The Bedfordshire Greensand Ridge National Character Area (NCA) is a narrow ridge running north-east, south-west, rising out of – and entirely surrounded by – the Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire Claylands NCA.It is a distinctive ridge with a north-west-facing scarp slope, formed by the underlying sandstone geology which has shaped the landscape and industry of the Ridge. Fuller's earth, which lies interbedded between the Bargate and Sandgate Layers, was much quarried for the cloth industry. Hills on the Greensand Ridge at least 200 metres high and with 30 metres or more of topographical prominence are here listed, along the range from west to east. [4], The Lower Greensand is composed of alternating mudstones (sandy, with clay particles such as smectite) and sandstones, up to a maximum thickness of about 400 metres (1,300 ft), and is composed of a number of distinct formations, namely the Folkestone Beds, Sandgate Beds, Bargate Beds, Hythe Beds and Atherfield Clay. Chert, ironstone and calcareous deposits occur in small amounts. The Folkestone Beds consist of seams of pebbles and sand. For more information on the walk and to download maps visit Central Bedfordshire Council's website. Greensand Way in Kent, 1992, Kent Count Council, Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, "NCA Profile:120 Wealden Greensand (NE465)", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Greensand_Ridge&oldid=995929480, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 23 December 2020, at 17:01. The Stone Jug is located on the route in the village of Clophill and a fine place to stop for a break and something to eat. The varied geology of the Ridge has created a distinctive mosaic of habitats and land uses. Find your way around Rushmere Country Park's 400 acres of stunning woodland, heathland and meadows for all ages to enjoy. Greensand Ridge Walk Pubs/Cafes. The south-west part of the Greensand ridge and hills is in the South Downs National Park. Unlike the chalk downs of the Chilterns, this area is well-wooded (seen in the distance); the soils are too poor and well-drained for good faming. In many places along the escarpment of the Greensand Ridge erosion by wind and rain, landslips on the steep scarp face, and solifluction in glacial times have further combined to create steep-side coombes, and low hillocks below the scarp. Limited parking available at Stockgrove entrance. The Greensand Ridge is bounded to the north by lowland plains made of older soft Jurassic (166-157 Mya) clays and to the south by Gault clays of younger Cretaceous (112-100 Mya) age. Coordinates: .mw-parser-output .geo-default,.mw-parser-output .geo-dms,.mw-parser-output .geo-dec{display:inline}.mw-parser-output .geo-nondefault,.mw-parser-output .geo-multi-punct{display:none}.mw-parser-output .longitude,.mw-parser-output .latitude{white-space:nowrap}51°10′N 0°22′W / 51.167°N 0.367°W / 51.167; -0.367. A good walk: Greensand Ridge, Bedfordshire The ridge that looks down on Bedford is only a couple of hundred feet high, but in this low-lying country it dominates. In the area around Haslemere local anticlinal features are superimposed on the main axis of the Wealden anticline, causing the outcrop of resistant Hythe Beds to widen from 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) to more than 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) and to produce an escarpment that is particularly marked between Haslemere and Midhurst, where Blackdown rises to 280 metres (920 ft), the highest point in Sussex. Greensand Country covers 40 miles of scenic landscape, which is defined by the Greensand Ridge and reaches three neighbouring counties: from Cambridgeshire in the East, across Bedfordshire and to Buckinghamshire in the West. This forest, difficult to penetrate and settle, and difficult to exploit agriculturally, in due course became an essential part of a system of transhumance whereby each autumn swine would be driven, sometimes over long distances, from the longer-settled areas on the periphery into the Wealden forest to feed on acorns of oak trees and beech mast. Defined by the Greensand Ridge, Greensand Country is an island of distinctive, beautiful and loved countryside stretching from Leighton Buzzard to Gamlingay, which rises out of the surrounding clay vales. The Greensand Ridge is a distinctive “island” of significantly wooded sands and sandstone that rises prominently above the surrounding clay vales. If you have a transport need, please email [email protected]… https://t.co/FoJXPncyul, RT @greensandsocial: Have you visited our new website yet? Whether you would like to try mountain biking or just want to walk the dog you'll find it all here. Ideal for families all year round, an access for all path starting from outside the Visitor Centre - find fairy doors, wooden sculptures and have a photo taken in the Giant’s Chair! Our area is full of great places to visit and things to do and see. Below it lie successively older strata of alternating clays and sandstones laid down in the Lower Cretaceous, namely Upper Greensand, Gault Clay, Lower Greensand, Weald Clay and the Hastings Beds. We also sell hand sanitiser in retail and bulk supply. The area’s unique landscape and geology results in a place of rich natural and cultural