The Best of Ampthill

Already stuck for ideas of what to do with the kids this summer holiday? Need new inspiration for food or fun? Here’s the best of Ampthill and our surrounding areas…

For fresh air

  • Ampthill Park’s 160 acres have seen Henry VIII and Capability Brown stroll among them. With woodland, parkland, flora and fauna, history and heritage, there’s lots for little ones, and big ones, to learn, plus a play area and a café for coffee and a climb. Oh, and the Greensand Ridge runs through it, so get your walking boots on.

    Download a leaflet with tips and trails here.

  • Built in the early 1600s, Houghton House may be just a shell now, but why not visit the site to find out what once was. There are views across the county from here, ideal for a game of I Spy.

  • Wrest Park is a magnificent mansion that hosts exciting events of all kinds and for all ages, on top of being open to the public for wandering the gardens, nosying around the house, and checking out sculptures and archaeology. There’s a second-hand bookshop too!

 

For fun

  • Want to get up close and personal with pigs, pet some ponies, do yoga with a goat? Animal Edge is a small, private farm, where the animals are part of the family. Kids can feel safe around all different creatures, but there’s every chance they’ll want to bring them all home…  

  • Treetop adventure awaits just outside Ampthill. Whizz along zip wires above wallabies at Go Ape Woburn. Tarzan ain’t got nothing on you!

  • If yours prefer being on the water, check out Box End Park for watersports. Their two natural spring lakes were made for paddleboarding, wakeboarding, water skiing and open-water swimming, and there’s an inflatable Aqua Park with the UK’s biggest water mega slide calling your name.

 

For coffee

  • Kids off school? Coffee it is. Our favourite is Surfin café on the Market Square. Family owned and operated, they have a vision to create a great coffee shop experience for everyone, with community spirit, friendly surroundings and a vibrant atmosphere.

  • Wooden Hill Coffee Company, who supply Surfin, roast their beans in Millbrook, and a tree is planted at the Forest of Marston Vale for every 100kg of coffee roasted. The ethical coffee is 100% Fairtrade and packed in compostable bags.

  • For tea lovers, Cakestand and Crumb vintage tea room has you covered. They serve up an array of blends (and coffee too), alongside homemade cakes and bakes, freshly made sandwiches, and even afternoon tea.

 

For dinner

  • For authentic Italian cuisine, it’s got to be Fratelli’s, located in Ampthill and Woburn. Upstairs at the Ampthill location is Cicchetti, which has a bottomless brunch on Saturdays. Best check if the grandparents can take the kids…

  • Eileen’s offers creative food made using local produce. Head Chef Steve is Bedfordshire born and bred (and a MasterChef runner-up), so you’re truly supporting locally when you dine here.

  • Everyone loves pizza, which is why you’ll love the White Hart’s 2for1 deal Mon-Fri until 6pm. Book here.

 

For shopping

  • Sweets are one of life’s simple pleasures regardless of how old you are. Fill a bag at Sweet Sensations on Dunstable Street. And try not to eat them all at once…

  • We’re sure you’ve got a birthday party of two during the holidays, so head to Number 14 on Bedford Street for a wide selection of cards and gifts. It’s handy for back to school supplies too.

  • Is it really a holiday if you don’t buy a new outfit or two, or three? Love 2 Shop on Woburn Street is perfect for new additions to your wardrobe, whether going away or staying home.

 

For property

Rhona Lavis