Landscape
It is a landscape rich in wildlife and cultural heritage, with its own special qualities and sense of place. A ‘green oasis’ of peace and quiet, rolling countryside and breath-taking views. A place where people feel able to slow down, unwind and connect with nature. Somewhere to escape urban life, breathe easy and feel uplifted. Come and discover it for yourself !
The Greensand Country Landscape Character Assessment (2016) provides a detailed description of the character of the landscape. It describes four character areas, including what makes them special and any notable features.
Each character area has it’s own distinct sense of place. You can think of them as different ‘jigsaw pieces’ that fit together to form the Greensand Country landscape as a whole. They can be used to help illustrate the variety offered by Greensand Country – that it comprises a patchwork (or jigsaw) of different areas, with different characteristics and experiences to enjoy.
Greensand Ridge: The Greensand Ridge forms an area of elevated land and is at the core of Greensand Country. Its distinctive north facing steep slope is iconic of the Greensand Ridge, with areas of pasture and woodland on the steep slopes. The area provides panoramic views off the Ridge and dip slope. It includes Rushmere Country Park; the largest remaining ancient woodland in Bedfordshire at Kings Wood; and the regionally important geological site, The Pinnacle at Sandy, which reveals the underlying sandstone geology.
Ouzel Valley: The Ouzel Valley flanks the western edge of the Greensand Country and runs in a northsouth direction, extending beyond Greensand Country. The scarp of the Greensand Ridge sits above the valley on its eastern side, the steep wooded slopes defining the valley. Overall the valley has an enclosed and
intimate character. Areas of open water, marshy grassland and wet woodland habitats provide significant wildlife interest. It includes listed structures associated with the Grand Union Canal such as bridges, pumping stations, cottages and locks.
Flit Valley: The Flit Valley is a magical place known for its folklore of medicinal waters and its peaceful, intimate surroundings. The valley lies along the southern edge of the Greensand Country separating it from the clay hills and chalk landscape of the Chilterns to the south. Wooded valley sides at Simpsons Plantation/Warren Wood and wooded skylines define the valley in the central section. Moors and wet woodlands form a repetitive pattern along the valley floor. Here willow pollards, native black poplars, scrub and wetland vegetation are common along with habitats including fen, acid mire, reed beds and marshy grassland. It includes the important wetland site at Flitwick Moor, the largest area of wetland in Bedfordshire and one of the best wetland sites in the South East.
Ivel Valley: The Ivel Valley lies between Moggerhanger, Northill and Sandy, cutting through the Greensand Ridge at the north-eastern end. This is a low lying, relatively flat and expansive valley to the west, but is well defined by the Greensand scarp to the east. With open views to the Greensand Ridge and over the parkland landscape to the west, the Ivel Valley is important in linking physically and visually the different parts of Greensand Country. It includes the Local Nature Reserve at The Riddy (Sandy) and listed buildings within hamlets including rural cottages, a manor house and farm.
Post NLHF first projects begin
With the appointment of a Partnership Coordinator in March 2022 to ensure the Partnership remained active after the NLHF programme, work began delivering new projects under the Forward Plan. These included creating a drone film that celebrated the landscape and its history and a leaflet designed to make Greensand Country more accessible to groups that has previously had less exposure to the area.
Forward Plan revealed
The Forward Plan gave the Partnership its vision beyond the NLHF programme. Such was the strength of the Partnership, that the maintenance of exisiting projects was secured in kind by partners. The GCLP was therefore the first landscape partnership to develop a core team after the NLHF programme. The Forward Plan became the basis for how the partnership would operate in 2022 onwards.
‘All Along’ Greensand Country touring art exhibition launched
May 2021 saw the culmination of our community art projects that celebrated the rich biodiversity and heritage of Greensand Country. Hosted at the Swiss Garden, Shuttleworth, the interactive art produced by Emily Tracey continues to be exhibited across Greensand Country, giving everyone the chance to appreciate it.
First Greensand Country waymarking appeared
The first Greensand Country branded waymarking was installed. The three Destination Plus routes, promoted with Central Bedfordshire Council, targeted new developments and provided easy and interesting routes to explore the area. Other routes, including extensions and linkages to the Greensand Ridge Walk, historic parkland walks, and more local walks soon followed.
Launch of website
The Greensand Country website was launched as a centre point to hold, gather and distribute information about the area. The website promotes, educates and informs as well as providing an invaluable resource centre for charter members.
Interactive Map Launched
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Village Gateways launched
Greensand Country made its mark across the landscape, with new gateway signage at the entrances to towns and villages. The signs, which sit beneath existing ‘welcome to…’ posts help residents and visitors to become better connected with the local landscape, wildlife, heritage and culture. An initial 15 town and parish councils across Greensand Country demonstrated they are proud to be in this area with new gateways in October 2019, with a total of 50 planned overall.
Charter membership scheme launched
In order to increase engagement and encourage cross-promotion of Greensand Country, the partnership introduced a Charter scheme, a support network for businesses and organisations. By signing up to our Charter, businesses can enjoy the benefits of being a part of wider network that works together to support one another and the overall success of the local area.
Apprentices supported
Four apprentices were supported at organisations across Greensand Country, including the Swiss Garden at Shuttleworth, Clophill Heritage Trust, the Forest of Marston Vale, and with Tim Buckingham. This gave the Partnership the oppurtunity to upskill young people with knowledge on heritage and rural management, whilst also boosting their confidence, wellbeing, and employment prospects.
First festival held
The Greensand Country Landscape Partnership launched its annual festival in May 2018, with a wide variety of events across Greensand Country over a long weekend. Events ranged from folk singers, local history exhibitions, guided walks, and wildlife workshops. The festival continues to be a key date in the Greensand Country calendar to this day.
Greensand Country conference series launched
November 2017 saw the first conference organised. Initially under the ‘Delving into History’ theme, the first year’s theme was ‘Woodland Archeology’. Subsequent years focused on ‘Monastic Heritage’ and ‘Resilient Habitats in Greensand Country’. The latter helped to shape how the GCLP would play an active role in future landscape recovery.
Third Party Grant Schemes Launched
Having launched larger scale projects with partners earlier in the year, the GCLP launched four third party grant schemes. These allowed smaller community organisations, historic parkland owners, and heritage experts to apply for project funding. These helped to kickstart projects such as habitat enhancement, sandstone structure repairs, historic parkland tree planting and fencing, and heritage skill projects to raise awareness of our unique area.
Partnership agreement signed
A diverse array of organisations, some national bodies and some more local, joined forces within the Landscape Partnership to support the delivery of a wide project portfolio supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and many diverse sources of match funding.
Launch of NLHF programme projects
Planning began on a wide portfolio of projects including major habitat restoration works with partners at the RSPB, the Wildlife Trust, and The Greensand Turst, community-based history and art projects, promoted routes to reveal Greensand Country, and heritage skills projects.
LCAP approved and work begins
In Summer 2015, preparations began to assess the condition of the Greensand Country area as a landscape in decline. This would help to strategically target future projects and ensure landscape level recovery. These extensive surveys included the historic environment, our impressive historic parkland, unique sandstone structures, and the overall landscape character.
First mention of landscape partnership
The idea of a partnership based in and around the Greensand Ridge was first formed in discussions between Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity and The Greensand Trust.
