Distance: Approximately 6.5 miles or 10 km
Time: 2.5 hours
Terrain: flat/slopes/bridges/grass paths/pavements
Eat/Toilet Stop: No.
General Information: This walk begins (and ends) at the Ferry Meadows Visitors Centre
and joins the river at Milton Ferry bridge where we pick up 'Sheepwash Walk'. Looping back to Milton Ferry Bridge, we then join the Green Wheel path towards Bretton and follow the public footpath through to Milton Ferry Golf Course, returning via a short path through Bretton, where we rejoin Ferry Meadows at Bluebell Walk.
Look out for the Red Information along the route for places of interest.
1. Starting at the Ferry Meadows Visitor Centre (X) turn left.
2 . At this signpost, bear right.
3. When you reach this bridge, go over it and turn right towards the Pontoon Bridge.
4. Cross over the Pontoon Bridge, and then turn left.
5. Bear right here and follow this path all the way to Milton Ferry Bridge.
6. Cross over the bridge and take the sharp right-hand path beside the river.
7. Turn left here...
...then go left again onto Sheepwash Walk.
8. At the end of the path, turn right towards Milton Ferry Bridge...
...then go right, up the hill.
9. When you reach the underpass, turn left and go through...
...then turn left again.
10. Turn right here..
...and go left onto the footpath.
11. Go over the stile.
This footpath runs through the private Milton Park estate
so please keep to the pathway.
12. Go over the stile.
13. Go over the stile and turn left.
14. When you reach here, head towards the 'X',
then go through the gate ...
...and follow the path.
Cross over the grassed area and head towards the 'X'.
15. Head towards the stile at 'X'
Go over the Stile, then turn left.
16. Go over the stile and cross diagonally over the (horse) field to the woods opposite,
bearing right as you go.
17. Go over the stile and follow the path through the woods.
18. Turn right at the end of the path.
19. Join the grass path.
20. Turn right into the woods.
21. In front of you is Milton Park Golf Course, head in the direction of the 'X''s in the photos below.
This footpath needs concentration to negotiate, it isn't completely straight and gently zig-zags between trees and bunkers. Keep your eye out for the white tree notices and Nene Park arrows and watch out for flying golf balls!
If you look to your left now, beautiful Milton Hall will come into view.
Milton Hall was the inspiration behind Daphne du Maurier's novel 'Rebecca'.
Daphne visited the hall (when she was ten) in 1917 when it was being used as a hospital for wounded soldiers. It's one of the largest private houses in England.
22. Go over the stile and head towards the 'X'.
23. Join the path and cross over the little weir bridge.
Then bear right across the field...
...and head towards the 'X'
24. Cross over the stile and turn right...
...then head in the direction of the arrow.
25. Follow the path beside the fence.
26. Cross over the stile.
27. Cross over the stile and head towards the 'X'.
28. Cross over the stile and follow the path.
29. Turn left...
..then turn left again and join the pathway into Bretton.
You will now take a short 5 -10 minute walk through a housing estate.
30. Follow the path, bearing left here.
31. Cross over the road and turn right...
...then turn right again at the roundabout.
32. Follow the path alongside the road then follow the sign here...
...and continue on straight ahead.
33. Turn left and go back through the underpass...
...then turn right.
34. Turn left into Bluebell Wood.
35.. At this junction turn right (or left to Milton Ferry Bridge) and follow the signs back to Ferry Meadows Visitors Centre.
(Turn right at the end of the path and cross the large river bridge, then go straight ahead and take the next left over the small river bridge and the path will take you directly to the Visitor Centre)
That's the end of your walk. Please let us know how you got on!
