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Visit Dunstable Downs car-free
It’s easy to visit Dunstable Downs and Whipsnade Estate car-free.
From the centre of Dunstable, walk (25 mins) or take a bus (5 mins) to the edge of Dunstable Downs, Icknield Way, LU6 2PX. Then take the footpath (30-45 mins) or bus (5 mins) to reach the Chiltern Gateway Centre, LU6 2GY – see locations on map.
Frequent buses run to Dunstable from Luton (10 mins).
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). 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).
Check out our recommended route (below) and then use our journey planner (above) for door-to-door train, bus and walking routes.
Enjoy a free hot drink when arriving by bus with a valid bus ticket.
A Luton PlusBus train ticket or Luton HipHop bus ticket takes you as far as Dunstable Asda and the burial mounds. A Centrebus Network ticket is valid for the seasonal Zoo bus (from Lution station and Dunstable city centre to the visitor centre), B & E (from Luton to Dunstable) and certain buses from Stevenage and Hemel Hempstead to Luton. For more money-saving tips see our handy guides to trains and buses.
Luton is half-way along the scenic Bedford to St Albans City line.
National Route 574 crosses Dunstable Downs and joins National Route 606 from Luton train station. The visitor centre has a bike rack. Plan your cycle route here.
The Icknield Way Path goes through Dunstable Downs.
Luton train station has a taxi rank. Book ahead with: Circle Cars 01582 400 400 or Go Cars Taxis 01582 404 040.
Here’s some information on access to attractions, buses and trains, and here’s some information on accessibility at Dunstable Downs and Whipsnade Estate.
Discover more offers and days out in Bedfordshire with Good Journey.
All photos on this page are copyright ©National Trust Images – full credits here.
Getting to Dunstable Downs car-free
Here's our recommended route to Dunstable Downs. To get bus and train times and walking routes use our journey planner.
By bus from Luton
Buses across the Downs –
- Seasonal Bus Zoo (weekends and school holidays, from West Street Stop T) runs a few times per day. Jump off at:
- – Whipsnade Road near the site edge (5 mins).
- – Chilterns Gateway Centre near the visitor centre with café, shop, information and kite flying (10 mins).
- – Whipsnade Park Homes near the tree cathedral (15 mins).
Buses to Dunstable –
Busway bus C runs frequently (none Sundays). Buses leave from Luton Station Interchange (Stand 10, sheltered) via Dunstable Asda. The journey takes about 20 minutes. Jump off at Beechwood Court and walk (5 mins) to the site edge.
Alternatively, or on Sundays, take one of the frequent buses to Dunstable Asda and walk (25 mins) to the site edge: B, Hi (10 mins), A (15 mins) or 31 (20 mins). Buses E and Z also run from other areas of the city.
By bus from Dunstable
Buses across the Downs –
- Bus 40 (none Sundays, from Asda Stop J1) and bus Zoo (weekends and school holidays, from West Street Stop T) run a few times per day. Jump off at:
- – Whipsnade Road near the site edge (5 mins).
- – Chilterns Gateway Centre near the visitor centre with café, shop, information and kite flying (10 mins).
- – Whipsnade Park Homes near the tree cathedral (15 mins).
Buses to the Downs –
- These buses just take you near the site edge (5 mins, none on Sundays):
- Busway bus C runs frequently to Beechwood Court.
- Buses 61 & 61a run a few times daily to Whipsnade Road.
- Bus 34 runs a few times daily to Cemetery Lane.
By bus to Dunstable
There are direct buses to Dunstable from several towns:
- Aylesbury: Buses 61 & 61a, few, 55 mins.
- Bletchley: Bus F70 and bus F77, regular, 60 mins.
- Leighton Buzzard: Bus F70 and bus F77, regular, 30 mins.
- Milton Keynes: Bus F70 and bus F77, regular, 80 mins.
- St Albans: Bus 34, few, 40 mins.
- Tring: Buses 61 & 61a, few, 35 mins.
- Other towns: Houghton Regis (bus Hi), Pepperstock (bus 232) and Toddington (bus E).
By train via Luton
There are direct trains to Luton from: St Albans (5 mins+), Harpenden (10 mins), Bedford (15 mins), London St Pancras International (35 mins), London Farringdon (40 mins), Kettering (40 mins), Corby (45 mins), London Bridge (50 mins) and Brighton (115 mins).
Search for train times and cheaper tickets with Good Journey.
Change for the bus to Dunstable – see above.
By bus via Luton
There are direct buses to Luton from several towns:
Cockfosters (bus 610, 100 mins), Harpenden (buses 610, 321 and 721, 25 mins), Hatfield (bus 610 and bus X10, 60 mins), Hemel Hempstead (bus 46 by Centrebus or bus 721, 70 mins), Hitchin (buses 100, 101 and 88, 45 mins), Potters Bar (bus 610, 105 mins), St Albans (buses 610, 321 and 721, 45 mins), Stevenage (buses 44 & 45 by Centrebus or 100 & 101, 55 mins) and Watford (bus 321, 90 mins).
Use our journey planner to get the best route from where you are.
Change for the bus to Dunstable – see above.
About Dunstable Downs
Stand on top of Dunstable Downs for a view that will simply take your breath away. Dunstable Downs is famous for the spectacular views of seemingly endless sky above rolling hills of chalk grassland packed with wildflowers in the Chilterns National Landscape. There are several Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) designated for the quality of the chalk grasslands as well as Scheduled Ancient Monument, Five Knolls.
The View Café is where visitors can enjoy hot food and drinks, ice creams and cakes whilst they take in the views from our full-length windows. We have a shop selling a wide array of local products as well as visitor favourites such as kites and footballs
Dunstable Downs is one of the best places around to fly kites and picnic with family and friends. With miles of footpaths across the chalk grasslands of the Downs, visitors are able to access an abundance of plants, wildlife, breath-taking views and fascinating history. We have an accessible multi-user path that runs the length of the Downs, providing stunning views for it’s duration. Or explore further with our three waymarked walks, taking in some of the sites key environmental and historic features; including, Whipsnade Tree Cathedral, the 5 knolls barrows and our wildflower meadows.
Throughout the year, we offer seasonal programming aimed at a variety of audiences which can include children’s trails, craft workshops and community volunteering
For any queries about visiting contact Dunstable Downs on 01582500920 or [email protected]
Address: Chiltern Gateway Centre, Dunstable Downs and Whipsnade Estate, Whipsnade Road, Dunstable, Bedfordshire LU6 2GY. Visit Website