Tourism

Visit Ampthill 

Contents

Before You Visit | Places of Interest | Related Links | Local Touism Attractions in Bedfordshire | What does the Ampthill Town Plan say about Tourism Issues relation to the Town?

 

Before you Visit - Take a Tour Around the Streets of Ampthill

Visit this site's 'Tour Around the Streets of Ampthill' page & view videos of the Town's attractions (see the drop down menu to the right for the link to that page)

Places of Interest 

  • Ampthill Park, originally founded in the early part of the 15th century and the site of the now long since gone Ampthill Castle. The Park was later enhanced by eminent landscape gardener, Lancelot 'Capability' Brown, through selective tree planting and the creation of the Rezzy, an ornamental lake. Since 1947, the Park has been owned by the town and provides a wonderful backdrop to historic Ampthill. Ampthill Park House, built 1686-88 for the Dowager Countess of Ailesbury and Elgin, still stands.
  • The Ossory Cottages are the 'picture postcard', much-photographed, half-timber buildings erected by Lord Ossory's estate workers.
  • The Alameda Lime Walk was created by Lord and Lady Holland for the town's people.
  • The Cenotaph was unveiled by Princess Beatrice in 1921 at the far end of the Alameda. A second memorial was erected in the churchyard that same year. Both were designed by Professor Richardson.
  • Cooper's Hill Nature Reserve (also known as The Firs) is one of the few remaining examples of the heath land that once stretched across Bedfordshire along the Greensand Ridge. This attractive area provides a habitat for many uncommon plants and invertebrates. It can be accessed from W oburn Road, Station Road or down the Alameda.
  • White Hart Hotel is a traditional coaching inn and landmark in the town centre. It houses a 17th century painting of the Prince of Wales (later Charles II), which was destroyed in a fire but is now fully restored.
  • King's Arms Path Garden has been a remarkable woodland garden since 1968. It is maintained for the town by a group of local volunteers and is open to the public several times a year.
  • St Andrew's Parish Church. There is evidence of worship on this site from the middle of the 12th century, but the church, as it now stands, is part of a 15th century rebuilding programme. It houses a monument to Ampthill man Richard Nicolls (see page xx), who became the first English Governor of New York and gave the city its current name.
  • Houghton House was built in 1615 for the Countess of Pembroke and later purchased and dismantled by the Duke of Bedford. It is thought to have been the model for John Bunyan's 'House Beautiful' in Pilgrim's Progress. This impressive ruin is now in the care of English Heritage.
  • The Gazebo is a quirky building now used by a local goldsmith, and is all that remains of an 18th century walled garden created by John Finlay, the gardener for Lord Ossory.
  • Ampthill Union Chapel (Baptist Church), erected in 1822, continues to be a focal point in the community and a meeting place for several interest groups.
  • The Methodist Church was designed by Charles Bell of London and opened on 13 tit August 1884.

Related Links

Local Tourism Attractions in Bedfordshire

You may may wish to combine your visit to Ampthill with one of the many tourist attractions located throughout Bedfordshire. The following provide a taste of what you are missing by not visiting Ampthill and Bedfordshire:

What does the Ampthill Town plan say about Tourism issues relating to the Town?

There is a great need for a Tourist Information Centre and a Heritage Centre in Ampthill. Currently government capping has resulted in MBDC withdrawing funding for a tourist information centre. This is disappointing as Ampthill is particularly rich in local history and making better use of our heritage would result in many advantages to the town.

ACTIONS

  • Establish outlet for local information offering leaflets, maps, shopping information.
  • Explore the possibilities of establishing a Heritage Centre.

THE VISION FOR THE FUTURE

  • A thriving Heritage Centre offering information on Ampthill's past and present.

POLICY STATEMENT

  • The town supports the provision of a Heritage Centre offering information on Ampthill's past and present which would also be used by Ampthill residents.