Discover the top sights along the Marston Vale Railway Line, a 16-mile journey, connecting Bedford and Bletchley and weaving through the rural heart of Bedfordshire, one of England's smallest counties.
Once part of the Oxford-Cambridge varsity line, this route, closed in 1967, reopened in 2023 as a testament to a Community Rail Partnership .
Travel through charming villages and hamlets, offering a 45-minute glimpse into the soul of England. The Marston Vale Line invites you to hop on and off, discovering local attractions at your own pace from WWII code breakers to Formula 1 racing, waterskiing to woodland walks.
Along the way, encounter picturesque stone churches, heritage Victorian stations and glimpses of village life as well as traditional pubs, village greens and tranquil canal towpaths, embodying the unique English charm their names suggest.
Bletchley Park
Bletchley is perhaps best known for the WWII Enigma codebreakers. Delve into history at Bletchley Park (see our 2FOR1 offer), where top-secret code breaking unfolded. Explore The National Museum of Computing, Alan Turing’s office and huts filled with Enigma machines, unveiling how cryptography shaped WWII. A haven for history enthusiasts, the estate offers interactive exhibits. Conclude your journey with a pitstop in one of Bletchley Park's cafes for coffee and cake or indulge in posh afternoon tea at the mansion.
Nearest station: Bletchley 0.3 miles.
Fenny Stratford Towpath & Lock
The Fenny Stratford Towpath runs alongside the Grand Union Canal, offering a flat, easily accessible route ideal for walking, cycling and dog walking. Enjoy scenic canal views and observe local wildlife along this picturesque path. Discover historic remnants like a 19th-century ice house once used for storing canal boat cargo and the operational Fenny Lock from the 18th century, uniquely featuring a turntable bridge between its gates. Overlooking the lock is the 19th-century Red Lion Pub . The towpath links to nearby parks, providing picnic areas, and is the location of a two-day Canal Festival every August.
Nearest station: Fenny Stratford 0.3 miles.
Red Bull Racing
Discover the heart of Red Bull Racing at its F1 headquarters. Choose between a factory tour showcasing current car production or a visit to MK-7, housing former race winners and racing memorabilia. The factory tour unveils the machine's secretive inner workings, from developmental stages to assembling the Red Bull Racing RB19 in race bays. MK-7 recounts the journey with championship-winning cars and Formula One™ heritage. Explore the Heritage Workshop, witness milestones from Monaco 2006 to Max Verstappen's triumphs and marvel at seven World Driver Championships and six Constructors' Championships.
Nearest station: Bow Brickhill 0.3 miles.
Aspley Woods
Explore the sprawling Aspley Woods , covering 326 hectares of Bedfordshire countryside. Wander through conifer plantations, semi-ancient woodlands and heathland between Woburn Sands, Bow Brickhill and Aspley Guise. Scenic walks with cycling and horse riding along bridleways, provide far-reaching views towards Woburn Abbey and Milton Keynes. For adventurous souls, the woods are a haven for off-road cycling, featuring exciting mountain bike jumps with the right permits. Danesborough Camp, an Iron Age hillfort, is tucked within this ancient landscape managed by the Greensand Trust.
Nearest station: Woburn Sands 0.9 miles.
Aspley Guise
Set out on a historic walking tour of the village of Aspley Guise, revealing the secrets of landmarks like Guise House, Aspley House, Woodcote House and The Rookery. Dating back to the Domesday book, the village showcases 29 listed buildings and a storied past. Unearth wartime narratives, from WW2 evacuees in the main square to The Holt, now Moore Place Hotel , as a codebreaker hub. Stroll along The Mount, a crucial site in the Secret War, hosting French teams in isolation. Discover the village's evolution, exploring the church, The Square and lace-making cottages, remnants of a vibrant bygone era. Follow the Behind Closed Doors walk for deeper insights.
Nearest station: Aspley Guise 0.8 miles.
Ridgmont Heritage Centre
Explore Ridgmont's station and its award-winning Heritage Centre housed in a beautifully restored Victorian 'Gothic Orne' building. Relive the rail's golden age through a collection of memorabilia, offering a nostalgic glimpse into the past. The tearoom , set in the original ladies waiting room, serves breakfast, lunch and a 'sparkling' afternoon tea, complemented by an outdoor seating area. Browse the gift shop for railway memorabilia, locally made gifts, books and wall art. Children can enjoy the Marston Vale Line Symbol Spot Trail, collecting rubbings of spots at each station, including letters, numbers, shapes, map symbols, signs and rail safety items.
Nearest station: Ridgmont Station 0 miles.
