👀 A FREE A- MAZ-ING HIDDEN GEM IN BEDFORDSHIRE at Roxton Garden Centre! A maze that is free to go too, kids & adults will love it...... if you can find it that is!

🤔SO WHERE IS IT?
This FREE MAZE is located at the wonderful Roxton Garden Centre in Bedfordshire. When you enter the car park you will not see any signposts for it. As you go in the car park facing the garden centre turn right, then turn left as if you are heading for a dead end, it may seem like you are heading for the delivery entrance but there you will see trees on your right and a sign in front of you 'Roxton Maze'.

The maze is located next to the garden centre in a spacious field with a few benches to sit on. At the moment it is being trimmed back due to some hanging branches, we had to duck and dive a few times but it added to all the fun we had.

♿️ IS THE MAZE SUITABLE FOR PUSHCHAIRS OR WHEELCHAIRS?
I would say it is NOT suitable as there are branches, some on the floor and hanging low, some spaces may not be big enough to venture through and also the surface may not be suitable in my personal opinion. It can get muddy too.

🔓WHEN IS THE MAZE OPEN?
The Maze is open the same time when the Garden Centre is open. The details are below.
Please beware they may close the maze at anytime due to maintenance, so it maybe a good idea to contact them before planning your trip to avoid disappointment.

🌺 THE GARDEN CENTRE
The garden centre is wheelchair friendly and dog friendly. You can buy things from plants, to clothes, to toys. Definitely worth a look!

☕️ THE CAFE
The cafe has hot and cold food and drink options at reasonable prices. There is a kids menu and an indoor & outdoor space with unmbrellas to sit in the sun and relax amongst the outdoor flower section of the Garden Centre. Dogs are allowed but they are not allowed in the main restaurant area. Just ask staff if you are not sure, they will be happy to help. They do a great carvery on a Sunday, you may need to book for this as it can get quite busy serving between 11:30 - 3:30pm.

🗓 ROXTON GARDEN CENTRE & MAZE OPENING TIMES
▪️Monday - Saturday: 9.00am - 5.00pm
▪️Sunday: 10.30 - 4.30

☎️ Phone: 01480 212701
📧 Email: roxton@britishgardencentres.com

🐣 Join us for an adventure quest at Wrest Park this Easter holiday. Crack the clues hidden around the grounds and enjoy a delicious chocolate reward!

🗓 2025 DATES:
▪️Sat 5 - Sun 27 April 2025

🎟 EASTER ADVENTURE COST PRICE: £2
You can take on the quest every day of the school holidays, and it costs just £2 to take part. This is for each child, whether you’re a member or not, and it’s on top of the ticket price. There’s no need to book the quest, you can pay when you arrive at the site.

WHAT ELSE CAN WE DO?

🎟 WREST PARK ENTRY PRICES WITHOUT DONATION WITH DONATIONS OBVIOUSLY COST MORE (When booking online the donations will automatically be added but you can change this to admissions only)
*Book early and save 15%.

▪️Adult: £13.10 - £15.00
▪️Concession: £11.80 - £13.10
▪️Child: £8.10 - £9.00
▪️Under 5: Free
▪️Family 2 adults upto 3 children: £34.30 - £39.00
▪️Family 1 adult upto 3 children: £21.20 -£22.00
▪️Members/English Heritage: Free

🐵 Reduced price Whipsnade Zoo tickets 2025!

Whipsnade Zoo wants as many people as possible to be able to enjoy a brilliant day out with them, to benefit from the amazing animals which live at Whipsnade Zoo, connect with nature and help us create a world where wildlife thrives.

To help people who might find cost or other challenges a barrier to visiting Whipsnade Zoo, the Universal Credit tickets provide entry at a reduced price.

🙋‍♀️ WHO CAN GET THE REDUCED TICKETS?
Reduced price tickets to Whipsnade Zoo available for those currently receiving:
▪️Universal Credit, 
▪️Working Tax Credit, 
▪️Child Tax Credit, 
▪️Employment and Support Allowance, 
▪️Income Support 
▪️Jobseeker’s Allowance.

