🌳 Forest & lakeside adventures - heading out with family, friends, fur babies or going solo for some me time? Marston Moretaine Forest Centre is a great day out for all with a calming nature setting. Whether you’re cycling, strolling, geocaching, or simply sipping coffee with a view, this spot hits all the right notes.
Craving a quiet moment in nature? Planning a two-wheeled adventure? or scouting out the next lunch date spot? Marston Moretaine Forest Centre has you covered. This green gem in Bedfordshire is the kind of place that turns a casual stroll into a full-blown “why don't we come here more often?” experience.
😋 Menu - Prices & items may change
🦆THE LAKESIDE CIRCULAR ROUTE Walk, Roll, Ride—Your Way around the approx 4 mile circular route making a day out of it, take your time and enjoy some
🤔 WHAT CAN YOU DO THERE? ▪️Bike hire? Yep, and super convenient (prices are displayed on site). ▪️Walking trails? Absolutely—try the circular lake route, or go off track and find secret paths. ▪️Picnics? Very much encouraged. Bring your sandwiches, your snacks, your sunhat/woolly hat. ▪️Grown-ups only! Don’t miss the balcony above the visitor centre café to enjoy a bit of adult time — perfect for coffee and views (just a heads-up: dogs aren’t allowed on the balcony, so Bruno will have to miss this one out). ▪️Geocaching? Yes, although we have yet to find one of these little treasures.
🚲 Bike hire prices - Prices & availability can change at any time
🧒 ADVENTURES FOR THE LITTLE ONES Kids won't just burn energy—they’ll make memories. ✨️ There's a play park right by the café. ✨️ Sensory gardens offer calming sights, scents, and textures. ✨️ And for the curious ones? Take a net and try pond dipping. It’s nature’s version of treasure hunting.
🛝 Play park next to the Visitor Centre/Cafe
♿️ ACCESS FOR EVERYONE Marston Moretaine Forest Centre is thoughtfully designed: ⭐️ Fully wheelchair and pushchair accessible ⭐️ Accessible & baby changing toilets available on site ⭐️ Blue Badge parking is available (free for Friends of the Forest members, otherwise pay-as-you-go) ⭐️ Accessible routes around the lake
🅿️ PARKING Parking is chargeable, but if you’re a Friend of the Forest, it’s free. ▪️Opening hours: 9am – 5pm daily ▪️Car park closes: 8pm sharp
🅿️ Parking charges (cost could change at anytime)
✅️ Accessible ✅️ Dog friendly ✅️ Accessible toilets ✅️ Food & drink available ✅️ Play park ✅️ Walking/cycling routes ✅️ Lakeside ✅️ Scenic ✅️ Adult only balcony ✅️ A shop for gifts
🚉 THE MARSTON VALE TRAIN LINE There closest train to Marston Moretaine is in Milbrook this runs from Bletchley - Bedford, this includes stopping off at Millbrook. The walk from the train station to Marston Vale Forest Centre takes approx 20 - 25 minutes. Click here for the timetable.
Johnsons of Old Hurst Zoo - An affordable zoo in Huntingdon not too far from Bedfordshire!
🗓 OPENING DAYS & TIMES ▪️Tuesday - Saturday: 10.00am - 5.30pm ▪️Sunday: 10.00 - 4.30pm
🦁 WHAT ANIMALS WILL I SEE? The zoo proudly house's over 100 fascinating animals, from majestic African Lions to delightful sloth bears, a racoon dog, skunk, otters, a bob cat, wallabies, rabbits, meerkats and many more.
🌴 TROPICAL HOUSE Inside the warm Tropical house you will find crocodiles, turtles, fish & snakes surrounded by palm trees. (The Whatsup Bedfordshire family loved this!)
🛝 FUN FOR THE KIDS You will find an outdoor play area with a climing frame, swings, slide and bouncers. You will also find a tranquil circular woodland walk. Keep a look out for Peacocks roaming around near the Steak House!
🐶 DOGS Don’t forget, dogs are welcome too!
