Ampthill Great Park is a beautiful historic park overlooking the Bedfordshire market town of Ampthill. Once a royal deer park surrounding Ampthill Castle, it has strong connections with Henry VIII and Katherine of Aragon. The remains of the castle are commemorated by Katherineβs Cross, giving visitors a fascinating connection to the Tudor history of the area.
The park is also an important historic landscape, with its character influenced by renowned landscape designer Capability Brown. Its elevated position provides impressive views across the surrounding Bedfordshire countryside, while the combination of open grassland, mature trees and woodland makes it an enjoyable place for walking, photography and exploring.
For nature lovers, the park offers a varied landscape supporting a range of wildlife, with areas of grassland, woodland and mature trees. It is also a popular place for enjoying the outdoors, whether you’re looking for a gentle stroll, a longer walk or simply somewhere peaceful to spend time in the countryside.
After exploring the park, visitors can stop at the Ampthill Great Park CafΓ© for refreshments, making it easy to turn a walk into a relaxed morning or afternoon out. The cafΓ© provides a convenient place to pause and enjoy something to eat or drink before continuing to explore the park and nearby Ampthill. With history, countryside, wildlife, views and refreshments all in one destination, Ampthill Great Park is a great addition to a Bedfordshire day out.