Barton Hills NNR — Attraction in Barton-le-Clay

I have been visiting this beautiful serene place for 50 plus years. It has changed slightly over the years but never ceases to thrill me each time I visit. My children have come to love the lovely rolling hills and views and insist we visit as often as possible. There's so much more I can say but suffice to say it is amazing. You need to be fit to climb the hills the hard way but there are easy ways up too. The refreshing spring has never stopped in all these years and I remember competing with cows as a boy to get at the source. The great storm of 1987 destroyed many of the trees and if you look carefully you will find the fallen trunks but the lush greenery remains. I also remember the tall dead tree stump that stood in the slight clearing near the top of the wooded area that you could pick out from the crest of the hills opposite. I have visited the reserve in all weather types and enjoyed every minute as will you if you are a true nature lover. Please remember to respect the site and take your litter home and please park responsibly as folks live in the limited...

Me and my wife love this place simply because of it's natural beauty all year around. In the summer months, you can certainly make a day of it; spending time going through all the little walks linked around the springs itself. Even after that, spending some time on top of the hills (have some sun cream packed!) and soaking up the sun and the lovely views of Bedfordshire.

In the winter, it can get rather muddy so be prepared to bring adequate footwear. Wrap up with a few layers too if you want to walk the hills too as they can be nippy up there!

You'll most definitely bump into the two Dartmoor Horses that seem to welcome everyone by the entrance inside the springs too! They are friendly and although they are (to my knowledge) wild, they are perfectly fine around humans, as long you are calm and respectful of them.

Overall, I'd say this is a great place for everyone to enjoy if you want idyllic walks, great scenery and plenty of...

There is no car park. So you have to park some where in the village and walk to the gate. You can chose to have a flat walk, following the river. There are places for your children and dogs to play in the stream. Or, if you are fitter, you can chose to take the steeper path, which leads you to a multitude of other paths, up and down n over and round! Keeps you fit, and allows you to appreciate beautiful views of the surrounding countryside, once you are on one of the ups! A lovely place for a walk. Please pick up after your dog. As usual, there are inconciderate dog owners, who seam to think, that, just because you're walking in the countryside, you don't have to pick up after your dog!? Please, don't ruin it for everyone, pick up after your dog, as I do, and place it in a poo bin provided along the...