heritage. Greensand Country is an area of distinct, beautiful and loved countryside, stretching from Gamlingay to Leighton Buzzard.Its 40 miles of scenic landscape follows the Greensand Ridge and reaches three neighbouring counties, from Cambridgeshire in the east, across Bedfordshire to Buckinghamshire in the west. A pathway runs along the ridge from Leighton Buzzard to Gamlingay. Valley slope processes in the Vale of Fernhurst have resulted in escarpments to the north and south that are steep enough to have collapsed by land slipping. [3] It also contains important subsidiary elements of silty and argillaceous material. It starts near the county boundary with Buckinghamshire at Leighton Buzzard, passes through Woburn, Ampthill and Sandy, before finishing at Gamlingay on the Bedfordshire-Cambridgeshire border. Petersfield marks the western end, where the ridge turns north east. The ridge itself forms SP915251 - Linslade, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire Finish: TL226533 - Gamlingay, Cambridgeshire Web Sites: Central Bedfordshire Council - Greensand Ridge Walk Greensand Ridge Walk - … Much of the ridge in Surrey and Kent is followed by a long-distance walking route, the Greensand Way. The route spans the county for a total of 40 miles, following the greensand ridge. The Greensand Ridge is one of the few places in Central England where thin, sandy soils support lowland heathland and acid grassland - distinctive landscapes which support specific wildlife and vegetation and need to be protected to thrive. [7] Further east, the Lower Greensand has not produced any pronounced topographical features. On the surface the strata of which the dome is composed crop out in a series of concentric circles, shaped like a horseshoe, with the more resistant chalk and sandstones forming hills and ridges (such as the North and South Downs, the Greensand Ridge, and the High Weald), and the weaker clays forming vales (such as the Low Weald) between them. The Greensand Ridge is sometimes associated with the Weald; the ridge forms the high border of area of the Weald. [5], The soil of the Greensand is quite varied, ranging from fertile to fairly sterile. This stretch of the Greensand has become the most closely identified with the term "Greensand Ridge", and it includes the second highest point in south-east England, Leith Hill in Surrey. Ironstone, from layers embedded in the Sandgate Beds, is often seen in chips (gallets) pressed into the mortar between such stones. For Greensand Ridge in Bedfordshire, see Bedfordshire Greensand Ridge. It's a place of some historic note having been converted to a pub from a 16th century building. From there the land levels until it drops to the old sea-cliff line above Romney Marsh. Rushmere Country Park joins 2,061 green spaces across the country receiving international quality mark, the Green Flag Award, in a year when millions have seen the value of having great quality green spaces on their doorstep. The Greensand Ridge was formed about 145 million years ago and is the outcrop of the Cretaceous period that runs through the middle of Bedfordshire. About. Walked the section from Woburn to Eversholt (circular walk of 8 miles). The cafe is currently CLOSED - but we do have hatches at both entrances offering a takeaway service with social distancing queuing in place. A great place to discover nature and enjoy the outdoors with over 400 acres of woodland, heathland and meadows to enjoy - a fabulous site for walking, cycling, horse riding and wildlife with café, visitor centre and events. The Greensand Ridge Walk is Bedfordshire's premier long distance walk. A practice of treating the Greensand Ridge regularly as part of the Weald arose in geology when natural scientists, starting in the late 18th century, began to include it in their analysis of the geological history of the Wealden dome. The walk is an ideal introduction to the history, landscape and wildlife of this part of the county. The very resistant rocks of the Lower Greensand, in particular the Hythe Beds, have produced prominent escarpments that form an arc around the northern edge of the Low Weald, running parallel to and just south of the chalk escarpment of the North Downs. https://t.co/FU8nhvD3bd, Charity number: 1077055 Company limited by guarantee. Responsible dog owners are welcome at Rushmere Country Park within designated areas - both on and off the lead. Greensand Ridge specialises in Gin, Fruit Brandies and Rums, making spirits with a local influence, using sustainable practices and turning produce from local growers into fine spirits. Bedfordshire Greensand Ridge (NCA090): Countryside Stewardship statement of priorities Find out the features and issues that have been identified as priorities for funding in this area. Excellent. In Surrey the Sandgate Beds and Bargate Beds, which lie on top of the Hythe Beds, have yielded a distinctive yellow stone seen in many local buildings. Not to be confused with the Greensand Ridge in Surrey, Kent and Sussex, the Bedfordshire Greensand Ridge is an escarpment that runs through Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire. As 2020 comes to an end, we'd like to acknowledge how delighted we are to have been able to provide a safe environment to support our local and wider community’s health