Ireland Spinney

Wood, Forest in Bedfordshire

England

Ireland Spinney

Part of the car park for Rowney Warren Wood, Southill The car park is also a picnic area. — Part of the car park for Rowney Warren Wood, Southill Credit: Humphrey Bolton

Ireland Spinney is a charming woodland area located in Bedfordshire, England. Situated in the village of Ireland, this spinney is a popular destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts alike. Spanning across a vast area, it offers a serene and peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

As its name suggests, Ireland Spinney is predominantly covered in dense woodland, consisting of a variety of trees such as oak, beech, and birch. The forest floor is adorned with a beautiful carpet of wildflowers, adding bursts of vibrant colors to the landscape during the blooming seasons.

The spinney is crisscrossed with well-maintained footpaths, allowing visitors to explore the area at their own pace. These paths wind through the trees, offering breathtaking views and a chance to spot the various wildlife that calls this place home. Birdwatchers will be delighted to know that Ireland Spinney is home to a diverse array of bird species, including woodpeckers, jays, and owls.

For those seeking a tranquil picnic spot or a peaceful spot to relax, Ireland Spinney offers several designated areas with benches and picnic tables. These spots provide an opportunity to soak in the natural beauty while enjoying a packed lunch or simply basking in the serenity of the surroundings.

Ireland Spinney is a true gem in the heart of Bedfordshire, offering visitors an escape into nature and a chance to reconnect with the beauty of the English countryside. Whether it is a leisurely stroll, birdwatching, or simply unwinding amidst the trees, this woodland area is a must-visit for nature enthusiasts of all ages.

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Ireland Spinney Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 52.059708/-0.34353829 or Grid Reference TL1341. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Part of the car park for Rowney Warren Wood, Southill

The car park is also a picnic area.

Humphrey Bolton

Track in Rowney Warren Wood, Southill

This track is along the southern edge of the wood.

Humphrey Bolton

Path in Rowney Warren Wood, Southill

It is all too easy to lose one's sense of direction in this wood, and also my GPS readings did not always indicate a position on one of the paths shown on the 1:25000 map.

Humphrey Bolton

Track in Rowney Warren Wood, Southill

This track goes along the southern edge of the wood, and over the boundary fence at a lower level there is a bridleway, which is part of the John Bunyan Trail. Along the length of the track that I walked there was no connection between the two paths.

Humphrey Bolton

The John Bunyan Trail at the A600, Shefford

The roundabout is at the junction with the B658 Sandy road.

Humphrey Bolton

Track junction in Rowney Warren Wood, Southill

I am not certain about the grid reference.

Humphrey Bolton

Track in Rowney Warren Wood, Southill

Position uncertain.

Humphrey Bolton

Disused railway bridge

This 3 arch bridge (No. HIB18) takes the Southill road over the old Bedford to Hitchin line of the Midland Railway. Before St. Pancras Station and the line from Bedford to London was built, Midland Railway trains accessed the GNR's Kings Cross station via Hitchin. After the new line was built, the line became a backwater, and was closed to passengers in 1961 and to freight in 1964.

Bob Walters

Railway bridge near Ireland

This old railway bridge is on the disused Bedford to Hitchin line of the Midland Railway which was fully closed in 1964.

Bob Walters

Farmland, Shefford, Beds

View N from the Bedford Road.

Rodney Burton

Southill Park Woods, Bedfordshire

Southill Park is near Biggleswade, Bedfordshire. Southill is a charming estate village dominated by Southill Park, home of the Whitbread Family since 1795. Samuel Whitbread I founded the famous brewery of the same name. Before the Whitbread Family, Southill Park was home to the Byngs. In All Saints Church lies the body of Admiral Sir John Byng who was blamed for the loss of Minorca to the French and executed on the deck of his own ship in 1757.

Christine Matthews

Southill Park Woods, Bedfordshire

Southill is a charming estate village dominated by Southill Park, home of the Whitbread Family since 1795. Samuel Whitbread I founded the famous brewery of the same name. Before the Whitbread Family, Southill Park was home to the Byngs. In All Saints Church lies the body of Admiral Sir John Byng who was blamed for the loss of Minorca to the French and executed on the deck of his own ship in 1757.

Christine Matthews