Posts tagged England

The parkrun Regionnaire status used to be a major part of parkrun tourism. Changes in the parkrun website in 2019 removed the regions making it harder to track completion status. All is not lost though as here’s the complete parkrun guide to what’s in and what’s out of the counties of East of England.

The West Midlands is a diverse and geographically contrasting region of the UK, situated in the western half of central England, acting as a vital transport hub and sharing a long, scenic border with Wales. The region is composed of six ceremonial counties: Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, and the West Midlands (a heavily urbanised ceremonial county sharing the region's name, formed from land previously belonging to the three historic counties of Staffordshire, Worcestershire, and Warwickshire).

Geographically, the West Midlands is characterised by its striking transition from industrial heartlands to rolling rural topography, most notably across the Shropshire Hills: a sweeping Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty spanning the Welsh Marches. It contains the dramatic, ancient ridge of the Malvern Hills (predominantly in Worcestershire and Herefordshire) and the sprawling, historic lowland heath of Cannock Chase. Landscapes across the region are varied, ranging from the rugged gritstone edges of the Staffordshire Moorlands to the extensive industrial canal networks of the Black Country and the lush, meandering valley of the River Severn.

parkrun event numbers per county

There are currently 50 parkrun events in the counties of the West Midlands region.

Notes and exceptions.

The West Midlands ceremonial county contains 16 parkrun events that were formerly in 3 historic counties: 7 in Staffordshire; 6 in Warwickshire and 3 in Worcestershire’

The West Midlands Counties parkrun pages

Click on each of the images below to go to the page with details of the parkrun events for the county.

All of the Worcestershire parkrun events …

Below are each of the Worcestershire 5k parkrun events in alphabetical order. A few things to note:

The interactive maps below take you to the approximate location for the course, typically the centre of the park. See the course instructions in the parkrun page for each event for specific directions to the start.
Course maps and elevation profiles show the route at the time that I ran it and may have changed since then. See the Course page in the event’s page on parkrun.org.uk for the current course outline. Note that course outlines are from Garmin data during a specific run and may vary from the officially measured distance.
Please contact me if you spot an event that doesn’t have a course map and elevation profile and you would like to donate one from your own run. I’m also interested in maps and elevation profiles for courses that have changed or where there’s a regular alternative route (e.g. Horsham). I’ll need a GPX file from your run plus the date. I’ll include a credit for you and will donate £1 to parkrun.

Arrow Valley

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Worcestershire
Ceremonial County: Worcestershire
Inaugural: 14th July 2012
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Churchfields Farm

This parkrun event has been permanently cancelled. I did not complete this event before it was closed.
Historic County: Worcestershire
Ceremonial County: Worcestershire
Inaugural: December 29th 2018. Final event: #41 on October 19th 2019
Reason for cancellation: Churchfields farm business model changed after Covid with an increase in weddings and other events which bought them more money than parkrun. The increase in numbers that this bought meant they could no longer accommodate parkrun. In addition in winter prior to the pandemic the underfoot conditions with it being on a working farm meant it had not run for much of it either
Links: Event Home Page

Evesham

I completed this event on: June 11th 2022 with a finish time of: 26:15
Historic County: Worcestershire
Ceremonial County: Worcestershire
Other routes touched (walk): Shakespeare’s Avon Way
Inaugural: 21st March 2015
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Hanbury Hall

This parkrun event has been permanently cancelled. I did not complete this event before it was closed.
Historic County: Worcestershire
Ceremonial County: Worcestershire
Inaugural: July 2nd 2016. Final event: #26 on December 31st 2016
Reason for cancellation: Its paths and terrain weren't suitable for the large numbers of runners, with concerns about safety on muddy, uneven ground, especially as it wasn't a public park.
Links: Event Home Page

Worcester

I completed this event on: April 19th 2014 with a finish time of: 23:12
Historic County: Worcestershire
Ceremonial County: Worcestershire
Other routes touched (walk): Wild About Worcester Way
Inaugural: 18th June 2011
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Worcester Pitchcroft

I completed this event on: July 27th 2024 with a finish time of: 27:36
Historic County: Worcestershire
Ceremonial County: Worcestershire
Other routes touched (walk): Wild About Worcester Way
Other routes touched (walk): NCN 46
Inaugural: 5th May 2018
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Wythall

I did not complete this event before it was closed
Historic County: Worcestershire
Ceremonial County: Worcestershire
Inaugural: September 16th 2017. Final event: #1 on September 16th 2017
Reason for cancellation: “Wythall Park Community Association have voted against allowing parkrun to continue at their venue, as it "would suffer disproportionate damage".”
Links: Event Home Page

Wyre Forest

I completed this event on: November 28th 2015 with a finish time of: 26:13
Historic County: Worcestershire
Ceremonial County: Worcestershire
Inaugural: 29th August 2015
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

All of the Staffordshire parkrun events …

Below are each of the Staffordshire 5k parkrun events in alphabetical order. A few things to note:

The interactive maps below take you to the approximate location for the course, typically the centre of the park. See the course instructions in the parkrun page for each event for specific directions to the start.
Course maps and elevation profiles show the route at the time that I ran it and may have changed since then. See the Course page in the event’s page on parkrun.org.uk for the current course outline. Note that course outlines are from Garmin data during a specific run and may vary from the officially measured distance.
Please contact me if you spot an event that doesn’t have a course map and elevation profile and you would like to donate one from your own run. I’m also interested in maps and elevation profiles for courses that have changed or where there’s a regular alternative route (e.g. Horsham). I’ll need a GPX file from your run plus the date. I’ll include a credit for you and will donate £1 to parkrun.

Battlestead Croft

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Staffordshire
Ceremonial County: Staffordshire
Inaugural: 9th December 2023
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Beacon

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Staffordshire
Ceremonial County: Staffordshire
Inaugural: 18th January 2020
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Birchall Playing Fields

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Staffordshire
Ceremonial County: Staffordshire
Inaugural: 14th December 2024
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Bramshall Road

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Staffordshire
Ceremonial County: Staffordshire
Inaugural: 28th May 2022
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Cannock Chase

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Staffordshire
Ceremonial County: Staffordshire
Inaugural: 19th November 2016
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Chasewater

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Staffordshire
Ceremonial County: Staffordshire
Inaugural: 15th June 2019
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Hanley

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Staffordshire
Ceremonial County: Staffordshire
Inaugural: 24th September 2011
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Isabel Trail

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Staffordshire
Ceremonial County: Staffordshire
Inaugural: 8th December 2018
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Perton Playing Fields

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Staffordshire
Ceremonial County: Staffordshire
Inaugural: 29th November 2025
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Tamworth Castle Grounds

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Staffordshire
Ceremonial County: Staffordshire
While the town of Tamworth is historically divided between Staffordshire and Warwickshire, the Castle Grounds themselves traditionally fall within the historic county borders of Warwickshire but the parkrun course is within the ceremonial county of Tamworth.
Inaugural: 14th October 2023
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

