Bedfordshire
Disabled Access, Wheelchair walks, Easy Access, Access for All, Mobility, Walks on Wheels, Miles without Stiles - whatever the term the following is all about accessibility to the countryside and green spaces of Bedfordshire.
Walks Greenspaces and Countryside
Bedford Parls Leaflet (North Bedford) - Many of Bedford’s parks and green spaces are suitable for people with disabilities. Flat and surfaced paths, fishing platforms and some car parking provision are available at different sites.
Bedford Parks Leaflet (Central and South Bedford) - Many of Bedford’s parks and green spaces are suitable for people with disabilities. Flat and surfaced paths, fishing platforms and some car parking provision are available at different sites.
Blue Waters - No accessible toilet. No access charge. Car parking available inside the site to holders of a RADAR National Key Scheme key. The main path is concrete which leads to the plantation area, the plantation was planted in 1981 and most of the trees are still at sapling
Chilterns Gateway Centre - The route includes surfaced areas which allow people of all abilities to enjoy this wonderful site and its views whether on foot, horse, cycle, wheelchair or pushchair.
Cople Trail - two walks of 7 and 4 Miles at Cople (stile free) - stile-free, gradient-free The suggested start is from the village church; All Saints in Cople, this is a circular walk.
Dunstable Downs, Chilterns Gateway Centre and Whipsnade Estate - Building - Level entrance. Level access to visitor centre. Grounds - Partly accessible on multi-user route, steep slopes, grass and uneven paths, undulating terrain
Flitwick Wood - A 800m surfaced path is suitable for wheelchairs. Disabled parking situated on Tennyson Avenue, access to wood requires Radar key (info from Central Bedfordshire Council)
Houghton Hall Park - Stile-free, gradient-free - (ACE note - no accessibility info found)
Lets Go - Bedfordshire - The site has a search facility for stile free walks - with access and route info
Marston Vale Millennium Country Park and Forest Centre - Green Flag Award - The Marston Vale Millennium Country Park and Forest Centre have both been designed from the outset to be accessible to as many people as possible - including the provision of good wheelchair and pushchair access.
Mill Pits and Common - The path and kissing gates are wheelchair-friendly (the gates can be opened with a RADAR key for mobility scooters). There are also disabled fishing facilities. Limited disabled parking is available in Mill Lane.
Studham to Whipsnade (stile free) - 4 miles. Level walk. The path running alongside Whipsnade Zoo (between and on the map) can be muddy in wet months
Tiddenfoot Waterside Park - Good footpaths and access for wheelchairs mean that Tiddenfoot Waterside Park is a great place for weekend walk with your friends
Totternhoe Knolls, near Dunstable (stile free) - 4 miles. Steady climb up to Castle Hill from the car park, with optional steep climb to the summit. Later, another fairly steep hill climb before returning to Totternhoe, although there is a gentler short-cut alternative
University Way - Some traffic-free sections of the route are suitable for walkers, people on wheels and horse riders alike. - also see the Bedford to Sandy PDF download
Walk like the Clappers - No stiles and 3 kissing gates (wide enough for pushchairs). Narrow natural paths. See PDF
Whipsnade to Dunstable Downs (stile free) - 4 miles. Fairly level walk; gradual climb if you go as far as the end of the Downs at Five Knolls. The route should be suitable for pushchairs from Dunstable Downs car park to either Five Knolls or Whipsnade Down
Country Parks
Harrold Odell Country Park - Green Flag Award - Parking spaces for the elderly and disabled are available in the main car park. The Visitor Centre and toilets are wheelchair accessible. The ‘red route’ around Grebe Lake is surfaced and is suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs. Download the pdf from the site.
Priory Country Park - Green Flag Award - there are accessible paths - download the pdf leaflet from the site
Stockgrove Country Park Leighton Buzzard (north-west of Heath Reach on the Great Brickhill road) - Suitable for wheelchairs around the lake - designated Disabled Parking and a wheelchair is available to borrow – please book.
Nature Reserves
Barton Hills NNR (Barton-le-Clay) - Depending on the weather, some of the downland paths are suitable for wheelchair access. There is seating at the site and well defined paths including a circular trail. Leaflets, panels and signs are available for visitor information.
The Lodge - RSPB - There are a number of paths of varying lengths and surfaces throughout the reserve; the terrain is steeply undulating in places. The path to the formal gardens has firm soil and some paved sections.
Other Useful Links
Disability Resource Centre - Our vision is Equality, Access and Independence for all disabled people.Covering Bedford, Central Beds, Luton, Milton Keynes and Northamptonshire
Fishing for Disabled Anglers - Luton Angling Club -three purpose built wheelchair platforms on the River Great Ouse at the Wyboston Lakes Complex on the Bedfordshire/Cambridgeshire border.
ReachOut Plus - aim to support these special people to overcome exclusion and discrimination, develop their skills, broaden their experience and achieve their potential
Riding for the Disabled - The Elisabeth Curtis Centre is a purpose built riding centre on the outskirts of Bedford, England, UK, which caters solely for disabled riders.
Riding for the Disabled - Gaddesden Place Riding for the Disabled Centre - We provide riding facilities and instruction for people with a wide range of disabilities.
Stile Free Walks - Bedfordshire - stilefree.co.uk is trying to bring together a list of walks that are known to be stile free. Many of the people who are interested in stile free walks are specifically looking for walks that are pushchair, buggy or wheelchair friendly, so some walks that are more suitable are tagged as such.