and wellbeing needs throughout the difficult times of this year. Find out about hidden local gems, beautiful walking trails and cycle paths al… https://t.co/F23L1Fo6eI, @greensandsocial one for you - thanks! With a toehold in both Buckinghamshire and Cambridgeshire, and stretching over 45km, the vast majority of this attractive landscape is in Bedfordshire and is home to distinctive habitats and wildlife. The Weald dome consists of a series of geological strata laid down in the Cretaceous that have subsequently been lifted up, formed into a dome (i.e. The ridge continues eastwards past Sevenoaks, until south-west of Maidstone it is broken by the valley of the River Medway. In some places the clay vale is very narrow: for example at Oxted the gap between summits of the Greensand Ridge and the North Downs is less than 2 kilometres (1.2 mi). Wander into one of the Greensand Ridge's ancient woodlands in late April and you'll encounter drifts of bluebells. The Greensand Ridge, also known as the Wealden Greensand is an extensive, prominent, often wooded, mixed greensand/sandstone escarpment in south-east England. Bedfordshire Greensand Ridge is an escarpment which runs through Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, and Cambridgeshire in the south and east of England.A pathway runs along the ridge from Leighton Buzzard to Gamlingay. The walk is an ideal introduction to the history, landscape and wildlife of this part of the county. Resources are now running low and little is now extracted.[10]. Greensand ridge, Bedfordshire This ridge of sand-stone, known as the Lower Greensand, lies north of the Chiltern Hills. A 40 mile long footpath runs along the ridge, with … Here in Bedfordshire the Lower Greensand Formation forming Greensand Country is known as the Woburn Sands. The Greensand Ridge is a distinctive island of significantly wooded sands and sandstone rising prominently above the surrounding clay vales. We're on the hunt for Greensand Champions - groups or individual young people who are doing something amazing for the Greensand Country environment. Forming part of the Weald, a former dense forest in Sussex, Surrey and Kent, it runs to and from the East Sussex coast, wrapping around the High Weald and Low Weald. The well-wooded, mature and attractive landscape contains a number of places to visit such as Rushmere Country Park in Heath and Reach to the west, the RSPB's nature reserve at The Lodge near Sandy and the popular Greensand Ridge Walk running the entire distance. It follows a ridge of greensand (hence the name!) The Greensand Ridge Walk is a long-distance walk of 42 miles that crosses Bedfordshire, with brief sections in Cambridgeshire and Buckinghamshire. The steep scarp slopes to the north of the Ridge contrast with the gently-folded slopes to the south. For these peoples the term Weald did not include the land cleared of forest and settled earlier, such as the fertile Vale of Holmesdale (which separates the North Downs from the Greensand Ridge), nor the more lightly wooded and open hills found on the sandstones of the Greensand Ridge, which also seem to have been settled earlier. The Greensand Ridge, capped by the resistant sands and sandstones of the Hythe Beds, reinforced by bands of chert, rises steeply as a series of high, wooded escarpments between Gibbet Hill, Hindhead (272 metres (892 ft)), north of Haslemere, and the ridge's highest point, Leith Hill (294 metres (965 ft)). The Lower Greensand is a predominantly arenaceous sandstone consisting of sediment that accumulated apparently in a shallow sea in the later part of the Lower Cretaceous. anticline) and then deformed and faulted. Registered in England: 3702419, Registered address: The Greensand Trust, The Working Woodlands Centre, Maulden Wood, Haynes West End, Bedfordshire, MK45 3UZ, Rushmere Country Park celebrates first Green Flag Award. It's name may have something to do with the local quarry stone which the building is mostly constructed from. The Jutes and Saxons who settled in south-east England in the centuries following the collapse of the Roman empire applied the term Weald (a Germanic term for woodland) to the very large, heavily wooded forest that they found lying inland of the coastal lands and river valleys that they initially settled. We are now closed for new project applications. Joint Character Area: Bedfordshire Greensand Ridge (partially also Bedfordshire & Cambridgeshire Claylands). It runs to and from the East Sussex coast, around the Weald , a … It then flattens for several miles, before re-emerging east of Nutfield to run eastwards as a high wooded ridge into an area between Oxted and Sevenoaks known locally as the Chartlands, where it reaches another high point at Toys Hill, Kent (235 metres (771 ft)). Ampthill Park has a bit of everything - tremendous views from The Greensand Ridge, a fascinating heritage from Henry VIII to Capability Brown, and a diverse collection of flora and fauna. This stream, the River Lod, runs parallel to the larger River Rother which flows about 10 km further south in the lee of the chalk escarpment of the South Downs. Fuller 's earth, which lies interbedded between the Bargate and Sandgate Layers greensand ridge bedfordshire was much quarried the... 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