Yarmil two

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

Really enjoyed this walk. It was a bit muddy and wet at times but a pleasant walk nevertheless.

An extended review will follow.

This is a good Slow Way with lots of easy canal walking.

Longer review to follow.

A really enjoyable walk along the Grand Union Canal, but needs sorting at either end. Overall, the route is certainly safe with minimal road crossing save for the A508 at the Yardley Gobion which I found easy to cross. There are no access issues although I had to clamber over a gate to access the footpath across a horse stud at Yardley Gobion as they'd helpfully not used enough rope to be able to lift it over the top of the post. This brings me on to accessibility, which this route could do much better, particularly at the Milton Keynes end. Despite the accessible nature of the city, the route has a kissing gate and stepping stones and stiles at Yardley Gobion. It could certainly be more direct if it used the multiple paths of Milton Keynes and wasn't distracted by the Swan Way. My heart sank when after an hour of walking I saw a sign which said "MKC 1.25 miles", which had been my starting point. The route is well supplied with pubs, particularly along the canal, but not so much shops. In terms of transport the route starts at Milton Keynes Central Railway Station and connects with Wolverton which is good, but bypasses bus connections in Milton Keynes and misses the bus stop in Yardley Gobion. Once on the canal, the route was easy to navigate but I seemed to spend most of my time in Milton Keynes wondering where I needed to turn next. It could do with being simpler. Was it enjoyable and interesting? The winding start was a bit frustrating but the surroundings showcased a pre-town area, with quite a rural feel, The section around Bradwell Abbey was literally that, so you don't really get to see much if you follow the route. You do however, soon get to walk past the remains of a Roman Villa in Bancroft Park which was rather marvellous. Seeing the concrete cows, the sort I'm happiest to walk through, was a major tick. Having joined the Grand Union Canal, the walk takes on a much more relaxing air. The towpath can be narrow in parts but it's a friendly stretch of water, popular with boaters, runners and walkers. Leaving the canal was leaving the last enjoyable part of the walk. The footpath on the other side of the canal to the towpath is clearly barely used, is overgrown, and the earth beneath it uneven. In summary, this is very enjoyable in parts but there must be a better version that's more direct and accessible at either end.

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