The Wammy

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Staffordshire
Ceremonial County: Staffordshire
Inaugural: 24th March 2018
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Trentham Gardens

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Staffordshire
Ceremonial County: Staffordshire
Inaugural: 5th February 2022
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Vale Park, Burslem

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Staffordshire
Ceremonial County: Staffordshire
Inaugural: 11th July 2026
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

All of the Shropshire parkrun events …

Below are each of the Shropshire 5k parkrun events in alphabetical order. A few things to note:

The interactive maps below take you to the approximate location for the course, typically the centre of the park. See the course instructions in the parkrun page for each event for specific directions to the start.
Course maps and elevation profiles show the route at the time that I ran it and may have changed since then. See the Course page in the event’s page on parkrun.org.uk for the current course outline. Note that course outlines are from Garmin data during a specific run and may vary from the officially measured distance.
Please contact me if you spot an event that doesn’t have a course map and elevation profile and you would like to donate one from your own run. I’m also interested in maps and elevation profiles for courses that have changed or where there’s a regular alternative route (e.g. Horsham). I’ll need a GPX file from your run plus the date. I’ll include a credit for you and will donate £1 to parkrun.

Alderford Lake

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Shropshire
Ceremonial County: Shropshire
Inaugural: 31st August 2019
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Haughmond Hill

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Shropshire
Ceremonial County: Shropshire
Inaugural: 6th September 2025
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Henley Wood, Oswestry

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Shropshire
Ceremonial County: Shropshire
This event is also part of parkrun Compass Club
Inaugural: 20th October 2018
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Severn Valley Country

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Shropshire
Ceremonial County: Shropshire
Inaugural: 20th July 2019
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Shrewsbury

I completed this event on: January 2nd 2016 with a finish time of: 24:53
Historic County: Shropshire
Ceremonial County: Shropshire
Other routes touched (walk): Severn Way Source to Shrewsbury
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 81
Inaugural: 28th September 2013
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Telford

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Shropshire
Ceremonial County: Shropshire
Inaugural: 16th February 2013
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

All of the Herefordshire parkrun events …

Below are each of the Herefordshire 5k parkrun events in alphabetical order. A few things to note:

The interactive maps below take you to the approximate location for the course, typically the centre of the park. See the course instructions in the parkrun page for each event for specific directions to the start.
Course maps and elevation profiles show the route at the time that I ran it and may have changed since then. See the Course page in the event’s page on parkrun.org.uk for the current course outline. Note that course outlines are from Garmin data during a specific run and may vary from the officially measured distance.
Please contact me if you spot an event that doesn’t have a course map and elevation profile and you would like to donate one from your own run. I’m also interested in maps and elevation profiles for courses that have changed or where there’s a regular alternative route (e.g. Horsham). I’ll need a GPX file from your run plus the date. I’ll include a credit for you and will donate £1 to parkrun.

Hereford

I completed this event on: 11th July 2015 with a finish time of: 26:06
Historic County: Herefordshire
Ceremonial County: Herefordshire
Inaugural: 11th October 2014
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Ludlow

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Herefordshire.
Ceremonial County: Herefordshire.
Ludlow town is in Shropshire but the parkrun is across the border in Herefordshire.
Inaugural: 13th February 2016
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Queenswood Country Park

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Herefordshire
Ceremonial County: Herefordshire
Inaugural: 29th November 2025
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Ross-on-Wye

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Herefordshire
Ceremonial County: Herefordshire
Inaugural: 3rd August 2019
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

The Main Loop

Start & Finish: Marylebone Station, Melcombe Place, Marylebone, London, NW1 6JJ
Distance: 24.7 km (15.3 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 190m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (Walk): Thames Path, Jubilee Walkway, River Fleet Walk, River Westbourne Walk, Jubilee Greenway
Other routes touched (Cycle): CS3, CS6
Maps:
- OS Explorer Map (161) London South, Westminster, Greenwich, Croydon, Esher & Twickenham
- OS Explorer Map (173) London North, The City, West End, Enfield, Ealing, Harrow & Watford

The Hammersmith Spur

Start & Finish: Hammersmith Station, Underground Ltd, Beadon Rd, London W6 7AA
Distance: 7.5 km (4.6 miles)
Elevation change: +48m / - 30m. Net +18m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (Walk): Jubilee Greenway, Grand Union Canal / Regents Canal Towpath
Other routes touched (Cycle): C27, C44
Map: OS Explorer Map (173) London North, The City, West End, Enfield, Ealing, Harrow & Watford

The Complete Circle Line Running Route

Richard Gower running the above-ground route of the London Underground Circle Line

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)

Back to Trek Index

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

East Midlands parkruns

The East Midlands is a varied and centrally positioned region of England, lying at the heart of the country and forming an important geographic and economic link between the north and south. It comprises six ceremonial counties—Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire (excluding the northern unitary authorities of North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire), Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, and Rutland.

Its landscapes are defined by striking contrasts. In the north, the Peak District rises in a sweep of rugged gritstone edges, moorland plateaus, and deep valleys, forming one of Britain’s most celebrated upland national parks. Nottinghamshire is home to the ancient oak woodlands of Sherwood Forest, long associated with folklore and now protected for their ecological and cultural significance. To the south, Rutland Water stands as one of Europe’s largest man‑made reservoirs and an internationally important wetland habitat.

Across the wider region, the scenery shifts from the broad, meandering valley of the River Trent to the volcanic outcrops and wooded hills of Charnwood Forest. Lincolnshire contributes some of the country’s most extensive agricultural landscapes, stretching out to a coastline of wide sandy beaches and low‑lying coastal plains.

Together, these elements create a region of remarkable diversity—rich in natural beauty, deep in history, and shaped by the varied terrains that define the centre of England.

parkrun event numbers per county

There are currently 65 parkrun events in the present-day counties of the East Midlands region. The Historic Counties, prior to the various boundary changes had a further 8 events.

Notes and exceptions.

Numbers of event above exclude prison parkruns and permanently cancelled events.
Market Harborough was in the historic county of Northamptonshire but is in the present-day county of Leicestershire.
6 parkrun events in the north of Lincolnshire are in the Yorkshire and the Humber region.
2 parkrun events, Graves and Rother Valley, were in the historic county of Derbyshire but are now in South Yorkshire in the Yorkshire and the Humber Region.
Events that are in the Yorkshire and the Humber region are highlighted in yellow in the table above.

The East Midlands Counties parkrun pages

Click on each of the images below to go to the page with details of the parkrun events for the county.

All of the Lincolnshire parkrun events …

Below are each of the Lincolnshire 5k parkrun events in alphabetical order. A few things to note:

The interactive maps below take you to the approximate location for the course, typically the centre of the park. See the course instructions in the parkrun page for each event for specific directions to the start.
Course maps and elevation profiles show the route at the time that I ran it and may have changed since then. See the Course page in the event’s page on parkrun.org.uk for the current course outline. Note that course outlines are from Garmin data during a specific run and may vary from the officially measured distance.
Please contact me if you spot an event that doesn’t have a course map and elevation profile and you would like to donate one from your own run. I’m also interested in maps and elevation profiles for courses that have changed or where there’s a regular alternative route (e.g. Horsham). I’ll need a GPX file from your run plus the date. I’ll include a credit for you and will donate £1 to parkrun.

