Saturday 25th April Club Spring Walk - Dunstable Downs

Join us for a Club walk on the grass downlands within the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Starting at the summit of Dunstable Downs (797ft), the highest point in Bedfordshire, with views down to London Gliding Club, across the Vale of Aylesbury and along the way the Whipsnade Lion, carved out in chalk in the grounds of Whipsnade Zoo.

About this walk

The walk is about 10 miles up and down the chalk downs, which can be slippery after or during wet weather, so bring your walking boots.

We will pass Five Knolls tumuli on the downs then drop down to Totternhoe Knolls Nature Reserve (SSI site) and the site of 12th Century motte and bailey castle and an ancient hill fort.

Leaving Totternhoe village we cross the Icknield Way at Wellhead, taking care on the busy main road crossing.
Proceeding on past the Gliding Club at the foot of the downs, we then climb back up Bison Hill and visit Whipsnade Tree Cathedral, planted in memory of 1st World War soldiers before making our way back along the downs to the car park for tea and cake at the National Trust cafe.

Please note for Club insurance purposes the walk is only open to participants with minimum Snowsport England green membership and above.

Bring a packed lunch. There are only two pubs near the route, the timing of which probably won't work for a lunch stop. 

Meeting & parking

Meet at: 10.30 am at  Chilterns Gateway Centre, Dunstable Downs LU6 2GY.  Situated on the west side of Dunstable, take B4541 out of Dunstable towards Whipsnade.

Parking free for National Trust members. For non members : £3.50 all day (pay and display machine, cash or card) Car park open 10-17.00 hours.
Grid Ref: TL00837 19489
What3Words: pouch.churn.dance
UK Explorer maps: 181 & 193

Assemble in front of the Visitor's Centre and cafe for the start of the walk.
Toilets and refreshments inside the cafe.

For anyone wanting to travel out of London by train

We can arrange to collect a limited number of people from Flitwick station.

Train departs St Pancras Thameslink direction Bedford. (Brighton - Bedford line)
Departs 8.49 arrives Flitwick 9.41am
That is the latest train to ensure we get to the meeting point on time. Return trains approximately every 30 minutes.

Please contact us in advance if you want picking up from Flitwick station and after checking that the train time hasn't altered.

What to do next

Please register for the walk via this form before 23 April so we know who's coming.

Any questions?

Please contact Margaret Chalmers or Claire Branscombe