The Grange Estate, Willington

We started planting at the Grange Estate on the edge of Willington in 2009 and completed it in early 2010. It’s a pretty big site at 120 hectares (or 297 acres) and both the River Great Ouse and Elstow Brook run through it so there's a lot to see and do. From lake fishing, to wild camping, paddle boarding and canoeing (provided by Canoe Trail) and the National Trust Dovecote and Stables.

Thanks to a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund a few years ago, you can click here to find out more about the ancient history of the site and local area – from the ice ages, to the Romans and beyond. 

There are picnic tables, benches and information boards across the site, with mown and surfaced paths that are level enough for buggies and wheelchairs. There is also a geocaching trail on this site.

How to get there:

There is limited parking available at this woodland. Local facilities nearby include: Danish Camp and the National Trust's Dovecote and Stables.
Access from: Church End, Goldington Road

Walk

Willington Heritage Trail (2 miles)
Woodland and Willows Walk (2 miles)
Bedford St Johns Station to the Grange Estate (6.5 miles)
The Thatcher's Way, through old Warden and Moggerhanger (24 miles)

Cycle

The site is part of the Bedford River Valley Park so has excellent cycle links. Route 51 runs through the site, and it's only 20 minutes ride from Priory Country Park.

Horse ride

Horse riding is permitted throughout The Grange Estate and Octagon Wood

Entrances

Our handy map below shows all of the entrances to the Grange Estate and Octagon Wood:

For more information, or to report an issue at any of these sites please call 01234 767037 or email us.

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Help us look after this site

Money doesn't grow on trees - donate now

If your friends and family use The Grange Estate an Octagon Wood then please let them know that they are run by the Forest of Marston Vale and not the council. Land is expensive and managing woodlands is expensive. It isn't as simple as putting a tree in the ground and walking away - it costs £20 to plant one tree and look after it for 5 years. So trees don't cost the earth, but they might just save it.