New Woodlands in the Forest of Marston Vale

Bedfordshire's Green Gateway is a major initiative started in 2000, by the Forest of Marston Vale to create a swathe of woodland and green space between the expanding communities of Wootton and Kempston. The three new woodlands of Buttons Ramsey, Ridgeway Wood and Van Diemen's Land are linked by public footpaths.

Always open.

Conquest Wood is an 8 hectare area of new community woodland, planted over the winter of 2004/5 by the Forest of Marston Vale together with local people. It's here for everyone to enjoy.

Always open.

The Forest Centre and Millennium Country Park are initiatives of the Forest of Marston Vale.

A great place to enjoy the wonders of the countryside for families and children of all ages. There's lots more about the Centre and Park elsewhere on this site, but the Park's walks and rides are included on Let's Go!

The Park is open to pedestrians all the time. The car park and Forest Centre are open 10am to 6pm (March - September) and 10am - 4pm (October - March).

Rectory Wood is 70 hectares (173 acres) of former arable farmland covering the slopes between Cranfield village and the ancient woodland of Marston Thrift. This farmland was purchased in 2002 by the Marston Vale Trust using funds raised from many sources, including the local community. It will be an important natural space for the growing population in this part of the County to enjoy. Phases 1 & 2 were planted between 2003 and 2005 and the next phase will be created during the winter of 2007/08.

Always open.

In January 2007 the Marston Vale Trust made a successful bid to WREN for a Landfill Communities Fund grant of over £190,000 to enable woodland to be created in the third phase of Rectory Wood. The Forest Team talked to local people about the design of the third phase of Rectory Wood during the summer of 2007, and the woodland was planted between December 07 and February 08

For the results of this consultation, please click here (220kb pdf).

For a map of the whole of Rectory Wood including the 3rd phase planted during the winter of 2007/8 click here (1.55Mb pdf)

Shocott Spring is 52 hectares (128 acres) of former arable farmland between the communities of Shortstown and Cotton End. It was purchased in 2005 by the Marston Vale Trust for creating new community woodland. In 2005/6 the first 25ha was planted, and in 2007/8 phase II (14ha) was completed with funds from People's Millions. The millionth tree was also planted as part of this project.

Always open.