Walk 1985 - printer friendly version

Houghton Park Circular Walk

Author - Lou Johnson

Length - 4.0 miles / 6.5 km

Ascent - 300 feet / 91 metres

Grade - easy

Start - OS grid reference TL044414
Lat 52.0611510 + Long -0.4785929
Postcode MK45 3AQ (approx. location only)

A circular walk from Houghton Conquest (Bedfordshire) exploring the pleasant countryside, downs, and woodland to the south of the village. The route also offers an opportunity to see the skeletal remains of Houghton House which was House Beautiful in John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress. A section of the walk follows the Marston Vale Trail.

The start is the village of Houghton Conquest where limited on street parking is available. An alternative, for patrons, is Knife and Cleaver Inn (grid ref. TL044414). After parking, face the church and turn right and continue to a mini roundabout. Turn right along Rectory Lane and after 350 metres turn right onto the footpath (signed to Meadows and King's Wood). After 200 metres follow the path as it turns left. You soon join a grassy track continue to just before the end of the field and turn right along the left-hand edge of a field. Continue into the next field and keeping a hedge/trees on your left follow the clear path around the edge of the field to reach the northern side of King's Wood (grid ref. TL043404) and a junction with the Marston Vale Trail.

Turn right and follow a clear path with King's Wood on your left. At the end of the trees the path veers right with a hedge on the left. Continue to the next path junction (TL039401) and turn south leaving the Marston Vale Trail. Continue across Houghton Park soon passing Houghton House on your right. The path leads onto a concrete track which is followed as it bends right past a large barn on the right. Just past the barn turn left at a yellow topped marker post to re-join the Marston Vale Trail.

Follow the Marston Vale Trail to reach the southern tip of King's Wood. The path initially runs beside the wood but soon enters the wood. Continue through the wood to the northern edge and a path junction (grid ref. TL046405) where the MVT turns left. Turn right and continue for 200 metres and turn left onto the waymarked path. The path continues across fields soon passing the Old Rectory on your left. At the end of the field turn left and follow the enclosed path back to Rectory Lane. Turn right back to the start in Houghton Conquest.

Messaging & Social Media

Message Walking Britain and follow the latest news.

Mountain Weather

Stay safe on the mountains with detailed weather forecasts - for iOS devices or for Android devices.