Exploring Bedfordshire

For a small county, Bedfordshire contains a remarkable variety of landscapes. The walkers amongst you will notice the difference when you shake off your boots – the sand from The Lodge RSPB reserve at Sandy, the coating of clay when it’s slightly damp underfoot in some of our Country Parks, or the white chalk from Dunstable Downs.

The chalk downs of the Chilterns AONB

The Chilterns Gateway Centre is a great place to start exploring the Bedfordshire section of the Chilterns. There are lots of circular walks and some of the best views in the county. Other places to visit include Sundon Hills Country Park and Sharpenhoe Clappers.

The Greensand Ridge

The Greensand Ridge runs from Leighton Buzzard to Gamlingay. It forms a long distance walk. There are a number of popular local attractions along the way including the RSPB reserve at The Lodge and Rushmere Country Park.

The Greensand Ridge is one of the few places in Central England where thin, sandy soils support lowland heathland and acid grassland.

The limestone villages of the Great Ouse Valley in North Bedfordshire

There are lots of places to explore in the north of the county – Stevington, Carlton, Chellington, Felmersham, Pavenham, Oakley, Milton Ernest; with their pretty cottages, churches, windmills, old stone bridges over the river and rolling countryside. Explore the local wildlife reserves along the way.

Reclaimed brick and gravel pits

The reclaimed brick and gravel pits that are the remains of quarrying and industry that now form the lakes in country parks such as Priory Country Park, Stewartby (Millennium Country Park) and Harrold-Odell