The Grand Union Canal

Head to Great Brickhill in North Buckinghamshire for a wander over the Greensand Ridge and along the Grand Union Canal WORDS & PHOTOS: Steve Davison

The walk sets out along a country lane for a while before heading through fields up towards Great Brickhill following a section of the Milton Keynes Boundary Walk, a 63-mile walk that circles Milton Keynes. The village of Great Brickhill, which lies on a ridge of Cretaceous aged sandstone known locally as The Greensand Ridge, was mentioned in the Domesday Book and since that time the manor has had only four owners. William the Conqueror gave the manor to Earl Hugh of Chester and in 1170 it passed to the de Grey family. The manor came into the possession of Sir Thomas Somerset for while during the 16th century, before it was bought by William Duncombe of Ivinghoe; the Duncombe’s and their relatives have owned the manor since that time, although the old manor house was demolished in the 1930’s.

The village has a number of historic buildings, parts of St Mary’s Church date from 13th century whilst along Rotten Row there is the old Bake House, home to the village bakery until the 1980’s and a 17th-century thatched cottage. The small village green – known as The Three Trees due to its stand of three trees – sits opposite The Old Red Lion pub which dates back to the 16th century. We soon leave the village behind and head down through part of Rushmere Country Park, a large expanse of mixed woodland, lowland heath and meadow straddling the Buckinghamshire/Bedfordshire border, before skirting round the southern edge of Alders Farm Fishery Lakes. A short climb takes us back over the Greensand Ridge before heading down to the River Ouzel; the river rises in the Chilterns and flows northwards to join the River Great Ouse at Newport Pagnall. The final leg of the walk follows the towpath alongside the tranquil waters of the Grand Union Canal. Originally known as the Grand Junction Canal when it opened in 1799, the canal was built to give a direct link between London and Birmingham.

1. (SP882308) – From the parking area turn right along the verge to a junction and turn right (signposted Great Brickhill 1½) to cross the canal and follow the minor road for two thirds of a mile; on the way crossing the River Ouzel, then passing a surfaced track junction on the left, then one on the right and at the next one on the left, turn right through a gate into the field (footpath sign). Follow the hedge on the right to the corner and turn left still following the field edge. At the corner turn right, fence on right and enter a field. Turn left along the enclosed path and head uphill with a fence on the right and wall on the left. Go through a gate and keep ahead – take a rest on the way and enjoy the views. Go through a gate and keep ahead along the path. Leave through another gate and bear left (straight on) along the lane to a junction beside the Church of St Mary the Virgin in Great Brickhill.

2. (SP901307) – Turn right for a short way and then fork left along Rotten Row for 350m passing the old Bake House (right) and thatched cottage (left). At the T-junction turn right down Pound Hill to reach a staggered four-way junction and village green opposite the Old Red Lion pub. Turn left along Heath Road for 50m and then fork right down Cuff Lane. At the end keep ahead down the track past a waterworks and soon cross a footbridge over a stream. Go through a gate to enter Rushmere Country Park (there is a map and information board). Keep straight on (right) signposted to Rushmere, keep ahead ignoring a route on the left and then right. At the marker post bear right, ignore a crossing route and head down to a wide track and path junction.

3. (SP908292) – Turn right down the path, later becoming a track and skirting round a fishing lake. Keep to the gravel track gently uphill to a road at a junction. Turn right for 25m and then left across the road to follow the track (driveway for Furze Hill) for 5m, then fork right along the bridleway. Soon go through a gate and follow the enclosed route downhill, admiring the views on the way. Bear left (straight on) along the track and ignore a track to the right, passing Paper Mill Farm.

4. (SP892294) – Cross a bridge, then pass a house and cross another bridge over the River Ouzel. Continue along the tarred drive for 275m. Just before the canal bridge fork right on a path and then turn right along the towpath. Follow the canal for slightly under half a mile to reach Stoke Hammond Lock. Continue under the bridge and continue along the towpath for a further three quarters of a mile and just before the bridge, fork right up the steps to the road. Turn left to cross the canal and at the T-junction, turn left along the verge back to the parking area.

sources: Berkshire Life, August 2018

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