Two Moors Heritage Trail
Introduction
This gentle walk is a good introduction to the landscape of the area. The route passes several sites of interest for their wildlife or history - information boards provide details along the way. Car Parking is available on Maulden Road and Station Road.
General Information
Distance: 5 miles (8 km) Time: 2.5 Hours
Refreshments: There is a pub and shop in Station Road, Flitwick.
Start/Finish Point
Flitwick Mill. OS reference TL042347
Route Information
Click here for the route information and map.
Points of Interest
Starting at Flitwick Mill on the outskirts of Flitwick, the walk follows the River Flit, which used to power several mills in the area. The mill at Greenfield was demolished in 1971.
On Maggots Moor the course of the river is marked by meandering depressions, edged by trees growing on the old riverbanks. The Flit once flowed through the old pastures you cross on the way to Flitton where you will see the 500 year old church and the de Grey mausoleum, one of the most important in England. Access information is available at the church. At the end of Brook Lane, the walk goes around Flitton Moor. Part of what was once a much larger wet moorland, it provides a mixture of habitats that support a wide range of wildlife. The bridle path to Ruxox Farm takes you through an area where people have lived for over 6,000 years. The most obvious feature is the large "D" shaped moat marking the site of a Grange that once supplied farm produce to Dunstable Priory. Many Roman remains have been found in this area.
The final part of the walk takes in Flitwick Moor, a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The swamp and wet woodland you see today hide a history of peat extraction and the 'famous' medicinal Flitwick Waters.
Acknowlegements
This leaflet was funded by the Greensand Country Landscape Partnership with help from Central Beds Council, Flitwick Town Council, and Flitton & Greenfield Parish Council. Works and events on the Trail are supported by the Greensand Trust and volunteers from the Parish Paths Partnership (P3). More information about the Flitwick and District Heritage Group can be seen on their new website which has wildlife & history information of the area covered by the trail: