Flitwick Moor is a SSSI wetland with an interesting mix of fen, meadow, wet woodland, and fragile peaty soils.
Following the 5-mile Two Moors Heritage Trail provides an excellent introduction to this site.
Category Archives: Places to Visit
Totternhoe Knolls and Quarry
The landscape at Totternhoe Knolls and Quarry is the result of many centuries of quarrying, which has developed into flower-rich chalk grasslands. The reserve can be accessed from the National Trust car park off Castle Hill Road (OS ref SP986217). The site is crossed by green lanes and footpaths, allowing lots of exploration. In spring the reserve is home to several orchids and on sunny days, there are also likely to be plenty of butterflies, including the Duke of Burgundy and Small Blue. The reserve also has Chiltern gentian, a rare flower, in bloom in August.
Priory Country Park, Bedford
Priory Country Park is an established green area of around 360 acres made up of lakes, meadows and woodland, partially enclosed within a bend in the river Great Ouse.
It is managed, for the benefit of both wildlife and visitors, by Bedford Borough Council.
RSPB, Sandy: The Lodge
The RSPB reserve at Sandy is their HQ. It is a great place to go spotting birds and is also very good for dragonflies.
Rushmere Country Park
Rushmere Country Park includes the former Stockgrove Country Park. It is jointly owned by the Greensand Trust and Central Bedfordshire Council. It is managed by the Greensand Trust. There are two entrances, each with a visitor centre and car parking.
There are a variety or habitats including lakes, ancient woodland, conifer plantations, meadows and heath.
Sandhouse Lane Nature Reserve
Managed by the Greensand Trust, this ex-quarry is a small area of scrub, grassland, ponds and lichen heath on dumped asphalt. Great Crested Newts occur on the site. This site is good for dragonflies and Butterflies in spring and summer and Lichens can be seen all year round.
Harrold-Odell Country Park
Harrold-Odell Country Park offers lakes, a river, meadows and woodland with trails and activities in North Bedfordshire.
Millennium Country Park
Run by the Marston Vale Trust, Millennium Country Park at Marston Moretaine is a 225 hectares area of woodland, grassland and wetlands to explore. There’s a great café for some refreshment, too.
Linslade Wood
Linslade Wood is close to Leighton Linslade and has great displays of bluebells in the spring and autumn colours.
Ampthill Park
Ampthill Park is a local historic parkland with great views and a diverse collection of flora (plants) and fauna (animals).