Gateway Woods, between Kempston and Wootton

We started planting the Gateway Woods in 2001 and completed them in early 2016. They're made up of a series of 6 community woodlands stretching 2.5km between Kempston and Wootton: Button’s Ramsey, The Kill, Ridgeway Wood, Wiles Wood, Green End and Van Diemen’s Land.

These woods are a great place for spotting birds of prey, including kestrels, red kites, buzzards and barn owls.

There are picnic tables, benches and information boards across the sites, with mown and surfaced paths that are level enough for buggies and wheelchairs.

How to get there:

There is no parking available at these woodlands - so please do not drive there!
Access from: Ridge Road, Wootton Road, Wood End Lane, Potters’ Cross

Walk

Circular Walk from the Forest Centre (10 miles)
Circular Walk around Kempston Rural and Wood End (4 miles)
Circular Walk from Wootton to Gateway Woods (4 miles)

Cycle

Nearby routes: Bedford - Marston Vale Cycle Route (27 miles) from Bedford, through many local villages, and ending at Kempston.
Route 51 (length varies) from Oxford to Milton Keynes, Sandy and Cambridge.
Greenwood Cycle Trail (23 miles) a circular route from Marston Moretaine, through many local villages.

Horse ride

Horse riding is permitted throughout Gateway Woods, except Green End.

Entrances

Our handy map below shows all of the entrances to Gateway Woods:

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 Gateway Woods 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.