The Kingfisher Way - Path 2 of 2 Arlesey to Biggleswade - 6 miles (9.5km)

CLIFTON CLIFTON STANFORD SHEFFORD M1

Henlow Common and Langford Meadows Local Nature Reserve Consists of 45 acres of riverside flood meadows which are managed for RIVER IVEL NAVIGATION nature conservation and are open to the public. Part of the Ivel Valley (DISUSED) A507 Holme Mills Countryside Project - http://www.ivelvalley.co.uk/ The spiritual home of Jordan’s milling family since 1855, now of famous HITCHIN cereal and crunchy bar fame. It is the last commercial water mill A6001 HENLOW A6001 operating on the River Ivel A6001 BROOM DAM’S 12 DITCH HENLOW COMMON & LANGFORD MEADOW - LOCAL NATURE RESERVE 14 Henlow Grange 11 Standing in fine parkland and RIVER IVEL built in 1680 the grange has been used as a health and 13 A1(T) beauty farm visited by the WEIR RUNNING WATER FARM rich and famous FORD HOLME POPPY HILL SANDY MILL FARM FRANKLIN’S15 HENLOW LANGFORD A6001 MILL GRANGE HENLOW BRIDGE LAKES RIVER River Hiz RIVER Near Henlow Grange, the Ivel is joined by the River Hiz HIZ Willow Trees HIZ which flows from Hitchin. The Hiz is home to one of the few ARLESEY OLD MOAT The trees on Langford Meadow are typical of willows along the 10 WEIR remaining populations of water vole in Bedfordshire. NATURE RESERVE valley, having traditionally been managed by pollarding to provide The water vole is threatened by habitat loss and predation timber and fuel and prolong the life of the tree. Some of the valley’s by mink, but is being thrown a lifeline by landowners pollard willows are over 200 years old and support many species managing their riverbanks sensitively CHURCH END of plant and insect. New willows are planted to enhance the local A1(T) ETONBURY landscape and wildlife habitat FARM BIGGLESWADE LETCHWORTH A507 HITCHIN ARLESEY Langford Mill This was used as a paper mill from 9 1740 to 1861 when it was purchased by Henry Franklin of Biggleswade HILL A1(T) and converted into a flour mill. It was RIVER FARM converted into flats in the 1970’s POTTON LETCHWORTH PIX IVEL W BROOK A1(M) A507

PIX A507 BROOK S The Kingfisher Way - Key

ASTWICK STOTFOLD Etonbury N The Kingfisher Way P Car Parks This is northern area of the parish Feeder Routes and Shortcuts of Arlesey. It was here that the Public Houses / Food Danes made a series of earthworks in which to lay up their boats A1(T) between travel E Rivers Churches and Mills

Brook / Drainage Ditch Buildings / Urban Areas

Lakes Roads BALDOCK Wooded Areas Camping

Open Common / Reserve Railway Stations The Kingfisher Way - Path 2 of 2 Arlesey to Biggleswade - 6 miles (9.5km)

Route Key Information

Turn away from the river along the field boundary and follow the waymarking to the bypass. With care, cross the road and follow the path southwards and then turn right to follow Pix Brook. On 9 reaching an area of tarmac, either turn left and then right along Old Oak Close to Arlesey Station, or, if you want to continue along the Kingfisher Way, bear right to rise up to the pavement and follow the waymarking and directions given in the Walk 2 leaflet.

The route passes the northern end of Arlesey, utilising the pavement of the A507 over the East Coast Mainline railway and River Hiz. Turning right, after 500m, along the tree lined gravel track, you 10 pass the front of Henlow Grange before turning right again.

Crossing over the river and turning left after 50m, the route leads you along a track passing a tree plantation and then some lakes on your left. The route continues northwards to join Common Road 11 into Langford.

Following the western bank of the River Ivel leads you past Henlow Common and Langford Meadows Local Nature Reserve, before crossing the river and entering Langford via Langford Mill and 12 Mill Lane. Please note: The route northwards from Langford Mill to Holme Mills is subject to change. Please follow the local waymarking on the ground.

13 Head northwards along the road for 1 mile before turning left to return to the river Ivel at Holme Mills.

14 Cross over the bridge, turn right and follow the riverside path northwards to Franklin's Mill at Biggleswade.

On reaching the mill, either continue along the Kingfisher Way following the waymarking and directions or turn right along Mill Lane and follow the ‘feeder route' to Biggleswade Station. 15 If in doubt ask a local, they are friendly and helpful..

Access and Care Information

Surface Types: You will walk across a variety of surfaces ranging from a hard firm surface with stones no larger than 5mm to a hard firm surface with some loose stones no larger than 10mm. You will also walk across grass or uncultivated earth paths, some with ruts and some without. Gradients: There is a section of the walk that has a linear gradient of 1:6 - 1:9. Another section has a linear gradient of 1:10 - 1:13 Cross Falls: One short section of the walk near Franklin's Hill, Biggleswade has a cross fall measuring 1:9 or steeper, the surface is smooth though. Width Restriction: You will encounter a simple bridge that has a minimum width restriction of 530mm. Steps: There are eleven steps where you cross the A507, the step height is 100mm. PLEASE TAKE CARE WHEN CROSSING THE A507 Barriers: Kissing gates: There are six kissing gates with a width restriction less than 1000mm. There is one kissing gate with a width restriction of between 1000 - 1500mm. There is one two-step stile along the walk. There is one two-way opening gate and one one-way opening gate, with widths greater than 750mm. Refreshments: There are public houses and shops in Arlesey, Henlow, Langford and Biggleswade. Public Toilets: None on route Picnic Tables: Near Franklin's Mill, Biggleswade. Seats: There is a seat near Langford Mill and on the Nature Reserves