Dismissed by some for an absence of showstopping landmarks, the understated county on the sting of London’s commuter belt within the East of England truly has some very attractive gems. For starters, it’s a really inexperienced and well-maintained space with miles of public rights of manner good for lengthy nation walks, charming villages, wolds-like terrain within the north, fairly nation parks, and the great Dunstable Downs and Woburn Abbey (the counties predominant highlights). Having spent a few years dwelling within the county, listed below are my High 15 of the perfect and most stunning locations to go to in Bedfordshire…
Dunstable Downs – one of many area’s most famously stunning locations to go to
Situated in Southern Bedfordshire, picturesque Dunstable Downs are a chalk escarpment that make-up the north-eastern part of the Chiltern Hills. This scenic panorama is thought for its wonderous wildlife and vegetation. Providing quite a few strolling routes of various lengths, the Downs countryside is effervescent with life.
The well-paved strolling routes embrace trails to view a wealthy number of birds, bugs, and different dwelling beings. This terrain can be fitted to biking, mountaineering, and out of doors actions.
Rushmere Nation Park – certainly one of my favorite tranquil Bedfordshire magnificence spots
Rushmere Country Park is 400 acres of woodland, heathland, and meadows. Certainly one of my favorite magnificence spots to go to in Bedfordshire and my blissful place, the park is crammed with beautiful strolling mountaineering, and biking routes by means of these historic woodlands. Horse-riders are additionally welcome within the park and on the paths. Arguably the perfect path is the one which takes you from the Rushmere park entrance to the Stockgrove entrance, by way of the lake.
Another trails embrace the Sculpture path the place you could find wood sculptures, fairy doorways, and even an enormous’s chair. The paths are designed to lift consciousness of the woodlands and the species that reside in them. The 1.5km path options wood sculptures of species such because the inexperienced tiger beetle, frequent lizard, nice noticed woodpecker, and a damselfly, created by Ian Freemantle and carved benches with emperor moth and bluebells created by Peter Leadbeater. A treetops café, on a big hill within the park, overlooks the lake under. A telescope by the café gives free viewing of birds such because the Heron fowl. Positively one of the stunning locations to go to in Bedfordshire.
My 4k video of gorgeous Rushmere…
Woburn Abbey – one other certainly one of Bedfordshire well-known highlights
Household residence of the Duke and Duchess of Bedford for over 400 years, stunning Woburn Abbey consists of a mansion and 28 acres of spectacular surrounding gardens.
The historic manor with its Palladian structure with an imposing sculpture gallery homes stunning artworks together with the well-known ‘Armada Portrait’ of Queen Elizabeth I and 27 Canaletto’s commissioned from the artist. This beautiful location is as a lot a must-visit for artwork lovers as it’s for nature lovers! The majestic gardens are in depth and well-maintained, and the landscapes fantastically designed by Repton. As you stroll by means of the paved path of the Deer Park, attempt recognizing the 9 Deer species that reside within the park. The park exudes tranquility – good for a soothing day.
The Abbey boasts some pleasantly shocking options comparable to a Chinese language dairy and a grotto. Recognized to host beautiful occasions and backyard exhibits, this Bedford vacation spot is a must-visit.
My 4k video of capturing the great thing about Woburn Abbey…
Ickwell – one of many prettiest and most charming villages to go to in Bedfordshire
Ickwell is a small rural village in Central Bedfordshire, identified for its historical past in Cricket. Cricket has been performed in Ickwell for over a century and Ickwell Inexperienced Cricket Membership is without doubt one of the oldest golf equipment in Bedfordshire. Additionally, the house of the English grasp clockmaker and watchmaker, Thomas Tompion, Ickwell Inexperienced nonetheless carries the household cottage, maintained by the Worshipful Firm of Clockmakers.
This cozy and really fairly Bedfordshire village with a inhabitants of simply round 300 holds quite a few countryside cottages, comfy chalets, and rustic lodge cabins for a quiet, enjoyable getaway. There are fairly just a few strolling, operating and biking routes that take you across the city and its countryside.
Inventory Grove Nation Park – a stupendous attraction in Bedfordshire residence to a lake, marshes, historic oak woodland, and conifer plantations
Situated on the Bedfordshire/Buckinghamshire border, Stockgrove Park is certainly one of my favorite locations to stroll my canine. It’s a tranquil and exquisite place to go to and the parks owns 80 acres that’s a part of the bigger 400-acre woods referred to as Rushmere Nation Park. Famend for its picturesque all-year-round countryside walks, Stockgrove options a stupendous lake with stays of a burnt boathouse and quite a few Mandarin geese.
Sharpenhoe Clappers – top-of-the-line locations to go to in Bedfordshire for beautiful nation walks
Sharpenhoe is a quaint village located on the foot the Chiltern Hills in Bedfordshire. The village will get its identify from Sharpenhoe Clappers, a beech tree laden chalk escarpment. This tiny city harbors an Iron Age hillfort that kinds a sequence of defended websites alongside the Chiltern Ridge.
The notable fort, with its medieval structure, not solely depicts the protection ability but additionally the standing of its former inhabitants. The hillfort gives excellent views of the flatten plain under and is now surrounded by Clappers Wooden. Trails go by means of the beech woods, and wildflowers blossom in summer season.
