Icknield Way
The Icknield Way is said to be the "the oldest road in Britain", starting at Ivinghoe Beacon in Buckinghamshire and finishing at Knettishall Heath in Norfolk a distance of 110 miles. At Ivinghoe Beacon it connects to the Ridgeway Path, and at Knettishall Heath it connects to the Peddars Way forming, along with the Wessex Ridgeway, a continuous path from Lyme Regis in Dorset to Hunstanton on the Norfolk coast, a path known as The Greater Ridgeway. Much more information can be gained from the Icknield Way Association: www.icknieldwaypath.co.uk/
There is effectively a South West Extension to the Icknield Way of around 18 miles, not shown in the guidebook but marked on Ordnance Survey maps, which we show on a separate table to the main route. This site is intended for anyone who loves the countryside and wishes to find accommodation, camping, pubs, restaurants, camping shops and public transport on or close to long-distance footpaths.
To make use of this site you do not have to walk the whole Icknield Way, nor even part of it, but if you do, good luck to you.
Not only do we show you where to find accommodation and places to eat and drink (click in table below), but we show the guidebooks and maps required, and make them available to buy online.
Icknield Way Mileages and Services Table
Click on a location in the table to open up the page containing accommodation and other services.
NOTE: Figures after the `+' sign indicates miles off route
| LOCATION | CUMULATIVE MILES |
FACILITIES |
|---|---|---|
| Tring | 5 miles off | Accommodation (H,B&B),R,PH,Train,Bus |
| Ivinghoe Beacon | - | None! |
| Whipsnade | 5 | Accommodation (H),R,Bar |
| Dunstable | 6¾ + 1½ | Accommodation (H,B&B),R,PH,Bus |
| Chalk Hill | 10 | PH,Bus |
| Houghton Regis | 11 + ¼ | R,PH,Bus |
| Wingfield | 12¼ | PH,R,Bus |
| Toddington | 14 + ¾ | Accommodation (H,B&B),R,PH,,Bus |
| Upper Sundon | 15¾ | PH,Bus |
| Streatley | 20 | Accommodation (Inn,B&B),R,PH,Bus |
| Pirton | 27 | R,PH,Bus |
| Ickleford | 30 | Accommodation (Inn),PH,Bus |
| Letchworth | 33 | Accommodation (H,B&B),R,PH,Train,Bus |
| Baldock | 35 | Accommodation (H,B&B),R,PH,Train,Bus |
| Royston | 46 | Accommodation (H,B&B),R,PH,Train,Bus |
| Heydon | 53 | Accommodation (B&B),PH,Bus |
| Chrishall | 54¼ | R,PH,Bus |
| Elmdon | 55½ | R,PH |
| Great Chesterford | 60 | Accommodation (H),R,PH,Train,Bus |
| Linton | 64 | Accommodation (Inn,B&B),R,PH |
| Balsham | 69 | Accommodation H,R,PH |
| Brinkley | 75 | PH,Bus |
| Burrough Green | 76 | PH,Bus |
| Stetchworth | 78 | Accommodation (B&B),PH,Bus |
| Cheveley | 80 | Accommodation (H,B&B),PH |
| Ashley | 81 | Accommodation (B&B),R,PH,Bus |
| Gazeley | 87 | R,PH,Bus |
| Kentford | 89 + ½ | PH,R,Train (1½m) |
| Tuddenham | 92 | Accommodation (H),R,PH,Bus |
| Icklingham | 94 | Accommodation (Inn),R,PH |
| Barrows Corner | 101 | Link to Thetford |
| Knettishall Heath | 110 | Car Park! |
South West Extension: Bledlow to Ivinghoe Beacon
| LOCATION | CUMULATIVE MILES |
FACILITIES |
|---|---|---|
| Bledlow | 0 + ¾ | R,PH,Bus |
| Princes Risborough | 2¾ + ¼ | Accommodation (H,B&B),R,PH,train,Bus |
| Wendover | 9 + ¼ | Accommodation (H,B&B),R,PH,Train,Bus |
| Wigginton | 14½ | Accommodation (Inn,B&B),PH,Bus |
| Cow Roast | 15¾ | R,PH,Bus |
| Aldbury | 17¾ | Accommodation (Inn),R,PH,Bus |
Legend
| B&B | Bed & Breakfast Accommodation |
| C | Camping |
| CG | Camping Gear Shop |
| H | Hotel or Inn Accommodation |
| PH | Pub or Bar |
| R | Restaurant, Bar Meal or Tea Shop |
| YHA | Youth Hostel |
Icknield Way Accommodation
We have split the Icknield Way accommodation into Hotels & Inns and Bed & Breakfast. We use the word Inn in its true sense of a pub which provides accommodation, rather than just a romantic name for a pub. Guest House accommodation is included with Bed & Breakfast. While we realise many guest houses are better than some hotels, in order to avoid confusion we have opted for the simpler option.
We are always looking to improve our information, and welcome accommodation recommendations.
Icknield Way Restaurants and Pubs
We have attempted to give as much information as possible on pubs and restaurants along the Icknield Way, especially regarding pubs serving real ale and/or food. However, restaurants and pubs are notoriously changeable. Please let us know if our information is out of date.
Icknield Way Guidebooks & Maps
The one dedicated book for the Icknield Way is only available through the Icknield Way Association: www.icknieldwaypath.co.uk/shop_on-line.htm
However, Cicerone's "The Greater Ridgeway" includes the Icknield Way, and is excellent value. As usual, we advise buying two guidebooks if possible, as one will complement the other in route description and other information.
We have greatly improved our Ramblefest-Amazon store and made it very easy to find the books and maps required for your walk. Please click on the Guidebook or Map image to be taken to the relevant guidebooks and maps for the Icknield Way, many other outdoors books and maps, and the option of buying them online.
Icknield Way Forum
We have added a forum for those wishing to place or gain additional information or opinion on the various aspects of the Wessex Ridgeway long-distance footpath: Icknield Way Forum
Icknield Way Public Transport
We have included, wherever known, public transport information on the relevant Icknield Way location pages. In addition, we have placed the whole public transport info on one page for planning the walk in advance: Icknield Way Public Transport
Icknield Way Photographs and Logs
We want to display as many photographs as possible of the Wessex Ridgeway, and there is always room for your photographs and walk logs - just email them to us. Alternatively, if you have them online you can send us the link.
Icknield Way Weblinks
The most important link is the Icknield Way Association:
Personal Logs and Photos
www.annierak.hoofbags.me.uk/icknieldway.html
www.britishwalks.org/walks/Named/IcknieldWay.php
We are always looking to include long-distance path photographs and walk logs. Please email them to us or, if they are already online, send us the link.
Contact us
If you wish to add comments or amendments, be added to our free listing, or wish to upgrade to Superior Listing, please email us:
