Parks and nature reserves

Greensand Country’s many parks and nature reserves offer a chance to discover nature and enjoy outdoor leisure pursuits. Some of the most popular parks and nature reserves are:

Rushmere Country Park — One of Greensand Country’s most popular destinations and a great place to discover nature and enjoy outdoor leisure pursuits over 400 acres of beautiful woodland, heathland and lakes and part of a National Nature Reserve.

Ampthill Park — Once a deer park that surrounded Ampthill Castle and was popular with Henry VIII. The castle, which was demolished in the 16th Century, was located close to Katherine’s Cross. The park now contains a diverse collection of flora and fauna, along with some of the most stunning views from the Greensand Ridge escarpment.

Cooper’s Hill Nature Reserve — A great place for nature rambles with a sculpture trail for visitors to explore. Cooper’s Hill is one of three remaining areas of heathland in Greensand Country (the others being RSPB The Lodge nature reserve & gardens and Rushmere Country Park) and one of the largest areas of heathland in Bedfordshire.

Woburn Deer Park

Wildlife Trust Flitwick Moor — The largest area of wetland in Bedfordshire, renowned for its wildlife and peaty soils.

Wildlife Trust Riddy Nature Reserve — Old water meadows adjacent to the River Ivel near Sandy, now a haven for wildlife.

Shuttleworth Swiss Garden at Old Warden Park — Within the garden are 13 listed structures, an adjacent woodland sculpture trail and resident peacock!

RSPB The Lodge nature reserve & gardens — The Lodge offers an exceptionally rich combination of wildlife and heritage experiences, spanning 220 hectares of woodland, heath and grassland with trails, a natural play area, shop and refreshments.

Woburn Park — Woburn Abbey Deer Park covers 3,000 acres and is home to nine species of deer making it one of the largest private conservation parks in Europe. Woburn Abbey is the seat of the Duke of Bedford and is surrounded by this beautiful deer park.

Woburn Gardens — The 28 acres of gardens at Woburn Abbey offer amazing colours that change with the seasons throughout the year.

Sandy Smith Nature Reserve — Sandy Smith Nature Reserve lies on the floodplain and northern slopes of the Flit Valley between Clophill and Chicksands and includes meadow and wet woodland habitats.