If history and beautiful views is what you’re after, make sure to plan your break in Bedfordshire in and around Ampthill.
Ampthill is a lovely little market town that has everything history or nature fans could want. On one side it is sheltered by hills under the brow of the Greensand Ridge, giving some amazing views and opportunities for peaceful walks and wildlife spotting. It is also close to some of Bedfordshire’s top attractions, such as the Abbey and Safari Park in Woburn and the ruins of the famous Jacobian mansion at Houghton Regis among others.
Where history is concerned, you’ll find it in abundance here, Ampthill is an incredibly historical market town dating all the way back to Anglo-Saxon times, evidence of this is all around you, why not go on a hunt for relics while visiting and take in some of the amazing historical sites that surround this interesting and peaceful town?
It is a real haven for historians with many great moments in Britain’s history taking place in and around the town. The town is most famous for its links with the Tudor royals, which came about after the Battle of Agincourt after the building of the town’s castle. It was here that Catherine of Aaragon was held while Henry VIII was preparing to woo Anne Boleyn. When it fell into ruins, it became Ampthill House, which although is private property, has a public park which visitors are welcome to walk around and explore at their leisure.
Ampthill Park was named as Henry VIII’s favourite hunting place and was also the spot where Catherine of Aragon was incarcerated during their divorce. Visitors can see the spot where she was held by looking out for a stone cross when exploring the town. The people of the town are proud of their heritage and this is obvious by the amount of care that has gone into preserving the buildings and monuments.
Ampthill is full of narrow streets which are lined with Georgian buildings and beautiful thatched cottages, really making you feel like you’ve stepped back in time. It is a lively town, with a market held every week and several restaurants, village shops and pubs. Many of these buildings are housed in period buildings which were first build during the Tudor period, offering an interesting place to stop for a bit of lunch or to grab some essentials. It’s just one of the ways that the residents display the history of their town and really adds to the experience of shopping or eating here. It isn’t just the buildings and the markets that the town has going for it, there is a lively events calendar too, annual festivals which including live music events from rock and pop performances to opera, are a regular feature and well worth the visit.
The market is a particular draw to visitors, it was first held in 1219 when the town was granted a charter for a weekly market, in 2019, the market celebrated its 800th birthday. Each of the markets feature exciting local produce and really gives you the chance to get to know the varied items and food that come out of Bedfordshire. You'll find plenty to see and do in Ampthill so make sure to check the what's on pages and keep an eye out for events, activities and accommodation in the area.
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