The second in this series, Running The Ridge, the third to follow.
Having lived in the area for many years, I have run along the Greensand Ridge Walk between Lidlington and Ampthill Park many times. It is also part of The John Bunyan Trail and The Marston Vale Timberland Trail, all three are worth exploring. This is a great trail and hill running route, combined with a few circuits of the park. It has been good training for the various events I have entered including Mountain Marathons and the LDWA's Hundred Mile Challenges. Over the years I have seen it through all the seasons and many different weathers and spied many of the local wildlife. Some of my favourite times have been out on a beautiful sunny winters morning, in the snow, and not seeing a single soul, wondering why no one else is out! Then on arriving at Ampthill Park, I see all the families out with their sledges and having fun.
This section of the Greensand Ridge Walk contains the highest points of the walk, so be prepared for a little hill walking. Together with Forest of Marston Vale land on Lidlington hill, there are some magnificent views of Bedfordshire to be had. There are also glimpses into Millbrook Proving Ground, to spot the vehicles on the various tracks.
Please disturb the area around the cache as little as possible and treat the woods and trail with respect and take any litter home with you. Sorry, It's not suitable for wheelchairs.
Direct access to the cache can be from three routes:-
1. Millbrook car park at (N52 02.336' W000 31.601). Just follow the GRW signs up the hill and past the cache.
2. Lidlington village roadside parking, and follow the High Street up the hill (very carefully) and turn left to Jackdaw Hill and onto to the GRW. There may be limited parking at the top at Boughton End Lane (N52 02.062' W000 33.398') to avoid the hill. Continue on past the golf course, views and descent to the cache.
3. And my favourite, but longest from Lidlington village, the bridleway behind the children's park and village graveyard, follows an undulating route with a great view, then into the depths of the woods. It joins the GRW, passing 'Running The Ridge' past the golf course, more views, and then the descent to the cache.
I would advise you not to try the shortest route from the path to the cache, through the brambles, nettles and ferns. Try the woods, slightly lower down the hill, and hope the trees don't cause too much disruption to the gps. This cache may be micro, but the outer container is much bigger! No room for a pen, so bring your own. Please replace the cache exactly as found. Look out for others in this series, and that old bearded bald guy running by, he may be the cache owner!