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'The Hills' motte and baileys

1 ha

📷 Humphrey Bolton · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Plan your visit

BirdsHeritageWildlife
Public accessFree entryDogs welcome1 ha

Getting here

52.00959, -0.35084

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Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

  • 🐦77+ species recorded in this area — summer evenings are best for activity; watch for Raven and Blackbird
  • ✦Historic character is a year-round quality here — summer brings its own atmosphere to the setting
  • 🐕Dogs welcome — bring water in summer; the site has enough space to find shade on hot days

Good to know

  • £Free to visit — no entry charge
  • 🐕Dogs welcome
Parking

Best for

8 activities

Bird watching

Birds — Raven, Blackbird, Robin +74 more · last seen 2025

Free

Heritage

Historic site with public access

Free

Wildlife

Birds — Raven, Blackbird, Robin +74 more · last seen 2025

Free

Insect spotting

Insects — Banded Demoiselle, Zig-zag Elm Sawfly, Elder Strider +11 more · last seen 2025

Free

Dog walks

Dogs allowed with public access

Free

Hiking

Named hiking route nearby: John Bunyan Trail; Named hiking route nearby: John Bunyan Trail

Free

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

7 signed routes nearby · 8 public paths nearby

Signed route nearbyPublic paths
Icknield Way PathWalking route169 km

long distance footpath 169 km

Named routeLength 169 kmRegional walking route
The Chiltern Way Northern ExtensionWalking route

Long distance path

Named routeRef CWNRegional walking route
John Bunyan TrailWalking route
Named routeRegional walking route
Kingfisher WayWalking route
Named routeLocal walking route
Greensand Ridge WalkWalking route64 km
Named routeLength 64 kmRegional walking route
🚴

Cycling

6 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Greensand CyclewayCycling route59 km
Named routeLength 59 kmRegional cycle route
Route 12Cycling route
Named routeRef 12National Cycle Network
Chilterns Cycleway (road alternative)Cycling route
Named routeLocal cycle route
Chilterns CyclewayCycling route
Named routeRound tripRegional cycle route
Main RouteCycling route676 m
Named routeRef 12Length 676 mNational Cycle NetworkTraffic-freeSurface asphalt
Main RouteCycling route241 m
Named routeRef 12Length 241 mNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt
🚵

Mountain biking

1 signed route nearby

Signed route nearby
Icknield Way Cycle TrailMountain bike route226 km

This is the off-road or mountain cycling route of the Icknield Way Trail.

Named routeLength 226 kmRegional cycle route

Wildlife to spot

Photos

Motte and part of a bailey bank in The Hills, Meppershall

📷 Humphrey Bolton · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Motte and part of a bailey bank in The Hills, Meppershall

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Nearby places

Useful places within 5 km

✦CHICKSANDS PRIORYHistoric site3.6 km→✦Wrest Park 18th century outbuildings, statues and gardensHistoric site4.3 km→🌱Shefford Millenium GreenUrban park3.8 km→✦WREST PARKHistoric site4 km→🌱Wrest Park & GardensUrban park4.2 km→🌱Hoo Hill MazeUrban park2.9 km→