Luton Walks
This Befordshire based town has nice walks along the River Lea and is also close to the Chilterns Hills AONB where there are excellent walking opportunites. Other highlights include Wardown Park in the town, the nearby Luton Hoo Park and the popular Barton Hills National Nature Reserve.
This circular walk from the town visits some of the highlights to the north using a few of the waymarked footpaths which run through the area. You'll use sections of the Lea Valley Walk, the John Bunyan Trail and the Icknield Way Path to visit Sharpenhoe Clappers and Barton Hills to the north of the town. On the way there's waterside sections along the River Lea and excellent views from the hill tops.
The walk starts in the town centre just to the west of the train station. From here you can follow waymarked footpaths north along the River Lea through Wardown Park towards Limbury. Here you could take a small detour west from the route to visit the source of the river on Leagrave Common.
This route continues north to Warden Hill and Galley Hill along the Icknield Way Path. You then pass Stonley Wood and the Hill fort at Ravensburgh Castle before coming to the Barton Hills Nature Reserve. There's lots of wildlife here and fine views to the Chiltern Hills from the elevated position of the reserve.
The route then passes through the village of Barton le Clay before turning west to visit the Sharpenhoe Clappers. There's an Iron Age Hill Fort, a beech wood and more excellent views to enjoy here. The site is located just east of Toddington and Sundon Hills Country Park so you could take a slight detour from the route to visit this pretty park.
The path then heads south along the John Bunyan Trail to the Smithcombe Valley and the village of Streatley. The trail leads you back into Luton where you pick up the river path again and follow it back towards the town centre.
Luton Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Luton Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Luton OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Luton Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Pubs/Cafes
The Bricklayers Arms is located close to the train station. The old fashioned pub has a good range of ales and a decent menu. You can find the pub at 16-18 High Town Rd, Luton LU2 0DD.
Dog Walking
The country and woodland trails make for a fine dog walk. The Bricklayers Arms mentioned above is also dog friendly.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
To continue your walking around Luton head south to visit Luton Hoo. Here you'll find a fine English country house surrounded by beautiful parkland and gardens.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Bedfordshire Walks and Chilterns Walks pages.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
Boat house and lake in Wardown Park, Luton. Lottery money is now restoring this once-much-used building.
Source of the Lea. Hidden away on a council estate in darkest Luton, the Lea begins its journey to Thames in East London from here.
View South from Warden Hill, Luton. This was taken on the South edge of Warden Hill to the NE of Luton, looking South.
On the John Bunyan Trail heading towards Barton Hills
The Fence Post marking Barton Hills Nature Reserve. Looking down the glen to Leet Wood
Sharpenhoe Clappers country park (National Trust) looking NNE with the Pulloxhill water tower visible near the horizon.
Streatley Village Pond. There is a notice board with details of local wildlife.
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Farmland (pasture) and grazing sheep seen from the Lea valley Walk adjacent to the Lower Luton Road, Bedfordshire