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The Hillings, Castle Hills: a ringwork castle associated with a Saxon vill, shifted medieval village and a windmill mound

2 ha

📷 Jeff Gogarty · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

WildlifeBirdsSeasonal
Free entryDogs welcome2 ha

Getting here

52.21589, -0.28399

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Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

  • 🌞Midsummer — early morning visits most comfortable; look for deer fawns in quieter clearings
  • 🌿Foraging is at its best in summer here
  • 🛝Playground 287m away — built-in entertainment for younger visitors alongside the wider site

Good to know

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

Best for

7 activities

Wildlife

Multi-group wildlife — Amphibians, Birds, Mammals, Reptiles; Multi-group wildlife — Amphibians, Birds, Mammals, Reptiles

Free

Bird watching

Birds — Mute Swan, Mallard, Woodpigeon +82 more · last seen 2026; Birds — Mute Swan, Mallard, Woodpigeon +82 more · last seen 2026

Free

Seasonal nature

Plants — Elder, Green Alkanet, Garlic Mustard +91 more · last seen 2026; Plants — Elder, Green Alkanet, Garlic Mustard +91 more · last seen 2026

Free

Foraging

Plants — Elder, Garlic Mustard, White Dead-nettle +9 more foraging species

Varies

Insect spotting

Insects — Norfolk Aeshna, 7-spot Ladybird, Banded Demoiselle +26 more · last seen 2025; Insects — Norfolk Aeshna, 7-spot Ladybird, Banded Demoiselle +26 more · last seen 2025

Free

Heritage

Historic site

Free

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

3 signed routes nearby · 6 public paths nearby

Signed route nearbyPublic paths
North Bedfordshire Heritage TrailWalking route70 km
Named routeLength 70 kmRegional walking route
Ouse Valley Way 2 (Turvey to Eaton Socon)Walking route
Named routeRegional walking route
Ouse Valley Way 3 (Eaton Socon to Brandon Creek)Walking route
Named routeRegional walking route
🚴

Cycling

48 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Route HDC 10Cycling route
Named routeRef HDC 10Local cycle route
Route HDC 8Cycling route
Named routeRef HDC 8Local cycle route
Route HDC 9iCycling route
Named routeRef HDC 9iLocal cycle route
NCN 51Cycling route
Named routeRef 51National Cycle Network
Route HDC 9iiiCycling route
Named routeRef HDC 9iiiLocal cycle route
Route 12Cycling route
Named routeRef 12National Cycle Network

Wildlife to spot

Photos

Behind the River Mill, Eaton Socon

📷 Jeff Gogarty · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Behind the River Mill, Eaton Socon

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Nearby places

Useful places within 5 km

🦉LITTLE PAXTON PITSNature reserve4.7 km→🌱Riverside ParkUrban park900 m→🌱The Riverside ParkUrban park1.3 km→🌱Henbrook ParkUrban park1.8 km→🌱Lammas MeadowUrban park2.5 km→🌱Priory ParkUrban park3 km→

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