😋 FOOD & DRINK Onsite your can visit: ▪️The Steakhouse (Open Wednesday - Sunday) ▪️The Tea Room ▪️Farm Shop Please check the website for opening times.
🚫 NO PICNICS ALLOWED Please be aware pinics are not allowed. They do not check in your bags or anything.
♿️ IS THE ZOO ACCESSIABLE? (Whatsup Bedfordshire advice) The parking is on gravel stones so this maybe hard to navigate a wheelchair. Although it does mention on the website that you can park infront of the Farm Shop which is tarmac ideal for wheelchair users. The farm shop, Steak House & Tea room are accessible. On a winter day you may find the zoo area paths are muddy, with some gravel paths and grass, so it maybe hard to push a wheelchair in places. There is a wooden slat ramp to the Tropical house. 🚻 Accessible toilets - Accessible toilets are available in both the Steakhouse and Tea room.
🎟 NO BOOKING REQUIRED, JUST PAY ON THE GATE BY CASH OR CARD! (Prices have gone up 50p for 2026) ▪️ Adult: £5.50 ▪️ Child: £4.50 ▪️ Ages 3 & under: Free
✅️ Cheap day out ✅️ Dog friendly ✅️ Play area ✅️ For animal lovers ✅️ Restaurant ✅️ No booking required
🪁 SO MUCH FUN ON A BUDGET... Looking for a breezy day out with big skies and even bigger smiles? Dunstable Downs is calling! We grabbed a £1.99 kite from Poundstretcher in Houghton Regis (yes, really!) and had an absolute blast soaring it through the sky. Who knew £2 could buy so much joy?
This iconic Bedfordshire beauty spot isn’t just about the views, it’s steeped in history, perfect for picnics with benches to relax, and if you’re into geocaching, you might just uncover a hidden treasure or two. To add to the mix this location is dog friendly too, with la huge outdoor space for your fur babies to enjoy!
😌 FREE WELLBEING WALKS Every Thursday at 1pm, join a FREE Wellbeing Walk. It’s a gentle, guided stroll that’s great for the body and soul. For information click here.
Wellbeing Walks - Dunstable Downs
🚶♂️♿️ SUGGESTED WALKS There are many walks you can choose from, walking from Dunstable Downs (in the picture below). Go solo, go with friends or family with an accessible suggestion too!
Suggested walks
☕️ THE CAFÉ ▪️10:30am -12pm: With lots of choice you can enjoy breakfast baps from (vegetarian options). ▪️11:30am - 3pm: Serving jacket potatoes, toasted sandwiches, baguettes, salads, quiche, one pot meals like chilli and bread & butter, sausage rolls, pizza slices & chips. 🐶 For dogs: you will also see doggy icecream and treats for sale in the shop.
Menu (prices & items may change)
♿️ ACCESSIBILITY We love how inclusive Dunstable Downs is: ✅️ The café and visitor centre are fully accessible. ✅️ You can borrow a mobility tramper for a suggested £5 donation—perfect for exploring the trails with ease. ✅️ Need a wheelchair or a small bike for the kids? They’ve got those too! ✅️ Accessible toilets. ✅️ Baby changing.
Hire out a tramper for a £5 donation
Hire out a small children's bike
🅿️ PARKING INFORMATION ▪️National Trust Members: Park for free! ▪️Everyone else: Just £3.50 for the whole day. ▪️Blue badge parking available.
🏆 Is The Angels Share the friendliest bar in Hitchin? Whatsup Bedfordshire thinks so!
💯 RATED BY WHATSUP BEDFORDSHIRE If bars could give you a warm hug - The Angels Share in Hitchin gives you this with a cherry on the top. It’s small, sure—but bursting at the seams with charm, character, and an owner who might just be the nicest person in town.
The Angel Share, Hitchin
🥂 THE OWNER Meet Harpreet: owner, bartender, vibe curator, laid back, funny, & an all-round legend. After ordering our first drink the owner somehow remembered our drink order (double rum & diet coke with a splash of lime) and had it waiting before we could say “cheers.” It’s like he’s got some kind of sixth sense for knowing your drinks topped off with kindness. This guy seems like he has time for everyone even when he's running around keeping everything in order.
