Three ghosts are alleged to haunt Footpath No. 4 in Kensworth. These consist of a headless milkmaid, a witch and Shuck (Anglo-Saxon scucca or sceocca: Satan) a one eyed black retriever. The footpath runs between Common Road and Hollicks Lane and is also known as the Coffin Route. The reason for its more gruesome name is because in the past people who could not afford a hearse to take a body to the St Mary’s churchyard at Church End would carry the coffin along the path.

The approach to the footpath from Common Road in Kensworth takes you down a wide, dirt road into the field. This path has been found to be very wet and muddy even during dry weather as if there is a natural spring in the road. Because of this it is best to start at the opposite end of the path and walk towards Kensworth. If you are driving the best place to park is just in front of St Mary the Virgin in Church End. The church has a large parking area under the trees directly opposite to Hollicks Lane (the lane actually turns through a right angle and passes just in front of the church). From the car park you walk up Hollicks Lane, towards Kensworth, which rises steeply upwards under a canopy of trees and as there are no lights so it is very dark and creepy. The only light nearby comes from a lamp in the church yard which is only on when you are near it. Walking up the hill you will soon come to the entrance to the footpath which lies on the left hand side of the road. From here the path runs in a fairly straight line towards Kensworth.

To view a map of the area click on the button below



See also - Bedfordshire - Church End - Church Path

To view images see: Kensworth Album

To view reports about Footpath No. 4 see: 13-10-2006 and 13-04-2007

Kensworth, Footpath Number 4