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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
M T W T F S S Open
Closed
Opening times for 26 August 2026
Asset Opening time Downs Dawn - Dusk The View Café 10:00 - 17:00 Chilterns Gateway Centre 10:00 - 17:00 - 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.
Car park - more information- 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
- Dunstable Downs, off B4541 (pay and display); Whipsnade crossroads (Whipsnade Heath), junction of B4541 and B4540. Please note Sallowsprings road is a private road with no through access onto Dunstable Downs.Parking: Parking is £3.50 for the day. Free for National Trust Members and Blue Badge holders. This car park uses payment machines and the JustPark app for member check-in and non-member payments. If you choose to use JustPark, we recommend downloading the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play before your visit and using the relevant JustPark location code(s) (available on arrival). You’ll be asked to add payment details; National Trust members will not be charged.Sat 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 £3 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). This includes the 'ZOO' route (run by Centrebus), a direct link from Luton Station Interchange, which runs on Saturdays, Sundays, bank holidays, and on weekdays during the school holidays. This service will be running until Sunday 1st November 2026.
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
News
Upgraded parking system coming to Dunstable Downs
During September 2026, there will be upgrades to the car parking systems at Dunstable Downs, which will provide visitors with a more reliable and user-friendly parking experience.
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.
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
Article
Commemorative Giving at Dunstable Downs and Whipsnade Tree Cathedral
For many Dunstable Downs and Whipsnade Tree Cathedral holds deeply personal memories. Commemorative giving offers a thoughtful way to remember a loved one or mark a special occasion, while helping us care for these special places for future generations.
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, and gardening accessories.
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
Summer of Play | Mon 20 Jul - Mon 31 Aug
Join us for a summer packed with adventure, creativity and family fun all through the holidays. We'll have football, hockey, tennis, coach-led sessions and much more! All equipment is available to borrow from our team at the Sports Village Welcome Area - there's no need to book.
Things to see and do
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
Have-a-go-session: Let's Get Going
Get ready for a morning of movement, curiosity, games, creativity and play!
Event
Summer of Play: 'Everyone’s Green Space Sports Village' at Dunstable Downs
Dunstable Downs is a place for everyone to enjoy nature in their own way. So, what better excuse to get the kids outside, burning off energy, learning new skills, or simply, having fun than coming along to Summer of Play?
Event
Have-a-go session: Everyone Active Zumba
Get ready to move, giggle and dance together with a fun-filled family Zumba session led by an Everyone Active coach.
Event
Art Course: Needle Felt Workshop on Toadstools
Creative arts company, Something Less Boring returns for a needle felt workshop on toadstalls.
Event
Art Club: Elephants
Something Less Boring's art sessions have been so popular, we've added more dates!
Event
Spooky October Half Term Trail - The Curse of Chute Wood
This half term, step into a world of Halloween magic at Dunstable Downs and help break The Curse of Chute Wood.
Event
Art Course: Watercolour Sunsets
Creative arts company, Something Less Boring brings a fresh perspective on sunsets in their November watercolour workshop.
Event
Art Club: Father Christmas
Creative arts company, Something Less Boring round off their Autumn-Winter art courses with a festive workshop.
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.
