🦆Clophill Lakes Nature Reserve - opened 2025!
Saturday 24 May 2025
Low Cost
Family
Food/Drink
Adults
Teens
Baby/Toddlers
Kids
OAP
Date Idea
Health & Wellbeing
Education
History & Heritage
Play Area
Parks
Outdoor
Free Entry
Attractions
Half Term
Walks
Play Parks
Water
Accessible
Family
Toilets
Parking Onsite
Blue Badge Parking
Dog Friendly
🦆We had the pleasure of exploring Clophill Lakes Nature Reserve on the very day it opened to the public—5th April 2025. It is open 9am – 5pm, 7 days a week.
🏞 WHAT WE LOVED
The walking route consists of well-maintained gravel and grass paths, offering a serene journey around the lakes. The gentle-paced walk around the stunning lakes took around 45 minutes, providing a perfect mix of relaxation and nature immersion. Wandering through this tranquil setting, charming wooden bridges, surrounded by glistening waters and chirping wildlife, felt like a breath of fresh air.
🪑 LOOKING FORWARD TO...
One thing we noticed—there are no benches around the lakes yet, making it a challenge for those who need a rest during their walk. While we managed the route just fine, having dedicated seating would make this reserve even more accessible. If you’re visiting soon, consider bringing a blanket to sit by the lakeside and soak in the scenery.
🗣️ The Green Trust has confirmed benches will be added in the future, but when we visited in April 2025, funding was still in progress. We’re excited to see how the space evolves to be even more visitor-friendly!
🛝 PLAY PARK
Nestled near the lakes and leading into a nearby residential area is a small play park, a fun addition for families. However, when we visited in April 2025, it was still closed, with no confirmed opening date yet.
☕️ THE CAFÉ (open 10am to 3pm daily)
A welcome retreat after a lakeside stroll—the café is a delightful spot to grab a drink, treat yourself to some ice cream or cake, and unwind at the seating area outside or indoors. Toilets, including accessible facilities, are available, making it a convenient stop during your visit.
🏰 CLOPHILL & CAINHOE CASTLE HISTORY
History lovers will appreciate the fascinating story of Cainhoe Castle, visible in the distance as a grassy mound near the lakes. Clophill itself has deep historical roots, with evidence of a Roman road running through the village.
📜 In the Domesday Book of 1086, Clophill was recorded as Clopelle, meaning tree-stump hill. Cainhoe Castle was once an impressive motte and bailey fortification from the late 11th or early 12th century. Tragically, during the Black Death, the castle and its surrounding village were abandoned, as the population succumbed to the devastating plague. By 1374, the castle had fallen into ruins and was never rebuilt. Today, only its turf-covered mound and historic earthwork banks remain, serving as silent echoes of its medieval past.
🔎 WHAT HAS BEEN DISCOVERED HERE?
Archaeological finds have uncovered intriguing relics of the past, including:
⭐️ The Rondel Dagger
⭐️ Wooden Stakes
⭐️ Pottery Fragments
⭐️ Flints
⭐️ Horse Shoes
Each item tells a piece of the untold stories buried beneath the soil, giving us glimpses into the lives of those who once walked these lands.
🅿️ THE CAR PARK
Spacious and convenient—parking is plentiful, so no need to worry about finding a spot. However, blue badge bays are available but are not free.
🅿️ PARKING CHARGES:
▪️0-3 hours: £3.50
▪️Over 3 hours: £5.50
🚶Want to save on parking?
You can park for free in the village and take a short scenic walk down to the nature reserve instead!
✅ Dog friendly
✅ Paid parking available
✅ Café with toilets
✅ Indoor & outdoor seating at the café
😑 Mostly accessible, though some areas have uneven grassy terrain
❌ Fishing prohibited
🗺 ADDRESS
Clophill Lakes Nature Reserve, Shefford Road, Beadlow, Beds SG17 5TR
🌐 CLOPHILL NATURE RESERVE WEBSITE
https://www.greensandtrust.org/clophill-lakes-nature-reserve
🏞 WHAT WE LOVED
The walking route consists of well-maintained gravel and grass paths, offering a serene journey around the lakes. The gentle-paced walk around the stunning lakes took around 45 minutes, providing a perfect mix of relaxation and nature immersion. Wandering through this tranquil setting, charming wooden bridges, surrounded by glistening waters and chirping wildlife, felt like a breath of fresh air.
🪑 LOOKING FORWARD TO...
One thing we noticed—there are no benches around the lakes yet, making it a challenge for those who need a rest during their walk. While we managed the route just fine, having dedicated seating would make this reserve even more accessible. If you’re visiting soon, consider bringing a blanket to sit by the lakeside and soak in the scenery.
🗣️ The Green Trust has confirmed benches will be added in the future, but when we visited in April 2025, funding was still in progress. We’re excited to see how the space evolves to be even more visitor-friendly!
🛝 PLAY PARK
Nestled near the lakes and leading into a nearby residential area is a small play park, a fun addition for families. However, when we visited in April 2025, it was still closed, with no confirmed opening date yet.
☕️ THE CAFÉ (open 10am to 3pm daily)
A welcome retreat after a lakeside stroll—the café is a delightful spot to grab a drink, treat yourself to some ice cream or cake, and unwind at the seating area outside or indoors. Toilets, including accessible facilities, are available, making it a convenient stop during your visit.
🏰 CLOPHILL & CAINHOE CASTLE HISTORY
History lovers will appreciate the fascinating story of Cainhoe Castle, visible in the distance as a grassy mound near the lakes. Clophill itself has deep historical roots, with evidence of a Roman road running through the village.
📜 In the Domesday Book of 1086, Clophill was recorded as Clopelle, meaning tree-stump hill. Cainhoe Castle was once an impressive motte and bailey fortification from the late 11th or early 12th century. Tragically, during the Black Death, the castle and its surrounding village were abandoned, as the population succumbed to the devastating plague. By 1374, the castle had fallen into ruins and was never rebuilt. Today, only its turf-covered mound and historic earthwork banks remain, serving as silent echoes of its medieval past.
🔎 WHAT HAS BEEN DISCOVERED HERE?
Archaeological finds have uncovered intriguing relics of the past, including:
⭐️ The Rondel Dagger
⭐️ Wooden Stakes
⭐️ Pottery Fragments
⭐️ Flints
⭐️ Horse Shoes
Each item tells a piece of the untold stories buried beneath the soil, giving us glimpses into the lives of those who once walked these lands.
🅿️ THE CAR PARK
Spacious and convenient—parking is plentiful, so no need to worry about finding a spot. However, blue badge bays are available but are not free.
🅿️ PARKING CHARGES:
▪️0-3 hours: £3.50
▪️Over 3 hours: £5.50
🚶Want to save on parking?
You can park for free in the village and take a short scenic walk down to the nature reserve instead!
✅ Dog friendly
✅ Paid parking available
✅ Café with toilets
✅ Indoor & outdoor seating at the café
😑 Mostly accessible, though some areas have uneven grassy terrain
❌ Fishing prohibited
🗺 ADDRESS
Clophill Lakes Nature Reserve, Shefford Road, Beadlow, Beds SG17 5TR
🌐 CLOPHILL NATURE RESERVE WEBSITE
https://www.greensandtrust.org/clophill-lakes-nature-reserve
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