Dunstable Downs and Studham (11km) Print

Dunstable Downs and Studham Waypoint 1
Dunstable Downs and Studham, Ride 10 in the Bedfordshire on Horseback series. Approx 11km (7 mile). Covers a wide variety of terrain including passinging the unusual Tree Cathedral, with very little road work. However, the Downs can be busy with visitors on a fine day, at weekends or school holidays. The spur to Studham runs alongside Whipsnade Zoo in places but adjacent fields contain only herbivores. Parking is available at National Trust Chilterns Gateway Visitor Centre which is well signed from the A5. From the car park GR 008197 head to the left of the Visitors Centre to the iron windcatcher. Turn left here onto Bridleway (BW) with hedge on left. Follow BW through a horse friendly gate.

Dunstable Downs and Studham Waypoint 2
Keeping to the hedge and fence on your left, continue for about 1.2km to another gate and BW junction just before road.

Dunstable Downs and Studham Waypoint 3
Turn left onto BW and continue straight on along this BW, to BW gate. Pass Dell Farm on left and then turn left along side of small piece of common to road.

Dunstable Downs and Studham Waypoint 4
Cross road leads to zoo, so can be busy onto Whipsnade Green and turn left and follow, alongside road, until the road bears left. Go straight ahead on small lane across green towards large house. Alternative Route: continue alonside the road, take the next turn on the left to the Tree Cathedral. Then follow directions in waypoint 9 below to return to the start. This option omits the spur ride to Studham and reduces the distance to about 5km (3 miles).

Dunstable Downs and Studham Waypoint 5
Continue straight on down laneand between bollards onto suncken lane signed Icknield Way Continue down this lane, with tarmac surface and perimeter fence to zoo behind trees to your right, until you reach the end of the perimeter fence.

Dunstable Downs and Studham Waypoint 6
Turn right here signed and continue along this BW for about 2km after the fence ends, go through woods, along field headland and through more woods, then muddy track by field on your right. The BW emerges onto a quiet lane leading to Church. Turn right here and then right again at next road junction also quiet road.

Dunstable Downs and Studham Waypoint 7
At bottom on hill, take BW to your left across Studham Common to emerge onto road by war memorial. Please keep to the BW and do not ride anywhere on the common. The Red Lion pub opposite the war memorial welcomes horses in the car park and serves food daily. Large groups are asked to call in advance 01582 872530. There is a small public car park at this road junction and this could be an alternative starting point.

Dunstable Downs and Studham Waypoint 8
Retrace your route back to Whipsnade Green. Just after the small car park at start of green, bear right across green towards road, path visable cross road with care and continue up the lane opposite, around green to the enterance to Tree Cathedral.