Ancholme Valley Way

I have not yet completed this event
Region: Yorkshire and the Humber
Historic County: Lincolnshire
Ceremonial County: Lincolnshire
Inaugural: 5th February 2022
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Baysgarth Park

I have not yet completed this event
Region: Yorkshire and the Humber
Historic County: Lincolnshire
Ceremonial County: Lincolnshire
Inaugural: 30th September 2023
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Belton House

I have not yet completed this event
Region: East Midlands
Historic County: Lincolnshire
Ceremonial County: Lincolnshire
Inaugural: 7th November 2015
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Boston

I have not yet completed this event
Region: East Midlands
Historic County: Lincolnshire
Ceremonial County: Lincolnshire
Inaugural: 24th October 2015
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Cleethorpes

I have not yet completed this event
Region: Yorkshire and The Humber
Historic County: Lincolnshire
Ceremonial County: Lincolnshire
Inaugural: 24th May 2014
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Doddington Hall

I have not yet completed this event
Region: East Midlands
Historic County: Lincolnshire
Ceremonial County: Lincolnshire
Inaugural: 25th January 2020
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Epworth Equestrian

This parkrun event has been permanently cancelled.
I did not complete this event before it was closed
Region: Yorkshire and The Humber
Historic County: Lincolnshire
Ceremonial County: Lincolnshire
Inaugural: July 29th 2023. Final event: #59 on October 12th 2024
Reason for cancellation: Due to low café usage.
Replaced by: Vermuyden Way
Links: Event Home Page

Gainsborough

This parkrun event has been permanently cancelled.
I did not complete this event before it was closed
Region: East Midlands
Historic County: Lincolnshire
Ceremonial County: Lincolnshire
Inaugural: May 30th 2015. Final event: #242 on March 14th 2020
Reason for cancellation: Didn’t restart after Covid as some of the land had planning permission for housing, which went ahead.
Replaced by: Thonock Lane Farm
Links: Event Home Page

Lincoln

I have not yet completed this event
Region: East Midlands
Historic County: Lincolnshire
Ceremonial County: Lincolnshire
Inaugural: 16th November 2013
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Market Rasen Racecourse

I have not yet completed this event
Region: East Midlands
Historic County: Lincolnshire
Ceremonial County: Lincolnshire
Inaugural: 3rd November 2018
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Normanby Hall

I have not yet completed this event
Region: Yorkshire and The Humber
Historic County: Lincolnshire
Ceremonial County: Lincolnshire
Inaugural: 4th November 2017
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School

I have not yet completed this event
Region: East Midlands
Historic County: Lincolnshire
Ceremonial County: Lincolnshire
Inaugural: 22nd March 2025
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Scunthorpe

I have not yet completed this event
Region: Yorkshire and The Humber
Historic County: Lincolnshire
Ceremonial County: Lincolnshire
Inaugural: 23rd February 2013
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Skegness Boating Lake

This parkrun event has been permanently cancelled.
I did not complete this event before it was closed
Region: East Midlands
Historic County: Lincolnshire
Ceremonial County: Lincolnshire
Inaugural: December 28th 2019. Final event: #12 on March 14th 2020
Reason for cancellation: During covid the main carpark entrance for Skegness was moved, it now goes across the course path whereas previously it didn’t.
Links: Event Home Page

Snowden Field

I have not yet completed this event
Region: East Midlands
Historic County: Lincolnshire
Ceremonial County: Lincolnshire
Inaugural: 27th April 2019
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Thonock Lane Farm

I have not yet completed this event
Region: East Midlands
Historic County: Lincolnshire
Ceremonial County: Lincolnshire
Inaugural: 7th October 2023
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Vermuyden Way

I have not yet completed this event
Region: Yorkshire and The Humber
Historic County: Lincolnshire
Ceremonial County: Lincolnshire
Inaugural: 25th January 2025
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Yarborough Leisure Centre

I have not yet completed this event
Region: East Midlands
Historic County: Lincolnshire
Ceremonial County: Lincolnshire
Inaugural: 4th February 2023
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Walking Directions

This stage of the Midshires Way takes walkers from Lodge Lake deep into the surprisingly green corridors of Milton Keynes. While Milton Keynes is often associated with its modern grid system, this route beautifully showcases how ancient villages like Loughton were carefully preserved and integrated into the city's design. It provides a brilliant contrast between historical Buckinghamshire and modern urban planning.

The route is mostly flat and relies heavily on the city's extensive network of pedestrian pathways and parkland trails, making it highly accessible year-round. Along the way, you will trace the borders of historic woodlands, pass by centuries-old village architecture, and perhaps even find time for a detour to a local parkrun if you are walking on a Saturday morning.

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 off at Lodge Lake car park, which is just off Bradwell Road from the Danstead Way dual carriageway. There is free parking for about twenty cars, and it makes a great starting point with plenty of route options around the water.
From the car park, head around the lake in an anti-clockwise direction.
Pick up the path that runs parallel to Danstead Way along its southern edge.
After just under one kilometre, you will walk past the Kensington pub: it is a nice spot for a quick drink if you fancy one, even if it is a bit early in the trip.
Keep heading south-west until the 1.8 kilometre mark, then cross over Danstead Way at the traffic lights onto Randall Avenue.
Take an immediate left to dip into the woodland, following a lovely little trail with a stream on your right and Danstead Way on your left.
Continue south-west until you reach the roundabout connecting Barossa Way and Tattenhoe Street.
Cross Barossa Way to join the North Bucks Way: this is a really peaceful section as you get away from the busy roads and houses for a bit.
Head south along the North Bucks Way until you reach the four kilometre mark, then take a left to rejoin the Midshires Way right where we left off on section twelve.
Wander north-east through a quiet residential part of Oak Hill, then follow the path as it curves south-west along the south side of Fulmer Street.
Just past the six kilometre mark, pop under the underpass and stick to the Midshires Way on the north side of Fulmer Street.
The route curves left to head north-east parallel to Chazey Way, before taking you under the busy Watling Street via another underpass.
Curve left heading north-north-west through Loughton: this is a rather nice area with some big houses, open ground, and a great view across to Central Milton Keynes over on the eastern side.
Finally, keep following the route past the miniature railway, cross over Loughton Brook, and simply follow the water all the way back to Lodge Lake to finish up.

