Dunstable

Heritage Site in Bedfordshire

England

Dunstable

Dunstable, located in the county of Bedfordshire, England, is a historic town known for its rich heritage and notable landmarks. Situated on the eastward tail of the Chiltern Hills, Dunstable is surrounded by picturesque countryside and offers breathtaking views of the Dunstable Downs.

One of the most significant landmarks in Dunstable is the Dunstable Priory, which dates back to the 12th century. This magnificent church, with its impressive Gothic architecture, is a remnant of the Augustinian priory that once stood on the site. Visitors can explore the priory's beautiful gardens and experience the tranquility of the surrounding area.

Another notable feature of Dunstable is its ancient cross, known as the "Cross of St. Albans." Erected in the 15th century, this stone cross served as a resting place for pilgrims traveling to St. Albans Abbey. Today, the cross stands proudly in the town center, reminding visitors of Dunstable's historical significance.

Dunstable is also home to the Priory House Heritage Centre, a museum that showcases the town's past through a collection of artifacts and exhibits. Here, visitors can learn about Dunstable's medieval origins, its role in the hat-making industry, and its connections to notable figures such as Henry VIII and Thomas Becket.

In addition to its heritage sites, Dunstable offers a range of recreational activities for outdoor enthusiasts. The Dunstable Downs, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, provide ample opportunities for hiking, picnicking, and gliding, thanks to the presence of the London Gliding Club.

Overall, Dunstable, Bedfordshire, is a town steeped in history and natural beauty, attracting visitors from near and far with its rich heritage, iconic landmarks, and stunning landscapes.

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Dunstable Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.882/-0.525 or Grid Reference TL0121. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Dunstable Downs car park

Colin Pyle

Car park on the Dunstable Downs in summer

Yes, we did have an ice cream.

Jeremy Bolwell

Part of the Dunstable Downs in the summer of 2022

Glorious.

Jeremy Bolwell

Scene on the Dunstable Downs in summer 2022

This elegant and independent woman has settled herself into a most comfortable and commodious looking chair and is drinking in the exceptional views laid out in front of her. My type of person! No boring sea view. No sitting in her back garden and looking at the Downs. She has picked up her mat and walked. She knows that she needs the scale of a JMW Turner or Constable painting and subject matter to match. She is aloof but also very much central to the scene. I envied her her vision, insight and depth of thought. More of this please!

Jeremy Bolwell

On the Icknield Way Trail, Dunstable Downs - view to Beacon Hill

Colin Park

View from Dunstable Downs

Dunstable Downs Airfield is below, much used by gliders.

Robin Webster

Kite flying on Dunstable Downs

Looking north. Although they are not easy to see on the photograph, the sky was full of kites.

Cathy Cox

Kensworth chalk quarry

Actually, this spreads across four squares. This is the area used for processing I think.

Robin Hall

Bloke flying a kite or Kite Flying a bloke

This was a loon who, with a number of kites tied together, used the kites to lift him off the ground. At this stage he is about 10m off the ground. He is tied to the ground. Taken at the Dunstable kite festival on the downs

Dennis simpson

Dunstable Downs

A young girl acting as a wing-runner assisting with the launch of a glider at the London Gliding Club, with the 'Bowl' and Dunstable Downs in the background.

M J Richardson

Chilterns Gateway Centre

Front aspect view - capturing the setting sun on the new visitors centre.

Dennis simpson

Two walkers on the Icknield Way

In the background is the Chilterns Gateway visitor centre - for those who like their country views with a roof and a cappuccino.

Jonathan Billinger

Litter and rubbish bins

At the car park on Dunstable Downs.

Jonathan Billinger

Dunstable Downs

View south across the flat top of the Chiltern scarp.

Jonathan Billinger

Kensworth Chalk Quarry Panorama

This enormous hole in the ground in the parish of Kensworth just south of Dunstable is not what you would call pretty - however in its sheer scale and almost dazzling whiteness, it is rather majestic ! I can only guess at its dimensions, but it must cover over 100 acres and be several hundred feet deep. And perhaps the most amazing thing is that unless you happen to get to this point there is virtually no evidence that it exists. To give an idea of its scale, have a look at the closer photo here TL0219 : Kensworth Chalk Quarry and you may make out a tiny yellow "grub" which is in fact an enormous earth mover.

Rob Farrow

Kensworth Chalk Quarry

This is a close-up of part of the quarry seen in TL0219 : Kensworth Chalk Quarry Panorama. If you look closely near the top of the quarry about 1/5 of the way from the left side of the photo, you may be able to make out a little yellowish object. This is in fact an enormous earth moving vehicle - about half as big again as a double decker bus - this will give an idea of the scale of this mammoth pit.

Rob Farrow

Footpath skirting quarry - View northwestwards

This muddy footpath follows the northeastern and northern edges of TL0219 : Kensworth Chalk Quarry and a little further on skirts the ancient strip lynchetts to the south of the Stipers Hill area of Dunstable. The view along the footpath in the opposite direction can be seen in TL0219 : Footpath skirting quarry - View southeastwards

Rob Farrow

Kensworth Quarry - deepest level

This view of TL0219 : Kensworth Chalk Quarry focuses on the deepest level of the quarry where water has collected in eau-de-Nil pools. Some of the industry associated with the workings can be seen at a much higher level beyond the pit. Spot the parascender top right. Note - the prominent mast top centre is similar to the one seen in close-up here TL0119 : Radio Mast, Isle of Wight Lane but is I think the one at TL01441960 [Edit Dec 2010] I am obliged to Dylan Moore who tells me that there is a pipeline directly from this quarry taking chalk slurry all the way to a cement processing plant in Rugby, a Geograph photo of which can be seen here SP4875 : Second View from Rugby (now Cemex) Cement Tower

Rob Farrow

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Dunstable is located at Grid Ref: TL0121 (Lat: 51.882, Lng: -0.525)

What 3 Words

///ruins.edit.final. Near Dunstable, Bedfordshire

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 51.882,-0.525

Mini Roundabout

Source: survey

Lat/Long: 51.8805728/-0.5276982

Dunstable

Heritage Site in Bedfordshire

England

Dunstable

Dunstable Images

What 3 Words

Nearby Locations

Related Wikis

Dunstable Friary

Queensbury Academy, Dunstable

Municipal Borough of Dunstable

Dunstable

Nearby Amenities

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