Short Walks in Bedfordshire

Descriptions - Videos - Proper parking instructions

Willington Dovecote Circular Walk

Description and Walk

This circular walk begins at the large Dovecote built by John Gostwick at Willington in the 16^th century.

Dovecotes are used to house pigeons, either for sporting reasons, or else in preparation for the table. In John Gostwick’s case: a merchant, a judge, and a member of Parliament, the purpose of the dovecote would have been the latter.

The route shown in our video, below, circumnavigates a part of the Grange estate, an area previously dominated by poplar trees, which were used by Bryant and May for matchstick production. The trees were felled in the 1980s to make way for sand and gravel extraction.

The Grange estate is now at the heart of the Bedford River Valley Park, an area now set aside for wildlife habitation, walking, bicycle riding and waterborne recreation.

On our walk, we more or less just followed the circular route mapped out on the signs that have been put up for visitors.

Short Video of a circular walk from the Willington Dovecote by the River Great Ouse

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 is Free.

Parking address: Church End, Willington, Bedford MK44 3PX.

There is a small car park right next to the Dovecote. In the unlikely event that it is full, you can park on the grass either side of the quiet road beside the car park.

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