Experience – What’s On and Things To Do

Plan a great day out in Greensand Country. There’s something for everybody with idyllic villages to explore, home cooked food to eat, adventures to be had, unique handmade crafts to buy and history to discover.

Views: There are many stunning views to discover in Greensand Country. The ridge itself is a prominent feature in the landscape and provides a dramatic backdrop to the views from the lower lying countryside. The ridge is accessible from many of the surrounding villages and towns. From its elevated slopes you can experience panoramic views across the countryside including Marston Vale and the Ouse Valley. Woodlands often frame views on lower ground, whilst landmark churches and other historic buildings

Ampthill Town

provide focal points in the landscape.

Towns and villages: Experience the varied character of towns and villages across Greensand Country. Places such as Woburn, Old Warden and Ampthill contain distinctive styles of architecture characteristic of the area’s historic estates. For example: Old Warden estate houses are built in an elaborate ‘English Garden’ style, with thatched roofs, dormer windows, painted render walls and timber porches; whilst the Duke of Bedford estate buildings in Woburn are generally built of brick in a distinctive, Georgian style. Greensand Country’s idyllic villages contain various historical sites, as well as boutique shops, restaurants, cafés and pubs.

Things to do: If you’re looking for a day out then Greensand Country has some fantastic attractions for the whole family. Learn about nature at Rushmere Country Park or Woburn Safari Park; discover the history of aircraft and vehicles at The Shuttleworth Collection and Swiss Garden; and don’t miss the trains at Summerfields’ Miniature Railway!

Places to shop, eat or drink: Support local businesses, enjoy great experiences and discover unique products in Greensand Country. Stop off at a pub or tearoom after a day of walking to enjoy locally sourced, home cooked food. Or shop for antiques and unique handmade crafts in one of Greensand Country’s picturesque villages.

Action points

Visit local shops, pubs, restaurants and attractions for yourself. Use your own experiences out to create a list of places that you would recommend to your customers. They’ll appreciate your suggestions!

Promote upcoming events and festivals. Visit www.greensandcountry.com, follow @greensandsocial on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and read your local paper to keep up to date with future events that your customers may want to attend.

Create special offers with other local businesses.

Tell the story of your own business personality and local character. People love personal stories; and what might seem like trivial details to you might be very interesting to others! Include some of this background in your promotional materials and online to help give your business ‘local character’.

Buy products from local producers and suppliers and encourage your customers to do the same – especially things like arts/crafts and places that offer local produce, such as farmers markets, tearooms and restaurants. Visitors enjoy buying locally and it helps to support the local economy too.

Labelling, If you sell local produce, make sure you label it as local – either on your price list/menu or when talking to customers. Try to tell the story of the produce: where it comes from, how it’s made and so on. Visitors are often happy to pay more for good quality produce with ‘provenance’.