Tips for enjoying your walk Parts of the walk can become muddy especially after heavy rain, so strong waterproof footwear is recommended. Take care where conditions are rough and do let someone know where you are going. Please be aware that much of the walk is unsuitable for wheelchairs and difficult for pushchairs. Did you enjoy the walk? If you have any comments about the walk or encounter any problems please contact the Rights of Way Section, Countryside Access Service, Central Bedfordshire Council, PO Box 1395, Bedford MK42 5AN or email [email protected]This is one of a series of circular walk leaflets produced by Central Bedfordshire Council. For further information and availability please contact us on 0300 300 8085 Other walks Find out about more of Bedfordshire’s walking and riding routes as well as nature reserves and country parks by visiting www.letsgo.org.uk For other activities and attractions in the Chilterns countryside log on to www.chilternsaonb.org.uk PHOTOS:CENTRAL BEDFORDSHIRE COUNCIL 2010 CIRCULAR WALKS Whipsnade Approx 4 1 /2 Miles/7.2 km Time: 2 1 /2 hours Planning Your Walk The Car park at Dunstable Downs is the suggested starting point and the route is described in an anti-clockwise direction. However, you can begin at any point and walk in either direction. Refreshments, Parking and Toilets The Chilterns Gateway Centre at Dunstable Downs has adequate parking, toilet facilites and refreshments available throughout the year during the opening times displayed. Parking is also available at the Tree Cathedral car park, please be aware that this car park is locked at 7pm. There is also limited parking at Whipsnade Heath car park. Public Transport For information contact Traveline 0871 200 22 33. The closest train station is at Luton, on the Bedford to St. Pancras Thameslink Line contact Traveline or www.thameslink.co.uk Ordnance Survey Maps The route is covered on Ordnance Survey Explorer map 182 available from local bookshops and some petrol stations. Countryside Code ● Be safe – plan ahead and follow any signs ● Leave gates and property as you find them ● Protect plants and animals, and take your litter home ● Keep dogs under close control ● Consider other people www.countrysideaccess.gov.uk WHIPSNADE ● Printed on paper made from 75% recycled post consumer waste www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Transcript
Tips for enjoying your walkParts of the walk can become muddy especially after heavyrain, so strong waterproof footwear is recommended. Takecare where conditions are rough and do let someone knowwhere you are going. Please be aware that much of the walkis unsuitable for wheelchairs and difficult for pushchairs.
Did you enjoy the walk? If you have any comments about the walk or encounter anyproblems please contact the Rights of Way Section,Countryside Access Service, Central Bedfordshire Council,PO Box 1395, Bedford MK42 5AN or [email protected]
This is one of a series of circularwalk leaflets produced by CentralBedfordshire Council. For furtherinformation and availability pleasecontact us on 0300 300 8085
Other walksFind out about more ofBedfordshire’s walking and ridingroutes as well as nature reservesand country parks by visitingwww.letsgo.org.uk
For other activities and attractions in the Chilterns countryside log on towww.chilternsaonb.org.uk
Planting began in 1930 by Edmund Kell Blyth assisted byAlbert Bransom as a memorial to three friends who hadperished during the First World War.
Whipsnade Green This is part ofa network of213 Commons found throughoutthe Chiltern Hills and the Chilterns Area ofOutstandingNatural Beauty (AONB),and is much valued locally as anarea ofopen access land with a strong local communityinterest in its use.Typical ofmany ofthe Chilterns Commons the Green hasundergone changes,particularly since the end ofthe SecondWorld War and the decline in traditional hay making andgrazing has resulted in an increase in scrub and roughergrasses.The meadows are a most attractive part ofthe Green andthe habitat gives the Green its distinct ‘commonland’character.
Whipsnade Heath Whipsnade Heath was once an area ofopen heath but sincethe decline ofsheep grazing,trees and scrub have colonisedmuch ofthe site.The Heath offers an interesting mosaic ofgrassland,scrub and woodland,and mainly consists ofdense scrub areas with a mixture ofhawthorn,elder andblackthorn.The more open woodland areas include oak,wildcherry,beech and hazel with displays ofbluebells and woodanemones in the spring.
WhipsnadeThe village ofWhipsnade was not named in the DomesdaySurvey and was possibly an amalgamation oflands recordedin 1086 from Eaton Bray and Studham and possiblyTotternhoe,indeed during the 12th Century much oftheparish was still wilderness.A settler named Wibba cleared apiece ofthe woodland giving the parish the 13th Centuryname of‘Wibba’s Snaed’.