Points of Interest along or near to the Route

Lodge Lake & Great Holm Built in the early 1980s as a balancing lake to manage flood risks from the Loughton Brook, Lodge Lake has matured into a thriving natural ecosystem. It provides a vital habitat for local birdlife, making it an excellent spot for birdwatching. Keep an eye out for herons, swans, and even the occasional kingfisher as you navigate the water's edge at the start and finish of your walk.
Oakhill Wood forms part of the long‑established woodland belt on the western edge of Milton Keynes. Though not formally designated as ancient woodland, it has been present in the landscape for centuries and provides a rich habitat for local wildlife. Its shaded paths offer a welcome sense of seclusion, creating a natural green buffer between the modern grid roads and the older settlements nearby.
Loughton is one of Milton Keynes’ most historic settlements, recorded in the Domesday Book and still centred around its traditional village green. Absorbed into the new town’s designated area in the early 1970s, it has retained its medieval street pattern and a remarkable collection of historic buildings. Timber‑framed cottages, farmhouses, and remnants of ancient field boundaries preserve the character of a Buckinghamshire village that predates the city by nearly a millennium.
All Saints Church is the oldest surviving building in Loughton and a Grade II* listed landmark. Its earliest sections, the nave and chancel, date from the early 13th century, with later medieval additions shaping the church’s distinctive profile. Set amid the village’s green spaces and surrounded by modern Milton Keynes, it stands as a striking reminder of the area’s deep historical roots.
The Milton Keynes Redway Network A significant portion of this route utilises the city’s Redways—a unique, traffic-free network boasting over 200 miles of shared-use paths for pedestrians and cyclists. These verdant, tree-lined corridors safely connect communities and parks away from the roads, demonstrating how modern urban planning can successfully blend seamlessly with nature.

Midshires Way previous section (south): Whaddon and Oakhill Wood
Midshires Way next section (north): Bradwell Abbey and Linford Wood

Back to Trek Index

Richard gower4 July 2026Trek, Buckinghamshire, EnglandComment

Completing all Derbyshire parkruns

There are currently 12 parkrun events in the present-day county of Derbyshire, of which I have not yet completed any. The first was Markeaton which started on 27th April 2013 and the newest is Coronation Park which started on 24th May 2025. I’m not aware of a County Completion Name for Derbyshire but let me know in the comments if you have one.

Graves and Rother Valley were both in the historic county of Derbyshire but are now in the present-day county of South Yorkshire. Graves, which started on 14th April 2012, was the first parkrun event in the historic county of Derbyshire. While most of Derbyshire is a part of the East Midlands region, the 2 that are now in South Yorkshire are part of the Yorkshire and the Humber region.

Numbers exclude 2k Junior parkruns and any events that are not open to the general public such as prisons or armed forces facilities.

A map of all parkrun events in the county of Derbyshire

All of the Derbyshire parkrun events …

Below are each of the Derbyshire 5k parkrun events in alphabetical order. A few things to note:

The interactive maps below take you to the approximate location for the course, typically the centre of the park. See the course instructions in the parkrun page for each event for specific directions to the start.
Course maps and elevation profiles show the route at the time that I ran it and may have changed since then. See the Course page in the event’s page on parkrun.org.uk for the current course outline. Note that course outlines are from Garmin data during a specific run and may vary from the officially measured distance.
Please contact me if you spot an event that doesn’t have a course map and elevation profile and you would like to donate one from your own run. I’m also interested in maps and elevation profiles for courses that have changed or where there’s a regular alternative route (e.g. Horsham). I’ll need a GPX file from your run plus the date. I’ll include a credit for you and will donate £1 to parkrun.

Alvaston

I have not yet completed this event
Region: East Midlands
Historic County: Derbyshire
Ceremonial County: Derbyshire
Inaugural: 25th May 2019
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Ashbourne Recreation Ground

I have not yet completed this event
Region: East Midlands
Historic County: Derbyshire
Ceremonial County: Derbyshire
Inaugural: 14th May 2022
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Black Rocks

I have not yet completed this event
Region: East Midlands
Historic County: Derbyshire
Ceremonial County: Derbyshire
Inaugural: 18th January 2025
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Coronation Park

I have not yet completed this event
Region: East Midlands
Historic County: Derbyshire
Ceremonial County: Derbyshire
Inaugural: 24th May 2025
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Glossop

I have not yet completed this event
Region: East Midlands
Historic County: Derbyshire
Ceremonial County: Derbyshire
Inaugural: 26th September 2015
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Graves

I have not yet completed this event
Region: Yorkshire and the Humber
Historic County: Derbyshire
Ceremonial County: South Yorkshire
Inaugural: 14th April 2012
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Long Eaton

I have not yet completed this event
Region: East Midlands
Historic County: Derbyshire
Ceremonial County: Derbyshire
Inaugural: 13th June 2015
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Markeaton

I have not yet completed this event
Region: East Midlands
Historic County: Derbyshire
Ceremonial County: Derbyshire
Inaugural: 27th April 2013
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Monsal Trail

I have not yet completed this event
Region: East Midlands
Historic County: Derbyshire
Ceremonial County: Derbyshire
Inaugural: 6th January 2018
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Pavilion Gardens

I have not yet completed this event
Region: East Midlands
Historic County: Derbyshire
Ceremonial County: Derbyshire
Inaugural: 5th November 2022
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Poolsbrook

I have not yet completed this event
Region: East Midlands
Historic County: Derbyshire
Ceremonial County: Derbyshire
Inaugural: 2nd April 2016
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Rosliston

I have not yet completed this event
Region: East Midlands
Historic County: Derbyshire
Ceremonial County: Derbyshire
Inaugural: 12th March 2016
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Rother Valley

I have not yet completed this event
Region: Yorkshire and the Humber
Historic County: Derbyshire
Ceremonial County: South Yorkshire
Inaugural: 11th May 2013
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Shipley Country

I have not yet completed this event
Region: East Midlands
Historic County: Derbyshire
Ceremonial County: Derbyshire
Inaugural: 25th February 2017
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Walking Directions

This delightful circular route through the Buckinghamshire countryside offers a fantastic blend of historic village charm and open agricultural landscapes. Starting in the picturesque village of Whaddon, the trail guides you eastwards along the quiet country lane towards the edge of Milton Keynes. It is a wonderfully peaceful stretch that feels miles away from the hustle of the city, making it an excellent weekend escape or a perfect leg-stretcher for those resting before their Saturday morning parkrun.

As you reach the western urban boundary, the route turns north, tracing the edge of the city before skirting the ancient boundaries of Oakhill Wood and Briary Plantation. The return leg takes you west through wide open fields and south through the remnants of Whaddon Chase, offering long, elevated views across the Great Ouse Valley before delivering you safely back into the heart of Whaddon.

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

Begin the walk outside the Lowndes Arms pub on Stock Lane in Whaddon village centre, where free on-street parking is available.
Walk south through St Mary's churchyard, passing the 12th-century church, to exit back onto Stock Lane right opposite your starting point at the Lowndes Arms. As you reach the top of the hill, pass the historic remnants of the Second World War telecommunications site on the grass line.
Head east along Stock Lane for approximately 300 metres.
Turn left onto the public footpath heading down Kennel Lane towards the open fields.
Follow the Midshires Way path as it turns right and then left to skirt the northern edge of Briary Plantation.
Continue heading in a north-easterly direction across the fields until the path meets the Milton Keynes Boundary Walk just before you reach the urban houses.
Turn left and follow the combined Midshires Way and Milton Keynes Boundary Walk north-north-west for just under two kilometres, passing Oakley Park and Oakhill Prison on your right, and Oakhill Wood on your left.
Turn left (west) to stay on the Milton Keynes Boundary Walk, walking across the open fields.
Cross over Stratford Road and continue along the farm path heading west.
When you reach the track near the converted farm buildings, turn left to head southwards.
Follow this path until it connects with Nash Road.
Turn left onto Nash Road and follow it as it transitions into Church Hill Road towards the centre of Whaddon.

