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| Bunyan Trail logo |
We have reached the penultimate leg of the 'Bunyan Trail walk' We are starting at the beautiful Ampthill Park . Set in 160 acres of parkland and woodland it is an impressive sight. There is a lot going on too in and around the park. Down the road the local Rugby Club are taking on the mighty Saracens later in the day. Closer to home there is a Park Cafe, Tennis Courts and a Cricket Pitch. The walk today will cut right across the park and take us through Ampthill Town Centre. We will be walking in an anti-clockwise direction past the railway line. The first point of interest is a large stone boulder dedicated to Muriel K Jones. It is one of seven erected on the Greensand Ridge Walk by Mid Bedfordshire Council. A commemoration of the Golden Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 2002. It is also a national important historic site. Henry VIII enjoyed his passion for hunting here. Many of the trees were planted by Lancelot 'Capability' Brown in the 18th century. Much to take in and enjoy for sure.
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| Millbrook St Micheal and All Angels |
We are very close to Millbrook Circuit. High up on the Greensand Ridge is the church of St Michael and All Angels. Interesting facts coming up! It is believed to be the fourth highest working church in England, and the fourth smallest parish church in the UK.
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| Greensand Ridge |
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| Relaxing Pigs |
We move through a lovely woodland area of the Greensand Ridge. We are also close to the big Woburn Forest Center Parcs site. Over the hedge are three very large pigs enjoying a mud bath. We make our way steadily towards the town. Ampthill is an Anglo Saxon name which literally means 'ant infested hill'. Well there aren't any Ants around today , infested or otherwise.
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The metal gate for the local Bowls Club looks quite interesting. An 'ABC' monogram with an animal motif. In 1542 an Act of Parliament created the 'Honour of Ampthill', an area of 45 parishes around the town, including 11 in Buckinghamshire. in which the crown owned extensive property and the manorial rights. The Honour was sold to the Dukes of Bedford in parts between 1730 and 1881. Ampthill is one of the most expensive places to buy a house in Bedfordshire, even in comparison with other mid-Bedfordshire towns such as neighbouring Flitwick, and Cranfield. So best to keep that in mind. We continue in a northerly direction on the John Bunyan Trail. In the distance there are the remains of Houghton House. I have blogged about visiting HH from a previous visit. As a brief refresher for those who can't be bothered to search for it . A shell of a building dating from the 17th century. It is believed to be the inspiration for Bunyan's 'House Beautiful' in his 'Pilgrim's Progress. Built around 1615 for Mary, Dowager Countess of Pembroke. A mixture of Jacobean and Classical styles.
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| Houghton House |
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| St Katherine's Cross |
We arrive back in Ampthill Park via Laurel Woods. There are two historic monuments which warrant closer attention. The Memorial Cross is dedicated to 707 officers and men of the Bedfordshire Regiment who trained at the local First World War Ampthill Camp and lost their lives during the Great War of 1914–1918. By my reckoning that is one in three who died. The other is a Gothic Revival monument erected in 1773 to commemorate Catherine of Aragon and the site of the former Ampthill Castle. Down below a very competitive cricket match is taking place with no quarter given.
Katherine's Cross gained additional fame in the 1980's. Artist Kit Williams buried his 18 carat Golden Hare at the base of the cross. He wrote the book 'Masquerade' which was essentially a treasure hunt and clues to the mystery location somewhere in the UK.It was something that really caught the imagination of the public as I recall.
The car park has now filled up , certainly from when we arrived earlier in the morning. A very enjoyable walk as always , total distance 9.5 miles.
