Wander into one of the Greensand Ridge's ancient woodlands in late April and you'll encounter drifts of bluebells. Listen and you might hear the buzz of bees and hoverflies and the songs of woodland birds newly arriving from winters spent far to the south. The Greensand Ridge is one of the few places in Central England where thin, sandy soils support lowland heathland and acid grassland - distinctive landscapes which support specific wildlife and vegetation and need to be protected to thrive. 

The varied geology of the Ridge has created a distinctive mosaic of habitats and land uses. The steep scarp slopes to the north of the Ridge contrast with the gently-folded slopes to the south. All along the shallow valleys springs feed streams which carry acidic water down to the valley of the River Flit which meanders through Flitwick Moor, a unique peatland of national significance.

The well-wooded, mature and attractive landscape contains a number of places to visit such as Rushmere Country Park in Heath and Reach to the west, the RSPB's nature reserve at The Lodge near Sandy and the popular Greensand Ridge Walk running the entire distance.

The Greensand Ridge Walk

The Greensand Ridge Walk is a long-distance walk of 40 miles (64 km) that crosses Bedfordshire, with brief sections in Cambridgeshire and Buckinghamshire. From its southern endpoint at Leighton Buzzard the route runs north-west to Gamlingay, following the Greensand Ridge, a distinctive feature that rises from surrounding clay vales to give a landscape of gently rolling hills and small valleys, often heavily wooded and rich in wildlife.

For more information on the walk and to download maps visit Central Bedfordshire Council's website.