Points of Interest along or near to the Route

St Mary's Church, Whaddon. Dominating the skyline as you approach Whaddon, the Church of St Mary is a striking Grade I listed building with origins rooted in the 12th century. The church features a prominent 14th-century tower and contains historic monuments, including a memorial to Arthur Grey, 14th Baron Grey de Wilton, making it a culturally significant and highly visible landmark on your walk. Inside, visitors can spot a rare Norman pillar carving showing two peacocks quarrelling over bread, as well as surviving fragments of medieval stained glass in the east window.
Whaddon Hall and Royal History. The present Whaddon Hall was built in 1820 on a site occupied by manor houses since the 11th century. Originally a royal forest and medieval hunting ground, Whaddon Chase was historically reserved for hunting deer by the nobility. Although heavily deforested over the centuries and enclosed for agriculture, the undulating topography and remaining pockets of ancient woodland still offer walkers a tangible glimpse into Buckinghamshire's medieval past.
The Intelligence Zone and World War Two Telecommunications. During World War Two, Whaddon Hall served as the top-secret headquarters for Section VIII (Communications) of MI6 under Brigadier Richard Gambier-Parry. The facility was responsible for constructing radio gear and transmitting Ultra intelligence from Bletchley Park directly to Allied commanders in the field. Walkers can still see the grassy mounds of the buried wartime radio outstations (such as Windy Ridge and the Upper Weald Radio Station) along Church Hill Road, whose history was shared with us by local author Alan Biggins, writer of The Intelligence Zone: Churchill's Secret Sites and What They Gave the World.
Oakhill Wood and Briary Plantation. These ancient woodlands form a beautiful natural buffer between the expanding modern grid of Milton Keynes and the traditional farmland of rural Buckinghamshire. Tracing the edges of these woods provides wonderful opportunities to spot local wildlife: look out for deer, red kites, and woodpeckers nestled in the oak and ash canopy.
Snelshall Priory Earthworks. Slightly west of the route lies the site of Snelshall Priory, a Benedictine house dedicated to St Leonard and founded circa 1147. Though the buildings have long since vanished, the historic earthworks, moated site, and medieval fishponds still remain preserved in the quiet landscape.

Midshires Way previous section (south): Great Horwood and Whaddon
Midshires Way next section (north): Oakhill and Loughton

Back to Trek Index

Richard gower28 June 2026Trek, Buckinghamshire, EnglandComment

All The Waterloo & City Line Stations

As a part of my ongoing series of visiting "all the stations", I rode the Waterloo and City line bagging all 2 of its stations :-). The last time I completed a line, it was the 41 stations of the Elizabeth Line so this trip was a very quick one by comparison.

I had this on my list for some time, having noticed little bits of trivia about the Waterloo and City line on different geeky YouTube videos I follow. Because one of the unique things about the line is that it is not open on weekends, I needed to do it on a weekday when I was already in London. So, I picked a glorious summer day to catch a very early train into the city, do the Waterloo and City tube line, walk back to Waterloo, and then get back to my office in Paddington at a normal work time.

There’s a few other ways that the Waterloo and City line is unique:

It is the shortest of all the London Underground lines at just 1.47 miles long, with a journey time of only four minutes between its two stations, Waterloo and Bank.
It is the only tube line that was administered as part of the national rail network until it transferred to the London Underground in 1994.
It is completely isolated and has no physical link with the rest of the tube network. Because of this, when carriages need replacing or heavy servicing, they cannot just be driven out: they must be lifted out of the depot by a crane.
The line is affectionately known as 'The Drain'. This nickname seemingly comes from the appearance of the lengthy sloping subway access at Bank station.
The platforms at Waterloo are still numbered 25 and 26, matching the numbering of the mainline station above.
It is one of only two lines on the network (the other being the Victoria line) that is fully underground.

The walk back: Bank to Waterloo

What is most interesting about the line: and the real reason I wanted to do this: is the return leg. After arriving, when you walk back from Bank to Waterloo, you can actually do this entire walk without crossing or stepping on a single road. For a detailed guide on that specific path, you can check out the excellent article on the Londonist website (article linked here).

It was a very hot day with not a cloud in the sky, making for a beautiful walk, particularly along the Thames Path section. However, there were a few navigational discoveries and points of interest I found along the way that are worth noting:

Navigating Bank Station: When I got to Bank station, I found it tricky to locate the correct passage between Bank and Monument station due to the sheer number of exits. You definitely need to keep your eyes peeled and be careful here.
The Pedway Bridge: There is a pedestrian bridge crossing from Pudding Lane to St Magnus the Martyr church. Unfortunately, this was shut during my visit due to reconstruction of a building on the south side of the road. I was a bit disappointed as I actually had to cross the road to avoid the closure, temporarily breaking the "no roads" rule.
Approaching Waterloo: As you get to the IMAX near the end of the walk, you need to make sure you find the right route to get from the IMAX to Waterloo station without crossing a road.

Start: Monument Station, Fish Street Hill Exit, London, EC3R 6BR
Finish: Waterloo Station, Waterloo Road, London SE1 8SW
Distance: 4.0 km (2.5 miles)
Elevation change: +32m / -49m. Net - 17m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Pudding Lane Pedway, Thames Path, Green Link Walk
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 4
Pubs / Cafes on route: Loads, it’s London. See the points of interest section below for 2 significant pubs.
Map: London North Map | The City, West End, Enfield, Ealing, Harrow & Watford | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 173

Red = Waterloo & City Underground Line. Blue = The walk back

Points of Interest along the walking route

In order of the route from Bank to Waterloo, showing how many kilometres into the route it is from the Fish Street Hill exit of Monument Station.

