The Bragenham Bash

Turn right out of the Globe and head towards the canal bridge. Turn right before the bridge and cross the stile, follow waymarkings for the Greensand Ridge Walk (GRW) down the left hand side of the field parallel to the canal, until some planks are reached. Cross these (it can be boggy here at times) and then turn right. On reaching the river, turn left. Cross the river at the wooden bridge and walk diagonally uphill to join a tarmac track. Go over the cattle grid and immediately turn left, down a sandy footpath past a few dwellings and then along an enclosed path through woodland. On reaching an open field head diagonally right to a kissing gate just before the road (Old Linslade Road). Continue along parallel with the road on the left and follow the GRW signs.  At the end of the wood you reach the junction of Old Linslade Road, Plantation Road and Bragenham Lane. Cross the road carefully and proceed up Bragenham Lane a short distance, before turning right through a kissing gate back into woodland. As you walk through the woods there are good views to the left.

This stretch of the  Greensand Ridge Walk is delightful with pleasant meadowland, an attractive stream and ample shaded forest paths.

Cross the lane and walk down the track past a house, then turn right down a grassy track. Leave the track at the post and follow the footpath to the right. Zigzag through vegetation, over a little brook and then proceed at 2 o’clock uphill (here the path can get overgrown). Continue to follow this footpath (later on it becomes enclosed) past some ponds on your left and a farm dwelling further up on your right (Bragenham Farm).  Continue zigzagging along the waymarked path as it proceeds up and down hill. Look out for discs with a yellow arrows that confirm that you are on the right path! You should cross a brook in an area where the land can get marshy and then go through a small woodland strip. Go over the stile and down the hill to the another stile, then cross a third stile to emerge on to a road opposite Three Locks Golf Course.  Walk down the road over a river bridge to a humpbacked bridge. (The Three Locks is over to your right if you want to stop for a break.) Turn left immediately before the humpbacked bridge onto the towpath. Continue along the towpath for approximately 2 miles back to the start.

Summary

Pictures from top:
A stream alongside the Greensand Ridge Walk
A Lesser Celandine - one many wild flowers in the area

Map: Use Explorer 192

Other walks:

The Southcott Stroll  (1.5 miles)
The Stockgrove Strut  (3 miles)
Eggington in the slips  (4 miles)
The Bluebell Polka  (4.5 miles)
The Canal-side Canter  (4.5 miles)
The Greensand Gambol  (5.5 miles)
The Bragenham Bash  (6.5 miles)
Mentmore Vistas  (7 miles)
The Soulbury Saunter  (7 miles)
The Leighton-Linslade Loop  (20 miles)