Short Walks in Bedfordshire

Descriptions - Videos - Proper parking instructions

Ivinghoe Beacon

Description and Walk

Ivinghoe Beacon is part of the Ashridge Estate where we have details for another place to visit, here.

At 233m above sea level Ivinghoe Beacon was once part of an old signalling network, used to send messages over long distances. It is part of the Chiltern Hills and is the start of the Icknield Way to the east and Britain’s oldest road, The Ridgeway, to the west. This is also the site of an iron-age hill fort.

Signs at Ivinghoe Beacon site suggest three potential walks of varying lengths. These range from around 45 minutes to the Beacon and back to a much longer 17-mile circular affair, which we have managed to avoid so far.

The tops of the hills make for good views over the surrounding countryside, as well as a perfect vantage point for RC glider enthusiasts to use slope soaring: gaining lift from winds that meet the sides of the hills causing an updraft. See our video for two chaps doing just that.

Obviously, Ivinghoe Beacon is popular with walkers, dog-walkers, picnickers and model flying enthusiasts – not the powered type, though, only gliders.

Short Video of Ivinghoe Beacon

Note: The video is best viewed by clicking on the 'full screen' symbol that appears at the bottom-right of the video box once the video is playing. To exit full-screen hit your escape key or click on the symbol at the bottom-right again.

Parking

Parking address:  Ivinghoe Beacon, National Trust Car Park, Dunstable, LU6 2EG. No road name for this, it's just a turning off the B489.

The car park at the top of the hill generally has sufficient parking spaces for visitor numbers.

Google Map