Distance - 16 ½ miles
Short Cut - 12 ½ miles

Lovely scenery, picturesque villages and historic sites are just some of the attractions on this route. The ride is described as starting from Old Warden, but can easily be joined from Bedford by reversing the ride from Cardington described in the Marston Vale ride.

Start from the car park beside Old Warden Church. Leave the car park and turn left at the bottom of the lane. Turn left to Northill and pass through the picturesque village of Ickwell. Turn left again at the church in Northill and follow the road for 3 ½ miles to Cople.

At Cople Church turn left to Cardington, and continue straight through Cardington for 4 miles on this road towards Southill. At the T-junction turn left for the 12 ½ mile ride, returning to Old Warden.

To complete the full length route turn right and follow the road towards Shefford. Turn left immediately under the bridge signposted to Southill. This is a lovely wooded lane leading to Ireland. Pass through Ireland and take a left turn, shortly followed by another, leading to Southill.

Turn left in Southill to Old Warden and bear left at the next fork. Turn right at the T-junction, leading back to Old Warden. Continue through the village and back to the church.

Places to Visit

The Swiss Garden is a unique and fascinating 19th century romantic garden with rare trees, exotic buildings, ponds and a thatched Swiss Cottage. Car park.

The Shuttleworth Collection is a world-famous collection of aircraft and vintage cars, most of which are in working order.

Old Warden is one of the most attractive Bedfordshire villages, built in a picturesque 'Swiss' style by the Ongleys in the early 1800's. St Leonards Church has some spectacular wood carvings inside it