There are lots of countryside routes available to get out and about walking or cycling in Langford and surrounding towns & villages.
Below is the CBC website which gives details of the Footpaths and Bridleways through Central Bedfordshire
CBC – Footpaths and Bridleways
LETS GO is a website giving details of the promoted routes and sites in Central Bedfordshire
LETS GO walks in and around Langford
Biggleswade Green Wheel
The Green Wheel is a circular walk of approximately 14km which can be joined from Langford via Sheep walk, (opposite the rugby club). The route can be as long or short as you want it to be by entering and exiting at points through Biggleswade. The link below provides more information and a route map.
Walking in Bedfordshire – has lots of walks available for free download and printing
http://www.walkinginengland.co.uk/beds/
Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) – have lots of interesting walks on their website
Greensand Country
Revealing the Greensand Country 2021 Booklet can be accessed on this link.
Greensand Country is a beautiful and loved landscape. It is defined by the Greensand Ridge, a band of higher ground stretching from Leighton Buzzard to Gamlingay, which rises out of the surrounding vales to create a locally unique environment. Greensand Country contains all of Bedfordshire’s remaining heathland, more than half of its woodland and more historic parkland than any other place in England.
It is a landscape rich in wildlife and cultural heritage, with its own special qualities and sense of place defined by the local sandstone geology.
Please be aware of social distancing and please do not let your dog foul in the long grass. People may need to step onto it as others pass. Please be aware of farmstock and keep dogs under control.
A 3 mile Circular Walk from Chapel Bridge including Stanford Lock.
This walk can be muddy after heavy rain.
Near the Post Office cross the Chapel Bridge over the River Ivel and head west over a brook, through a kissing gate and then north-west across the common to another kissing gate. You may encounter cattle and some wet, boggy patches following heavy rain. The wild flowers on the common can be spectacular at certain times of the year. Through the kissing gate continue west keeping to the side of the field passing a walnut tree. Continue around the edge of this field, turning north to follow a ditch which you will cross using a narrow bridge. Note the quality of the water here. It’s crystal clear. It’s also the outflow from the efficient sewage plant which is close by. Mayflies are often seen here. Follow the permissive path keeping the hedge on your right as it passes a small wood. Picking up another ditch on your right, follow this until you reach a very narrow but safe bridge, cross the bridge so the ditch is on your left. Still heading west, you arrive at the remains of Stanford Lock. Listen out for skylarks and watch your step as it is a popular place for exercising dogs! The canal from the River Ivel passes here. The canal was originally built with the intention of reaching Shefford. Only a bridge remains, the lock gates have been removed. Follow the canal, on your right.The footpath soon leaves the canal side and heads diagonally across the naturalised set aside land and then crosses a brook using a narrow footbridge. Note on the left side of the bridge how the banks have been worn down by wildlife crossing the brook. You might see deer, badger, fox or muntjac impressions in the wet earth. The path continues up an incline with a tall hedge on your right. Take care it can be wet and slippery here sometimes. Follow the hedge and you will reach a large gate and Tarmac road beyond.At this point turn left and head east towards Baulk Wood and the sewage works.
The footpath emerges on another Tarmac road next to the Sewage plant. Turn right/east and cross the brook and you will emerge at Baulk corner, at the road between Langford and Henlow. From here continue until you reach the river Ivel bridge near Langford Garden Centre where refreshments are waiting. From the Garden Centre continue along the High Street back to Chapel Bridge.
A Riverside Walk of about 3 miles from Langford to Biggleswade via Jordan’s Mill
From the Chapel Hill bridge head north alongside the River Ivel, keeping the river on your right. Pass through a kissing gate and continue to follow the river.The common will be on your left.Various species of wildlife will be seen according to time of day and season. You might see sparrow hawks, kestrels, buzzards, red kites and if you’re really lucky a barn owl or a kingfisher. White ibis and herons are regular visitors to the common and river margins. As you pass the rear of the playing field and village hall you may see a pair of swans with their nest on the riverbank.
In the tall trees, black poplars, you might hear a sparrow hawk or the common grey squirrel.
