Skip to content

Eating and shopping at Dunstable Downs

A stylised photograph looking down on table with a cream tea for two, with scones and jam and mugs of tea.
Scones are for every season | © National Trust Images/William Shaw

Located at the Chiltern Gateway Centre, Dunstable Downs’ View Café has a spectacular view over the Vale of Aylesbury to enjoy while you snack. Stop by the shop and grab a souvenir of your visit, or a tempting treat to take home.

View café 

The café serves a great menu with a selection of hot and cold dishes to suit the whole family. These include the ever-popular sausage rolls, pasties, cakes, and delicious ice cream – there’s something to suit everyone.

The menu varies daily, depending on the season and we try to include a vegetarian dish each day. We source ingredients locally where possible. The salads, jacket potatoes, paninis and deli rolls are freshly made each day by the team at Dunstable Downs.

A close-up of a smiling child enjoying a cut of hot chocolate at Knoll Beach café, Studland Bay
Cream-clad smiles guaranteed | © National Trust Images / Trevor Ray Hart

 

Allergen information

Most of the food and drink served is prepared on site in our kitchen, using a wide range of ingredients. As a result, we can’t guarantee that any of our food and drink products are completely allergen free. 

If you have an allergy or intolerance and would like ingredient information about the food and drink served, please ask the staff, who will be happy to help.

Always check when you visit

Visited before? We sometimes change our recipes to improve quality and flavour, including the ingredients. When you visit, please speak to one of our team to check the current allergen information for your favourite dish.

 

Thank you

Every cuppa or tasty treat you buy helps us to continue looking after places for everyone to enjoy.

In front of a festive display is a wooden chopping board with Christmas pudding chocolate bar, snowball curd, jingleberry extra jam and biscuits.
For all the festive foodies | © National Trust Images/James Dobson

Shopping at Dunstable Downs

Whether you're looking for some outdoor fun, a treat for yourself or to take home a souvenir of a wonderful day, there's something for all ages in our Dunstable Downs Shop. From outdoor toys, games and kites to items for your four-legged friends. As well as tasty treats and locally made products. Step inside the Dunstable shop and explore.

For kids and families

Our shop supports families to explore and embrace the great outdoors with a range of fantastic outdoor toys, including a wide range of kites perfect for flying on Dunstable Downs. With quirky pocket money ideas, wooden toys, fun family games, educational toys, pretend play ideas and gorgeous plush animals looking for a new home – we’ve got playtime covered, however old you are.

Stylish stationery

Whether you’re just saying hello, jotting down that crucial ingredient or saving a date, our beautiful stationery range features notebooks, shopping list pads, notecards, calendars, and full stationery sets. Best of all, everything is UK-made.

Tasty treats

The fruity jams, tasty curds, and crunchy biscuits on sale in the shop are all UK-made and completely moreish. So, if you’re looking for food and drink gifts or just something delicious for your own table, there'll be something to tempt your taste buds.

Shop local

We're passionate about supporting local artist, designers and crafts people, to bring high quality local produce to the Dunstable shop.  We stock a large range of locally products including prints, greetings cards, ales, jewellery, glassware and home fragrances.
 

 

Thank you

It is through your purchases and support that we are able to continue to care for nature, beauty and history for everyone, for ever.

a building on the left with benches on the right. it is low light with a clear sky and frosty

Discover more at Dunstable Downs and Whipsnade Estate

Find out when Dunstable Downs and Whipsnade Estate is open, how to get here, the things to see and do and more.

You might also be interested in

Visitors in the tearoom at East Riddlesden Hall, Yorkshire

Places to eat 

Discover some of the best cafés, restaurants and tea-rooms at the places in our care across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Find a place to eat near you, as well as special deals and allergen information.

Four bookshelves filled with books of the second-hand bookshop at Paycocke's House, Essex
Article
Article

Second-hand bookshops 

Pick up a book from a second-hand bookshop to keep or share. Every purchase will raise funds for conservation projects at the places in our care.

Selection of 'explorer' items from the National Trust shop, featuring activity book, magnifying glass and binoculars.

Treat yourself 

Looking for the perfect gift or perhaps you're in need of some retail therapy? You can browse our full range via our online shop.

Two children flying a kite in spring, Dunstable Downs, Bedfordshire.
Article
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.

View of Dunstable Downs and Whipsnade Estate, Bedfordshire
Article
Article

History of Dunstable Downs estate 

Unearth the history at Dunstable Downs, with the Five Knolls Neolithic burial mounds and the extraordinary events that took place at Pascombe Pit.

An image of a pale cream fluffy dog between its two owners being walked along a path in the countryside and surrounded by greenery
Article
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.