Family activities at Dunstable Downs

February fun for everyone 

Get outdoors and closer to nature with our exclusive walking partner, Cotswold Outdoor, this February half-term! Whether it’s sunny, windy, or wet, the whole of Dunstable Downs is yours to explore.

Visit our Hub, pick up an activity sheet, borrow some walking gear, and set off on your very own mini adventure. With no set route, you can explore the beauty of the Downs in your own way, no matter your ability.

Dates: 15 - 23 February
Time: 10.00am - 3.00pm 
Suggested dontation: £2 
Booking: not required 

World Book Day

Magic, mystery, myths… through the power of books, a world of wonder is yours to discover.

From a young writers competition, to pre-time storytelling sessions, we have various acitivities lined up to celebrate the joy of reading!

Dates: 1 - 6 March
Time: 10.00am - 5.00pm 
Free 

Easter Adventures: Knight's Tournament

The year is 1232, and King Henry III has called for all knights and nobles to gather for an Easter tournament at Dunstable Downs. Are you up for the challenge?

Dates: 5 - 21 April
Time: 10.00am - 5.00pm 
Price: £3.50 per trail
Booking: not required 

Dunstable’s Medieval Past

Step back in time with local author and historian John Buckledee as he brings Dunstable’s medieval tournaments to life in a family-friendly talk!

Date: 4 April
Time: 11.00am - 12.00pm 
Price: free 
Booking: required

Kite flying 

The elevated position of Dunstable Downs makes it a perfect location for flying kites. You can bring your own or you can purchase one from our shop with kites priced from £8 each. 

Balance bikes

You can borrow a balance bike from our visitor centre free of charge. Perfect for pre-school children learning to ride a bike.

Sensory Bags

We are delighted to introduce our sensory bags, available to borrow from 22 July 2024. With a great selection of sensory items to provide stimulation, create calm, and engage with your senses, these can be curated and signed in and out from our Visitor Welcome Hub. They are to help visitors with autism, sensory processing disorder, or those who think they would benefit from them during their visit. 

Build a den

Venture into Chute Wood and tick off no. 4 of our '50 things to do before you’re 11¾' at our new den building area! Castle, cave or pirate ship... let your imagaination run wild and build the hideout of your dreams using an array of specially placed deadwood! 

Try geocaching at Dunstable Downs

Up for a challenge? We have hidden six camouflaged geocaches across the Downs, taking you to places you may not have visited before. Geocaching is a high-tech treasure hunt which you can take part in using one of the free geocache apps, including one at geocaching.com. It will guide you to within a few metres of the geocache hiding place and once there, you will need to use your eyes to seek out the cache.

Get your free geocaching account and start hunting today.