Icknield Way

Location: Buckinghamshire; Hertfordshire; Bedfordshire; Essex; Cambridgeshire; Suffolk

OS Maps: Explorer 181, 193, 209, 210, 229

The Icknield Way is unique among long distance tracks because it can claim to be 'the oldest road in Britain'. It consists of prehistoric pathways, ancient when the Romans came and is dotted with archaeological remains. It survives today in splendid tracks and green lanes along the chalk spine of southern England. The route begins at Ivinghoe Beacon, where it links with the Ridgeway National Trail and ends at Knettishall Heath where it connects to the Peddars Way National Trail. The Icknield Way Path takes the walker over some delightful country, often with striking panoramic views, through some charming villages and along miles of beautiful 'green lanes'.

This route can easily be completed in 7 days, walking about 15 miles each day. The Icknield Way Association guide book provides a suggested itinerary based upon this as follows:
Day 1 - Ivinghoe Beacon to Luton Leagrave Station (21 km)
Day 2 - Luton Leagrave Station to Baldock (26 km)
Day 3 - Baldock to Royston (19 km)
Day 4 - Royston to Linton (29 km)
Day 5 - Linton to Cheveley (26 km)
Day 6 - Cheveley to Icklingham (22 km)
Day 7 - Icklingham to Knettishall Heath (26 km)

Connections The Icknield Way connects with The Ridgeway National Trail at its start and the Peddars Way National Trail at its end.

Guide Book: [Click for further information or to purchase]

The Icknield Way Path by Icknield Way Association. The Icknield Way Association has worked for 15 years to work out this walkers' route and to obtain official recognition of it, and has now produced this fourth edition of its guide, including for the first time a link to Thetford. There is sufficient detail in the guide to follow the recommended route using either the written description or the sketch maps or both. The guide includes introductory sections on geology, archaeology, flora and bird life. There are some short notes on places of interest along the way.