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Happyland Farm - Toddington, Bedfordshire

Difficulty Leisurely

Walking time 1 hour 43 minutes

Length 8.4km / 5.2mi

Route developer: Tom Chevalier

Route checker: Robert Upton

Start location War memorial, Toddington village green
Route Summary A stile free rural circular walk using field edge and cross-field paths, which are good when the ground is dry but will be harder after recent ploughing. Dogs need to be kept under close control in the few fields which contain livestock.
*move mouse over graph to see points on route
Getting there

The A5120 passes through Toddington which is just under a mile south west of M1, junction 12. There is restricted and unrestricted on-street parking around the centre of Toddington. Parking is also available at the Village Hall, off Leighton Road, subject to functions.  Bus services from Dunstable, Luton and Harlington, for details: Traveline.  Nearest rail station is at Harlington

Description

[1] From the War Memorial on the Village Green, head South West along the road sign-posted for Tebworth (Leighton Road). Pass a pet shop and just before the village hall go right through a metal kissing gate and walk between the schools.  At the end of Cheney Close, cross straight over Manor Road, and head down the alleyway ahead.

[2] Before the alleyway comes out in Broughton Avenue, turn right along a path that passes between garden fences, soon emerging into a field.  Go through three kissing gates, which take you through two fields (beware that these normally have animals grazing).  Continue beside the fence to a waymark post, then straight across the arable field to a waymark post by the tree lined drive.  

Wildlife along the route may include a number of species of deer.

[3] From this waymark post continue straight across the field to a bridge, then continue up the next arable field to a gate and finger post.  Go through the wooden gate and continue straight across the ‘showground’ grazing field.

[4] From the gate on the other side cross the farm drive and head straight across this arable field to a wooden gate which takes you into a field (often containing grazing sheep or horses). Continue straight on keeping the hedge on your right, until you cross another wooden gate and bridge, then straight on along the edge of the arable field, again keeping the hedge on your right. When the hedge finishes continue straight over the field crop to a bridge over one of the tributaries of Clipstone Brook.

[5] The next field may have cattle grazing.  Go through the metal gate and turn right and through the metal kissing gate.  Continue along the path along the field edges, keeping the brook on your right.

[6] At Park Road, cross straight over and continue along the edge of the field for about 250m.  When you reach a waymark post turn diagonally left across the arable field to a waymark post and gap in the hedge.  Continue across the next field to the waymark post in the corner where the path enters a wood.

[7] Follow the path through the woodland. At the end of woodland, take the right hand path keeping the boundary fence on your left.  When the woodland reaches the corner of a field turn right along the field edge, keeping the brook (maybe dry in summer) on your left. 

The woodland on the left is covered with bluebells in the spring.

[8] 100m along the arable field edge, the path crosses the brook on a sleeper bridge. Continue along the field edge, now with the hedge on your right.  When reaching the end of the hedge a waymark post indicates a left turn. Keep the small hedge on your right until you meet the hedge surrounding Happyland Farm, where you turn right, then left around the farmhouse.

[9] Go through the metal kissing gate into a small paddock where sheep may be grazing, then immediately right through the wooden gate.  Just 10m up the drive on the right take a field gate into a small paddock and leave by the bridle gate in the opposite corner.  Keep the hedge on your right to another field gate where you finally officially join the driveway heading away from Happyland Farm.

[10] After 200m the driveway meets another farm drive, bear right here.  As you go through the gateway there is a finger post on the left, just after this, cross into the field on the left, continue along the field edge, keeping the hedge on your right.  

We now follow the Monmouth Way, a linear walk linking the Greensand Ridge walk at Milton Bryan with the Icknield Way in Toddington.  From this elevated location there are fine views across to Sharpenhoe Clappers, and glimpses of Toddington Manor.

Cross the farm track and aim just to the right of the building of Park House across the field. As you approach you will see a wooden gate in the fence line.  There are often horses kept in these fields. Continue through a further two metal kissing gates.  Cross over the drive of Park House and through a gap in the metal fence to a waymark post in the corner of the arable field.

[11] From this post follow the marked path towards an electricity pole with a yellow plaque.  Continue towards the houses on the brow of the hill.  As you get closer you will see a finger post.  Turning left along Park Road, after 20m climb the short bank to a metal kissing gate.

[12] Pass through the gate and head diagonally across the field to another kissing gate which leads to a path between the houses.  At the end of the close turn right along Manor Road.  When you reach Cheney Close turn left and retrace your steps back between the schools and left at Leighton Road towards the War Memorial.

POI information No details available.
Notes

Maps: OS Explorer 192 & 193, Landranger 165 & 166.

Eating & drinking: A variety of pubs, or other eating establishments in Toddington around the village green.

Accommodation:  Inn & B+B in Toddington.

Water for dogs: available from a number of natural water courses along the route.

Comments to: RoW@chevalier.me.uk 

A number of fields passed through on this route may contain animals.  Keep a safe distance from them and dog walkers should take extra care.

Acknowledgements No details available.
  • View from tree lined drive at waypoint [3]
    View from tree lined drive at waypoint [3]
    By - Tom Chevalier
  • View along field edge along waypoint [4]
    View along field edge along waypoint [4]
    By - Tom Chevalier
  • Winter woodland at waypoint [7]
    Winter woodland at waypoint [7]
    By - Tom Chevalier
  • Field edge at waypoint [8]
    Field edge at waypoint [8]
    By - Tom Chevalier
  • Winters field view toward Park House, waypoint [11]
    Winters field view toward Park House, waypoint [11]
    By - Tom Chevalier
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