guided walks suitable for everyone. for suitable walks guided follow a map. a follow provide walk descriptions and maps for this area. area. this for maps and descriptions walk provide
Explore Potton’s history and wildlife with four four with wildlife and history Potton’s Explore wear correct footwear footwear correct wear www.letsgo.org.uk www.letsgo.org.uk and www.walkinginbeds.co.uk Both
stay on the footpaths/bridleways the on stay
take a bottle of water of bottle a take
inside
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Map
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Rear of 10 Cambridge Road, Sandy SG19 1JE 1JE SG19 Sandy Road, Cambridge 10 of Rear species you might see see might you species
to Carthagena Road. Other Other Road. Carthagena to information on walks in this area. area. this in walks on information
bridleway running parallel parallel running bridleway guided walks during the summer and also have have also and summer the during walks guided
and especially along the the along especially and Sandy Tourist Information Centre Information Tourist Sandy organise organise
along the rides in Pegnut Wood Wood Pegnut in rides the along
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[email protected] in long grass around Galley Hill, Hill, Galley around grass long in
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Potton Road, Sandy SG19 2DL SG19 Sandy Road, Potton The marbled white white marbled The
Facilities: parking, shop and toilets. and shop parking, Facilities: Insects
Some trails are wheelchair/pushchair-friendly. wheelchair/pushchair-friendly. are trails Some
and Deepdale. and
woodland, heathland and formal gardens. Open all year. year. all Open gardens. formal and heathland woodland,
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RSPB The Lodge The RSPB has a choice of trails through through trails of choice a has
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Other walks to enjoy to walks Other
bats (mainly pipistrelles) can be seen at dusk dusk at seen be can pipistrelles) (mainly bats
around the town. Through the warmer months, months, warmer the Through town. the around
barking of muntjac deer or foxes in and and in foxes or deer muntjac of barking
It’s not uncommon to hear the night-time night-time the hear to uncommon not It’s
SG19 2QS SG19
Mammals
Potton, Bedfordshire Potton,
town host skylarks and yellowhammers. and skylarks host town Brook End Brook
warblers, while the horse paddocks and fi elds around around elds fi and paddocks horse the while warblers, The Community Centre Community The
to hear song birds such as whitethroats and garden garden and whitethroats as such birds song hear to
Potton Town Council Council Town Potton Scrubby areas of Pegnut Wood are an excellent place place excellent an are Wood Pegnut of areas Scrubby
Potton overhead. insects and swallows hunting hobby occasional
You can also contact the council at: council the contact also can You late spring and summer at dusk. You may also see the the see also may You dusk. at summer and spring late
seen and heard screaming around the Market Square in in Square Market the around screaming heard and seen
www.pottontowncouncil.co.uk
Potton has a good population of swifts, which can be be can which swifts, of population good a has Potton t itr,cmuiygop n vns ii visit events, and groups community history, its
& around &
If you would like to fi nd out more about Potton and and Potton about more out nd fi to like would you If Birds Birds
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Want to know more? know to Want Where the wild wild the Where
A brief history of Potton
Potton is an ancient market town, with a population In 1783 a great fi re swept through Potton destroying number of inns and public houses that were in the
of approximately 5,000 people. Its written history 50 houses (mostly on King Street) and half of the town. In 1903 about 40 of these remained!
