Galley & Warden Hills Nature Reserve

Enjoying

Warden and Galley Hills Nature Reserve was Luton’s first nature reserve and is the perfect place to enjoy a walk. There are three routes to choose from when exploring this common. You can avoid climbing the hills by taking a circular walk from Streatley village or you can climb up Warden Hill to enjoy the views across Luton from the top. The final route involves walking along part of the Icknield Way which is an ancient route that was used in the past for trade.

Wildlife

The chalk downland supports a huge variety of wild flowers and these attract rare insects and over 20 species of butterflies.

Features

“Drays ditches” run along the base of Warden Hill which were originally dug in the Bronze Age as boundaries to seperate tribal groups. However, later on in the Iron Age these were built up as a way to control the traffic along the Icknield Way.

Near the top of Galley Hill two Bronze Age barrows can be found. These were excavated in the 1960s and the remains of 14 burials were found in the largest barrow. In the Middle Ages a gallows was built on top of one of the barrows to be used for public executions.

Postcode
LU2 7AJ
Accessibility/terrain/walk info

No sealed paths

Facilities & accessibility

There is a car park on site and information boards can be found on the common. Dog bins are also provided.

Dogs allowed under supervision