Great Ouse Odyssey – stage 6: Great Barford to Brampton

This is stage six of the Great Ouse Odyssey, a hike along the Ouse Valley Way, from the mouth to the source of the River Great Ouse, the fourth longest river in the UK.

Today’s hike was just over 20 miles in length and walked in early August. The map below shows where I’ve walked so far (orange line), where I walked on this stage (red) and where I still have to walk (yellow).  The map is just to give an idea, it’s not an accurate route map or anything.


View Great Ouse Odyssey in a larger map

I took the train to my starting point, the town of Sandy in Bedfordshire.  I had three or so miles of cross-country hiking before arriving at the river Great Ouse.

On my way I passed the delightful River Ivel, a tributary of the Great Ouse.

The River Ivel at Sandy
The River Ivel at Sandy

I joined the Ouse at Great Barford.

The river Great Ouse at Great Barford
The river Great Ouse at Great Barford

Barford bridge, built in the 15th century, looked beautiful from the riverside.

Great Barford bridge
Great Barford bridge

I kept an eye out for Otters as I walked but they kept themselves well hidden away…

Otters!
Otters!

I couldn’t always see the river as the banks were often overgrown with trees, bushes and reeds.  Every now and again I caught a tantalising glimpse of water.

River Great Ouse
River Great Ouse

Just outside St Neots I came across some excellent ‘street art’.  I should really have noted down the artist’s name to give him/her proper credit, oh well.

Street art at St Neots
Street art at St Neots

The river traffic at St Neots was busy-busy.

River traffic at St Neots
River traffic at St Neots

Leaving St Neots I passed a friendly cow.

Cow on the path
Cow on the path

I saw blackberries growing alongside the riverbank, free food! I stopped, foraged and gorged myself.

Free food!
Free food!

I continued my way north towards Brampton, where the hike would finish.  The river was now constantly in view, I was feeling tired as I approached 20 miles but felt happy and very glad to be where I was.

I saw some nice looking wild camping locations along the way, the one below was particularly enticing.

Wild camp?
Wild camp?

What is the location?  Ah well, let’s just say that you’ll find it somewhere between Sandy and Brampton, on the banks of the River Great Ouse.

8 thoughts on “Great Ouse Odyssey – stage 6: Great Barford to Brampton

  1. V.beautiful . loved the blackberries. Glad you induced me to walk 0.5 mile to meet you at the Brampton end of the Ouse. Gloriouse tranqulity + scenes of swans , green grazing fields,old hedgerows , stately willows and oaks.

  2. Enjoyed that Martin. Beautiful scenery. Loved the “street art”, the friendly cow, and the wild camping site. It all looks marvellous. Looking forward to viewing the next blog.
    Love, Mum

  3. Hi Martin, you walked 20 miles! wow! that’s amazing! How long did it take?I’m enjoying your blog and the map! 🙂

  4. AHHHH! SO MUCH BEAUTY IN ONE POST.

    Sorry, I don’t normally yell, but it seemed appropriate there.
    I was just disapointed there were no otters.

    This country you live in – so lovely.

    I went on a footpath in Greatham and thought of you.

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