Ouse Valley Way

Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Milton Keynes, Norfolk, Northamptonshire

A source-to-sea route on one of England's longest rivers, it follows the River Great Ouse on its meandering passage from close to its source to the tidal river at Kings Lynn, linking many towns and villages. It passes through Stowe Park to reach Buckingham, then fringes north of Milton Keynes and Newport Pagnell. It heads via Emberton Country Park to Sharnbrook (with H E Bates connections) and visits Bedford's Priory Park and passes a Danish Camp at Willingdon, then links St Neots, Huntingdon (Cromwell's birthplace), St Ives and Earith. After Earith, the Dutch engineer Vermuyden worked to shorten the river across the Hundred Foot Washes, while the Way keeps along the Old West River where the Stretham Old Engine tells the story of the draining of the Fens. Before Ely, with its cathedral visible on the skyline, it meets the River Cam, and after Ely it runs in common with the Fen Rivers Way, crossing the Bedford Level to Downham Market and Kings Lynn, where the river finally flows out into the Wash.

As it passes from rolling Buckinghamshire countryside to reach open black-soiled fenland landscapes, now sunk some 10ft below the elevated riverbanks, it offers a mixture of riverside and canal walking, sections alongside old flooded gravel pits, and gentle countryside with few other climbs. Some stretches leave the river to avoid areas flood-prone in winter and there is some road walking, some alongside busy roads.

The former Ouse Valley Walk (13 miles) follows the River Great Ouse between Buckingham and Milton Keynes and connects with the North Bucks Way at Iron Viaduct.

October 2025 - The road bridge (and its footway) over the River Great Ouse near Thornton, Buckinghamshire (grid reference SP 751365) is reported to be closed for repairs. There is no serviceable foot alternative other than an unclassified road walk. The initial closure period is until May 2026.

---

Details:

Path Type:	Paths Marked on OS mapping
Waymark:	Named discs with two swans on water (Beds); swan, water and tree logo (Cambs)
Attributes:	Easy Canal River Heritage Industrial History Literary
Start:	SP630415 - King's Head Pub, Syresham, Northamptonshire
Finish:	TF616198 - Kings Lynn, Norfolk
Open Date:	2004
Web Sites:	Great Ouse Valley Trust - Ouse Valley Way Huntingdonshire DC - Ouse Valley Way Griffmonster - Ouse Valley Way posts [blog] British Walk #983: Ouse Valley Way: a linear walk between Buckingham and Syresham

---