Activities, England, Europe, Hiking, Travel, United Kingdom

Exploring Barton Hills National Nature Reserve and Springs

exploring-barton-hills-national-nature-reserve-and-springs

I think we found our new favourite spot in the Chilterns. We visited Barton Hills in the spring on a Sunday morning around 7 am. It was one of those chilly mornings when it froze overnight and there was some frost on the ground. The area was so peaceful. We only saw a couple of other people out, mostly joggers and dog walkers. Since moving to Bedfordshire we explored many hidden gems in the area. Rushmere Country Park, Ivinghoe Beacon and the Kensworth Quarry are all special to us for different reasons. Now Barton Hills is also added to our favourite local spot list. It is a place where we would come to chill in a hammock and enjoy a picnic. Just relax and unwind in a peaceful environment. Listen to nature: the birds singing and spring water flowing.

Barton Hills National Nature Reserve

Barton Hills are situated near the village of Barton-le-Clay in the English county of Bedfordshire. The whole site is open access, and there are a number of footpaths throughout. A large part of the area is managed by Natural England as a national nature reserve. The reserve is also designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Barton Hills

How to get there

Public Transport: Take the train to Luton and then get bus 81 towards Bedford. Get off at “The Memorial” at Barton-le-Clay.

Parking: Parking is limited, so arrive early and be considerate. You can park in Barton-le-Clay on Church Road, (MK45 4LA) or Old Road, (MK45 4LB).

Parking on Old Road for Barton Hills
Parking on Old Road

Barton Hills Map

I think the area is best explored by just wandering around without taking a specific route. But you can see out track from our first visit.

Our Barton Hills Walk

We parked on Church Road and headed up the hills. We were soon greeted with stunning views towards Sharpenhoe Clappers, which we visited a few weeks ago. Towards the other direction is Pegsdon Hills, which is another lovely area for a walk and observing wildlife.

Along the top of the hill, we found some benches, which were a great place to stop for a hot drink from our thermos and admire the scenery. While sitting there, we spotted several red kites and even hares.

We soon moved on and made our way down on a steep, slippery track to the spring.

Barton Hills

Barton Springs

At the foot of Barton Hills is Barton Springs. It starts life as a shallow stream and becomes a chalk stream river. The water is very shallow and clear. Looks inviting for a paddle on a hot summer day. Collecting fresh pristine spring water is the perfect option for our health and the health of the planet. Barton Springs is a beautiful water source and visitors often fill up their water bottles to enjoy some cold water. This place is a popular spot with families for a picnic and children playing in wellies in the water. But on the early April morning, when we visited, we had the place to ourselves.

Barton Springs
Barton Springs
Stepping stones at Barton Springs

Wildlife

The best time to visit the reserve if you want to see lots of wildflowers is between April and August. This area is the main site in Bedfordshire for the Pasque flower. Other plants are field fleawort rock rose and scabious. In the summer you can also see lots of butterflies. Also, keep an eye out for mammals like stoats, weasels and hares. Bird lovers and photographers can take stunning images of red kites.

Facilities

There is no designated car park or toilets. You can find pubs and cafes nearby in the village of Barton-le-Clay.

6 Comments

Enikő

Hey, I'm Enikő! I'm currently an au pair and I want to share my experiences with you. I've travelled a lot in the past years. I'm gonna teach you how to settle in to a new country and get free accommodation anywhere in the world. Circle Enikő on Google+!

6 Comments

  1. airport transfer
    May 21, 2021 at 6:26 am

    I highly recommend AtoB Transfer for booking holiday transfer.

  2. Ryan
    October 6, 2022 at 8:33 am

    Such an informative blog. Exploring Barton Hills National Nature is one of my favorite thing to ever do.

  3. National Executive
    December 15, 2022 at 11:27 am

    Birmingham Airport Transfers
    Birmingham Airport (IATA: BQH, ICAO: EGKB) is a general aviation airport at Birmingham located 14 miles or 22 km southeast of Central Birmingham. Formerly the Royal Air Force station RAF Birmingham It specialises in general aviation, handling traffic from private aviation to large business jets.

    Airports We Travel To & From Birmingham Airport transfers in luxury Mercedes S Class, Bentley and Rolls-Royce chauffeur cars, people carriersand limousines. A fully bespoke and luxury service driven by licensed chauffeur professionals for the ultimate in safety and comfort. Aircraft travel can be a complicated and stressful affair. National Executive Transfers use the very latest technologies in order that you are waiting times are kept to a minimum. So even if your flight has been delayed, we will not normally charge you any extra for this delay.

  4. Cdg Paris Airport to Disneyland hotel transfer
    December 16, 2023 at 5:19 pm

    CDG Disney Transfer
    Welcome to CDG Disney Transfer, your trusted partner for quality door-to-door transport services between Paris, Paris Airports, Disneyland Paris, and Paris Railway Stations.

    Finding a reliable and affordable taxi service can sometimes be a daunting task. However, look no further as we are here to provide you with the best transportation solution. Our taxi services are known for their reliability and affordability, ensuring that you reach your destination on time without breaking the bank.

    Our experienced and professional drivers are committed to providing you with a comfortable and safe journey. Whether you need a ride to the airport, a night out on the town, or simply want to explore the city, our taxi services are available 24/7 to cater to your needs. We prioritize customer satisfaction and strive to exceed your expectations every time. Don’t waste your time and money on unreliable taxi services, choose us for a hassle-free and budget-friendly transportation experience.

  5. CDG to Disney easy transfer / private taxi from Disneyland Paris
    December 16, 2023 at 5:22 pm

    CDG DISNEY TRANSFER
    Best and Cheapest Disneyland Paris Airport private minivan transfer
    Our reliable and affordable private Disneyland Paris minivan transfer is here for you, You can take us anywhere at anytime.
    BOOK NOW https://cdgdisneytransfer.com/private-transfers/
    Transfers

  6. best private Minivan taxi service from Paris Beauvais airport to Disneyland Paris Cdg paris disney shuttle service Paris disney private transfer from Charles de Gaulle Airport to Disneyland Paris Best way to disneyland paris
    February 22, 2024 at 6:49 pm

    https://eurodisneytransfer.com/
    summary, when planning your trip to Paris and Disney, make your transportation arrangements hassle-free by booking a Paris Disney private transfer through CDGParisCab. With our easy booking system, you can ensure a comfortable and reliable journey from CDG Airport to the magical world of Disneyland Paris. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to start your vacation with convenience and peace of mind by choosing CDGParisCab for your private transfer needs.

Reply your comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked*