A track through the trees in Rowney Warren Wood, Southill, Bedfordshire

Where to go · Bedfordshire

Forest bathing at Rowney Warren

Pine, oak and beech woodland near Chicksands, split between busy bike trails and a quieter half kept for walking.

Rowney Warren is a wood of pine, oak and beech near Chicksands and Shefford, on the Greensand Ridge in central Bedfordshire. Part of it is set aside as a mountain bike course, the Chicksands Bike Park, and it can be busy with riders at weekends. The rest of the wood is kept as a quiet area of footpaths, and that is the part to head for if you want to walk slowly and stop for a while.

The car park is on Sandy Lane, beside an information board. The bike trails are in the northern section, so for the quiet side it is worth checking the board before you set off rather than following the first track you see. Chicksands Wood, with wide paths and bluebells in spring, is close by and can be reached on foot along the John Bunyan Trail if you want a longer day.

Practical

Parking
Car park on Sandy Lane
Terrain
Woodland tracks and footpaths under pine, oak and beech
Opening and entry
Free

Last updated 4 November 2026. Paths, parking and access can change, so check before you visit. Spotted something out of date? Please let us know.

Guides nearby

Two guides within 15 miles of Rowney Warren

More woodlands in Bedfordshire

All venues in Bedfordshire
Trees in King's Wood National Nature Reserve, Heath and Reach, BedfordshireKings Wood, Heath and ReachBedfordshire's largest ancient woodland, with small-leaved lime and lily-of-the-valleyTrees in Maulden Wood on the Greensand Ridge, BedfordshireMaulden WoodAncient woodland on the Greensand Ridge, with spring flowers, butterflies and free parkingMarston Vale Millennium Country Park, BedfordshireMillennium Country Park, Forest of Marston ValeYoung community forest, meadows and wetland between Bedford and Milton Keynes

Photos: Kings Wood, Heath and Reach, Dudley Miles (CC BY-SA 4.0); Maulden Wood, Dudley Miles (CC BY-SA 4.0); Millennium Country Park, Forest of Marston Vale, M J Richardson (CC BY-SA 2.0).