Blelei one

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

I walked this on sunny, and then mostly cloudy afternoon, from Bletchley to Leighton Buzzard. It had rained quite a bit in the last week.

The worst bit of this route is just at the start. From the station to after the route comes out underneath the two railways on Water Eaton Road (photo #1). From there on, it continues along some residential streets with good pavements. The roundabouts at Water Eaton itself are also less great. The rest of the walk along the Grand Union Canal was stunning with the amazing autumn colours (photo #3, #4, #5, #8), although a little monotonous. There are plenty of locks (photo #7, #10) along the path, and where there are three in a row sits the Three Locks Pub (photo #7). I passed by this time. If I'd update this route, I would probably have had the first section along the canal to through Waterhall Park (photo #2). You cross the canal across bridges (photo #3, #8) a few times, with some steps and steep inclines. After the Wyvers Shipping Company the route leaves the canal to go along the river Ouzel (photo #10), where the path was in two small sections slightly flooded. Not good for trainers, but fine for walking booths. To avoid it, you could go along the canal (photo #13) a bit further south to Leighton Road (photo #12). This is also where the path along the river ends up, before going west towards the station. The last bit uses a back-alley-public-right-of-way, before crossing the Linslade Recreation Ground and ending up at the station.

This is indeed a lovely walk and only a couple of tricky, muddy, bits in winter, but much of the canal path is a traditional towpath which is not all paved so can get muddy. There are a lot of bikes that use this route. Just be aware there are a few steps up to one of the bridges where you have to cross the canal. Also if you continue on the canal path to Campbell park you can walk through the park and shopping centre to Milton Keynes station which is about 3 miles from the canal or buses which are closer.

A really pleasant walk. I started from Leighton Buzzard. From the starting point in central Leighton Buzzard you soon find yourself offroad alongside the River Ouzel. This joins up with Grand Union Canal, the towpath of which takes you all the way to Bletchley. From there a series of streets through mainly residential areas take you past thatched cottages and twentieth century housing estates. The last section to the station under the railway bridges is probably the least enjoyable, but it is safe, if functional. Overall this is a really great Slow Way. It's direct, safe and easy to follow. From an accessibility angle there is one set of shallow steps to rejoin the towpath at Stoke Hammond. The 3 Locks Pub is half way and there are plenty of shops at the Leighton Buzzard end and throughout the walk into Bletchley. There are links to public transport at either end although the Leighton Buzzard end is a 10min walk from the railway station. Full marks.

Really pleasant, easy, flat walk with no gates or styles. Unfortunately in just a few places towpath has subsided so would be difficult for wheelers.
From Bletchley station about 1 mile along quiet roads then join canal at popular walk just beside towpath. There is a pub on the canal about 4 miles from start. Path takes you along canal and river to within a couple of hundred yards of Leighton Buzzard town centre.
Easy to do as regular trains from Leighton Buzzard station will take back to start easily.

Mostly flat route that is 90% along a paved canal and pathway by a river and 10% along pavement in built up area. The river section and 1 spot in the canal can flood when theres lots of rain, but most of the year this is walkable in trainers. For those with wheels it is fully paved but not all smooth. You'll likely to see locks, sheep, horses and swans. Theres also a couple of pubs on the route and plenty at the finish in Leighton buzzard. You can easily get back to the start on a 7 minute train journey.

Share your views about this route, give it a star rating, indicate whether it should be verified or not.

Include information that will be useful to others considering to walk or wheel it.

You can add up to 15 photos.