can be traced back to the tenth century when it was Market Square. However there are still many listed year. per fairs four and market weekly ourishing fl
mentioned in a document granting land to Ramsey buildings here, some dating from before the fi re. Potton a ishad stillit a thrivingcentury towntwelfth thatthe is growingFrom in size.Biggleswade. than
important towns in the county and was larger in size size in larger was and county the in towns important
Abbey. At that time there celebrations. were 18Potton households Busy local shops share the Market Square with small In medieval times Potton was one of the three most most three the of one was Potton times medieval In such as the biennial Party On On Party biennial the as such
and around house. private a now is and Road Sandy on businesses providing local employment. based in and around Potton, Potton, around and in based
100 people stands still 1862, in built Station, Potton but groups, events and activities activities and events groups,
living here. 1967 December 30 on closed was line There is an active town council who guide decisions
are also many community community many also are
these on Everton Road and Byards Green. Byards and Road Everton on these
joined Bedford and Cambridge. The The Cambridge. and Bedford joined made about Potton and also manage facilities such as
and December each year. There There year. each December and
fabricated here in the 1980s. You can see some of of some see can You 1980s. the in here fabricated
When the that line railway a on was Potton the playing fi elds
market accounts for the large large the for accounts market market accounts for the large large the for accounts market place in March, June, September September June, March, in place
self-build houses – were originally designed and and designed originally were – houses self-build
Did you know? you Did
Domesday and community
life and the Four Seasons Market takes takes Market Seasons Four the and life the of presence The 1930s. the the 1930s. The presence of the the of presence The 1930s. the life and the Four Seasons Market takes takes Market Seasons Four the and life
Book was frame, timber – Houses’ ‘Potton centres.well-known In 2009The
The Market Square is still central to Potton Potton to central still is Square Market The until January each place took that Fair Fair that took place each January until until January each place took that Fair The Market Square is still central to Potton Potton to central still is Square Market The
Did you know? you Did
completed they published a
fairs had turned into an important Horse Horse important an into turned had fairs
in 1086 by Horse important an into turned had fairs Town Plan, which
By the nineteenth century, one of Potton’s Potton’s of one century, nineteenth the By
to develop. develop. to William shows how those
the Conqueror, town their his like niece Countess Judith held the who live and work
manor of Potton. Potton. of manor manor of Potton. Potton. of manor
manor ofwould Potton.Potton in in Potton would
the Conqueror, his niece Countess Judith held the the held Judith Countess niece his Conqueror, the
who live and work work and live who like their town
William William
shows how those those how shows By the nineteenth century, one of Potton’s to develop.
in 1086 by by 1086 in
Town Plan, which which Plan, Town fairs had turned into an important Horse
opee completed
they published a a published Didthey you know? Fair that took place each January until The Market Square is still central to Potton
Book was was Book
centres. In 2009 The2009 In well-knowncentres. ‘Potton Houses’ – timber frame, the 1930s. The presence of the life and the Four Seasons Market takes
Domesday Domesday and community community and Did you know?
self-build houses – were originally designed and market accounts for the large place in March, June, September When the the When the playing fi elds elds fi playing the Potton was on a railway line that
fabricated here in the 1980s. You can see some of and December each year. There made about Potton and also manage facilities such as as such facilities manage also and Potton about made joined Bedford and Cambridge. The
these on Everton Road and Byards Green. are also many community living here. living There is an active town council who guide decisions decisions guide who council town active an is There line was closed on 30 December 1967
groups, events and activities but Potton Station, built in 1862, still stands people 100
based in and around Potton, and around around and businesses providing local employment. employment. local providing businesses on Sandy Road and is now a private house.
In medieval times Potton was one of the three most such as the biennial Party On
Abbey. At that time there were 18 households households 18 were there time that At Abbey.
important small townswith in theSquare countyMarket andthe wasshare largershops in sizelocal Busy Potton celebrations.
mentioned in a document granting land to Ramsey Ramsey to land granting document a in mentioned buildings here, some dating from before the fi re. fi the before from dating some here, buildings
than Biggleswade.size. in Fromgrowing is thethat twelfthtown centurythriving a itstill hadis a Potton
can be traced back to the tenth century when it was was it when century tenth the to back traced be can
fl ourishing weekly market and four fairs per year. listed many still are there However Square. Market of approximately 5,000 people. Its written history history written Its people. 5,000 approximately of 50 houses (mostly on King Street) and half of the the of half and Street) King on (mostly houses 50 town. In 1903 about 40 of these remained! these of 40 about 1903 In town.
