Trains, Planes and Quiet Lanes

Start: Luton Airport Parkway station (TL 105 205). Grid ref. TL 104 205

(S/E) Follow the main pedestrian route out of the station, first across the short term parking to the multi storey, round the multi storey to the right then across the road and left. Do not take either of right turns signposted for the town and Capability Green. Continue beside the road as it curves right and comes to a roundabout. Cross left at the roundabout and join the cycle path to go under a flyover ahead of you. This is the Upper Lea Valley way- we follow this for the first 2.5 miles of the walk.

(1) Follow National Cycle Route 6 along the side of the main railway line. At the start you follow the line of the disused railway to Welwyn (A), but soon climb the side of a hill to get fine views over the Lea valley to the parkland around (B) Luton Hoo.

(2) The cycleway descends towards a country lane. Look out for a turning left as you reach some sycamore trees on your left. Turn left and you are now back on the route of the railway crossing a bridge over the lane and in another 400m crossing on a new metal bridge over the B653 Lower Luton Road.

(3) Where the cycleway meets a road, cross straight over and continue. The house on the right after crossing the road was the former Luton Hoo Station - remains of the platform can be seen past the end of its garden.

In another kilometre the cycleway descends to pass under the main railway line and meets a road.

(4) Turn left on the road. Cross the River Lea and at the B road cross over and take Farrs Lane heading uphill a little to the right. Turn left on to a footpath immediately after the last of the group of houses, then turn right uphill after 100m.

As the hill starts to level off you turn left at a T junction of paths. If you look to your left you should now have a good view of Luton Hoo hotel. Look for a right turn after 300m.

(5) Turn right. The path now runs between two fields, sometimes along a hedge, sometimes between hedges. You continue in broadly the same direction (North East) for around 1 Km passing through some gates on the way.

The sections between hedges can be a little overgrown, but it should be possible to bypass these sections by walking along the field edge to the right.

(6) The path passes through a hedge and kissing gate to a broad track with a grassy area ahead. To visit the pub, see instructions below (C). Otherwise, turn left on the track and after the second group of houses on the left, bear right across a triangular grassy common.

Cross straight over the road at the far edge of the common and take the minor road ahead of you signposted for Darley Hall and Breachwood Green. Keep straight ahead at the first junction and look out for a bridleway to the left 300m further on.

(7) Take the bridleway left off the road. This soon curves right and becomes a broad, level track running between hedges for around 1 Km.

(8) Where the bridleway ends you turn sharp left to follow a footpath along a line of trees between fields. Where you meet a rough road turn right and you soon come to Someries farm and houses. As the road curves left in front of the main group of houses you come to an information board with (D) Someries Castle beyond. Pass through the gate to the right of the 'castle' and walk past the brick ruin.

(9) The path bears right away from the castle and right after passing through a fence. Continue with the fence on your right as the path curves left then drops to the right to meet the airport perimeter fence. Bear left, keeping the perimeter fence to your right.

Where the fence curves right and starts to climb, the path can be overgrown next to the fence. You will be able to find an easier, parallel route through the trees. You emerge in a grassy area with a great view. Take care here - there is a cliff beyond the remains of a fence.

(10) There is a fine view across Luton from here with the (E) DART air-rail transit system in the foreground. The urban landscape and the noise of planes, cars and trains may come as a shock after the peaceful rural country you have walked through.

Go down the steps in the right-hand corner. Turn left when you reach the road (Airport Way). After crossing the railway look out for a path on your left. Take this and go down ramps and steps to the cycleway. Here, turn right to retrace your steps to Luton Parkway station. (S/E)

"We hope you have enjoyed your walk. Please remember to rate the walk and add comments. We are interested in how we could improve the instructions or the route and would like to hear about any issues with paths on the walk."

Start: Luton Airport Parkway station, (TL 105 205). Grid ref. TL 104 205

Parking: There is paid for parking at Parkway station. Parking in the adjacent retail park is for "patrons only". You may find free parking at the south end of Park Street (TL101201) from where there is a pedestrian route to the station.

Local transport: Regular trains between London St. Pancras and Bedford. Direct buses to Welwyn/Hatfield (Centrebus 366), Stevenage (Centrebus 44), Dunstable (Busway A). There are more connections through the centre of Luton.

Alternative start: Park in the centre of Peter's Green and join the walk at point 6. You then skip the section from the start of the disused railway line to and from Parkway station.

Terrain: An easy walk, with steady ascents. There are steps on the descent from the airport to the station. Paths are generally good. Total ascent: 120m.

Food & Drink: The Bright Star in Peter's Green about 500m from the route at point 6

(A) Hertford, Luton & Dunstable Railway: You follow the line of the Hertford, Luton & Dunstable Railway. It opened in 1860 due to demand from Luton, then the largest English town without a railway or canal. Luton was too important to be served by a single-track branch line and in 1868 the mainline Midland Railway passed through Luton on its way north.

Initially the branch line had enough commuter and freight traffic to support it but with the rise of motor car use traffic fell and it was axed as part of the Beeching changes in 1965. Fifty years later the line of the track is hard to see in places, but this section is particularly pleasant, shaded in places by mature sycamore trees that would have spread along the railway line.

(B) Luton Hoo AND LOCAL CELEBRITIES: From the summit of the cycleway there is a fine view across to the park around Luton Hoo, designed by Capability Brown. The house itself is hidden by trees from here. It was once a stately home and is now a luxury hotel. There are benches to recover your breath and a collection of iron silhouettes of personalities with a Luton connection.

(C) Peter's Green and Pub: To reach Peter's Green from Waypoint 6 your footpath runs along the wooden fence you see ahead of you leading towards the water tower on the horizon. You reach the village in 400m and the Bright Star pub is to your right. Retrace your steps to continue the walk.

(D) Someries Castle: Actually a fortified manor house rather than a castle, Someries was built in the 15th Century by Sir John Wenlock (who reputedly still haunts the ruins). It is significant as one of the first brick buildings in England. What remains is the gatehouse incorporating a chapel and lodge. The rest of the manor house is visible only as earthworks.

(E) The Luton Dart connects Luton Airport Parkway station and Luton Airport using a Cable Liner automated people mover system. DART is an acronym for Direct Air-Rail Transit. The line, which opened in March 2023, replaces the shuttle bus service, with the aim of reducing road congestion and reducing journey times from London St Pancras to the airport terminal to 32 minutes.