A characterful Bedfordshire market town set on the Greensand Ridge, where historic parkland, woodland trails, and ridge-top views create a rewarding walking base.
Ampthill is a welcoming Georgian market town and an excellent base for walking holidays on the Greensand Ridge. Sitting directly beside Ampthill Great Park, the town offers immediate access to ridge-top paths, ancient woodland, and wide views across Bedfordshire. The Greensand Ridge Walk passes right by the park, linking Ampthill with nearby destinations such as Woburn, Maulden, and the wider countryside.
Beyond the town centre, the landscape lends itself to slower outdoor adventures shaped by parkland, heath, and rolling ridge scenery. Ampthill Great Park, landscaped by Capability Brown, is ideal for gentle loops past Katherine’s Cross — marking Catherine of Aragon’s time at Ampthill Castle — while longer routes extend toward Houghton House for panoramic views over the Marston Vale. Woodland and heathland paths add variety, making it easy to build short walks or full day hikes directly from town.
With a good choice of places to stay in and around the town, along with cafés, pubs, and local shops, Ampthill works well for short walking breaks and relaxed self-guided trips. The sandy ridge terrain and quiet lanes also make the area suitable for gentle cycling holidays, particularly for linking nearby villages and countryside trails.