The church ofSt Mary Magdalen at Whipsnade was firstmentioned in 1228,the tower,built from bricks possiblyobtained from the dell in the field behind the church,datesfrom 1590 whilst the nave is more recent dating from 1719,the pulpit inside is 17th Century.
Tree CathedralThe Tree Cathedral is a tranquil place for worship andmeditation and is designed to match the ground plan ofamedieval cathedral.It is not consecrated,but occasionallyhosts services,and is permanently open to the public withoutcharge.Owned by the National Trust it is managed andfunded by the Trustees ofWhipsnade Tree Cathedral.
The plantings are laid out to form a nave,transepts,andchancel for public worship,chapels for private prayer andremembrance,cloisters for meditation,and a cloister gardenfor relaxation with a dew pond at its centre.
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Dunstable DownsThe downland landscape is very distinctive with rolling hills,steep escarpments,fine views and areas ofopen grasslandand scrub.
The chalk was formed at the bottom ofa shallow,warm seaapproximately 70 million years ago by the accumulation ofthe remains ofmicroscopic plants and animals on theseabed.When sea levels fell and became dry land,erosionsculpted the dry valleys and rounded hills that we see today.
Chalk grassland is a very rare habitat that was traditionallymanaged by large flocks ofsheep;this kept the downs openand alive with wild flowers and insects.
Gradually sheep grazing declined,and after World War llceased altogether;this meant that the Downs becameovergrown and scrub began to invade threatening thegrassland communities,and resulted in the disappearance ofsome grasses and flowers.Fortunately,again sheep aregrazing part ofthe Downs and volunteers help to keep thegrassland open,allowing a varied mix ofgrassland andscrub to benefit as many species as possible.
This walk covers a variety ofterrain including heathland,chalk quarries and downland as well as
grassland with the opportunity to see a variety offlowers and wildlife.
Approx 41/2Miles/7.2 km
Time:21/2hours
CIRCULAR WALKS
WhipsnadeApprox 41/2 Miles/7.2 kmTime: 21/2 hours
Planning Your WalkThe Car park at Dunstable Downs is the suggested startingpoint and the route is described in an anti-clockwisedirection. However, you can begin at any point and walk ineither direction.
Refreshments, Parking and ToiletsThe Chilterns Gateway Centre at Dunstable Downs hasadequate parking, toilet facilites and refreshments availablethroughout the year during the opening times displayed.Parking is also available at the Tree Cathedral car park,please be aware that this car park is locked at 7pm. There isalso limited parking at Whipsnade Heath car park.
Public Transport For information contact Traveline 0871 200 22 33. Theclosest train station is at Luton, on the Bedford to St.Pancras Thameslink Line contact Traveline orwww.thameslink.co.uk
Ordnance Survey Maps The route is covered on Ordnance Survey Explorer map 182available from local bookshops and some petrol stations.
Countryside Codel Be safe – plan ahead and follow any signs
l Leave gates and property as you find them
l Protect plants and animals, and take your litter home
l Keep dogs under close control
l Consider other people
www.countrysideaccess.gov.uk
WHIPSNADEl
Printed on paper made from 75% recycled post consumer waste
www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Tips for enjoying your walkParts ofthe walk can become muddy especially after heavyrain,so strong waterprooffootwear is recommended.Takecare where conditions are rough and do let someone knowwhere you are going.Please be aware that much ofthe walkis unsuitable for wheelchairs and difficult for pushchairs.
Did you enjoy the walk? Ifyou have any comments about the walk or encounter anyproblems please contact the Rights ofWaySection,Countryside Access Service,Central BedfordshireCouncil,PO Box1395,Bedford MK42 5AN or [email protected]
This is one ofa series ofcircularwalk leaflets produced byCentralBedfordshireCouncil.For furtherinformation and availability pleasecontact us on 0300 300 8085
Other walksFind out about moreofBedfordshire’s walking and ridingroutes as well as naturereservesand countryparks byvisitingwww.letsgo.org.uk
For other activities and attractions in the Chilterns countryside log on towww.chilternsaonb.org.uk
Planting began in 1930 by Edmund Kell Blyth assisted byAlbert Bransom as a memorial to three friends who hadperished during the First World War.
