Islip walks

Seven miles of glorious Northamptonshire countryside through 3 attractive villages and passing by the impressive Drayton Hall.

Enjoy the open views over farmland in East Northamptonshire and view parts of RAF Molesworth (from a distance).

This walk includes three counties and starts from the attractive village of Lyddington in Rutland before continuing through pleasant countryside in Leicestershire and Northamptonshire. The route includes the villages of Stockerston, Great Easton, Rockingham and Gretton. The walk also includes a section of the Jurassic Way.

Walk from Grafham Water Visitor Centre to Over, visiting Brampton, Godmanchester, Houghton, Hemingford Abbots, Hemingford Grey and St. Ives.

This walk starts and finishes at Northcutt's Garden Centre (PE2 5UU) which has an excellent restaurant. It encompasses walking around Overton and Gunwade lakes nearly all on hard footpaths.

Great walk around Ferry Medows in Nene Park. Lots of wildlife to see.

A North Bedfordshire walk along the Ouse Valley Way between Oakley and Carlton taking in the charming villages of Pavenham, Sharnbrook, and Odell. Follow the river from Oakley through to Stevington where The Ouse Valley Way is clearly waymarked all the way through to Carlton Although the Ouse Valley Way does not actually go into Oakley, there is a convenient bus stop here that links the two ends to this walk. The bus stop is a mile or so from the river, from where there is a footpath which joins the official route at Stevington and then winds its way through the rolling Bedfordshire countryside. There's plenty to see and explore along the route with medieval river bridges, the Holywell at Stevington, the ghostly tales of Odell and the picturesque villages of Pavenham, Radwell, Sharnbrook, and Harrold.

Using the car park for Woodman and golf club (free to use if you have a drink at the Woodman), follow Bluebell Wood to cross the river Nene and then up to Gunwade Lake. Cross the bridge to follow Overton Lake, continue to cross Bluebell Bridge and back to the car park. Depending on the time of year, you can see bluebells (April/May) and many migratory birds on lakes in Autumn and Winter.

Country walk with a halfway treat. Pass through open countryside alongside streams and through woods. Finish up with a pub lunch or refreshing drink at the Pheasant pub.

A walk along the Ouse Valley Way from St Neots to Houghton. A perfect river side walk following the gentle flowing River Ouse as it meanders past nature reserves to Godmanchester. From here there is easy access into Huntingdon or across the meadows to Houghton and its infamous mill. A perfect way to enjoy a summers day.

This walk starts and finishes at an excellent pub, The Bluebell Inn, Helpston (PE6 7ED). There are mainly field paths and tracks and a small amount on minor roads. An interesting wild flower meadow existed with quite rare butterflies between WM1 and WM2.

This walk follows the River Welland firstly along Torpel Way then crossing close to Stamford and returning along other bank. This is a lovely walk in late April/early May. Look out for fields of cowslips on the left of the path. Bird life associated with river can be seen.

This Rutland walk follows a clockwise route around the Hambleton Peninsula created in 1976 when the reservoir initially opened. The route uses concessionary paths for much of the way. Views across the Reservoir can be enjoyed throughout.

Lovely walk from The Bertie Arms in Uffington to Burghley House, returning via the river Welland.

A riverside walk along the Ouse Valley Way between Bedford and St Neots. Despite the increasing urbanisation between Bedord and St Neots, the riverside sections of this walk provide some pleasant rambles. Particularly notable is the 15th century river bridge at Great Barford and the riverside parks at St Neots.

This lengthy Leicestershire walk visits the rolling landscape to the south-east of Tugby to reach the village of Hallaton. The route turns west following the Leicestershire Round footpath to Glooston from where a return to the starts is made through Noseley and Rolleston. The walk follows generally well-marked paths and bridleways.

Nice walk from Etton using minor roads and bridleways to reach Maxey, then returning to Etton via roads in northern Cambridgeshire. Excellent views over the pools from the gravel pits and the observation stations give views of water birds like Greylag Geese.

This walk starts at the car park by Market Deeping shopping centre, leads you to lovely Castle End in Maxey, before returning on a footpath along the River Welland. Lovely views and history of the Maxey area with 4000 years of history (more in the practical information section below).

This short walk is full of interesting views of lakes with bird-watching hides in the Deeping Lakes Nature Reserve. Also view along River Welland. There are no facilities at this location but several options in nearby Crowland, Deeping St. James and Market Deeping.

This is a pleasant walk through the Bedfordshire countryside with a variety of scenery and some interesting points of interest along the way.

This is a thoroughly enjoyable walk with lots of variety, all on the more elevated parts of Bedfordshire. The fields are open so there are plenty of views, but there are stretches of woodland, three interesting villages and plenty of wildlife. It is no more than a guess, but I would think keen bird watchers might find it worthwhile to tote field glasses. At worst it will give them a closer look at the aerobatics over Biggleswade airfield.

Short walk on roads and field paths from the Waggon & Horses pub car park. (PE6 9LW) If you are going to park at the pub please let the landlord know Tel: 01778 343200

This walk takes in a variety of the landscapes of Central Bedfordshire: heathland, woods, meadows, arable land and even a short stretch of market gardening. It starts and finishes in the RPSB nature reserve. Lunch time refreshment is available at the Thornton Arms in Everton.