Bank Station. A major interchange station on the London Underground, named after the nearby Bank of England. It is famous for its complex maze of tunnels, steep escalator shafts, and pedestrian subways, which were built over decades, making it one of the most notoriously confusing (and crowded) stations to navigate on the entire network.
Monument Station. Linked directly to Bank station via deep-level pedestrian tunnels, it takes its name from the nearby Monument to the Great Fire of London. It originally opened in 1884 as part of the Metropolitan Inner Circle completion and provides a crucial gateway to the historic heart of the City of London.
(0.1 km) Monument to the Great Fire of London. Designed by Sir Christopher Wren and Dr Robert Hooke, this 202-foot-tall Doric column commemorates the catastrophic Great Fire of London in 1666. Its height is no coincidence. If the column were laid flat on the ground, the tip would reach the exact spot of Thomas Farriner's bakery in Pudding Lane where the fire started.
(0.1 km) Pudding Lane. A small cobbled street in the City of London that is infamous worldwide as the starting point of the Great Fire. Despite its sweet-sounding name, "pudding" was actually a medieval term for animal innards, which butchers carted down this lane from Eastcheap market to the river to be discarded.
(0.2 km) Church of Saint Magnus-the-Martyr. Another stunning architectural masterpiece rebuilt by Sir Christopher Wren after the Great Fire, this church once stood right at the foot of the old medieval London Bridge. A surviving piece of Roman timber wharf from the 1st century AD is remarkably displayed in its porch, blending centuries of London history in a single spot.
(0.4 km) London Bridge is the oldest crossing over the River Thames, with a rich history originating from a Roman pontoon structure built around 43 AD. The 19th-century version of the bridge was famously sold to an American entrepreneur in 1968 and rebuilt stone by stone in Arizona.
(0.6 km) Cannon Street Bridge. Constructed between 1863 and 1866, Cannon Street Railway Bridge features two monumental Victorian brick towers originally built to conceal water tanks for the station's hydraulic lifts. At low tide the riverbank beneath the bridge is frequently scattered with centuries-old animal bones from historical butchers and abattoirs.
(0.7 km) The Banker Pub, EC4 Nestled snugly within the towering brick arches of the Cannon Street Railway Bridge, this riverside pub offers spectacular views of the Thames. The cavernous vaults it occupies are a testament to robust Victorian railway engineering.
(0.8 km) Southwark Bridge. Rebuilt in 1921, the vibrant green and yellow Southwark Bridge was cleverly designed so its arches align perfectly with neighbouring bridges to ensure a smooth flow of river traffic. For a glimpse into the past, pedestrians can still spot old stone steps on the south bank once used by Thames watermen to moor their boats.
(0.8 km) Fruiterers Passage This narrow, easily missed walkway is a ghost of London's trading past, named after the Worshipful Company of Fruiterers, one of the City's ancient livery companies. It serves as a quiet reminder of the medieval days when different trades clustered in specific riverside alleys to load and unload their goods.
(1.0 km) The Alfred Plaque This modest stone memorial marks King Alfred the Great's restoration of London in 886 AD after a period of Viking occupation. It highlights how he rebuilt the Roman walls and re-established the nearby Queenhithe dock to revive the city's trade and ensure its survival.
(1.0 km) Queenhithe Mosaic Unveiled in 2014, this beautiful 30-meter-long mosaic timeline vividly illustrates the history of London and the Queenhithe dock from Roman times right up to the present day. It is an unexpected, colorful piece of public art that encapsulates the historical significance of the shoreline you are walking along.
(1.1 km) Queenhithe Dock and Wharf Once the most important dock in Saxon and medieval London, goods like corn, fish, and fur were traded here for centuries. Today, it is a scheduled ancient monument and the only surviving inlet on the modern City waterfront, offering a rare, untouched glimpse into the ancient port of London.
(1.2 km) Samuel Pepys Pub Named after the famous 17th-century diarist who documented both the Great Fire and the Great Plague, this pub sits in a historic wooden warehouse on the north bank.
(1.4 km) Millennium Measure. Gifted by the Worshipful Company of Scientific Instrument Makers for the year 2000, the Millennium Measure is a stainless steel and glass sculpture serving as a three-sided, two-metre rule that depicts two thousand years of history. Its initials "MM" cleverly stand for three things simultaneously: "Millennium Measure", "millimetre", and the number two thousand in Roman numerals.
(1.4 km) Millennium Bridge Opened in 2000, this steel suspension footbridge elegantly links St Paul's Cathedral with the Tate Modern. It famously earned the nickname "The Wobbly Bridge" due to a swaying motion experienced on its opening day, an engineering quirk which took two years and specialized dampeners to finally fix.
(1.5 km) St Paul's Cathedral Though you don't walk right up to it on this specific path, the view of its iconic dome from the Millennium Bridge is a deliberately engineered sightline. Sir Christopher Wren's architectural masterpiece is framed perfectly by the bridge's suspension cables, offering one of the most celebrated and deliberate vistas in all of London.
(1.8 km) Shakespeare's Globe Located just off the path after crossing the river, this is a meticulous reconstruction of the original Elizabethan playhouse where Shakespeare debuted his greatest works. A wonderfully quirky detail: it features the first and only thatched roof permitted in London since the Great Fire of 1666, protected today by specially designed fire-retardant sprinklers.
(1.9 km) Tate Modern Housed in the colossal former Bankside Power Station, this world-renowned gallery is Britain's national museum of international modern and contemporary art. The iconic towering chimney and cavernous Turbine Hall are stunning remnants of its industrial past repurposed into spectacular exhibition spaces.
(2.1 km) Blackfriars Railway Bridge Pillars As you continue along the South Bank, look out into the river to see a row of red, cast-iron pillars standing completely alone in the water. These are the beautifully preserved remains of the original 1864 London, Chatham and Dover Railway bridge, dismantled in the 1980s. The railway insignia is still brilliantly visible on the columns.
(2.5 km) Oxo Tower Originally a power station, the building was largely rebuilt in the 1920s by the Liebig Extract of Meat Company (makers of Oxo cubes). Refused permission for illuminated rooftop advertising, they cleverly circumvented the ban by designing the tower's windows in the shapes of a circle, a cross, and a circle subtly spelling out "OXO" across the skyline.
(2.6 km) The Queen's Walk This vibrant pedestrian promenade stretches along the South Bank of the Thames, formalized in 1977 to mark the Silver Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. It connects several major cultural landmarks and is renowned for its bustling atmosphere, street performers, and unmatched views across the river.
(2.9 km) National Theatre A highly polarizing piece of architecture, this massive concrete complex is one of London's most prominent examples of the Brutalist style. King Charles once famously compared it to a "clever way of building a nuclear power station," but regardless of its divisive exterior, it houses three world-class auditoriums producing unparalleled theatre.
(3.1 km) Southbank Centre Book Market Nestled directly beneath Waterloo Bridge, this is one of the only outdoor second-hand and antique book markets in southern England. Operating daily since 1982, it's a wonderfully atmospheric spot on the walking route to browse weather-beaten classics while the traffic rumbles overhead.
(3.2 km) Waterloo Bridge Often affectionately called the "Ladies' Bridge" because it was largely built by a female workforce during World War II, this bridge offers arguably the best panoramic views in London. Look east for the City skyline and St Paul's Cathedral, or west for the London Eye and the Houses of Parliament.
(3.4 km) BFI Imax Sitting right in the center of a busy traffic roundabout, this striking glass cylinder is home to the largest cinema screen in the UK. The sheer scale of the auditorium is mind-boggling, and the entire structure is built on sophisticated anti-vibration pads to drown out the rumble of the tube lines running directly beneath it.
(3.5 km) Waterloo Station Britain’s busiest railway station by passenger volume, it is a bustling hub that first opened in 1848. A famous quirky detail is the great four-faced clock hanging in the middle of the main concourse, which has served as an iconic rendezvous point for countless romantic dates and classic movie scenes since the 1920s.

