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Wrest Park Walk

1.6 miles (2.5 km)

Ordnance Survey Map Open Streetmap Explore 92 acres of landscaped early eighteenth-century garden in this lovely walk in Silsoe.
Stroll along the wide gravel central walk, past the long canal and then on to the Baroque style pavilion.
The gardens were landscaped by Lancelot 'Capability' Brown in the 18th century. He added canals around the park boundaries, woodland and the central canal. The grounds also include a Bath House with a thatched roof and cobbled floor, ornate marble fountains, a Chinese Temple with bridge and over 40 statues.
The Grade I listed house has a fantastic interactive exhibition which tells the story of Wrest Park. The beautiful conservatory then leads you out to the Italian Garden, Rose Garden and French Parterre Garden.
Wrest Park is located about 7 miles west of Letchworth, near Flitwick and Ampthill.

Postcode

MK45 4HR - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locations

Wrest Park OS Map Ordnance survey map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Wrest Park Open Street Map Open Streetmap - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Pubs/Cafes

There's an on site cafe selling a good range of meals and snacks. If you fancy a pub lunch you could head into Silsoe village and visit The Star and Garter. The historic pub dates back to the 17th century and includes a car park, log fires and a lovely sun terrace. You can find them on the High Street at postcode MK45 4DR. The village is also a pleasant place for a stroll with a number of historic buildings associated with the Wrest Park Estate.

Dog Walking

The parkland is a fine place for a dog walk. You are requested to keep them on leads please. Water bowls are available at the visitor centre.
The Star and Garter mentioned above is also dog friendly.

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

Head to the nearby Ampthill Park for some more nice walking trails in the area. Here you'll find miles of woodland trails with a climb to the Greensand Ridge giving fine views over the county too. At Flitwick there's the Flitwick Moor Nature reserve to explore. The Site of Special Scientific Interest is the largest area of wetland in Bedfordshire. The circular walk also visits Flitton where you'll find the De Grey Mausoleum. The English Heritage run site is one of the largest sepulchral chapels in the country. The Grade I listed Mausoleum contains over twenty monuments to the de Grey family who lived in Wrest Park.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Bedfordshire Walks page.

Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby

Photos

Wrest Park, The Serpentine - geograph.org.uk - 871762

The Serpentine runs down the west side of the formal gardens of Wrest Park.

Wrest Park, The Clock Tower - geograph.org.uk - 871714

Wrest Park: The Clock Tower The Clock Tower is to the east of the main house and overlooks the former stables and offices block. A tablet on the tower reads: THE FIRST STONE OF THIS BVILDING WAS LAID BY THOMAS PHILIP EARL DE GREY ON THE XIITH DAY OF FEBRVARY

Wrest Park, The access driveway - geograph.org.uk - 871679

The access driveway Horse chestnut trees border the long driveway to Wrest House.

Wrest Park, The Long Canal - geograph.org.uk - 871788

The Long Canal King William III looks back over the lake known as the Long Canal towards the house in the formal landscaped gardens 

Wrest Park - Chinese Bridge - geograph.org.uk - 3964253

Chinese Bridge

Oldpark Water on Wrest Park estate - geograph.org.uk - 3128276

Oldpark Water

Statue near The Serpentine in Wrest Park, Bedfordshire - geograph.org.uk - 5437034

Statue near The Serpentine

Side view of the Orangery, Wrest Park - geograph.org.uk - 3154034

Side view of the Orangery

GPS Files

GPX File

Wrest Park.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Download Linked File)

Memory Map Route

Wrest Park.mmo (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold >Download Linked File)