Rainham down to Sittingbourne.

Sittingbourne was our original plan for a breakfast stop, but we were similarly uninspired by the food options as we were on Day 1. By the time we arrived in Faversham with 40km down, we were starving. It was absolutely worth the wait, though. Faversham is a beautiful, historic Kent market town (famous for being home to Britain's oldest brewer, Shepherd Neame), and it has several brilliant cafes.

After Faversham, the route heads back towards the coast before taking a detour up the steepest hill of the entire trip to bypass Whitstable town centre. After a well-earned descent, we reached the Crab & Winkle Way: a disused railway path that once connected Whitstable to Canterbury. This was the exact point where we left NCN 1, which continues south along the old railway line. Instead, we followed the Crab & Winkle Way north to join the Route 15 Viking Coastal Trail at the Whitstable coast.

The final 28km along the Viking Coastal Trail from Whitstable to Margate was easily my favourite section of the whole route. This stretch sticks rigidly to the coast along wide, flat boulevards, passing classic seaside towns and the imposing, twin-towered ruins of the 12th-century Reculver Church. We had made very good time, so we stopped for a while at a pub in Herne Bay to gaze across the estuary and contemplate future adventures.

Our two-day ride finished right at the Margate Lighthouse, an obvious and highly photogenic place to mark the end of the estuary adventure. We thoroughly enjoyed the trip and, barring the wheel and puncture issues at the end of Day 1, found it pretty easy going. I still didn't quite get that ultimate sense of completion, though. Yes, we had cycled the estuary to finish the Thames journey, but we had now left the southern section of NCN Route 1 uncompleted! Within a couple of days, I was already planning the next two-day adventure to complete both NCN Route 1 from Whitstable down to Dover and the rest of the Viking Coastal Trail.

The Full 2-Day Route

The Millennium Mileposts

MP595 - Tripcock Point

MP268 - Crossness

MP589 - Belvedere

MP590 - Crayford Ness

MP385 - Gravesend

MP241 - Milton

MP441 - Gillingham

MP?? - Oast Lane, Breach

MP1152 - Milton Regis

MP1153 - Conyer

MP1071 - Oare

MP785 - Birchington

MP786 - Saint Mildred's Bay

MP787 - Margate

Back to Cycle Index

Richard gower24 March 2024Cycle, NCN, Coast, Canal, Railway, Disused Railway, Thames, London, Kent, National Trails, England Comments

Walking The Guildford and Shalford Disused Railways

Broadford Road bridge over the disused railway path

Start: Shalford Station, Guildford, GU4 8JD
Finish: Guildford Station, Guildford, GU1 4UT
Distance: 9.1 km (5.6 miles)
Elevation change: + 51m / -53m. Net -2m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Wey-South Path, National Trust Railway Walk, Scholar’s Trail, North Downs Way
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 22, Downs Link
Pubs / Cafes on route: The Snooty Fox cafe near Shalford Station, The Weyside (7.9 km in), many others in Guildford
Map: OS Explorer Map (145) Guildford and Farnham
Links: Shalford, Guildford, Wey and Arun Canal, National Trust River Wey and Godalming Navigations and Dapdune Wharf, The Cranleigh Line

This is part of a series of short walks in and around the Surrey Hills. 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.

I’d had this walk in mind for a few years after I completed the Downs Link with my friend Mark in 2021. The Downs Link connects the North Downs Way and South Downs Way, mostly following disused railways. It starts at St Martha’s Hill following footpaths and joins the old rail line near Chinthurst Hill. However, there’s a section of this old line from Guildford that the Downs Link doesn’t follow so we needed to return to complete the rest.

This is a point-to-point walk with Guildford and Shalford Stations at either end. We originally planned to start at Guildford and return back on the train from Shalford. Although the train ride between them is only 8 minutes, the trains are fairly infrequent at weekends. As there was a Guildford-Shalford train leaving shortly after we parked at Guildford we took that one and did the route in reverse.

