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 BEDFORD (TOWN BRIDGE)TO GREAT BARFORD (CHURCH)
From County Bridge, in Bedford follow the riverside path along the northern bank to Town Bridge. Turn right and cross over Town Bridge. At the end of the bridge turn right and follow the path around to the right to pass under the bridge. Continue along the tarmac path, crossing over Chethams Bridge, Rink Island Bridge and Abbey Bridge. Turn right and after 30m cross the road and continue along the riverside path via King’s Ditch Bridge. Continue along the south bank of the river to pass under Longholme Bridge. On reaching the tarmac path at the end of the footbridge, turn right towards Oasis Leisure Pool (pyramid shaped building), then left and cross over the old railway bridge. After 40m, turn right off the track, down the slope and follow the central ride through the meadow. Cross over Gudgeons Meadow Bridge, turn right and continue on the riverside path over Fish Ponds Bridge. Continue on the riverside path around Priory Country Park. Cross over Cardington Spillway Bridge and continue through the meadow keeping the river on your right. Cross over the canoe slalom course and on to Cardington Lock. Just before reaching Cardington Lock, turn left and cross Jetty Bridge and Marina Ford Bridge. Turn right and continue heading north with the river on your right and lakes on your left. The Priory Country Park Visitor Centre, toilets and car park can be accessed via the dotted feeder route as defined on the map. The Visitor Centre is open Monday-Friday 9am-4.30pm Saturday and Sunday 11am-4.30pm. Go through the kissing gate and turn right to join the Country Way. Go past the sewage works, over the A421(T) bridge and cross the quarry access road. Follow the path through the wood, then right into Church End at Willington.. After 110m turn left to continue on the Country Way. Please be aware of other users of the Country Way, including cyclists and horse riders. To access Willington Dovecote and Stables follow Church End for 250m as defined by the dotted feeder route on the map. Continue past the former railway station at Willington and when you reach the tarmac path, turn left then right along the riverbank. Keeping Willington Lock on your left, leave the tarmac path and continue along the field edge path beside the river. Cross over the ditch and continue on the cross-field path following the waymarking on the ground. Pass through the kissing gate and continue over the field and through the trees. Turn left over the old lock and bear right passing Old Lock Cottage on your right. Cross the large arched bridge over the river and continue travelling east with the river on your right. Follow the waymarking through the fields to Great Barford Bridge. A booklet containing the five sections of the walk through Bedfordshire has been produced by BRCC with funding from Bedfordshire County Council and The Bedford Charity. | |||||||||
| This section of the walk ends here. Return to top of page. To continue along the Ouse Valley Way, go to next section: Great Barford to Eaton Socon | |||||||||
Detailed Map (pdf file)
Print Walk Instructions