Essex, Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire

Dunstable Downs and Whipsnade Estate

Spectacular views of rolling chalk grasslands and a seemingly endless sky in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

Whipsnade Road, Dunstable, Bedfordshire, LU6 2GY

Opening times
See on map

Two people walking in spring across Dunstable Downs, Bedfordshire

Bookshop
Second hand book shop inside the visitor centre.
Café
The View Café serving hot and cold drinks, hot food, sandwiches, light bites and cakes.
Car park
Main visitor car park next to the visitor centre, smaller car park available a short distance from the visitor centre.
Dogs allowed
Dogs welcome on the Downs, on leads inside the visitor centre, café and shop.
Shop
Kites, books, gifts and local produce in our shop.
Toilet
Internal and external toilets.
Blue Badge parking and accessible toilet. Level access to the gift shop and View Café.
Dunstable and Whipsnade Estate Access Statement 2025
Click here to access the full Accessibility Guide for Dunstable Downs - AccessAble.co.uk
Accessible route and/or map
Multi-user path across the Downs.
Accessible toilet
Accessible toilets internally and externally.
Braille (guide or menu)
Guide available to pick up from our Visitor Hub.
Induction loop
Induction loops are available at the shop and the Café.
Large print (guide or menu)
Guide available to pick up from our Visitor Hub.
Level access to food outlet
Café situated to the right of the visitor centre.
Level access to shop
Shop situated just off main courtyard inside visitor centre.
Powered mobility vehicle available
Two Trampers available to hire, please call 01582 500920 to book
Seating available
Accessible benches and chairs available inside and outside.
Wheelchairs available
Wheelchairs available to borrow.
Map
Directions via Google Maps
By road
Please visit Dunstable Downs via the B4541 west of Dunstable. Please note Sallowsprings road is a private road with no through access onto Dunstable Downs.
Parking: Dunstable Downs, off B4541 (pay and display); Whipsnade crossroads (Whipsnade Heath), junction of B4541 and B4540 Parking is £3.50 for the day. Free for National Trust Members and Blue Badge holders
Sat Nav: Use LU6 2GY
On foot
From West Street and Tring Road, Dunstable.
Plan your car-free visit at Good Journey
By train
Luton train station is the nearest station to Dunstable Downs - 7 miles away.

There are trains to Luton from: London St Pancras International (35 mins) and other Thameslink stations, St Albans (5 mins), Harpenden (10 mins), Bedford (15 mins), Kettering (40 mins) and Corby (45 mins).

Plan your car-free visit at Good Journey
By bus
Visit by bus for just £2 each way, and enjoy a free hot drink when arriving by bus with a valid bus ticket.

From the centre of Dunstable, walk (25 mins) or take a bus (5 mins) to the edge of Dunstable (the Northern access point to the Downs or border of the National Trust land). Then take the footpath (30-45 mins) or stay on the bus (5 mins) to reach the Chiltern Gateway Centre.

Frequent buses run to Dunstable from Luton (10 mins)

There are frequent buses to Luton from: Hitchin (45 mins), Stevenage (55 mins) and Hatfield (60 mins).

There are regular buses direct to Dunstable from: Leighton Buzzard (30 mins), Bletchley (60 mins) and Milton Keynes (80 mins), with a few direct from Tring (35 mins), St Albans (40 mins) and Aylesbury (55 mins).

Plan your car-free visit at Good Journey
Cycling
Bridleway from West Street, Dunstable, and Whipsnade.
: Plan your route to Dunstable Downs using the CycleStreets journey planner via the link below (This journey planner uses OpenStreetMap data which is generally excellent by accuracy cannot be guaranteed. If you come to a footpath or other cycle-prohibited track, please don’t ride on it).
Cycling - more information
Car-free
We hold the Good Journey Mark for welcoming car-free visitors. Travel a greener way and enjoy a free hot drink if you arrive by bus. Plan your journey at Good Journey.
Whipsnade Road, Dunstable, Bedfordshire, LU6 2GY
01582500920
dunstabledowns@nationaltrust.org.uk

Opening times for 25 April 2025
Asset	Opening time
Downs	Dawn - Dusk
The View Café	10:00 - 17:00
Chilterns Gateway Centre	10:00 - 17:00

Two children flying a kite in spring, Dunstable Downs, Bedfordshire.

See what's on at Dunstable Downs

Check out our events at Dunstable Downs and see what's coming up.

Fire-lit beacon against night sky at Dunstable Downs.

VE 80 Beacon Lighting

Dunstable Downs will join communities across the country in marking the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day with a special beacon lighting ceremony on Thursday 8 May 2025.

A starry night sky above Cragside, Northumberland

Big Camp

Big Camp is back! Join us from 12.00pm on 30 May to 2.00pm on 1 June to camp out overnight beneath Dunstable Downs' famous skies!

Two young women enjoy a day out in the parkland. One is wearing a black coat and has a black assistance dog. The other is wearing a grey jumper and is riding a mobility vehicle, alongside her golden-coloured assistance dog.

Article

Accessibility at Dunstable Downs

We believe Dunstable Downs should be open and accessible for all. Read on to discover how best you can visit to experience and enjoy nature, beauty and history.

Visitor carrying a tray of coffee and cake in the cafe at Llanerchaeron, Wales

News

Arrive at Dunstable Downs by bus for a free hot drink

In support of the Government's bus fare cap, and to encourage visitors to arrive at Dunstable Downs by sustainable transport, we're offering a free regular hot drink with a valid bus ticket.

An image of a pale cream fluffy dog between its two owners being walked along a path in the countryside and surrounded by greenery

Article

Visiting Dunstable Downs with your dog

Dunstable Downs is a two pawprint rated place. Dogs are welcome here (and can collect their Pooch Passport and stamp!) Discover everything you need to know when planning your visit with your four-legged friend.

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