Marston Vale and Lidlington (11km) Print

Marston Vale and Lidlington Waypoint 1
Marston Vale and Lidlington, Ride 8 in the Bedfordshire on Horseback series. Approximately 11km (1 mile) and can be extended using Cranfield and Marston Thrift. Ride described clockwise and offers a mixture of flat, open terrain and hilly wooded terrain. Parking is available at Marston Vale Country Park (busy at weekends and school holidays) but is locked outside of opening hours, please phone 01234 767037 for details. Start from the Country Park Forest Centre car park (GR 005417). About 50m to the left of the Visitors Centre is a four-way finger post, next to a large information panel. Turn right onto the signed horse trail clockwise around the wetlands there is a separate cycle path alongside. As you reach the road, the trail turns right and shortly afterwards there is an exit on your left onto the road.

Marston Vale and Lidlington Waypoint 2
Turn left onto the road and take care negotiating the level crossing by Millbrook station. Follow this road which is generally not too busy and has a verge along most of it for about 1.5km to pass the entrance to Millbrook Vehicle Proving Ground on your right. Note, a new bridleway is to be created alongside the right hand verge of this road from the railway crossing to point 3, look out for signs to this new off road route.

Marston Vale and Lidlington Waypoint 3
The road bears left here. Turn right on this corner into a small car park (signed). This car park is not suitable for horse trailers or lorries.

Marston Vale and Lidlington Waypoint 4
Follow the bridleway (BW) through the car park and on up the hill. As you near the top take care of rabbit holes to right and in middle of track. At the top is a lovely viewpoint.

Marston Vale and Lidlington Waypoint 5
Continue on the BW, which is well marked, until you reach a sign post at a fork in the BW. Take the left hand fork. At the next sign, turn right and 50m later, left. Each of these is signed Greensand Ridge Walk.

Marston Vale and Lidlington Waypoint 6
Continue to a horse friendly gate by house. Straight on down drive and through another gate which is often open to a BW junction signed. Turn right here and continue straight on to reach the road.

Marston Vale and Lidlington Waypoint 7
Turn right on road and follow it down hill into village take care of the road which may be busy at times. The Green Man pub on your left does not advise horses to stop due to the road but the Royal Oak, opposite the church down the next road on the left, welcomes horses and can provide food any day if you call in advance, 01525 840233. Continue on road to BW signed past recreation ground on right.

Marston Vale and Lidlington Waypoint 8
Follow this hilly BW for about 1.5km, it follows the boundary fence for quite a while but then departs from it. If you should choose to lead your horse down the steep 80m section (hard surface but can be slippery with fallen leaves) there are suitable mounting blocks to be found at the bottom. The BW returns to the boundary fence and continues up hill. At the top, turn left and continue to follow fence until you return to the fork point and point 5.

Marston Vale and Lidlington Waypoint 9
Retrace your route back to the Country Park entrance by the railway. On entering the Park, turn left and continue to follow the horse trail back to the car park. If you are connecting with Cranfield and Marston Thrift, leave the park by the main entrance and cross the road to join National Cycle Route 51 to Wood End.