From Shalford Station cross over the A281 Horsham Road and follow the path across the common in a south-westerly direction to Broadford Road. Take a right and cross the bridge over the River Wey. Follow the path on the western side of the Wey north for approximately 1 km until you see the path on the left to the National Trust River Wey Navigations Railway Line Walk. Climb the old embankment to the WW2 Pillbox at the top and follow the route of the old rail line. This is the old section of line where trains from Shalford would have crossed over the River Wey to turn south onto the line to Petersfield. After ~400m the path reaches the fence where you can see the current Guildford to Petersfield line.

Continue a bit further and you’ll see where the Cranleigh Line used to split off from the Guildford to Petersfield line. Look closely near the A3100 Old Portsmouth Road bridge and you can see some remains of the old track with a tree growing out of them. This is the start of the old Cranleigh Line which becomes the route of the Downs Link further to the south.

Follow the route of the old rail line for another 2km, crossing under Broadford Road, across Horsham Road and back onto the Wey-South Path. Our walk reaches its southernmost point at the Tannery Lane bridge where the Downs Link joins from the north-east. Having already done the rest of the Cranleigh Line on the Downs Link, this now completes the full stretch of the disused railway.

To complete the walk, turn around and retrace your steps back to Horsham Road. Instead of following the old rail line again take a right onto Horsham Road and follow the Wey-South Path. Stay on the Wey-South Path, along the banks of the Wey all the way back to Guildford. On this final stretch you’ll retrace the 1 km of the route between the Broadford Road Bridge and the start of the old railway line. You’ll also cross over the route of the North Downs Way. For me this would have been a more logical place to start the Downs Link as it would have run closer to the route of the rail lines. I guess whoever designed the trail wasn’t as much of a completist as I am and thought St Martha’s Hill was a more impressive place to start.

Annoyingly, the end-point of the Wey-South Path at Millmead Lock was blocked off when we got there. The footbridge onto the island was destroyed after heavy rain in 2019 and is still out of action. There’s an easy diversion along the A281 past The Weyside pub and then over the footbridge behind the theatre. The final 1 km of the walk follows the west bank of the Wey back to Guildford Station.

Line 1: Staines West to West Drayton

The Staines to West Drayton Railway was in existence from 1884 to 1965 and once also connected to the Reading to Waterloo Line at Staines. The Staines West Station building is still intact and now used as offices.

From Staines West Station follow Moor Lane until you reach a footpath on the right hand side just ahead of the A30 Staines Bypass. Follow this path to cross over the old bridge that crosses the River Wraysbury and the route of the old railway. Take a left after the bridge to pass under the A30 and onto Staines Moor. Keep to the south-western edge of the moor and find a gate leading to a bridge in the woods and the route of the old railway. Here you’ll find an information board about the railway and steps up to join the old rail line.

Follow the route of the old railway in a northerly direction to meet the site of the old Yeoveney Halt Station. There’s not much left but you can find some concrete remains in a clearing to the right hand side of the track.

Continue north following the edge of the M25 and River Wraysbury and take a path that passes through Junction 14 of the M25 to reach the western edge of the motorway. Just before you join Horton Road take a track heading south for about 100m to the approximate site of the old Poyle Halt Station. Nothing remains. You’re now also at the most westerly point of Greater London.

Retrace your route back from Poyle Halt to meet Horton Road following it west and then join Poyle Road at the roundabout. Take a right on the next roundabout onto Blackthorne road, following it east to the junction of Blackthorne Crescent where you’ll be at the approximate site of Poyle Estate Halt. As with the previous station, nothing remains.

Retrace your route back down Blackthorne Road and take a right back onto Poyle Road heading north, then a right onto Bath Road. Colnbrook Station can be found on the left hand side of Bath Road just after the junction with Meadowbrook Close. The old building still remains and is now a private house called Station Cottage. After Colnbrook Station the rail line is still in use but now only for cargo and not for passengers.

There was one extra station north of Colnbrook station called Colnbrook Estate Halt. There’s nothing left of it and I couldn’t find a way to get close to the location so we cycled on to West Drayton. To do this continue east along Bath Road over the M25 then take the first track on the left which takes you north to Harmondsworth Moor. Pass under the M4 near the M4/M25 junction and onto a road called The Common. Continue north, then right onto Cricketfield Road, right onto Mill Road, left onto Station Road, right onto Warwick Road where you’ll find West Drayton Station and the end of this section.

