Cardington hangers & the John Bunyan trail

Another ride and explore today!

Check out my route on Komoot

Caught the newly upgraded train line between Milton Keynes and Bedford, good value for £1.30 return including bikes! No booking necessary.

Half an hour on this lovely country route, before alighting at Bedford and joining the NCN51 along the Bedford Embankment to Priory Marina, for a early coffee stop overlooking the lake.

Continuing on down to Cardington, where we hopped on the road for a while past the historic Cardington Hangers, where they used to build airships but are now used for film sets.

Mixture of country roads and bridepaths down through Old Warden, Warden Warren before our second stop at Jordan's Mill, an historic Victorian mill on the River Ivel and a fab stop sitting out on the decking - especially with the spring sun.

After our break eventually joined parts of the John Bunyan trail. I love this trail! Gentle, quiet and non muddy trails through the Bedfordshire countryside, mostly gravel surface. Onward past Chicksands, Haynes, circling around the Cardington hangers again. Gorgeous views over the fields leading down to Bedford.

Trail finished at Elstow, an historic village on the edge of Bedford and birthplace of John Bunyan. It has a long line of timber framed houses and a Moot Hall dating from the 15th century. After the quiet of Elstow, onward through the hectic roads of Beford back to train station, missing our train by quite literally 50 seconds.

Loved, loved loved this route. Gorgeous roads and trails, virtually no mud and beautiful Spring sunshine, even saw a field of newly born lambs. One to definitely be repeated!

Bedford River & Embankment

The Cardington Hangers

Jordan's Mill

Elstow Abbey

Moot Hall, Elstow

Homeward bound