Visit this fantastic piece of countryside within easy reach of London and the South East for walks, good food and drink and great attractions
Between Leighton Buzzard, running east towards Gamblingay, is one of the most beautiful and diverse landscapes in the Home Counties of England and all this beauty is made accessible by a 40 mile route which can be walked partly or in its entirety as an introduction to the area.
The route spans the county of Bedfordshire, following a ridge of greensand which rises from the clay vales on either side. And is an ideal introduction to the history, landscape and wildlife of this part of the country.
This is an area of gently rolling hills and small valleys, and is dominated by woodland, both ancient and modern; with some areas of natural heathland remaining. Some of the nature associated with these habitats includes heather, gorse, common lizard and nightjar on the heaths; and bluebells, woodpeckers, buzzard, and of course, the muntjac deer in the woodlands.
The valleys of the rivers Flit and Ouzel cut through the area. Flood meadows and valley mires occur in places with old pollard willows and native black poplars at the water's edge. Rare species such as sphagnum mosses and water rail can be found.
Sandstone from the ridge has been used locally for building for hundreds of years such as in the beautiful Northill Church. This gives the buildings in the quant towns and villages dotted along the Ridge their distinctive greenish appearance.
Points of interest along the route include Stockgrove Country Park, the magnificent Woburn Abbey, and the ruins of Houghton House as well as Ampthill Park where it connects with the John Bunyan Trail.
There are numerous pretty villages along the way including Woburn with its delightful Georgian centre, gourmet pubs and restaurants and interesting and eclectic shops. The Woburn Heritage Centre in the old church of St. Mary’s in Bedford Street will tell you about the history of the village and surrounding area.
And this area is likely to grow in importance as a visitor destination as it has attracted a grant form the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) to develop the area as a tourism destination including marketing the fine local food that is grown there.
It’s a fantastic area for a day out and is easily reached by public transport with railway stations at Leighton Buzzard, Ridgemont, Flitiwick and Sandy or you can stay at one of the comfortable hotels or B & Bs n the area. However you go there, the Greensand Ridge is Bedfordshire’s astonishing green oasis.
Useful Websites
www.greensandridgewalk.co.uk
www.greensandtrust.org
www.greensand.org.uk