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Summer of Play: The Dunstable Downs Sports Village

Visit our very own Sports Village and inspire a spirit of play that can be continued throughout the season and beyond.

  • Booking not needed
  • Free event

Summer of Play returns from Monday 21 July - 31 August!

This year, see our Estate transform into a Sports Village with free, outdoor activities like football, cricket, hockey, tennis, table tennis, athletics, frisbee golf, mini croquet and Wednesday soft archery for you to get stuck into.

Activities are self-led, just pick up the equipment from the Sports Village.

Alternatively join one of our coach-led activities delivered by local sports groups*

Suggested £2 donation. Car parking charges apply, free for National Trust members.

Summer of Play is sponsored by Starling Bank.

*Pepperstock Archers soft archery sessions: 10 August, 12.00pm-4.00pm

*Let’s Get Going nature-based games: 01 August, 10.00am-12.00pm 08 August, 10.00am-12.00pm 15 August, 10.00am-12.00pm 22 August, 10.00am-12.00pm 29 August, 10.00am-12.00pm

Summer of Play SEND offer Every day Mon 21 July- Sun 31 August- all free to take part: • Sensory sports equipment available to borrow- including sensory rocking chairs and SEND friendly dual line kites. • Accessible benches and outdoor furniture available to use. • Accessible drive up and drop off point- the Summer of Play field is around half a mile from our car park. Get in touch or speak to staff to arrange access. • Specialist disability sports coaches drop in sessions run by Panathalon on Tuesday 5 and Tuesday 19 August from 11am- 2pm-drop in no booking needed and free of charge.

Times

The basics

Meeting point

Head to our Visitor Centre or Sports Village to pick up your map and activity sheet.

What to bring and wear

This event is outdoors. Please dress appropriately for the weather.

Accessibility

The field is flat and accessible.

Other

Well behaved dogs on leads welcome.

Contact info

Chilterns Gateway Centre

Upcoming events

Event

Festival of Archaeology: Celtic Codebreakers 

Dig into the past at Dunstable Downs! Join in with the UK's biggest annual celebration of archaeology and unearth the secrets that lie beneath your feet.

Event summary

on
19 Jul to 20 Jul 2025
at
10:00 to 16:30
+ 1 other date or time
Event

Festival of Archaeology – Family Walk 

Step back in time on a family-friendly walk led by professional archaeologist Dr Wendy Morrison, Heritage & Archaeology Manager for the Chilterns National Landscape.

Event summary

on
24 Jul 2025
at
10:30 to 11:30
Event

Festival of Archaeology – Expert-led Walk 

Step back in time on a 3-mile guided walk led by professional archaeologist Dr Wendy Morrison, Heritage & Archaeology Manager for the Chilterns National Landscape.

Event summary

on
24 Jul 2025
at
13:30 to 15:30
Event

Ranger's Ramble: Bird Watch 

Join one of our rangers and explore the habitats most favourable to our population of breeding birds.

Event summary

on
27 Jul 2025
at
10:30 to 12:30