The Bedfordshire Walking Festival
The Bedfordshire Walking Festival is back and offers almost 40 walking opportunities over nine days in September. The festival starts at 8-00am on Saturday 11th September and finishes Sunday afternoon 19th September. Now in its 11th year the festival attracts almost all levels of walkers from those who want a short distance and some information about the places they walk through, to the walkers who want a good enjoyable walk for around three hours or six to eight miles, to those who want a long walk taking most of the day. If you have ever thought about getting out into the countryside but feel it would better to go with others, or if you are new to Bedfordshire and want to see what it has to offer the festival offers a great opportunity. The Bedfordshire Walking Festival has walks across the length and breath of the county and there are plenty of interesting ones here in Bedford Borough starting with an informative walk around the model village of Stewartby on the first Saturday, and in Bedford Cemetery on the Sunday. Those wanting to defy superstition on the 13th can explore Renhold from Go Outdoors car park or go to the Mill Theatre car park in Sharnbrook to explore that area. Have 24
you ever thought of taking a slow way to Riseley, if so, your opportunity is on Wednesday 15th and on the following day for the very fit why not “Don the cap of north Bedfordshire” and join the Long Distance Walkers for a 17 mile circular starting in Riseley. There are walks too from Little Staughton, Harrold Odell Country park, Bedford Park and Mowsbury Park. If challenges are your thing there is the 3 Green Wheel Challenge over the weekend of the 11th & 12th September (13 miles Saturday and 11 miles Sunday) based in East Bedfordshire and the 30k Mini Greensand Ridge Path Challenge circular on Saturday 18th from Ampthill. Almost all the walks are free however unlike previous years when you could just turn up many require advance booking because of Government regulations relating to Covid. Where advance booking is not required contact details will be taken on the day. Don’t let this stop you from coming along and enjoying a walk at the Bedfordshire Walking Festival 11th to 19th September. We look forward to meeting you. The full programme is available on the Fesival web site www.bedswalkfest.co.uk.
