Marston Vale Trail

Doors open: 10:45 am

Join Stag Walkers, a Ramblers group aimed mainly at people in their 20s, 30s and a bit beyond, to explore the Marston Vale Trail and parts of the Greensand Ridge.

Starting from the Marston Vale Millennium Country Park Forest Centre we head south past a couple of lakes and the church of Marston Moretaine to pick up the Vale Trail. After crossing the railway at Lidlington we have a steep climb up past the remains of All Saints Church into attractive beech woodland for some last traces of autumn colours, and weave along the contours of the Greensand Ridge and John Bunyan Trail to Millbrook and then Ampthill Park.

To our north is the Millbrook vehicle testing facility where top-secret prototype models are evaluated and vehicle stunts for movies sometimes filmed. Trees and high fences prevent spy shots and peeking around 99% of the perimeter. Will we spot anything exciting through the 1% gaps?

Six miles in, at the east side of Ampthill Park we pause for lunch, then drop in on The Queen’s Head for a drink before returning along the edge of Laurel Wood. It is a gentle downhill from here crossing two railway lines and passing four lakes as we re-enter the Country Park and return to the start for tea and medals.

Booking your place: please book in advance using the Stag Walkers Meetup group at https://www.meetup.com/stagwalkers (free of charge)

Distance: 10 miles / 16km

Dogs are welcome on a lead. For information about walking with the group, including our dog policy, please visit the Stag Walkers website.

Please bring a packed lunch/snacks and drinks, appropriate clothing for the conditions and optionally a basic first aid kit.