The John Bunyan Trail (14) Cranfield & Wootton Green

We are back in Cranfield for this, the 14th 'circular' walk of the John Bunyan trail. We are walking in the direction of Wootton Wood and Wootton Green Farm. Wootton Green Farm was listed by English Heritage in August 1987 as Grade II, of special interest. It dates from the early 19th century. is built of a local mottled red brick with an old clay tiled roof. The dovecote was listed at the same time and dates from the 18th century. It is also built of red brick with an old clay tiled roof. We continue in a clockwise direction passing Shelton Farm. It will be quite a short stretch on the ''Bunyan''  trail in comparison to the overall length of the walk. It is going to be a walk to enjoy as the sun is shining bright on an otherwise cold day. Certainly the best day of the week by far. In terms of points of interest, I suspect that they will be fairly minimal today looking at the route. There should be some nice countryside to enjoy along the way though.

 

In the distance you can see the Power Station at Bromborough, and hopefully the net zero emissions belching out. Our walk hits a bit of a stumbling block. There seems to be some clearance work going on. As a result the footbridge is now not accessible.We make a slight detour and soon get back on track. A good thing really as the footpath exit was even more grown over than the other end. 

Footpath, what footpath?

We continue towards an area called 'Marston Thrift'. Marston Thrift is the remnant of a much larger area of woodland which has existed since the time of the Domesday Book. The 56 hectare woodland has traditionally been managed by coppicing, which continues on a smaller scale today. Unlike the complete 'butchering' witnessed previously. The wood is important for wildlife, attracting a variety of butterflies including the rare Black Hairstreak and birds such as the Black Cap and Chiff Chaff. It is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a designated Local Nature Reserve.

 

Looking across the valley

The site is ash and maple woodland on heavy clay, a habitat which has become scarce in lowland England. It also has areas of damp grassland, and a grassland valley. There are still visible patches of the overnight frost where the sun hasn't reached.

The wood amazingly survived brick-making which until recently made a moonscape of the Marston Vale, and is right next to land filled clay-pits. 

 

Having climbed steeply we progress through to Rectory Wood. a vast area of new woodland and scrub extending all the way to Cranfield.  This has a well-laid-out network of hard and soft paths, with seats and picnic tables and some wide views.  Marston Thrift and Rectory Wood are well worth a visit at any time of year. We leave the woodlands via 'Tartlett End'. Sadly no Tartletts of any variety were in evidence today. The walk back to Cranfield was mainly through a built up area , with little of interest in truth. We did though pass the Church of St Peter and St Paul which we saw on a previous walk.

 

The life of John Bunyan is paralleled by that of 'William Wheeler'. He was Pastor at the church before leaving due to a 'conflict of principles'. He became a 'dissenter', and then the first Minister of the Baptist Church in 1660. In late 1664 or early 1665 he was sent to the County Gaol at the same time 'Bunyan was there, and the same reason. 

Another lovely wander taking in the Bunyan Trail , coming in today at 8.6 miles (18,536 steps) I estimate another 6 possible legs remaining of the walk.