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

Trig Pillar Walks: St. Catherine's Hill, Isle of Wight

Start & Finish: Wight Mouse Inn, Church Place, Chale, Ventnor, PO38 2HA
Distance: 4.4 km (2.7 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 144m
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)
Pubs / Cafes on route: Wight Mouse Inn at the start and end
OS Trig Pillar: TP6127 - St Catherines Hill Isle Of Wight
Map: Isle of Wight Map | Cowes, Newport, Ryde, Sandown, Shanklin, Yarmouth & Ventnor | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map OL29
Links: Chale, St. Catherine's Down, St Catherine's Oratory, Blackgang

Our Isle of Wight coastal cycle weekend late in May brought a brilliant unexpected bonus walk. Brian and I were on a two-day trip, and our first day involved cycling from Newport down to Chale on the south coast. We stayed overnight at a lovely pub called the Wight Mouse.

We arrived and checked in around 5:00 in the afternoon. We were both pretty tired, and Brian was particularly exhausted. We decided to grab an early dinner, after which I planned to head out for a short walk up nearby St. Catherine's Hill to bag the trig pillar. Brian had absolutely no interest in joining me: partly because of the fatigue, but mostly because he only had his clip-in cycle shoes with him, which are completely useless for walking. I do not use clip-ins, so I had my trusty trainers for the weekend, which were perfectly fine for a hike. Plus, we could actually see the top of the hill from our bedroom window at the pub: it was just too tempting to pass up!

Walking Directions

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.

Just after dinner, I set out. I took a left out of the pub onto Church Place, and then the first right onto Upper House Lane. Taking a right onto a footpath, I headed out into the fields. From there, you can navigate through the fields and up a steep bank to the ridge line, which leads straight to St. Catherine's Hill.

There are some genuinely fascinating things to see at the top. Naturally, my first stop was the trig pillar itself, which I successfully bagged. Moving on, the landscape reveals St. Catherine's Oratory, affectionately known locally as the "Pepperpot". This 35-foot structure is the only surviving medieval lighthouse in England. It was completed in 1328 by Walter de Godeton, the Lord of Chale. He was ordered by the Church to build the lighthouse and an adjoining oratory as an act of penance after he illegally plundered casks of white wine from a shipwrecked vessel called the St Marie of Bayonne in Chale Bay. Interestingly, historical sources conflict slightly on the exact date of the wreck: English Heritage and some historical texts note it as occurring in 1314, whilst other local historical records state it happened on 20 April 1313. A bit further south from the trig pillar, there is another striking piece of history: a modern telecommunications tower built right next to an old World War II pillbox.

After spending a good amount of time at the top investigating the sights, I continued south along the footpath until I reached Blackgang Road: the exact road we had cycled down just a couple of hours prior.

I crossed over the road at a safe point into the Blackgang Viewpoint car park. From there, I picked up the Isle of Wight Coastal Path. This walking route takes a much safer path running parallel to Blackgang Road. I followed it all the way back to Chale, returning to Church Place and finally arriving back at the Wight Mouse. I found Brian relaxing in the pub garden, and we enjoyed a final drink together before getting a big sleep ahead of our second day of cycling.

Points of Interest along or near to the Route

St Catherine's Hill (Trig Pillar & Tumuli) At 239 metres above sea level, St Catherine's Hill is one of the highest points on the Isle of Wight. The summit area, including St. Catherine's Down, not only houses the trig pillar but also features ancient burial mounds (tumuli) dating back to the Bronze Age. The elevation provides commanding, uninterrupted views across the English Channel and the rolling downland of the island.
St Catherine's Oratory (The Pepperpot) Standing 35 feet tall, this striking octagonal stone tower is Britain's only surviving medieval lighthouse. It was built in 1328 by Walter de Godeton as penance for plundering a shipwrecked vessel laden with wine destined for a monastery. Originally, a priest would have tended the light to warn sailors of the treacherous Chale Bay below while offering prayers for the souls of those lost at sea.
Wight Mouse Inn (Chale) Located in the village of Chale, this historic 17th-century pub serves as a welcome starting and finishing point for the route. The building has deep roots in the local community, serving weary travellers for generations. Chale is positioned near the rugged southwestern coast, an area historically notorious for shipwrecks, giving the pub a rich maritime and smuggling heritage.
Blackgang Viewpoint Overlooking the dramatic southern coastline, this viewpoint offers spectacular vistas along the Undercliff and out over the sea. The area around Blackgang is constantly shaped by coastal erosion and landslides, which gives the cliffs their rugged, sheer appearance. In the past, this stretch of coastline was heavily patrolled by coastguards due to frequent shipwrecks and active smuggling operations.

Back to Trek Index

Richard gower30 May 2026Trek, Trig Pillar, Coast, Isle of Wight, Hampshire, EnglandComment

Brighton Corporation Waterworks Boundary Posts

Before reliable plumbing, keeping Brighton's rapidly growing 19th-century population supplied with clean water was a massive logistical headache. The Brighton Corporation Waterworks built large pumping stations like the one at Goldstone. They also bought up thousands of acres of downland to prevent groundwater pollution. To clearly mark the edges of these protected catchment areas, they installed heavy boundary posts.

This particular obsession started when Mark found a few of these original markers. He shared the details with our group chat: a circle of friends who spend their weekends hunting down OS Trig Pillars, completing parkrun challenges or geeking out over various other obsessions. I was in Brighton recently to tick off another Sussex parkrun and track down some Trig Pillars. While doing so, I stumbled across several more of the Waterworks posts.

Mark and I are now on a mission to find and document every remaining post and identify the exact locations of the ones that have disappeared over the years. We are relying on the community to help fill in the gaps. If you know where one is, comment below or use the contact form linked here to send me the location. I will credit your find at the bottom of this page and donate £1 to to one of the outdoor causes that I support for any contribution published.

Boundary Post Locations

The map below shows Brighton Corporation Waterworks locations that Mark and I have visited or identified. Green and purple pins show ones that Mark and I have visited. Brown pins are potential locations to be verified.

