Short Walks in Bedfordshire

Descriptions - Videos - Proper parking instructions

Rowney Warren

Description and Walk

Just go where you like. There are lots of well trodden paths through the woods, plus the woods extend to both sides of Sandy Lane.

The second part of the woods lies between Sandy Lane and Northwood End Road. There are mountain bike trails on the Northwood End Road side.

There’s plenty to explore. The woods are not so large that you are likely to get lost in them. You could probably walk the perimeter of the whole of the forested area in an hour - though that’s a guess.

The mostly sandy paths can get muddy when it's wet, so it's wise to wear boots on those occasions.

Rowney Warren is jointly managed by the Southill Estate and the Forestry Commission. The wood is predominantly planted with mixed pine trees, but also contains many old oaks and beech trees dating back over 100 years old.

A warren was a place to cultivate rabbit breeding for the purpose of catching and eating them. A warren has existed in Rowney woods since 1252.

Short Video of Rowney Warren

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Parking

Parking is Free.

Parking address: Sandy Lane, off the A600, about halfway between Chicksands and Deadman’s Cross, Bedfordshire. No postcode.
Alternative parking, intended for mountain bikers, in Northwood End Road, MK45 3QD.

Free parking in a designated area in the wood (See pictures). Be careful in the winter as gates are locked at 16:00 - though there is still a small safe area for parking outside of the gates that get locked.

Google Map (opens in a new tab)

Free parking - get locked at 16:00 in winter.

Area beyond this barrier never gets locked.

Place/s to Eat

Nothing cheap and cheerful that we know of. The Flying horse at Clophill does nice food, but if you wanted a sit-down meal you might have to book. The Flying Horse is 5 miles from Rowney Warren.

Address: The Flying Horse, 2 The Green, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK45 4AD

The Flying Horse, five miles away in Clophill.

Further Information

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The Flying Horse at Clophill. Click here.

Google map here.

PDF with details

The pdf, below, contains address and parking location details similar to the ones on this page. Print out the pdf file if you want something to carry with you. Pdf opens in a new tab.