🌐 ONLINE BOOKING ONLY VIA THE 'EVENT LINK' BUTTON
These tickets are only available to purchase online in advance, for up to six people per household (under 3’s go free and do not need to book – but must be accompanied by an adult with a booked ticket). As only full price tickets are available to buy at the gate.

📝 WHAT WILL I NEED TO BRING WITH ME?
You'll need to bring proof of eligibility with you and show this when you present your ticket(s) to the friendly staff at the Zoo entrance. This can either be by logging into your Universal Credit portal or by bringing your proof of benefit letter (one proof per household). To be eligible you must have received a Universal Credit payment within the last month and you may also be asked to show photographic ID.

🎟 HOW MUCH ARE THE REDUCED TICKETS?
▪️ADULT (AGES 16+)  - £7.00 / £6.00     
▪️CHILD (3-15 YEARS) -  £4.00 / £3.00
▪️UNDER 3 - Free

〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️

💡 AN IDEA TO SAVE MONEY ON FOOD...
You can check out the toogoodtogo app to see if they have any surprise bags of food left, generally they are £3 instead of costing £9. Be quick though they can sell out quickly.
https://share.toogoodtogo.com/item/699154/

🏍 The Sugar Loafs bike nights in Dunstable  will be starting again for 2025 on Tuesday's from 6pm. All bikes welcome, (spread the word)
Look forward to seeing you all again 👍

ℹ️ BIKE PARK & SEPARATE BAR AT REAR

🐰 Easter at Herrings Green Farm is on April 5th-23rd 2025. Join us this Easter for some family fun on the farm!

🦉 WHAT TO EXPECT
Herrings Green Activity Farm is one of the largest bird of prey centres in the UK. Home to over 200 birds of prey plus many breeds of farm animals. Come face to face with different species of Owls, Hawks, Eagles, Falcons and even Pelicans! Take a walk over to the farm where you can visit many breeds of farm animals; donkeys, sheep, goats, alpacas, ponies and many more.

🐑 EASTER BABY BARN – Opening this Easter is our baby barn, visit our barn and see our beautiful Spring lambs, the perfect way to spend Easter.
We have a packed program of events to keep the whole family entertained:

PROGRAMME
⭐️10.30 – Meet and handle our owls.
⭐️11.00 – Pat a pet with our beautiful rabbits and guinea pigs
⭐️11.30 – Flying display.
⭐️12.15 – Tractor Rides & Barrel Rides *Weather dependent
⭐️12.30 – Have a go at flying an owl.
⭐️1.30 – Animal and critter encounter; meet some of our smaller animals and reptiles
⭐️2.30 – Flying display.
⭐️3.15 – Tractor Rides & Barrel Rides *Weather dependent.
⭐️3.30 – Meet and greet with our farm animals
⭐️4.00 – Pony/Donkey Grooming

🚜 OUTDOOR PLAY AREA
Take the kids to the outdoor playgrounds, have a go on the tyre run and for the little ones enjoy the ride on tractors.

🥪 FOOD & DRINK
Our tea room is open daily 10.00 am– 5.00 pm, serving sandwiches, cakes and snacks or alternatively you are welcome to bring a picnic.

💥 EASTER SUNDAY 20TH APRIL!
On Easter Sunday we will have a giant Easter Egg Hunt at 3:30pm.

✅️ PAY ONLINE OR ON THE DOOR
All activities are included in the admission. You can either book your tickets online or pay on arrival.

🎟 TICKETS COST:
▪️Adult: £15.95 
▪️Child (2-15 years): £9.95 
▪️Children under 2 years: Free

🦆Join us at Stanwick Lakes this Easter school holidays 2025 for a week of family-friendly activities and adventures! From a nature trail, to crafts and ranger-led sessions, there’s something for children of all ages to enjoy amidst the picturesque scenery of the lakes.

🛝 Play Areas & Adventure Trails
The playground and play tower await you this Easter, alongside water play for little ones, and lots of sand, plus the assault course is only a short walk away. Our food and drink outlets are  ready to keep you refreshed and our café menu will ensure you’re satisfied! Explore more – along our adventure trail – with climbing rocks, rope bridge and zip line.

