Discover some of the best winter walks in Bedfordshire with a day trip to Greensand Ridge. Challenge yourself with a hike or take a family-friendly walking trail.
Running through the centre of Bedfordshire, the Greensand Ridge is a band of higher ground which dramatically rises from surrounding clay vales to create a stunning landscape.
Covering 40 miles of scenic countryside, which is rich in wildlife and cultural heritage, there is so much to explore. The gentle rolling hills and ancient woodlands are ideal for weekend walks while the parks, nature reserves and historic sites are perfect for family days out.
We’ve picked our top five highlights:
Walk the Ridge
The best way to experience the Greensand Ridge is to set out on foot and soak up the beautiful landscape. From a gentle stroll through wooded valleys to a brisk climb up to a viewpoint, there is plenty of choice.
The most famous route is The Greensand Ridge Walk which runs for more than 40 miles from its origin at Leighton Buzzard to its endpoint at Gamlingay. The gloriously varied route takes you first along the towpath of the Grand Union Canal and onto the heathland of Rushmere Country Park before passing Woburn Abbey and its parkland with roaming deer.
Heading further you’ll find the ruins of Houghton House in Ampthill Great Park, before arriving at the rich woodland in Maulden and then joining Kingfisher Way, a walk along the banks of the River Ivel. But rest assured, you don’t have to tackle it all at once. The route has been divided into five sections with good public transport links, pubs and places to stay along the way. You can download maps for each walk at www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk
Follow a trail
Ideal for families all year round, the Sculpture Trail at Rushmere Country Park is a great way to explore the outdoors. Kids can have fun playing on the wooden sculptures, finding the fairy doors and sitting in the giant’s chair. The Oakwood Trail is a more recent addition with fantastical sculptures of the park’s creatures and creatively carved benches where you can rest your feet and take a moment to listen for woodpeckers along the way.
Get close to nature
The Lodge in Sandy is the RSPB’s headquarters and nature reserve which is free to visit and has great outdoors activities for children. Covering more than 200 hectares of heathland, grassland and woodland, the wildlife trails and play areas make this a fun day out for all the family.
Autumn is magical with the arrival of the first winter finches, fungi appearing on the woodland floor, trees bearing nuts and seeds and silver birches and oaks displaying wonderful colours before the leaves begin to fall. Look out for additional events throughout the year such as big wild sleep-outs and mini-beast safaris.
Find history and tranquility
The Shuttleworth Collection at Old Warden is an aeronautical and automotive museum, home to vintage aircraft, veteran vehicles and classic motorcycles. The amazing collection of genuine WWI aircraft and other historic aircraft dating from 1909 to the 1950s is the best in Europe.
The entry fee of £15 (free for under 16s) also includes the Regency Swiss Garden, a peaceful, tranquil space featuring numerous listed structures and a woodland sculpture trail. With a restaurant, gift shop and play area, there’s plenty for the whole family to enjoy.
Go on a safari
Take a road trip through Woburn Safari Park where you’ll see wild animals roaming in acres and acres of beautiful countryside. Spot rhinos, antelope and buffalo grazing in the Savannah Grasslands; venture into the Kingdom of Carnivores, if you dare, to see the tigers, wolves, bears and lions; and discover the mischievous Barbary macaque monkeys in the African Forest. Continue your adventure on foot to explore the habitats of a host of smaller mammals and birds.
Places to stay in Bedfordshire
With so much to explore, you’ll want to find a base and head out on more than one adventure. Fortunately, there are some great places to stay along the Ridge. Here are some of our favourites:
The Old Piggery
West Park Farm, Wilstead Hill, Haynes, MK45 3QS
A bed and breakfast guesthouse with self-catering yurts on a working arable farm with views over the surrounding countryside. www.theoldpiggerybandb.co.uk
The White Hart
125 Dunstable Street, Ampthill, MK45 2NG
An 18th century coaching inn with boutique-style bedrooms, popular bar and Mediterranean-inspired menu. www.thewhitehartampthill.co.uk
The George Inn
6 George St, Maulden, MK45 2DF
Cosy and stylish en-suite rooms, within the grounds of the popular 16th century pub, in the pretty village of Maulden. www.thegeorgemaulden.com
Clophill Eco Lodges
Old Church Path, Clophill, MK45 4BP
A dog friendly site, with walks straight from your door, set in a tranquil woodland copse halfway along the Greensand Ridge Walk. www.clophillecolodges.co.uk
The Woburn
1 George St, Woburn, MK17 9PX
A charming 18th century hotel in picturesque Woburn village with 48 rooms and additional cottages across the courtyard. www.thewoburn.co.uk
