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 Press Information
Download a zip file archive containing Press Release (Microsoft Word document format), schedule of walks for the opening week (Microsoft Word document format) and a pdf file of the walk brochure. Total size: 1MB. You are welcome to use any images on this website, but please acknowledge their source if you do. Contact Kirsty Abell on Tel: 01480 451568 or 07810 637546 for more information. Ouse Valley Way Press Release REDISCOVER BRITAIN’S FORGOTTEN COUNTRYSIDE ALONG THE OUSE VALLEY WAY. On Friday 7th May, Britain’s newest – and flattest – long-distance path, will be officially opened to the public at Paxton Pits Nature Reserve in Cambridgeshire. The Ouse Valley Way is approximately 150 miles long and follows the river’s course from source to sea and to celebrate its opening, two groups of walkers will set out from either end of the route to meet at Paxton Pits, a site nationally famous for its Nightingales, by midday on the 7th. The Ouse Valley begins at Syresham on the Northamptonshire/Buckinghamshire border and passes through Milton Keynes, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Norfolk, opening up a vastly underestimated swathe of British countryside, known to most only as a distant and undiscovered view from their cars while travelling along major routes like the M1, A14 or A1. Leaving Syresham, the route takes you through magnificent Stowe Park with its Capability Brown landscapes. In the Milton Keynes area, you’ll amble alongside the Grand Union Canal and pass by the historic coaching towns of Newport Pagnell and Stony Stratford. In Bedfordshire, get a taste of real My Uncle Silas country as you walk through the small quiet villages of Sharnbrook and Radwell. Then its on to Cromwell Country in Huntingdonshire –the beautiful Chinese Bridge at Godmanchester, the bustling town of St Ives with its medieval river bridge chapel and the haunted Ferry Boat Inn in Holywell before you set out across the Fens, following the Old West River across the ancient Aldreth Causeway, through the cathedral city of Ely and on past Denver Sluice where the 17th century re-routed New Bedford River, re-joins the Great Ouse and flows out towards the sea at King Lynn. Apart from the historical interest of the Ouse Valley Way, the river valley is rich in wildlife and the route passes through or nearby several Sites of Special Scientific Interest and nature reserves, including Paxton Pits and Portholme Meadow in Huntingdonshire and The Ouse Washes on the Cambridgeshire/Norfolk border. The route, which links existing riverside walks in Huntingdonshire and Buckinghamshire with the Fen Rivers Way, has been opened with the co-operation of seven district and county councils. The Ouse Valley Way website has full details of the route and places of interest along the way, and has been produced with funding from The Countryside Agency. On Sunday May 2, two groups of walkers will begin their mammoth march along the route of the Ouse Valley Way. One will begin at Syresham, the other, with riverside assistance provided by boats along part of the route, will set off from Kings Lynn. The two plan to meet at Paxton Pits at midday on Friday 7th May in time for the official launch party. Anyone wishing to join them along all or part of the route is more than welcome. Notes for Editors: Rights of Way officers from Northamptonshire, Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Norfolk County Councils, Huntingdonshire District Council and Milton Keynes Council have all been involved in the planning and mapping of the Ouse Valley Way. The Ouse Valley Website, with full details of the route, including maps, places of interest, and details of the route, is to be found at: www.ousevalleyway.org.uk This has been supported by the Countryside Agency. Images are available for use alongside this article, either on CD, or from the website. For details of the walks beginning on Sunday 2 May or for any other information about the route contact: Kirsty Abell at Hinchingbrooke Country Park, Huntingdon on 07810 637546 PHOTO – OPPORTUNITY THE TWO GROUPS OF WALKERS WILL BE JOINING TOGETHER FOR THE VERY LAST STRETCH OF THE WALK, AND ARE MEETING AT PAXTON PITS NATURE RESERVE, NEAR ST NEOTS AT 12NOON ON FRIDAY 7TH MAY. YOU ARE VERY WELCOME TO ATTEND. THE LAUNCH OF THE OUSE VALLEY WAY The Ouse Valley Way will be officially launched at Paxton Pits Nature Reserve on Friday 7th May at 12 noon. During the week prior to launch, two groups of people will be walking the whole route – starting at either end and meeting at Paxton Pits Nature Reserve, Little Paxton, St Neots. The route and meeting places are detailed below – please feel free to join the group, or arrive at any of the meeting points for an informal chat with the group leaders. Group One, led by Ron Elloway, will commence at The King’s Head Pub at Syresham, near Brackley, at 10am, and then follow the route below:
Group Two, led by Pat Knight, will commence at King’s Lynn Custom House at 10am, and then follow the route below:
If you have any queries with regard to this route, or would like to join the walkers on any day, please contact Kirsty Abell at Huntingdonshire District Council on 07810 637546. We hope that you will be able to come along! | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
