From the station car-park, take the railway bridge across the tracks to the Linslade exit. Walk up Southcourt Drive, turn right into Southcourt Road and first left into Rock Lane. Immediately cross Rock lane and take the footpath opposite. This leads past a school into Leopold Road. Continue walking in the same direction to the junction with Soulbury Road and cross over to St Mary’s Way. At the top of the hill (post box on the left hand corner), cross over to a footpath opposite. Follow this, ignoring all left and right turnings and after a few minutes you should emerge onto the road called Knaves Hill.

On the opposite side of the road you will see a wooden gate. This will lead you into a set-aside field planted with young trees. Take the bridle path leading straight up from the gate to the brow of the hill. From here you will have fine views all around Leighton-Linslade. On a clear day it is possible to see the White Lion at Whipsnade.

At this point you will meet another bridlepath coming up the hill from your right. Turn left, and about one hundred yards further on you will see a narrow path leading off on your right into Linslade Bluebell Wood. If the bluebells are in flower (usually in late April and early May), it is well worth making a circuit of the wood. After ten yards, the entrance path joins a circular track. Turn left. At one point you will come close to an open field on your left, with views of the main line railway. The footpath now bears uphill and to the right, running parallel to Stoke Road (the traffic noise is clearly audible).

Continue along this footpath until it begins to climb the hill and leave Stoke Road behind. You will come to a meeting point of several paths, with a prominent tree in the middle. Take the path leading downhill. After a short distance the path exits from the wood and crosses an old orchard to a hedge opposite. You will pass a mobile phone communication mast on your right. At the hedge turn left and follow the path down to a kissing gate leading onto Stoke Road.

Cross the road and turn right. At the far end of the railway bridge you will see a footpath sign leading down to the canal. Turn right at the canal and follow the path to the nearby bridge. Cross the bridge, and turn right along the tow path. The Globe public house is a popular spot during summer, with a children’s play area and outside seating. Continue along the canal past the lock and later Tesco supermarket to the road bridge over the canal.

Walk over the canal bridge to the nearby pedestrian crossing. Cross to the far side of Wing Road and turn left. Turn right into New Road. About fifty yards on your left is a Baptist Chapel with a paved footpath leading into Church Road. Turn right into Church Road towards the Hunt Hotel. Cross the road and take the alleyway between a house and the hotel. This brings you to St Barnabas Church. Turn right, passing the church on your left, and follow the main footpath down through the recreation ground.

You will see an iron footbridge straight ahead, which dates back to Victorian times, and carries the footpath over the railway into Linslade. Just before the footbridge, take the path on your right. This will lead you back to Leighton Buzzard railway station.

Summary