Wrest Park – a rustic property positioned in Silsoe and a surprising place to go to in Bedfordshire
Wrest Park is a rustic property positioned in Silsoe, comprising of a rustic home and 90 acres of formal gardens. The panorama showcases three centuries of backyard design and the evolution of the English backyard. The lawns additionally characteristic French, Dutch, and Italian design types with beautiful fountains and classical statues. The gardens are crammed with over 40 statues together with an ornate marble fountain and a Chinese language temple. Elegant French and daring Italian types may also be seen within the inside structure of the manor, such because the bedding shows. The manor has The Archer Pavilion and Sculpture Gallery that bears timeless admirable statues. The Dairy Sculpture Gallery is actually in a former dairy and shows the property’s extra fragile statues.
The idyllic woods present breath-taking countryside views and tranquil strolling trails. The pure fantastic thing about Wrest Park is exemplified in each season, from playful pastels within the spring to lush greenery in the summertime and heat browns within the autumn.
Whipsnade Tree Cathedral – a novel Bedfordshire customer attraction
Whipsnade Tree Cathedral is a 9.5-acre backyard within the village of Whipsnade in Bedfordshire. The realm is planted to mirror a standard medieval cathedral with grass and shrubs for nave, transepts, chancel and cloisters, and distinctive types of bushes to signify the partitions. There’s a attractive 4 chapel and outer cloister stroll that encompasses an space with a fishpond. The heritage website has a outstanding pure and well-balanced pure magnificence that may be very properly sorted.
Sundon Hills – one of many highest factors in Bedfordshire so count on attractive views
Sundon Hills has one of many highest and most spectacular viewpoints in Bedfordshire and is a implausible spot to discover. Overlooking the Sharpen-hoe Clappers and its surrounding countryside, these chalk hills are dotted with woodland bushes. Whereas strolling by means of one of many many paths within the woods, you’re certain to cross scented flowers and fairly butterflies.
You will discover different attention-grabbing fauna and flora embrace fly orchid, nice noticed woodpecker, foxes and badgers. These hilly woods even have some nice picnics spots with views however mountaineering these trails usually are not for the faint-hearted!
Wardown Park – the jewel within the crown of Luton’s parks
Wardown Park that sits on River Lea in Luton, Wardown Park Museum and Gallery, the formal gardens, and the parks sporting middle. Wardown Park shows an elaborate fountain, boating lake, and an iconic suspension bridge. With its fantastically designed inexperienced lawns, the park is really thought-about an escape from routine and an oasis of calm throughout the city middle.
The museum assortment showcases lace and hat making – the normal crafts of Bedfordshire – from as early because the Seventeenth century. The embellished mansion, with its uncommon mixture of Victorian and Edwardian design options and wealthy historical past, gives alternatives for formal occasions and casual actions. Valued and appreciated by locals and vacationers alike, this park is without doubt one of the most visited in Luton.
Marston Vale and Forest of Marston Vale – beautiful countryside to discover in Bedfordshire
The Forest of Marston Vale is a charitable group forest in Marston Vale, within the cities of Bedford and Kempston in Bedfordshire. This 61 sq mile of planted land was as soon as Stewartby brickworks and landfills. Whereas the chimneys nonetheless stand, the panorama has been transformed right into a scenic view for a beautiful stroll or enjoyable picnic on the cute cafe.
Houghton Home – a ruined Seventeenth-century mansion which gives magnificent views
Houghton Home is a ruined mansion home within the parish of Houghton Conquest, Bedfordshire. This from the Seventeenth-century home is taken into account the mannequin inspiration for ‘House Beautiful’ in John Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s Progress.
The mansion is inbuilt a combination of Jacobean and Classical types: the bottom flooring of two Italianate loggias survive, presumably the work of one of the famend architects of the time, Inigo Jones. The structure and design of the home itself is the truth is in distinction of the loggias design. The views from the mansion as simply as marvelous because the interiors.
Harrold-Odell Nation Park – a stupendous a 60 hectare Nation park and Native Nature Reserve
This 60-hectare nation park is an area nature reserve located between the villages of Odell and Harrold in Bedfordshire. Harrold-Odell Nation Park incorporates river meadows, lakes, and woodlands.
The meandering River Nice Ouse flows by means of it and the primary lake, Grebe Lake is round 1.6 miles. The park contains stretches of huge lands, greenery, a small skatepark, café, and even fitness center gear. The park has an attention-grabbing historical past, as the realm was previously a quarry, farm, an Iron age farm, and a Roman settlement.
Bedford Park – a Grade Two listed English Heritage Victorian park
This city heritage park inside Bedford city is owned and managed by the Bedford Borough Council. This Victorian park comprises a stupendous lake, gardens, playgrounds, and quite a lot of sports activities facilities together with tennis courts, soccer grounds, cricket pitches, fitness center gear.
The inexperienced areas are properly maintained and make beautiful picnic spots for households, pals, and {couples} to chill out and rewind.
Willington Dovecote and Stables
Willington Dovecote and Stables features a Sixteenth-century stone dovecote and secure buildings which might be in addition to the Willington church with an intriguing Tudor historical past. The Tudor dovecote includes of nesting packing containers for over 1500 pigeons. The stables are constructed with spectacular options like stepped gables and timber roof. Each these traditionally fascinating websites make this manorial complicated a must-visit!
The complicated has many unimaginable strolling paths and routes – with probably the most well-known one going alongside the riverside, passing two lakes and an previous railway line, and finally resulting in the close by Bedford River Valley Park. The park itself has some superb points of interest and undoubtedly is without doubt one of the greatest locations to discover in Bedfordshire. I hope you get pleasure from my great residence county!
