Enjoying

Totternhoe Knolls Nature Reserve sits within an important medieval quarrying area. There are a range of promoted walks from Totternhoe including a stile-free route.     A number of guided walks are also held each year.

Wildlife

The spoil tips on this common resulting from medieval quarrying are now home to a prolific range of wildflowers and butterflies, best seen during spring/summer months.

Features

This common is the location of a medieval motte and bailey castle known as Eglemont which dates from about 1170. Medieval stone quarries that extracted "Totternhoe Clunch" can also be seen on the common. Totternhoe Clunch is a hard chalk that has been used in the interiors of building such as Westminister Abbey and Woburn Abbey.

The remains of this castle, the mediaeval stone quarries and remains of cultivation terraces are now a scheduled ancient monument and the castle yard is managed as a meadow.

Facilities

Car park, picnic area and trails. Dog bins are also provided. There are pubs in Totternhoe village.

Disabled Access

There are many stile-free routes in this area.

Owner

Bedfordshire County Counciil

Location

Off A4146 north west of Whipsnade, Bedfordshire. Follow signs from main road through Totternhoe village. Totternhoe Knolls is situated 2 miles west of Dunstable off the B489. There is parking at the picnic site off Castle Hill Road.

OS Map

Sheet 165: Aylesbury & Leighton Buzzard

Grid Reference

SP986218

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