Craamp one

Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Craamp here.

Generally, this is a good route, but there are parts that really let it down. From Millbrook station the route is along the road, with no path, and only a rough verge alongside blind corners. Once on the straight part of the road heading towards Millbrook village, before turning off onto the footpath leading across fields (more on this in a moment), the route is downright dangerous with high speed traffic and lots of movements in and out of the Millbrook Proving Ground (apparently the circuit there inadvertently encourages high performance cars with corresponding speeds, on the public roads!)
Once turning off onto the aforementioned footpaths, when I walked the route, it was impassable due to construction work where new gas pipelines were being laid. There was no official detour around, but the alternatives were easy enough to find.

The other part that lets the route down is from the bottom of Marston Thrift, and across the busy A421 via a bridge. Most of this route is rough field verge, with ankle-threatening rabbit holes and overgrown brambles.
On the flip side, the walk from Cranfield down through Marston Thrift is truly beautiful and peaceful. There are cycling, walking and riding options in abundance. And even vineyards, with views across the Vale to the Greensand Ridge.

Having crossed the A421 dual carriageway, the route winds its way into Marston Moreteyne (previously spelt 'Moretaine'). There's a pub, The Bell, just a few metres from where the route leaves the roadside and leads down to Marston Church, and on across fields to Millbrook Station. Supplies are available at various shops in the village, just a few hundred metres further up the road.
The route from the church gives options to take in the lovely Marston Vale Forest adjacent to Stewartby Lake, and the associated Forest Centre. Most of this route is part of official maintained footpaths (e.g. the Marston Vale Trail), and is of a high quality with many options for modes of travel.
Further along, beyond the difficult areas outlined above where construction was ongoing, the route crosses the main London railway line via an old bridge, and heads into Ampthill Great Park. This is a beautiful area, and the views from the top of the park across the Vale are outstanding. A short stroll down the hill on the other side brings the traveller to the quaint market town of Ampthill.

It's true that this is perhaps the shortest slow route between Cranfield and Ampthill; taking into account the need to find ways across the A421 and several railway lines, however I believe that there are better routes, just a little longer, which offer more safety, and take in more highlights such as the ancient Thrupp site, and later the new and excellent paths around the lakes around Stewartby, then onto Houghton House. I have walked this alternative route recently, and will publish shortly.

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.