John Bunyan Triangle Walk, KeysoeLocal HistoryIn the 17th century Keysoe was a centre of religious nonconformity and that part of the walk from (D) to (E) followsthe route traditionally taken by the early Dissenters on the wayto Willow Spinney, where they held open-air religious meetings,at that time illegal. The spinney lies on the parish boundary, soif pursued by the Keysoe constables, the worshipers could avoidarrest by simply stepping over into the neighbouring parish ofRiseley. Park Wood, full of bluebells in the spring, was formallymuch more extensive and it is known that John Bunyan heldopen-air meetings here. The ancient moat system at Park Farmonce surrounded the old manor of Berrystead. It was at thisfarmhouse that John Bunyan is reputed to have been arrestedwith some of his followers, prior to his imprisonment.

The 14th century spire of St Mary’s Church can be seen on theskyline. In 1718, William Dickens, a mason, fell from this spire,and miraculously survived the fall. The story of this incident isrelated on a plaque on the west wall of the tower. The full walkincludes a visit to the church.

The WalkThe walk is approximately 4¼ miles but there are a number ofshort cuts that can easily be made reducing the distance to a ½,1½ or 3¼ miles. The walks are on well signed footpaths andbridleways alongside woods and fields with good views over thesurrounding countryside. We are indebted to Mr William Wardfor permitting the short cut (1½ mile walk) by Keysoe Park Farmas the section around the farm is a permissive path and not apublic right of way.

StartThe starting point of the walks is approximately 2 miles alongthe Riseley Road from the B660 at Keysoe Brook End. Cars can be parked on the roadside verge at Keysoe Park Wood.Ordnance map reference TL 053620.

DirectionsA. The start of the walk is to the left of the locked gate into thewood, through a gap in the bushes and across a sleeper bridge.Walk on a broad green sward to the top corner of the wood,here turn right across a ditch and through the hedge.

B. Turn left and follow the field edge to a gap in the hedge onthe left where paths cross.

C. Continue alongside the hedge at the top of the field to abridleway junction in the field corner. Bear right with the hedgestill on the left for a short distance crossing a bridge to anotherbridleway junction.

D. Turn right and follow the bridleway with a hedge on theright. After crossing a cinder track go forward across an arablefield heading for a large oak tree. Enter a track enclosed bytrees and bushes and cross a bridge over Keysoe Brook to reachRiseley Road. Continued overleaf.

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NORTH BEDFORDSHIRE WOLDS

JOHN BUNYAN TRIANGLE WALK & DONKEY WALK, KEYSOE

Gateway to the Wolds

Walkers undertake the routes marked at their own risk. While each one has been walked,unexpected hazards do occur.

We are indebted to thefollowing for their support:

BRCC

For full details of walks and rides throughoutBedfordshire, visit www.letsgo.org.uk

Public Transport

There are bus services from Bedford, Bus No.153

Bedford Bus enquiries: Tel: 01234 718005 Traveline Timetable Info: Tel: 08712 002233

Accommodation

There are a number of bed & breakfasts in the area.Please contact: Bedford Tourist Information Centre Tel: 01234 221712.

E. Turn right along the road and onreaching Valbrook Farm look for afootpath fingerpost on the left, gothrough the adjacent gap in the hedgeand follow this footpath, gently uphill tothe church. Go through the churchyardand look for the William Dickens plaqueon the tower and a magnificent old yewtree. Go through the front gate and turnright on the road. In approximately 240 yards take thebridleway on the right to reach the Keysoe to Riseley road. Crosscarefully and take the footpath signed on the opposite side.

F. This footpath bears gradually away from the highway andthrough a gap in a hedge to reach the entrance to Park Farm.

G. Bear right into the farm entrance, pass around the trafficbarrier and walk forward to reach a way-mark post and akissing gate into a pasture on the left. Walk diagonally acrossthe field to reach another kissing gate in the far right handcorner.

H. Continue on with a hedge on the right to reach Park Wood,then, continue with the wood on the right side to pass overKeysoe Brook to reach Riseley Road and the starting point ofthe walks.

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B

A

C

D

E

F

G

H

Keysoe

To Pertenhall

153

FromBolnhurst &Keysoe Row(153 Bus route)

To Riseley

Willow Spinney

Valbrook Farm

Park Farm

Keysoe ParkWood

B660

Donkey Walk, KeysoeLocal HistoryDonkey Lane and nearby Mill Lane are ancient trackwayslinking the windmills at Bolnhurst and Keysoe and are part ofan extensive, system of similar tracks now familiar to us asbridleways and byways. Bolnhurst Mill was demolished in 1920and Keysoe Mill, the last working windmill in Bedfordshirecollapsed during a storm in January 1946.

The WalkThe walk is a little under 3 miles. It starts and returns alongDonkey Lane and elsewhere follows field edges. Donkey Laneis a tree lined green track where, in places, the branches meetoverhead. The lane is now classified as a byway. The walk isgenerally well marked and there are no stiles. In the springthe woodland near the pumping station is bright withbluebells and primroses and in Donkey Lane amidst thebluebells look for early purple orchids.

StartAccess to the walk is off Keysoe Row East, 7 miles NE ofBedford off the B660. The starting point is Donkey Lane, ¾ mile from the cross roads along Keysoe Row East, adjacentto a farm entrance and just before a sharp bend in the road.Ordnance map reference TL 091618.

DirectionsA. Walk along Donkey Lane and turnright through the first gap on to asigned footpath. Go forward along theedge of two fields then through a gapin the hedge, and continue in thesame direction to reach a junction offootpaths.

B. Turn left here and walk along the field edge with a hedgeon the right. Pass over a footbridge at the next boundaryhedge and walk on passing woodland on the right to reach apumping station enclosure.

C. At the pumping station the field boundary curves to theright. Follow this round and go forward a few more paces then look for the infant Duloe Brook on the left. Turn hereand walk forward keeping Duloe Brook on the left side.

D. Bear right at the end of the field for a short distance, gothrough two kissing gates only a few paces apart and over afootbridge. Continue to walk beside the brook crossing twomore footbridges. After passing a clump of bushes around alarge stag headed oak tree look for a footbridge, sometimeshard to spot in the long grass. Cross this into Donkey Lane.

E. Turn left here and ignoring bridleways branching off to the right, follow Donkey Lane back to the highway at KeysoeRow East.

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© Crown copyright. All rights reserved. Bedford Borough Council. 100049028 2010

John BunyanTriangle Walk

4¼ miles

A

B

CD

E

Mill Lane To LittleStaughton

DonkeyLane

Duloe Brook

From Bolnhurst

153

PumpingStation

To Keysoe

Keys

oe Ro

w Ea

st

B660 (153 Bus route)

Donkey Walk2¾ miles

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