Whipsnade Green This is part of a network of 213 Commons found throughoutthe Chiltern Hills and the Chilterns Area of OutstandingNatural Beauty (AONB), and is much valued locally as anarea of open access land with a strong local communityinterest in its use.Typical of many of the Chilterns Commons the Green hasundergone changes, particularly since the end of the SecondWorld War and the decline in traditional hay making andgrazing has resulted in an increase in scrub and roughergrasses.The meadows are a most attractive part of the Green andthe habitat gives the Green its distinct ‘commonland’character.
Whipsnade Heath Whipsnade Heath was once an area of open heath but sincethe decline of sheep grazing, trees and scrub have colonisedmuch of the site. The Heath offers an interesting mosaic ofgrassland, scrub and woodland, and mainly consists ofdense scrub areas with a mixture of hawthorn, elder andblackthorn. The more open woodland areas include oak, wildcherry, beech and hazel with displays of bluebells and woodanemones in the spring.
WhipsnadeThe village of Whipsnade was not named in the DomesdaySurvey and was possibly an amalgamation of lands recordedin 1086 from Eaton Bray and Studham and possiblyTotternhoe, indeed during the 12th Century much of theparish was still wilderness. A settler named Wibba cleared apiece of the woodland giving the parish the 13th Centuryname of ‘Wibba’s Snaed’.
The church of St Mary Magdalen at Whipsnade was firstmentioned in 1228, the tower, built from bricks possiblyobtained from the dell in the field behind the church, datesfrom 1590 whilst the nave is more recent dating from 1719,the pulpit inside is 17th Century.
Tree CathedralThe Tree Cathedral is a tranquil place for worship andmeditation and is designed to match the ground plan of amedieval cathedral. It is not consecrated, but occasionallyhosts services, and is permanently open to the public withoutcharge. Owned by the National Trust it is managed andfunded by the Trustees of Whipsnade Tree Cathedral.
The plantings are laid out to form a nave, transepts, andchancel for public worship, chapels for private prayer andremembrance, cloisters for meditation, and a cloister gardenfor relaxation with a dew pond at its centre.
PH
OTO
S:CE
NTR
AL
BE
DFO
RD
SH
IRE
CO
UN
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2010
Dunstable DownsThe downland landscape is very distinctive with rolling hills,steep escarpments, fine views and areas of open grasslandand scrub.
The chalk was formed at the bottom of a shallow, warm seaapproximately 70 million years ago by the accumulation ofthe remains of microscopic plants and animals on theseabed. When sea levels fell and became dry land, erosionsculpted the dry valleys and rounded hills that we see today.
Chalk grassland is a very rare habitat that was traditionallymanaged by large flocks of sheep; this kept the downs openand alive with wild flowers and insects.
Gradually sheep grazing declined, and after World War llceased altogether; this meant that the Downs becameovergrown and scrub began to invade threatening thegrassland communities, and resulted in the disappearance ofsome grasses and flowers. Fortunately, again sheep aregrazing part of the Downs and volunteers help to keep thegrassland open, allowing a varied mix of grassland andscrub to benefit as many species as possible.
This walk covers a variety of terrain including heathland, chalk quarries and downland as well as
grassland with the opportunity to see a variety of flowers and wildlife.
Approx 41/2 Miles/7.2 kmTime: 21/2 hours
CIRCULARWALKS
WhipsnadeApprox 4
1/2Miles/7.2 km
Time:21/2hours
Planning Your WalkThe Car park at Dunstable Downs is the suggested startingpoint and the route is described in an anti-clockwisedirection.However,you can begin at any point and walk ineither direction.
Refreshments, Parking and ToiletsThe Chilterns Gateway Centre at Dunstable Downs hasadequate parking,toilet facilites and refreshments availablethroughout the year during the opening times displayed.Parking is also available at the Tree Cathedral car park,please be aware that this car park is locked at 7pm.There isalso limited parking at Whipsnade Heath car park.
Public Transport For information contact Traveline 0871 200 22 33.Theclosest train station is at Luton,on the Bedford to St.Pancras Thameslink Line contact Traveline orwww.thameslink.co.uk
Ordnance Survey Maps The route is covered on Ordnance Survey Explorer map 182available from local bookshops and some petrol stations.
Countryside CodelBe safe – plan ahead and follow any signs
lLeave gates and property as you find them
lProtect plants and animals,and take your litter home
lKeep dogs under close control
lConsider other people
www.countrysideaccess.gov.uk
WHIPSNADEl
Printed on paper made from 75% recycled post consumer waste
