Sunday 8 September - Club walk - Explore the deer parklands of Woburn Abbey & the surrounding villages.

Join up with other Club members for an undulating 10 mile route following part of the long distance Greensand Ridge Walk.

Our circular route follows greensand countryside into the 3,000 acres of Woburn Abbey‘s deer parkland and the neighbouring villages of Eversholt and Ridgmont. The walk will have views over gently rolling hills through woodlands and farmland.

From the Georgian village of Woburn we will pass by the magnificent Woburn Abbey, seat of the 15th Duke of Bedford. Originally a Cistercian abbey established in 1145, it became home to the 1st Duke, John Russell, in 1547 with the Dissolution of the monasteries when Henry VIII gifted the abbey and estate to the Russell family. The Abbey was rebuilt in 1744 using the architects Henry Holland and Henry Filbert.

Hopefully we will see the various types of deer in the grounds. Woburn Abbey is famous for its Pere David herd introduced early in 20th century when the species became extinct in China, and there are also Sika, Chinese Water deer, Muntjac and Fallow deer, amongst others.

Meeting time and point: 10.30 a.m. at the Public Car Park, Park Street in Woburn, opposite St Mary ‘s Church. Postcode MK17 9PG.

Useful info

• Footwear: the route can be very muddy after rain. Walking boots are strongly recommended.
• There are no public toilets in Woburn. The last toilets going north on the M1 are just before J12 at Toddington Services. If arriving before 10.30 a.m., the Woburn Hotel is adjacent to the car park, serves coffee and has toilets.

Refreshments

• Bring drink and a packed lunch.
• Hopefully there will be an opportunity to stop at the pub in Eversholt for drinks.

What to do next

Pleases register your interest by 6 September so we know you're coming.

If you have any queries please contact the organiser Margaret Chalmers