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.
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.
May’s Mythical Maps
Are you ready to begin your knightly training? This half-term, you’re invited to test your map-reading skills in preparation for an upcoming grand quest around the world.
Dates: 24 May - 1 June
Time: 10.00am - 5.00pm
Price: £3 per trail
Booking: not required
Big Camp
Big Camp is the perfect family adventure, offering you the rare opportunity to pitch your tent and camp overnight at the highest point in Bedfordshire. Spend the weekend exploring the Downs in a new light and admiring our vast night-time skies.
Date: 30 May - 1 June
Price: £110 per pitch
Booking: required
Kite flying
The elevated position of Dunstable Downs makes it a perfect location for flying kites. You can bring your own or you can purchase one from our shop with kites priced from £8 each.
Balance bikes
You can borrow a balance bike from our visitor centre free of charge. Perfect for pre-school children learning to ride a bike.
Sensory Bags
We are delighted to introduce our sensory bags, available to borrow from 22 July 2024. With a great selection of sensory items to provide stimulation, create calm, and engage with your senses, these can be curated and signed in and out from our Visitor Welcome Hub. They are to help visitors with autism, sensory processing disorder, or those who think they would benefit from them during their visit.
Build a den
Venture into Chute Wood and tick off no. 4 of our '50 things to do before you’re 11¾' at our new den building area! Castle, cave or pirate ship... let your imagaination run wild and build the hideout of your dreams using an array of specially placed deadwood!
Try geocaching at Dunstable Downs
Up for a challenge? We have hidden six camouflaged geocaches across the Downs, taking you to places you may not have visited before. Geocaching is a high-tech treasure hunt which you can take part in using one of the free geocache apps, including one at geocaching.com. It will guide you to within a few metres of the geocache hiding place and once there, you will need to use your eyes to seek out the cache.
Get your free geocaching account and start hunting today.
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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.
Family-friendly places to visit
Looking for a family day out that'll keep everyone entertained? Find things to do with the kids at the places we care for near you.
Family-friendly places in Essex, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire
Explore a variety of enjoyable days out with the family in Essex, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire, from building dens in Hatfield Forest to flying a kite at Dunstable Downs.
‘50 things to do before you're 11¾’
Plan fresh-air activities, discover facts about nature and wildlife or learn a new skill with our suggestions for ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’.