Potton is an ancient market town, with a population population a with town, market ancient an is Potton In 1783 a great fi re swept through Potton destroying destroying Potton through swept re fi great a 1783 In number of inns and public houses that were in the the in were that houses public and inns of number A brief history of Potton of history brief A
Where the wild Want to know more? Walks in things are... Birds If you would like to fi nd out more about Potton and & around Potton has a good population of swifts, which can be its history, community groups and events, visit seen and heard screaming around the Market Square in www.pottontowncouncil.co.uk late spring and summer at dusk. You may also see the You can also contact the council at: occasional hobby hunting swallows and insects overhead. Potton Scrubby areas of Pegnut Wood are an excellent place Potton Town Council to hear song birds such as whitethroats and garden warblers, while the horse paddocks and fi elds around The Community Centre town host skylarks and yellowhammers. Brook End Potton, Bedfordshire Mammals SG19 2QS It’s not uncommon to hear the night-time e: [email protected] barking of muntjac deer or foxes in and around the town. Through the warmer months, bats (mainly pipistrelles) can be seen at dusk Other walks to enjoy fl ying from their roosts in town towards RSPB The Lodge has a choice of trails through feeding areas around The Hollow woodland, heathland and formal gardens. Open all year. and Deepdale. Some trails are wheelchair/pushchair-friendly. Insects Facilities: parking, shop and toilets. The marbled white Potton Road, Sandy SG19 2DL butterfl y is best w www.rspb.org.uk/thelodge looked for during July and August t 01767 680541 in long grass around Galley Hill, e [email protected] along the rides in Pegnut Wood and especially along the Sandy Tourist Information Centre organise bridleway running parallel guided walks during the summer and also have to Carthagena Road. Other information on walks in this area. species you might see Rear of 10 Cambridge Road, Sandy SG19 1JE include ringlet, gatekeeper w www.sandy-bedfordshire.co.uk/sandy_tic.html and a variety of skippers. t 01767 682728 e [email protected] Map Stay safe... inside take a bottle of water stay on the footpaths/bridleways wear correct footwear Both www.walkinginbeds.co.uk and www.letsgo.org.uk Explore Potton’s history and wildlife with four follow a map. provide walk descriptions and maps for this area. guided walks suitable for everyone. Walk 1 Walk 2 Walk 3 Walk 4 Potton to Sutton Potton Windmill Sandy Length: 3.2 miles St Mary’s Church Walk 1a: 3.6 miles Length: 2.5 miles Heath Time: 1 hour 50 min Length: 0.6 miles Walk 1b: 3 miles Time: 1 hour 20 min Time: 35 min Accessibility: Accessibility: Accessibility: • No stiles, bridges or gates. Accessibility: • Two small and narrow bridges • No stiles, bridges or gates. • Some walking on Carthagena Road. • Footpaths all the way. and a stile. Starting at Mill Lane recreation ground, Starting in the Market Square, walk out of Start in the car park next to Henry Smith Walk 1a Time: 2 hours walk away from Potton towards the Potton and take the second footpath on Playing Fields. Follow the path along the Starting in the Market Square, this walk will disused windmill. Take the second left after the right (opposite the footpath leading brook – look out for water birds with take you into Pegnut Wood, across Potton Cherry Trees Farm and walk alongside the into Pegnut Wood). Walk up the rise, their chicks in spring, and dragonfl ies in Brook, along the perimeter of the John fi elds. Look out for blackberries in late and carry on along this track, which runs summer. Turn right when you reach the O’Gaunt golf course and across the fi elds summer, and lapwings on the fi elds. Turn alongside the old quarry. As you drop end of the park and follow the footpath towards Sutton. You can often hear the left again