Short Walks in Bedfordshire

Descriptions - Videos - Proper parking instructions

Pegsdon Hills

Description and Walk

Pegsdon Hills are part of the Chilterns: a chalk escarpment which runs across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, and Bedfordshire.

Getting to the top of the hills involves a fair uphill climb. So be prepared for that if you want to get the best of the views and walk along the paths at the peak.

Naturally enough, it gets cold and blowy in the winter months, but it makes for a great walk and picnic site when it’s warmer. Like nearby Barton Hills it’s a favourite place for red kites and buzzards to soar overhead, riding the thermals as they hunt for their prey. When you’re at the top you will often be looking down on them as they do so. If you have a camera with a good lens this is good opportunity to use it. See video, below.

There is plenty of other wildlife there too: larks, thrushes, wheatear, ring ouzel, as well as grazing cows and sheep.

Short Video of Pegsdon Hills

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: Turn off the Barton Road (B655) into Apsley End Road, Shillington, Hitchin SG5 3LY. Then after 50 metres or so, turn left into an umarked dead-end road. See picture, below. Note: The postcode is for a nearby house in Apsley End Road, not the unmarked road mentioned.

Park on one side of the road, as shown below. Alternatively, you could use the small parking area further along the B655. It’s called Hexton Road Car Park, but that description is stretching it a bit as the capacity is probably only about 4-5 cars.

Google Map