Line 2: West Drayton to Uxbridge Vine Street

This section follows the Uxbridge (Vine Street) branch line from West Drayton station. The line ran passenger services from 1884 to 1962 and completely closed in 1979. Today nothing remains of Uxbridge Vine Street Station or Cowley Station, the only other station on the route. You can still find evidence of the line in the shape of streets and some road names.

From West Drayton Station cross over High Street and follow Tavistock Road, following the curve of the old railway. Take a right onto Trout Road over the Grand Union Canal, a left through a path onto Chantry Close then a left onto the A408. Taking a right onto Moorfield Road then take a left onto St Martin Close, a right onto New Peachy Lane and a left onto Peachy Lane. Note that in Geoff’s video he found some alleyways between the houses that traced a closer route to the old line.

Take a left off Peachy Lane onto Kingdom Lane, a cycle path that directly follows the route of the old railway. Follow this for 0.5km to Station Road, near the site of the old Cowley Station. Cross Station Road and continue to follow the old rail route up Cleveland Road, Whitehall Road and Kendal Mews. You’ve now arrived at the busy A4020 (Hillingdon Road) dual carriageway that runs through Uxbridge. The Hertz building on the north side of the A4020 is on the site of the old Vine Street Station.

Line 3: Uxbridge High Street to Denham

From the site of Uxbridge Vine Street Station navigate round the roundabout to pick up Oxford Road to the site of the old Uxbridge High Street Station at 106 Oxford Road. There’s no remains of the old station and the site is now a building for the Buckinghamshire New University.

Geoff’s video on this section describes a walk along the route of the old line that connected Uxbridge to the Chiltern main line (formerly GWR) from 1907 to 1964. Having cycled through Alderglade Nature Reserve and Frays Farm Meadows before I remember it being a tricky ride and best tackled on foot. This time we opted for a more cycle-friendly route to the west of the old line. Timea (wife) and I went back to Uxbridge a week later to walk the true route of the old railway and you read about that in my next post.

From 106 Oxford Road we followed the Grand Union Canal Towpath from the Swan and Bottle pub to the southern entrance of Denham Country Park south of Denham Deep Lock. From here follow the South Bucks Way through the Country Park, Buckinghamshire Golf Course, Denham Village and along The Pyghtle to Denham Station. This is the end point of the route along the 3 disused rail lines.

The full cycle route from Staines West to Denham

The full cycle route: all 3 lines from Staines (south) to Denham (north)

Elevation plan for the full cycle route between Staines West and Denham

Stations on the Staines West to Denham Lines

Displayed in order of the cycle route from Staines West to Denham. Click on each photo to connect to the Wikipedia article for the station. Includes West Drayton and Denham which are still operating stations.

Staines West

Yeoveney Halt

Poyle Halt

Poyle Estate Halt

Colnbrook

West Drayton

Cowley

Uxbridge Vine Street

Uxbridge High Street

Denham

Brookwood Cemetery and The Necropolis Railway

Visiting the disused station at Brookwood Cemetery had been on my list for a while having watched the 2 YouTube videos embedded below. I recommend watching them both to understand more about the Cemetery and the Necropolis Railway before you go.

The best way to track down the old railway and station is to arrive by train to Brookwood Station from Waterloo. We were short on time and coming from outside of London so arrived by car and parked just inside the main gates at the entrance to the southern side of the cemetery off Cemetery Pales road. From here you can follow the path of the old railway as it curves to the south-east.

When we arrived at the old South Station, now part of a monastery, we met a monk and his dog taking the bins out. It seemed like he was quite familiar with people visiting the old station and gave us a bit of the history.

More on the railway: Wikipedia, Brookwood Cemetery Society

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Richard gower4 March 2023Trek, Disused Railway, Surrey, EnglandComment

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Brookwood Cemetery and The Necropolis Railway