Stevington Countryside Walk

Below the Church of St Mary the virgin gushes a spring of water reputed to never run dry. This was a place of pilgrimage for people during the middle ages; the water was said to cure eye problems. The area is preserved by the Hunts and Beds Wildlife Trust because of the splendid growth of the wild Butterbur flower. According to tradition, the large leaves of this plant were used for wrapping butter, which is how it got its English name. Inside the church are some remarkable 15th century carvings of animals and men. Two men are lapping from bowls, while two are lounging in as drunken state. These carvings may be linked to church ale, maintained by a gift of seven acres in the 15th century. Beyond the church in Court Lane is another building with religious associations - the Baptist meeting house, built in 1720.

Stevington's restored 1770 postmill revolved on a central pivot and was in full working order until about 1936. Then in 1951 the county council carried out extensive restoration work to celebrate the Festival of Britain. The cloth-coloured sails, which had to be controlled by hand in windy conditions, were replaced in 1957. It is thought an earlier mill known as Miller's Piece stood near Turvey and the railway line, on higher ground.

The walk leaves Stevington and follows the River Great Ouse to West End before returning to Stevington and then heads south-west to Moat Farm where a choice can be made. The featured walk and GPS files head over country fields to Tythe Farm, Northampton Road and Skylark Cottage while a shortcut can be made between Moat Farm and Skylark Cottage by following the old railway line. Either way from Skylark Cottage the finale of the walk visits Stevington Windmill. A fitting end to a lovely walk.