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Dunstable Downs and Whipsnade Estate
Essex, Bedfordshire & HertfordshireSpectacular views of rolling chalk grasslands and a seemingly endless sky in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
Whipsnade Road, Dunstable, Bedfordshire, LU6 2GY
Important notice
20 -23 Dec. Due to an event there will be limited seating available in the Cafe until 11am. Drinks and bakes are
available. Hot food will be available from 11am.
Opening times for 15 December 2025
Asset Opening time Downs Dawn - Dusk The View Café 10:00 - 16:00 Chilterns Gateway Centre 10:00 - 16:00 MTWTFSS123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930311234OpenPartially openClosed- Bookshop
Second hand book shop inside the visitor centre.
- Café
The View Café serving hot and cold drinks, hot food, sandwiches, light bites and cakes.
- Car park
Parking at Dunstable Downs car park £3.50 all day. Single rate only. Pay and display by cash at machines in all of our car parks, or card payment available at the Visitor Information Hub. You can also pay using the JustPark app. Main visitor car park next to the visitor centre, smaller car park available a short distance from the visitor centre.
- Dogs allowed
Dogs welcome on the Downs, on leads inside the visitor centre, café and shop.
- Shop
Kites, books, gifts and local produce in our shop.
- Toilet
Internal and external toilets.
Blue Badge parking and accessible toilet. Level access to the gift shop and View Café.
- Accessible route and/or map
Multi-user path across the Downs.
- Accessible toilet
Accessible toilets internally and externally.
- Braille (guide or menu)
Guide available to pick up from our Visitor Information Hub.
- Induction loop
Induction loops are available at the shop and the Café.
- Large print (guide or menu)
Guide available to pick up from our Visitor Hub.
- Level access to food outlet
Café situated to the right of the visitor centre.
- Level access to shop
Shop situated just off main courtyard inside visitor centre.
- Powered mobility vehicle available
Two Trampers available to hire, please call 01582 500920 to book
- Seating available
Accessible benches and chairs available inside and outside.
- Wheelchairs available
Wheelchairs available to borrow.
- By road
- Please visit Dunstable Downs via the B4541 west of Dunstable. Please note Sallowsprings road is a private road with no through access onto Dunstable Downs.Parking: Dunstable Downs, off B4541 (pay and display); Whipsnade crossroads (Whipsnade Heath), junction of B4541 and B4540 Parking is £3.50 for the day. Free for National Trust Members and Blue Badge holdersSat Nav: Use LU6 2GY
- On foot
- From West Street and Tring Road, Dunstable.
Plan your car-free visit at Good Journey
- By train
Luton train station is the nearest station to Dunstable Downs - 7 miles away.
There are trains to Luton from: London St Pancras International (35 mins) and other Thameslink stations, St Albans (5 mins), Harpenden (10 mins), Bedford (15 mins), Kettering (40 mins) and Corby (45 mins).
Plan your car-free visit at Good Journey
- By bus
Visit by bus for just £2 each way, and enjoy a free hot drink when arriving by bus with a valid bus ticket.
From the centre of Dunstable, walk (25 mins) or take a bus (5 mins) to the edge of Dunstable (the Northern access point to the Downs or border of the National Trust land). Then take the footpath (30-45 mins) or stay on the bus (5 mins) to reach the Chiltern Gateway Centre.
Frequent buses run to Dunstable from Luton (10 mins)
There are frequent buses to Luton from: Hitchin (45 mins), Stevenage (55 mins) and Hatfield (60 mins).
There are regular buses direct to Dunstable from: Leighton Buzzard (30 mins), Bletchley (60 mins) and Milton Keynes (80 mins), with a few direct from Tring (35 mins), St Albans (40 mins) and Aylesbury (55 mins).
Plan your car-free visit at Good Journey
- Cycling
- Bridleway from West Street, Dunstable, and Whipsnade.
: Plan your route to Dunstable Downs using the CycleStreets journey planner via the link below (This journey planner uses OpenStreetMap data which is generally excellent by accuracy cannot be guaranteed. If you come to a footpath or other cycle-prohibited track, please don’t ride on it).
- Car-free
- We hold the Good Journey Mark for welcoming car-free visitors. Travel a greener way and enjoy a free hot drink if you arrive by bus. Plan your journey at Good Journey.
Planning your visit
See what's on at Dunstable Downs
Check out our events at Dunstable Downs and see what's coming up.
Article
Accessibility at Dunstable Downs
We believe Dunstable Downs should be open and accessible for all. Read on to discover how best you can visit to experience and enjoy nature, beauty and history.
News
Arrive at Dunstable Downs by bus for a free hot drink
In support of the Government's bus fare cap, and to encourage visitors to arrive at Dunstable Downs by sustainable transport, we're offering a free regular hot drink with a valid bus ticket.
Article
Visiting Dunstable Downs with your dog
Dunstable Downs is a two pawprint rated place. Dogs are welcome here (and can collect their Pooch Passport and stamp!) Discover everything you need to know when planning your visit with your four-legged friend.