Richard gower29 May 2026South Downs, Sussex, EnglandComment

Ales & Trails Rebellion 10k

When: May 25th 2026
Where: Marlow Rugby Club, Riverwoods Drive, Marlow, SL7 1QU
Organiser: Racing Line Running
Distance: 10 km
Elevation: +/- 91m
Course: Start and finish at the Marlow Rugby Club. Out onto the Thames Path for an anti-clockwise loop between Marlow Bridge and the Bourne End railway bridge. One steep climb up and down Winter Hill, otherwise flat.
Other routes touched (walk): Thames Path, Shakespeare’s Way, The Chiltern Way Berkshire Loop
Finish time: 64 minutes, 34 seconds

Back to Run Index

Richard gower25 May 2026Run, 10k, Berkshire, EnglandComment

Walking The Thames Path - Tilehurst to Sonning

Approaching Caversham Bridge from the west on the Thames Path — Approaching Caversham Bridge from the west

Start & Finish: Tilehurst Station, Reading, RG31 6TH
Distance: 10.9 km (6.8 miles)
Elevation change: +41 / -54m. Net -13m
Terrain: Flat, well-paved or hard-packed riverside paths with some grassy sections.
Thames Path section covered: Tilehurst to Sonning: 10.9 km
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Thames Path, St Frideswide’s Way, Wokingham Way
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 4, 5
Pubs / Cafes on route: Several options in Reading but we stopped at the Thames Lido restaurant at 6.1 km in. Also The Great House Sonning at the end.
Map: Reading, Wokingham & Pangbourne Map | Thames Path | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 159
Links: Tilehurst, Reading, River Thames, Caversham, Sonning

This is part of a series of short walks following the length of the Thames Path National Trail. The Thames Path is a 185-mile (298 km) National Trail that journeys alongside England's best-known river, linking its source in the rural Cotswolds in the west to the Thames Barrier and Woolwich in the east. Opened in 1996, this route traverses several counties, including Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Surrey, and Greater London, following a scenic tapestry of peaceful water meadows, bustling towns, and historic towpaths.

Walking Directions

This section of the Thames Path offers a fascinating mix of environments, taking you seamlessly from suburban fringes right through the heart of a major town and out into peaceful countryside. Starting at Tilehurst railway station, the path joins the river and stays remarkably close to the water for the entire route. It is a fantastic walk for those who enjoy flat, easy terrain with plenty of opportunities to stop for refreshments along the way.

As you progress towards Reading, the landscape transitions from tree-lined riverbanks to the bustling centre of the town, passing rowing clubs and historic bridges. Once you navigate past the mouth of the River Kennet, the urban environment quickly fades away. The final stretch alongside Thames Valley Park is tranquil and green, guiding you gently into the picturesque, historic village of Sonning.

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 Tilehurst railway station and head north to join the Thames Path on the south bank of the river.
Follow the paved riverside path eastwards, keeping the River Thames on your left.
Continue straight along the path as it passes the Rivermead Leisure Complex and Reading Rowing Club.
Walk directly under Caversham Bridge and continue along the promenade towards Reading Bridge.
Pass under Reading Bridge and enter King's Meadow, following the designated path along the river edge.
Cross the pedestrian walkway at Horseshoe Bridge, which takes you over the point where the River Kennet meets the Thames.
Follow the path as it curves around the edge of Thames Valley Park, continuing to keep the river on your left.
Stay on the main riverside trail through the wooded and grassy sections leading towards Sonning.
Arrive at Sonning Lock and continue the final short distance to finish the walk at Sonning Bridge.

Note that we did this as a point-to-point walk, leaving our car near Sonning Bridge and taking an Uber to Tilehurst. An alternative option is to add an extra 5 km to the walk to reach Twyford Station and take a train from there back to the start at Tilehurst. The 129 bus route also connects Twyford Station and Sonning High Street.

Points of Interest along or near to the Route

Caversham Bridge: Spanning the River Thames between Reading and Caversham, this long‑established crossing point has served travellers since at least the 12th century, when the first recorded bridge stood here. The current structure — an elegant combination of concrete and granite — was opened in 1926 by Edward, Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII). Today it marks one of the busiest urban stretches of the Thames Path, offering walkers broad views of the river’s lively boat traffic and the activity of Reading’s rowing clubs.
King's Meadow and Thames Lido: Just east of Reading’s centre lies King’s Meadow, a historic riverside park once owned by Reading Abbey and purchased for public use in 1869. Set within its 12 acres is the Thames Lido, housed in the beautifully restored King’s Meadow swimming pool. First opened in 1902 as the Ladies’ Swimming Bath and originally fed directly from the Thames, it now operates as a heated outdoor pool, spa and restaurant following an extensive restoration completed in 2017. It makes an excellent mid‑walk stop for a swim, coffee or meal.
Horseshoe Bridge: At the point where the River Kennet meets the Thames, walkers cross the distinctive Horseshoe Bridge. Added in 1892 as an accommodation and footbridge alongside Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s 1839 Great Western Railway bridge, it provides a convenient pedestrian route across the Kennet’s mouth. This junction is historically significant: just upstream lies Blake’s Lock, the eastern terminus of the Kennet & Avon Canal, marking the end of the waterway’s long route from Bath.
Sonning Lock and Village: A fitting finale to the walk, Sonning Lock — first built in 1773 and rebuilt in 1905 — is widely regarded as one of the most picturesque locks on the Thames, celebrated for its colourful, carefully tended gardens. Beyond the lock lies the historic village of Sonning, described by Jerome K. Jerome as “the most fairy‑like little nook on the whole river.” Its 18th‑century brick bridge, riverside pubs and handsome period buildings create a quintessential Berkshire village scene.

Thames Path previous section (west): Goring to Tilehurst (blog post coming soon)
Thames Path next section (east): Shiplake, Binfield Heath and Sonning Eye

Back to Trek Index

Richard gower24 May 2026Trek, Canal, Railway, Thames, National Trails, Berkshire, EnglandComment

parkrun event numbers per county

Notes and exceptions.

The West Midlands Counties parkrun pages

More parkrun posts

All of the Worcestershire parkrun events …

Arrow Valley

Churchfields Farm

Evesham

Hanbury Hall

Worcester

Worcester Pitchcroft

Wythall

Wyre Forest

More parkrun posts

All of the Staffordshire parkrun events …

Battlestead Croft

Beacon

Birchall Playing Fields

Bramshall Road

Cannock Chase

Chasewater

Hanley

Isabel Trail

Perton Playing Fields

Tamworth Castle Grounds

The Wammy

Trentham Gardens

Vale Park, Burslem

More parkrun posts

All of the Shropshire parkrun events …

Alderford Lake

Haughmond Hill

Henley Wood, Oswestry

Severn Valley Country

Shrewsbury

Telford

More parkrun posts

All of the Herefordshire parkrun events …

Hereford

Ludlow

Queenswood Country Park

Ross-on-Wye

More parkrun posts

The Main Loop

The Hammersmith Spur

The Complete Circle Line Running Route

More London Posts

Walking Directions

Points of Interest along or near to the Route

parkrun event numbers per county

Notes and exceptions.

The East Midlands Counties parkrun pages

More parkrun posts

All of the Lincolnshire parkrun events …

Ancholme Valley Way

Baysgarth Park

Belton House

Boston

Cleethorpes

Doddington Hall

Epworth Equestrian

Gainsborough

Lincoln

Market Rasen Racecourse

Normanby Hall

Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School

Scunthorpe

Skegness Boating Lake

Snowden Field

Thonock Lane Farm

Vermuyden Way

Yarborough Leisure Centre

More parkrun posts

Walking Directions

Points of Interest along or near to the Route

All of the Derbyshire parkrun events …

Alvaston

Ashbourne Recreation Ground

Black Rocks

Coronation Park