Harpreet - The Legend Owner
🎶 LIVE MUSIC VIBES Roll in on a Friday or Saturday night and you’re greeted not just by friendly faces but by live music that fills the Arcade. Harpreet joined in on the mic too and impressively was really good.
Whether you’re flying solo or turning up with friends, or a romantic date night, you’re instantly absorbed into the rhythm. We were totally enchanted by a London busker, Raj Swamy, whose voice had everyone swooning—we had a little chat with him after his last tune - just as lovely as his lyrics.
Musician - Raj Swamy (find on instagram)
🕯 MOOD LIGHTING MASTERED! When the pathway lights gave up (Hitchin quirks), Harpreet sprang into action like a hospitality superhero. Out came colour-changing lamps—yes, colour-changing lamps—one for each table. He even asked what colour we’d prefer. We went for the red for love, naturally.
Mood Lighting by night - Harpreet finally gets to chill with everyone
🥘 FOODIE REGRET IS REAL They also serve tapas and Indian food, which we didn’t get to try—but that just gives us the perfect excuse to go back, (as if we needed one.) Next time, we’re arriving hungry and leaving full-hearted and full-stomached.
😋 Delicious Food
💖 A PLACE WHERE YOU INSTANTLY FEEL WELCOME People were popping in just to say hi to Harpreet—he’s not just a bartender, he’s a local treasure. We also got chatting to the regulars at their tables about all kind of stuff from holidays to health problems - being in my 40's I actually appreciate these down to earth conversations. We went in as customers and left having made new friends.
🏆THE VERDICT This little gem just has that aura you want to come back again and again, like a holiday vibe to perk you up again. If this isn’t what brilliant customer experience looks like, we don’t know what is. The Angel Share didn’t just win our hearts—it’s claimed a permanent spot in our Friday night plans. See you at the bar (save us a red lamp for love)!
♿️ ACCESSIBILITY The toilets are upstairs so unfortunately you won't find accessible toilets. On the plus side the seating area outside is flat and I know for sure Harpreet will give you table service like a VIP as he seems to do for everyone.
✅️ Date idea ✅️ Live music ✅️ Top notch customer service ✅️ Delicious Indian Food ✅️ Friendly & sociable ✅️ Hire out for special occasions ✅️ Outdoor undercover seating ✅️ Laid back atmosphere
😍 Bromham is a village and civil parish in the Borough of Bedford in Bedfordshire, England, situated around 3 miles (4.8 km) west of Bedford town centre with the Great River Ouse running through it.
I've been really wanting to visit The Mill Coffee Shop in Bromham for ages, it looks so beautiful in the photos I've seen as its situated right next to the river. We got there a little late for food but explored the grounds anyway.
🛝 WHAT WE LOVED Tucked away like a hidden gem, this riverside spot stole our hearts. Just steps from the water, we found a peaceful escape complete with a spacious field and a charming play park with benches. The meandering riverside paths held within the grounds felt like we had our own secret slice of nature. You could even take a blanket with you as the field area is quite big. While we were there we saw a couple working on their laptops, what a great location to work outdoors!
🧚♀️A SURPRISE Just when we thought the day couldn’t get any dreamier, we stumbled into a woodland walk straight out of a storybook. Fairy doors peeked through the leaves, an enchanting hideaway featuring still creatures for curious little explorers.
We couldn’t help but imagine how magical it must look after dusk when the lights truly come alive. To find this whimsical wonderland, simply head to the Mill car park—take a left into the woods, and let your adventure begin. Trust us, your inner child will thank you.
💯 RECOMMENDED A beautiful place to visit in Bedfordshire and a fun place to keep the kiddies occupied.
✅️ Free parking ✅️ Dog friendly ✅️ Play area ✅️ Scenic ✅️ Date spot location ✅️ Half term trip out