Passing the weir, the footpath arrives at a kissing gate next to the Mill. Cross the wooden planked bridge and continue in front of the mill and follow the riverside, on your left. This is the mill pond at the end of Mill Lane. You will then reach a small kissing gate which marks the start of a permissive footpath which crosses several properties. More swans may be here and otters have been observed. This footpath could be muddy and wet as the path crosses an area which is intended to flood after high levels of rain. As you pass through the next kissing gate (past the last house) note on your left the junction of the river with the canal that goes to Shefford. Continuing north with the river on your left, and keeping to the footpath, you may see muntjac deer on your right in the wooded areas, particularly at dusk or dawn. This permissive footpath continues to follow the river until it terminates at Holme Mill where, after crossing the road, one might purchase a welcome cup of coffee and a cake at Jordan’s Mill.
If you wish to continue to Biggleswade cross the road bridge and follow the footpath which takes you under the A1 and through to Biggleswade Recreation Ground and former mill. There are plenty of places to enjoy refreshment in Biggleswade.
Please respect the landowners’ property and do not deviate from the footpath.
Buses to Langford leave Biggleswade Market Square reasonably regularly but please check the timetable. Buses do not run in the evenings, Sundays or Bank holidays.
See link for bus times: Grant Palmer buses
A Circular Walk of almost 5 miles to the east of Langford
This walk starts from the Chapel Bridge and heads north past the Post Office and east through The Leys and then south along Station Road before turning east down Jubilee Lane. Once out of the built-up area there are good views of the wind farm. The railway needs to be crossed with caution and then the walk can continue, following the yellow footpath markers on posts. The route continues east towards the water tower at Toplers Hill following a hedge on your right. About two thirds of the way to the water tower the footpath turns south before one needs to cross the busy Edworth Road. At this point you are about 220 feet (67 m) above sea level. Once past this busy road the path descends into open countryside with views to your right of the solar farm, Hill Farm, and in the distance: Henlow, Arlesey, Meppershall water tower and beyond. Hopefully you will see or hear some skylarks or other wildlife. At the bottom of this valley is the River Ivel running west to east. To your left you will see the large chicken rearing business known as Vine Farm.
Continue along the footpath down the hill. Once on the level you will turn right/west and then you will pass a small irrigation reservoir and then the path continues very close to the south fence of the solar farm. Once past the solar farm you will see the passing trains ahead of you. As you approach the railway line the footpath turns north and follows the railway line until a pedestrian bridge is encountered enabling you to cross the London the Edinburgh tracks in safety.
Once over the bridge you can either cross a paddock diagonally using a stile or continue alongside the paddock until you reach the Concrete Road. Either way, turn north on the concrete road and you will end up at the junction of Cambridge Road and Station Road. From here you can either head back to the centre of Langford (via Station Road) and sample refreshments at The Hideaway café, or continue towards Henlow (via Cambridge Road) and sample the refreshments at Langford Garden Centre. From the Garden Centre cross the road and then either follow the river back to Chapel Bridge or walk along the High Street to Chapel Bridge.
A 3 to 4 Mile Circular Walk via Clifton and Henlow.
This walk is probably ideal for wintertime as many of the paths are usually not too muddy! This is a popular walk for the Tuesday morning Walking Group. I do hope you will enjoy it too!
Starting at Chapel Hill Bridge cross the river and follow it in a southerly direction keeping the river on your left. Sometimes there are horses in the second field so take care. Go through some kissing gates and turn right and walk along the footpath alongside B659 towards Henlow. At the bend take the track ahead of you, this will take you to the sewage works! Turn left after these works and walk towards Clifton. You will come to a gate after which the route becomes a road that turns to the right. You will then pass a small carpark.
Continue along the road (Church Street) and this will take you past Clifton Bury Farm to Stockbridge Road. Turn left and follow Stockbridge Road downhill to the fish and chip shop. Cross Langford Road. Turn right and after about 100 yards turn left into Gardeners Lane.
This takes you through to Millennium Meadow where you will walk down the hill and cross the footbridge which has a magnificent carving of a kingfisher. Follow the winding footpath through Poppy Hill Lakes and then turn left. This cycle path is about a mile long and becomes Common Road, Langford to Boot Corner.