and walk back towards Potton; down towards Carthagena Road, turn right up towards St Mary’s Church, with its distinctive call of a green woodpecker or a you will eventually end up on Old Bedford onto a permissive footpath that keeps fi fteenth-century tower. Turn left and jay in the woods. Once in Sutton, turn left, Road. Cross Newtown and continue down you off the road. Look out for butterfl ies walk past the Church Hall, down to the walk through the village, then turn left Festival Road – at the T-junction and wildfl owers along this path in spring junction and turn left again. Follow the again and head back across the fi elds to turn right and about and summer. You will come out at the road as it bends left into King Street, Pegnut Wood. 400 yards in front entrance to the quarry – turn right which will lead you into Potton Market and walk along Carthagena Road (take Walk 1b Time: 1 hour 40 min of you is a snicket Square. Alternatively, when you reach St care on the bend) until you reach Sandy If you would prefer not to walk back the (cut-through) Mary’s Church, turn right and walk up the Road. Cross over and walk up Deepdale, same way, once in Sutton turn right, cross that will bring hill. Turn right again at the Scout Hut and past the Aquatic Centre (handy for ice the thirteenth-century stone bridge at you out onto walk alongside the fi elds until you reach creams!), turning right when you reach Sutton Ford, walk up to the crossroads Sandy Road. the top of Bury Hill. Cross the road, and the campsite. Walk along this track until it with Biggleswade Road, and walk back into walk down Bury Hill back towards the Potton on the bridleway alongside the golf brings you out onto Old Bedford Road. fi re station and Henry Smith Playing Fields. course. The bluebells are a wonderful sight and smell in the spring. Ashmore W Farm N AL K Sand & Gravel Pit The spectacular 2 E Sunnymead V ALK E W 4 wasp spider has only R T O recently arrived in this area N R and can be found in rough O The banks of the AD grassy areas in late summer to Henry Smith Playing Fields hide the burrows of a large the west of Potton where its MILL LANE D A population of water voles, but prey – grasshoppers and MY O ER R
S R Y you will be very lucky to see crickets – are common. Eagle E
OA A V D Cherry G one of these elusive creatures!
The Farm E N Trees I Pavilion R L
Farm T Dragonfl ies are best
M O
A
Potton Recreational N G spotted around the RD R Windmill centre/playground ON RT D E (disused) D EV duck pond. Dirok EVERTON ROA T campsite E Sandy Heath E St Mary’s T R Transmitter E T Church D E O A R S LD T BE O G DF S O R N R I D W
NEWTOWN ROAD K W O
L
O Church HATLEY ROAD
S L
R
L Hall I Clock
O Tower P Potton W H FESTIVAL RD FESTIVAL Brook Deepdale Vet BULL ST Scout OAD Community Hut R T & Aquatic NDY Centre SA Market L S Centre E Square P ST ATIO The Coach N RD CHAP House P Henry Smith Cemetery Potton ROYS Playing Fields TO Snow N ST Hill The Old BURY HILL Locomotive (ex public house) Sand & Gravel Pit The Hollow 3 The footpaths Sewage K along the edge of the Treatment L Galley Works golf course and the woods Hill Pegnut A around Deepdale are good areas Wood W A W to look for mushrooms. Species Oak
Spinney Pegnut L
such as shaggy parasol, K
Hill The brook running clouded agaric and wood through Potton is home to 1 blewits are all common a variety of wildlife and kingfi shers during autumn. Summerhouse Hill can occasionally be seen fl ashing John O’Gaunt along the stream. You might catch KEY Golf Club a lucky glimpse if you watch Sutton Park the section of the brook by Pub Walk 1. CARTHAGENA ROAD Sheepwalk Close in crossroadsSutton Walk 2. School early spring. Walk 3. Bridge BIGGLESWADE RD Walk 4. Walk 1b Walk 1a Fire station
SUTTON ROAD Woods Carrot sluice Ford Sutton Car park P Post box
Village / Community Hall
Potton Town Council is grateful to Potton Consolidated Charities for providing the funding for this leafl et.