✅️ NO NEED TO BOOK!
Drop-in activities in the Visitor Centre all Easter:
We have three egg-citing, self-led activities for to to choose from this Easter school holidays. Available everyday during Visitor Centre opening hours, just ask a member of the team to get you set up!

🐰 Easter Crafts - From £1
No need to book! Purchase your materials at the Welcome Desk and get creative!

🎨 Pottery Painting- £9 - £20
We’ve added some egg-citing new piece to our pottery range for Easter – egg cups, decorative eggs, trinket pots and money boxes.

🔎 Easter Trail - £3.50
The DetEGGtive Nature Trail
No booking necessary
Collect your trail pack from the Vistor Centre during opening hours.
The Funny Bunnies have been up to their old tricks. This time they have hidden all our Easter eggs! Can you come and put on your DetEGGtive hat to help us find them? Enjoy jokes, games and learn about our EGGcellent wildlife along the way. Don’t forget to colelct your prize from the Visitor Centre! Our trail can be collected from the Visitor Centre. Suitable for all ages, allow around 45 minutes to 1 hour for the experience. For the best experience, we recommend starting between 9:30am and 4pm.

🗓 SPECIFIC DATED ACTIVITIES, BOOKING REQUIRED........
 

🪲 POND DIPPING - £3.50
🗓 book 8th april
🗓 book 15th april
▪️AGES: 3+
▪️TIME: 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Using nets and trays from our pond-dipping platform and guided by one of our ranger team, you’ll first discuss the creatures you are likely to find, why they are key to the environment, and the importance of handling them carefully. Then you’ll  be given pond dipping kits and take it in turns to dip. Identification keys are available and and a ranger will be on hand to share knowledge hear about  your discoveries!

Sessions last approx. 30 minutes and a responsible adult must be present throughout. Meet at the Ranger Cabin 5 mins before and your chosen, ticketed start time.


DEN BUILDING - £6.00
🗓 Book 10th april
🗓 Book 17th april
▪️AGES: 3+
▪️TIME: 10:00A M - 12:00 PM

A Ranger will lead your group to our den building area and introduce you to the tools and materials available, and discuss the min main properties a shelter should have if it were to be needed in a survival situation. You’ll then be set a challenge to build your den! One of our Ranger team will be on hand to visit your shelter and hear about your chosen den-building techniques and vision.

Sessions last approx. 60 minutes and a responsible adult must be present throughout. Meet at the Ranger Cabin 5 mins before and your chosen, ticketed start time.

🅿️ PARKING
Parking charges apply.

🚣‍♂️ We're back for another year of clean ups and community action in Kempston.

🚮 EVENT DETAILS
Join us on a paddle boarding litter pick and make a difference. Together we gather critical evidence of water and litter pollution to drive solutions that protect both environmental and human health.

✅️ WHAT'S PROVIDED?
We provide everything you need, including a paddle board, safety vest, litter pick and bucket to collect your litter whilst you're out on the water.

Then it’s back to base to use the free Planet Patrol app to record your findings.

📍LOCATION
What3words: https://w3w.co/cassettes.greet.sweeper

🅿️ PARKING & HOW TO FIND US...
Please park at Mill Lane, and walk downstream for 5 mins along the path through the woodland to our bottom gate.
Once facing the river on Mill Lane, follow the path along the river to your right, through the trees for approx 5 mins to the slipway.

✍️ SIGN UP....
Everyone is welcome and no experience is necessary. Head to the Planet Patrol website via the event link to sign up.

https://planetpatrol.co/clean-ups/paddleboarding-kempston-22-april-25/

👶 Come along and join us no at Toddington Village Hall for a Mother & Baby Group, no need to book in advance! The group is every Tuesday in term time.

WHAT TO EXPECT
✨️ Friendship & community
✨️ Creative activities
✨️ Snacks
✨️ Baby Area

💷 COST ON THE DOOR:
£2.50 PER FAMILY