"Why visit Bedfordshire?" Top 5 Page for this destination Bedfordshire by MikeBird

Bedfordshire Travel Guide: 100 reviews and 253 photos

Woburn, Whipsnade and Wallabies

You might decide to visit Bedfordshire because of its two big Wildlife Parks: Woburn Safari Park and Whipsnade Wild Animal Park. Both are very well presented and both have records of breeding success amongst their animals. Whipsnade, as part of the Zoological Society of London, has a stronger scientific and educational role and arguably has the more dramatic location because some of the large paddocks are on the slopes of the Chiltern Hills or Downs.

Both parks however have other more accessible 'neighbours'; Woburn village with its Georgian facade of shops and houses has an olde worlde feel to it. The Antique and curio shops help to add atmosphere. There are also several hotels, pubs and restaurants. Don't forget Woburn Abbey as well - particularly if you like stately homes and smart grounds to explore.

Whipsnade has a Tree Cathedral - trees and shrubs designed and planted to a full size layout of a proper cathedral. It's very nice to wander around but it will not take you long. This site is owned by the National Trust and is free of charge.

The wallabies ....? Well, these little hoppers are reputedly escapees from Whipsnade. I've never seen one outside of the Park but inside they are allowed to roam free. Other local escapees have done much more damage - these are the Muntjac deer imported from Asia into the Woburn Estate and now they have spread across much of the south of England.

Greensand Ridge Walk

View across Marston Vale December 08

Stretching across the county of Bedfordshire from Leighton Buzzard in the south west to Gamlingay in the east is a 40 mile long footpath which follows the ridge of Greensand dating from the Cretaceous period.

The tips below can provide more details of the walk ( to be constructed)

Transport links through Bedfordshire

Due to the position of Bedfordshire north of London it is inevitable that many of the major transport links North to South pass through the county. The M1 motorway, West Coast Main line and Midland Mainline rail links, Grand Union canal and Luton airport are here and all for travelling through Bedfordshire rather than visiting it.

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Last visit to Bedfordshire: Aug 2008
Intro Updated Dec 30, 2008
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Reviews (2)

Elephants enjoying their large enclosures - Bedfordshire

Whipsnade Zoo: a terrific day out Things to Do (2)

Many people are suspicious and sceptical about the value of Zoos in todays world with much emphasis upon conserving... more travel advice

River Great Ouse with two Mute Swans but no otters - Bedfordshire

Explore the Harrold-Odell Country Park Things to Do (2)

If you choose the right day, with good weather, you will almost certainly enjoy a fine walk around this country park... more travel advice

Travelogues (1)

Written Jan 1, 2009

8 photos

The Timberland Trail

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Comments (3)

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Pawtuxet Jul 18, 2009 at 5:50 PM

Curio shops and old buildings are sure to amuse me...and I'd like to walk the countryside which looks lovely...but I want to first discuss the animals that are perhaps escaping today...
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Acirfa Jun 4, 2009 at 1:11 AM

Ah I was at Woburn at the end of April, I missed the Tree Cathedral in Whipsnade though.
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kiwi Nov 7, 2008 at 2:39 PM

The Dowager Duchess of Bedford is my neighbour :-))