Brogborough Lake
Skim the surface at Brogborough Lake , a 220-acre playground exclusively devoted to windsurfing and stand-up paddleboarding (SUP). As one of England's largest boat-free lakes, it's a haven for windsurfers chasing the wind or those seeking serene SUP adventures on calm days. Originally a clay pit for brick production, the lake has evolved into a scuba diving hotspot, and also draws in anglers with recent carp restocking. The relaxed atmosphere invites visitors to rent SUPs, windsurfing gear and wingsurfing equipment, offering lessons from just one hour for an exhilarating experience on the water.
Nearest station: Lidlington 0.7 miles.
Captain Sir Tom Moore Commemorative Bench
In tribute to inspirational fundraiser Captain Sir Tom Moore, a commemorative bench graces his local Millbrook Station. The 6-foot bench, designed for Marston Vale Community Rail Partnership, pays homage to Captain Tom's remarkable fundraising feat of more than £32 million for NHS Charities Together. It also honours the sacrifices made in the First and Second World Wars and the often overlooked Burma campaign. This bench, the second stage of the celebration at Millbrook Station, accompanies a special poem unveiled in 2020. The memorial stands as a testament to heroism and community spirit.
Nearest station: Millbrook 0 miles.
Forest of Marston Vale & Millennium Country Park
The Forest of Marston Vale and Millennium Country Park, spanning 61 square miles, underwent a remarkable transformation. From an industrial wasteland initially exploited for clay by Stewartby Brickworks, the region faced environmental challenges. In the early '90s, it earned the designation of a Community Forest, becoming home to 225 hectares of woodlands, meadows and wetlands. Explore the sensory garden, stroll through 13 woodlands or follow the Wetlands Trail in the Wetlands Nature Reserve with bird hides and a sand martin wall. The Forest Centre features a café, gift shop and outdoor play area, making it an ideal family destination.
Nearest station: Stewartby 0.7 miles.
Box End Park
Have a go at adrenaline-fuelled water-based adventure at the 100-acre family-owned Box End Park , with purpose-built lakes for waterskiing and wakeboarding. Relax in a Canadian cedar-style building offering an all-year-round restaurant, lakeside bar and a scenic decked terrace. Tackle the giant inflatable Aqua Park, master wakeboarding and waterskiing on a cable tow or experience refreshing open water swims. Seasonal highlights include enchanting moonlight swims and summer solstice dips. The site is also a haven for biodiversity, featuring mixed woodland, grassland and marginal habitats.
Nearest station: Kempston Hardwick 3 miles.
River Great Ouse
The River Great Ouse is a hub for leisurely outdoor pursuits. Wander or bike along the Victoria Embankment's tree-lined riverside promenade, passing Russell Park, Mill Meadows and Embankment Gardens, capturing the scenic Butterfly Bridge view. Cross this pedestrian bridge to reach Longholme boating lake or the bandstand. Head east towards Priory Country Park , featuring riverside trails, lakes, meadows, and gardens. Enjoy activities with the family like rowing boats, woodland trails, the kids’ play area and a café. In summer, river cruises aboard the John Bunyan Boat depart from Priory Quay for a gentle experience on the water.
Nearest station: Bedford St Johns 0.5 miles
Bedford
Discover the rich history of Bedford , once a thriving market town. Explore museums, stroll through parks and learn about the town's past shaped by the River Great Ouse. Brewing, initiated in the Victorian era, continues at Brewpoint brewhouse. The town's history unfolds at River Street and St Paul’s Church , believed to be the burial site of 1st-century King Offa. Experience Bedford's heritage at The Higgins Bedford , home to Cecil Higgins Museum and Bedford Museum. Reportedly where afternoon tea originated in the 1840s, enjoy a taste of history at Cloverdale Retreat and Anna’s Tea Room for a classic afternoon tea at the Swan Hotel. Lastly, enjoy a waterside view at Riverside Bedford , where you can enjoy a cocktail or glass of wine, and choose from a number of restaurants including Turkish Mediterranean eatery, Olive Tree .
Nearest station: Bedford 0.5 miles
£1 tickets between Bletchley and Bedford.
Travel between Bletchley and Bedford for only £1 for a limited time only! Explore the wonderful sights and attractions on the Marston Vale line with this incredible offer. From 19/02/24 to 19/05/24, you can get £1 single tickets (£2 return) between Bletchley and Bedford. Book your tickets now and enjoy a great day out!
- The promoter of this offer is London Northwestern Railway – operated by West Midlands Trains.
- The £1 offer is valid for single tickets (£2 return), for journeys wholly made on the Marston Vale line between Bletchley and Bedford.
- The promotion is based on per ticket.
- All normal discount schemes remain in place for these fares, subject to any associated terms and conditions.
- It is important to note that there are no changes to Season tickets within this offer.
- Purchases are valid for travel only on the date shown on your ticket, and subject to any restrictions shown on the ticket.
- Tickets are subject to normal refund and exchange terms and conditions. See our Refunds & Exchanges for full information.