Essex, Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire

Dunstable Downs Five Knolls wildlife and heritage walk

Sheep grazing on Dunstable Downs, with grassy fields below — Sheep on Dunstable Downs | © National Trust

Walk up on the downs on this all-weather out-and-back pathway that's ideal for families. Enjoy the views from this site, which has been an important vantage point to people for over 1,000 years. And keep an eye out for the rich variety of birds, insects and plants that make their home here on the chalk downs.

Near to

Dunstable Downs and Whipsnade Estate

Start point

Chilterns Gateway Centre visitor car park, LU6 2GY. Grid ref: TL008195.

Accessibility

This is a great walk to do on wheels, suitable for buggies, motorised scooters and wheelchairs. Numbered and lettered waymarkers mark the route.

Address
Chilterns Gateway Centre visitor car park, Whipsnade Road, Dunstable, Bedfordshire LU6 2GY. Grid ref: TL008195.
Directions via Google Maps
By train
Luton station is 7 miles (11km) away, then take Arriva 61 bus.
On foot
Footpaths from West Street and Tring Road, Dunstable.
By bus
Centrebus runs a service from Dunstable to St Albans, via Dunstable Downs, Mondays to Saturdays (number 34 and 35). There is no service on Sundays or Bank Holidays. Please check bus services with Centrebus before travelling.
Centrebus
Cycling
Public bridleway from West Street in Dunstable and Whipsnade. Cycle parking available at the Gateway Centre.
By road
On B4541 west of Dunstable and Whipsnade. Sat Navs use LU6 2GY, or LU6 2TY for older equipment.
Level hard-paved surface, suitable for buggies, motorised scooters and wheelchairs. Numbered and lettered posts mark the route.
Designated parking
Blue Badge parking.
Accessible toilet
Accessible toilets inside and outside the visitor centre.
Shop accessible
Level access to shop situated just off main courtyard near visitor reception.
Induction loop
Induction loops are available at the shop and the café.
Seating available
Accessible benches and chairs available inside and outside.
Wheelchairs available
Wheelchairs available to borrow.
Powered mobility vehicle
Two Trampers available to hire, please call 01582 500920 to book.
Total stages: 12
Total stages: 12
Start point
Chilterns Gateway Centre visitor car park, LU6 2GY. Grid ref: TL008195.
Stage 1
Find the first waymarker in the courtyard facing the car park.
Stage 2
Take the path to the windcatcher and follow the surfaced path to your right. Follow the footpath as it winds downhill over the grass area towards Pascombe and Five Knolls.
Stage 3
Continue along the footpath.
Stage 4
Look out for the London Gliding Club below.
Section of the Icknield Way | © Peter Collins
Stage 5
As you walk past the lower car park, look out for waymarker B a bird.
Skylarks and red kites
In spring and summer you can hear skylarks singing constantly as they soar overhead. They nest in medium-length grass, so watch where you put your feet when off the path. You may also see a red kite gliding on the wind above the downs. Their forked tails make this bird of prey, which can live for up to 25 years, easy to recognise. In the 1990s, 93 pairs were re-introduced to the Chilterns; by 2010 the total was over 350 pairs, and an estimated 500 pairs in 2018.
Stage 6
Continue along the path.
Stage 7
Follow the footpath.
Stage 8
Follow the path as it descends slightly.
Stage 9
You'll see how the footpath runs along the top of the downs.
Stage 10
Keep walking along the footpath towards Pascombe Hill.
Pascombe Hill
Look out for waymarker 5, which highlights signs of the medieval artificial rabbit warren found in Pascombe Hill. The Normans brought rabbits to Britain to be farmed for their meat and fur. As they were a valuable commodity they were guarded by a warrener. These warrens on Pascombe Hill probably belonged to the Priory in Dunstable. In modern history this was the site of Orange Rolling until 1968. Every Good Friday, the people of Dunstable and neighbouring villages would gather at the top of the Downs, then chase oranges thrown down the hills, trying to catch them.
Stage 11
Keep to the footpath as it descends through a gateway. An information panel highlights the Saxon execution site at the 5 knolls burial site.
Stage 12
Turn round and walk back along the footpath you've followed, all the way to the Chilterns Gateway Centre.
End point
Chilterns Gateway Centre visitor car park, LU6 2GY. Grid ref: TL008195.
Trail map
Route map for Dunstable Downs Five Knolls wildlife and heritage walk | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
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01582500920

dunstabledowns@nationaltrust.org.uk

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Near to

Start point

Trail information

Difficulty*

Accessibility**

Full trail

Accessibility

Getting here

Facilities

Accessibility

Terrain and elevation

Trail route

Total stages: 12

Total stages: 12

Start point

Stage 1

Point of interest

Stage 2

Stage 3

Point of interest

Stage 4

Point of interest

Stage 5

Point of interest

Stage 6

Point of interest

Stage 7

Point of interest

Stage 8

Point of interest

Stage 9

Point of interest

Stage 10

Point of interest

Stage 11

Point of interest

Stage 12

End point

Trail map

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