PDF
Dunstable Downs and Whipsnade Estate map
Take a look at the map of Dunstable Downs and Whipsnade Estate to help plan your visit.
PDF
Highlights
Chalk downlands
Chalk downlands, rich with wild flowers and wildlife, with panoramic views of the Aylesbury Vale.
View Café
A café with a panoramic view. Serves hot and cold drinks, cakes, ice creams, lunches and cream teas.
Gift shop
A wide selection of kites, gifts, books, local produce, gardening accessories and seasonal plants.
Second-hand book shop
Find your next read in our indoor second-hand book shop and help fund conservation.
Whipsnade Tree Cathedral
Trees, hedges and shrubs planted in the form of a medieval cathedral.
Spotlight events
December Adventures at Dunstable Downs: A Knights' Festive Feast. 6 December - 4 January
Join the grand Knight’s Festive Feast and celebrate the year’s triumphs in true medieval style! As you journey through the trail, find out who plays a part in bringing a medieval banquet to life. Take on tasks, follow clues, and gather everything needed to complete the festive banquet table. Adventure, laughter, and merriment await—let the feast begin!
Breakfast with the Elves. Various dates between 7 & 23 December
Another magical Christmas season awaits as the elves return for breakfast at the View Café!
Things to see and do
Article
Christmas at Dunstable Downs
Get ready to unwrap the magic of the season at Dunstable Downs! This holiday season, we are thrilled to bring you an enchanting array of festive experiences that will make Christmas special for all the family.
Article
Explore Dunstable Downs
Discover slow-worms and mini beasties on the chalk grasslands, look out for red kites or fly your own kite from the wind-swept ridge.
Article
Visiting Dunstable Downs with your dog
Dunstable Downs is a two pawprint rated place. Dogs are welcome here (and can collect their Pooch Passport and stamp!) Discover everything you need to know when planning your visit with your four-legged friend.
Article
Family activities at Dunstable Downs
There are loads of different family activities designed to help you explore and discover Dunstable Downs. However you choose to spend your day with us, your adventure starts here.
Top trails
Trail
Dunstable Downs countryside walk
Follow this moderately difficult circular route through Dunstable Downs, discovering diverse wildlife, ancient tracks and burial mounds.
Trail
Whipsnade and Dunstable Downs walk
Suitable for more energetic families, the Whipsnade and Dunstable Downs walk offers wonderful views across the Downs.
Trail
Dunstable Downs Five Knolls wildlife and heritage walk
An accessible, waymarked, out-and-back route highlighting the downs' history and the rich variety of birds, insects and plant life that you'll see up here.
Eating and shopping
Article
Eating and shopping at Dunstable Downs
Enjoy stunning views and tempting treats in the café’s large indoor and outdoor seating areas. Discover seasonal and locally sourced gifts in the shop for a souvenir of your visit.
Upcoming events
Event
December Adventures at Dunstable Downs: A Knights' Festive Feast
Join the grand Knights' Festive Feast and celebrate the year’s triumphs in true medieval style.
Event
Breakfast with the Elves 2025
Another magical Christmas season awaits as the elves return for breakfast at the View Café!
About Dunstable Downs and Whipsnade Estate
Look down on a breathtaking landscape, sculpted over time, decorated by nature and enjoyed by generations.
Stand on top of Dunstable Downs for a view that will simply take your breath away. There are several Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) designated for the quality of the chalk grasslands.
As well as two Scheduled Ancient Monuments (Five Knolls and Medieval Rabbit Warrens) there are many other historical features and the site has much to offer.
There are miles of footpaths across the chalk grasslands of the Downs including several circular walks. The Downs have a fascinating history and an abundance of plants and wildlife.
Dunstable Downs is within the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and is the highest point in Bedfordshire.
The wind-swept ridge provides ideal conditions for a variety of air sports, especially kite flying. On calmer days it's the ideal site to enjoy the view and a picnic.
Please note: Chilterns Gateway Centre is owned by Central Bedfordshire Council and managed by the National Trust.
History
Article
History of Dunstable Downs estate
Unearth the history at Dunstable Downs, with the Five Knolls Neolithic burial mounds, an exciting medieval past, and the extraordinary events that took place at Pascombe Pit.
Our work
Article
Our work at Dunstable Downs
Discover the work being carried out by our countryside team to look after Dunstable Downs and creating habitat that's rich in biodiversity.
News
Major project underway to plant 15,000 trees at Dunstable Downs
An ambitious project at the National Trust’s Dunstable Downs is underway to plant 15,000 trees, creating 11.5 hectares (27 acres) of new wood pasture and woodland.
Latest news
Activity
World Book Day: Young Writers Competition
For World Book Day 2025, we hosted a Young Writers Competition. Read the winning entries here.
Support us
Article
Volunteering at Dunstable Downs
There’s a wide variety of volunteering roles on offer at Dunstable Downs. From working outdoors, to welcoming visitors or helping out in the café or shop, there’s plenty of choice for anyone interested.
