Adventures around Lutonwith PlusBus
In the rolling countryside north of London, the town of Luton has been many things over the years. In the twelfth century, it had a castle and St Mary’s church, with its chequered flint walls, was first built. The town has been famous for making hats. There are now creative centres in the restored hat factories and the local football team are nicknamed “The Hatters”. These days, it’s known for its motor industry and for Luton Airport, but you can still explore the local heritage and countryside. A PlusBus ticket, added onto you train ticket for a small extra fee, will give you unlimited all-day travel all over the Luton and Dunstable areas. Here are just three of the many adventures you could have.
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1. Wardown House
Wardown House, Museum and Gallery is a great place to find out more about Luton’s past and present. The little River Lea or Lee flows through a park outside with weeping willows and a wrought iron footbridge. Wardown House and Museum recreates a grand Victorian family home and its galleries showcase all kinds of interesting things including the UK’s biggest collection of hats and headgear-related artefacts!
- Don’t miss the elegant Dining Room café, with a view of the park outside, where you can have coffee, cake and more.
- How do I get to Wardown House by bus? It’s simple. Come out of Luton railway station’s main entrance and you will see lots of buses ahead of you to the right. Several buses from here stop near Wardown. For instance, bus 24 leaves every half an hour (Monday to Saturday) from Stand 2 and stops at Wardown Crescent right next to the park gates. The museum is a five-minute stroll from here through the park.
- Or bus MK1 leaves hourly every day from Stand 3 and stops at Bath Road on the other side of the park. The museum is an even shorter walk from here. In both cases, you can have a lovely stroll through the greenery on the way and a cup of tea when you arrive.
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2. Dunstable Downs
Much of modern Luton may feel quite urban, but there is glorious countryside nearby. Dunstable Downs is an area of chalk downland, covered in orchids and other wildflowers and rich in history. There’s a good chance of spotting all kinds of wildlife including rare butterflies on the flowers and red kites overhead. Enjoy epic views across the vale as far as Ivinghoe Beacon and great walking opportunities along the Icknield Way Trail and Chiltern Way.
- So how do I get to Dunstable Downs by bus? From outside Luton railway station, catch Busway C from Stand 10. Get off in Dunstable at Beechwood Court. Walk a few more steps along Drover’s Way in the direction the bus was going and turn left into Spinney Crescent. Soon, as the road curves right near house number 16, keep straight on a path into the woods and turn left onto another path. Keep straight over West Street into Whipsnade Road and turn right very soon on a signed footpath over the grass.
- This footpath leads you through a fascinating area of Bronze Age tumuli known as the Five Knolls Barrow Cemetery. Look out for gliders overhead from a local club.
- You could follow the Icknield Way signs to the Chiltern Gateway Centre for a cup of tea in the View Café. Once you have admired the panorama, you could go back the way you have come or climb down the very steep slope to the bottom of the chalk escarpment and return on the signed Chiltern Way. There’s a map here of one suggested route from the bus stop, making a very lovely walk of just over three miles in total.
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3. Stockwood Discover Centre
Europe’s largest collection of carriages, an elegant walled garden, medieval ceramics and interactive galleries: all this and more is waiting at the Stockwood Discovery Centre.
- How do I get to Stockwood Discovery Centre by bus? Catch bus 321 or bus 721 from Stand 8 outside Luton railway station. Get off after about 15 minutes opposite the entrance to Stockwood Park and walk for five minutes through the park.
- The discovery centre is open Wednesday to Sunday and has a Garden Cafe where the inventive menu, making use of local produce, includes vegetable samosas and freshly-made soup.