Ampthill Park

Ampthill Park is a sprawling green space in Bedfordshire set across rolling countryside with ancient woodlands and open meadows. The 160-acre grounds include various recreational facilities and flow across gentle hills with both woodland and cleared areas.

King Henry VIII used this estate as a hunting ground and brought Katherine of Aragon there during their divorce in the 16th century. The place holds a key connection to a pivotal moment in English royal history.

The landscape shows the hand of Lancelot Brown, who redesigned the grounds in the 18th century with his characteristic style. You can walk today through spaces that reflect how wealthy landowners shaped their estates during the Georgian era.

Two parking areas serve the park, with one near the Football Club and another by the A507 bypass, making access straightforward. Both entry points allow visitors to reach different sections of the grounds without excessive walking from transport.

In 1979 the grounds held a buried golden hare as part of Kit Williams' treasure hunt book called Masquerade. This unusual connection to a 1970s cultural phenomenon adds an unexpected twist to the park's story.