Days out
The Marston Vale Line offers an opportunity to view some wonderful countryside in Greensand Country at your leisure, with plenty of history along the way too!
Symbol Spot
Families can collect a free Symbol Spot pack with a valid rail ticket from the Bedford and Bletchley Stations or Ridgmont Station Heritage Centre during normal opening hours.
Walks and Cycle Rides
There are walks and cycle rides between most of the Marston Vale Line stations.
Take a look at the Let’s Go website to find out where they are.
Explore the beautiful ancient woodland between Aspley Guise & Woburn Sands within easy reach of both stations. Download the Enjoy & Explore Aspley Guise walk leaflet here.
Explore the Millennium Country Park and surrounding countryside to Lidlington and Folly Wood.
Take a break at Millbrook Station to see Marston Vale CRP’s unique bench and poem dedicated to Captain Sir Tom Moore.
Parking is available at the Forest Centre (charges apply).
Refreshments are available at the Forest Centre and the Green Man in Lidlington.
Discover days out by bike on a train with the new Beds & Herts Line Cycle Leaflet.
Bedford
Bedford town centre is just a short walk from either Bedford Midland or Bedford St Johns, with a wide range of chain stores, independent shops, cafes and restaurants, and fantastic markets most days of the week. You can find a full list on Explore Bedford.
Take a stroll along the stunning Victorian Embankment along the River Great Ouse or take to the water with a cruise on the John Bunyan Community Boat.
There are three fascinating museums to explore in the Cultural Quarter:
All free entry with regular temporary exhibitions and family activities in school holidays.
Riverside Bedford is just a few minutes’ walk from Bedford St Johns with ample opportunities for dining out or just a drink. Catch the latest blockbuster at the Vue Cinema.
There is a 25% discount for rail passengers at Gallone’s Ice Cream https://www.gallones.co.uk/our-parlours/bedford-parlour & Pavilion at the Park https://www.bedfordpavilion.co.uk
Gallone's is in the town centre on the Arcade & Pavilion at the Park is just a short walk away.
Forest Centre and Millennium Country Park
Millbrook is the ideal place to explore the spectacular Millennium County Park at the heart of the Forest of Marston Vale.
It’s a pleasant walk or cycle ride on surfaced paths to the Forest Centre with its gift shop and lakeside café. There is a 10% discount for rail passengers in the Lakeside Café.
Before heading off to the Millennium Country Park do have a look at Marston Vale CRP’s unique bench and poem dedicated to Captain Sir Tom Moore.
Cycles can be hired from the Forest Centre to explore the Millennium Country Park or the nearby Route 51 of the National Cycle Network.
Ridgmont Station Heritage Centre
The jewel in the crown of the Line can be found at Ridgmont – home of the award winning Ridgmont Station Heritage Centre with museum, gift shop, tourist information point and the vintage tea room.
You can order breakfast or a light lunch and afternoon tea.
Ridgmont Station Walks
There are a variety of circular and linear walks starting from the Heritage Centre including
Aspley Guise to Fenny Stratford
Aspley Guise is the home of HULA Animal Rescue just a few minutes’ walk from the station.
There are a number of resident animals in addition to pets waiting for new homes.
Woburn Sands is an attractive town with two large garden centres, Frosts and Woburn Sands Emporium both a short walk from the station.
Explore the beautiful ancient woodland between Aspley Guise & Woburn Sands within easy reach of both stations. Download the Enjoy & Explore Aspley Guise walk leaflet here.
The Station Tavern adjacent to the station is open all day serving breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Hop off the train at Fenny Stratford for walks along the Grand Union Canal.
Fenny Stratford is also the home of MK Dons FC.
Bletchley and Milton Keynes
Bletchley has a variety of independent shops & chain stores within easy walking distance of the station. There are also regular markets and community events arranged by Bletchley and Fenny Stratford Town Council.
Bletchley Park home of the Code Breakers is on the doorstep of the station. There is a 2 for 1 Bletchley Park discount for rail pasengers. For more information visit the Days Out Guide website.
Bletchley Park tickets are Annual Season Passes so you can return as many times as you like for a year after your first visit. Advance booking required.
Change trains at Bletchley for the short journey to Milton Keynes where there is a wealth of shops and attractions, including some impressive urban park lands, interesting architecture and sculptures.
Enjoy a cruise from Campbell Wharf on the new Milton Keynes Community Boat Electra.
Leighton Buzzard and Beyond!
Also change at Bletchley for the short journey to Leighton Buzzard a traditional market town with a large number of independent shops and Leighton Buzzard Railway just a bus ride from the station!
Fancy exploring further afield? Change trains at Bedford for services to London and the South East on the Thameslink network. The Scenic Rail website is packed with ideas
Also change at Bedford for services on the East Midlands Railway Network.
Change at Bletchley for London Northwestern Railway services to London, Birmingham and the North West.
Happy travelling!
Thinking about travelling? Why not listen to our new audio journey: On Track in Greensand Country
Join Terry Lee and Lawrie Hallett as they take the approximately 45 minute journey by rail on the Marston Vale Line. They’ll be alighting at some of the stations too, learning about some of the local greensand landscape, history and characters along the way.
Listeners can take the journey from Bedford to Bletchley or Bletchley to Bedford.
Greensand Country is a beautiful and loved landscape. It is defined by the Greensand Ridge, a band of higher ground stretching from Leighton Buzzard to Gamlingay, which rises out of the surrounding vales to create a locally unique environment.
Many thanks to the University of Bedfordshire and all the volunteers involved!
‘On Track’ was shortlisted in the 'Arts and Creative Radio of the Year' category in the 2021 Community Radio Awards.