The Bedfordshire Greensand Ridge National Character Area (NCA) is a narrow ridge running north-east, south-west, rising out of – and entirely surrounded by – the Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire Claylands NCA.It is a distinctive ridge with a north-west-facing scarp slope, formed by the underlying sandstone geology which has shaped the landscape and industry of the Ridge. Resources are now running low and little is now extracted.[10]. Whether you would like to try mountain biking or just want to walk the dog you'll find it all here. The area’s unique landscape and geology results in a place of rich natural and cultural heritage. The top-most and therefore youngest layer of the dome is Chalk, laid down in the Upper Cretaceous. The walk is an ideal introduction to the history, landscape and wildlife of this part of the county. The ridge then continues as far as Pluckley, Kent. The Greensand Ridge was formed about 145 million years ago and is the outcrop of the Cretaceous period that runs through the middle of Bedfordshire. It reaches its highest elevation, 294 metres (965 ft), at Leith Hill in Surrey—the second highest point in south-east England, while another hill in its range, Blackdown, is the highest point in Sussex at 280 metres (919 ft). The Greensand Ridge is one of the few places in Central England where thin, sandy soils support lowland heathland and acid grassland - distinctive landscapes which support specific wildlife and vegetation and need to be protected to thrive. The ridge is separated by a mixed deep and shallow, fertile depression from the North Downs referred to as the 'Vale of Holmesdale', formed on Gault Clay, and a narrow band of Upper Greensand that outcrops at the foot of the chalk scarp (ridge). Forming part of the Weald, a former dense forest in Sussex, Surrey and Kent, it runs to and from the East Sussex coast, wrapping around the High Weald and Low Weald. Differential fluvial erosion has virtually flattened the dome into a series of hills and vales. Fuller's earth, which lies interbedded between the Bargate and Sandgate Layers, was much quarried for the cloth industry. The route spans the county for a total of 40 miles, following the greensand ridge. Bedfordshire Greensand Ridge is an escarpment which runs through Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, and Cambridgeshire in the south and east of England.A pathway runs along the ridge from Leighton Buzzard to Gamlingay. This stream, the River Lod, runs parallel to the larger River Rother which flows about 10 km further south in the lee of the chalk escarpment of the South Downs. It's a place of some historic note having been converted to a pub from a 16th century building. We are now closed for new project applications. Not to be confused with the Greensand Ridge in Surrey, Kent and Sussex, the Bedfordshire Greensand Ridge is an escarpment that runs through Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire. Hills on the Greensand Ridge at least 200 metres high and with 30 metres or more of topographical prominence are here listed, along the range from west to east. Here there are stunning views to the south of the Weald from a terrace donated in 1898 by Octavia Hill, one of the founders of the National Trust. In some places the clay vale is very narrow: for example at Oxted the gap between summits of the Greensand Ridge and the North Downs is less than 2 kilometres (1.2 mi). To the east, especially around Maidstone, Kent, the Hythe Beds yield a blue-grey sandstone with a high lime content. The Greensand Ridge is a distinctive “island” of significantly wooded sands and sandstone that rises prominently above the surrounding clay vales. The Greensand Ridge is an extensive, prominent, often wooded, mixed greensand / sandstone escarpment in south-east England. The Greensand Ridge is sometimes associated with the Weald; the ridge forms the high border of area of the Weald. Find your way around Rushmere Country Park's 400 acres of stunning woodland, heathland and meadows for all ages to enjoy. Walked the section from Woburn to Eversholt (circular walk of 8 miles). Ironstone, from layers embedded in the Sandgate Beds, is often seen in chips (gallets) pressed into the mortar between such stones. [1] [2] In 2009, the Greensand Ridge Local Action Group was formed to help enhance and develop the Greensand Ridge area. Geology: Mostly Greensand, with mudstone on the bottom of the slopes.There are several pockets of glacial materials overlying the greensand. Please park at Rushmere main entrance Linslade Road OPEN 9am - 5.30pm daily (final entry at 5pm). The route passes through or close to Godalming, Cranleigh, Dorking, Reigate, South Nutfield, Oxted, Westerham, Sevenoaks, Maidstone and Ashford. It follows a ridge of greensand (hence the name!) A good walk: Greensand Ridge, Bedfordshire The ridge that looks down on Bedford is only a couple of hundred feet high, but in this low-lying country it dominates. The Greensand Ridge Walk is Bedfordshire's premier long distance walk. It reaches its highest elevation, 294 metres (965 ft), at Leith Hill in Surrey—the second highest point in south-east England, while another hill in its range, Blackdown, is the highest poin… When fresh the rocks have a greenish colouration owing to the presence of glauconite, but on exposure to the atmosphere this is rapidly oxidised to limonite, giving rise to a yellow or reddish brown staining. Joint Character Area: Bedfordshire Greensand Ridge (partially also Bedfordshire & Cambridgeshire Claylands). For Greensand Ridge in Bedfordshire, see Bedfordshire Greensand Ridge. Greensand sandstone is unique in the area with its content including an iron bearing mineral causing a green tint. From its southern endpoint at Leighton Buzzard the route runs north-west to Gamlingay, following the Greensand Ridge, a distinctive feature that rises from surrounding clay vales to give a landscape of gently rolling hills and small valleys, often heavily wooded and rich in wildlife. It is from here that the stone known as chert is found, familiar in the High Chart hills around Limpsfield, Surrey. This forest, difficult to penetrate and settle, and difficult to exploit agriculturally, in due course became an essential part of a system of transhumance whereby each autumn swine would be driven, sometimes over long distances, from the longer-settled areas on the periphery into the Wealden forest to feed on acorns of oak trees and beech mast. We also sell hand sanitiser in retail and bulk supply. Greensand Ridge Walk Pubs/Cafes. SP915251 - Linslade, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire Finish: TL226533 - Gamlingay, Cambridgeshire Web Sites: Central Bedfordshire Council - Greensand Ridge Walk Greensand Ridge Walk - … West of the Weald the Lower Greensand has produced a more extensive area of hills and valleys, including the highest point in Sussex, Blackdown. Extending for 108 miles, it starts in the west at Haslemere and ends in the east at Ham Street, Kent, on the edge of Romney Marsh. Defined by the Greensand Ridge, Greensand Country is an island of distinctive, beautiful and loved countryside stretching from Leighton Buzzard to Gamlingay, which rises out of the surrounding clay vales. The ridge continues eastwards past Sevenoaks, until south-west of Maidstone it is broken by the valley of the River Medway. Greensand Country covers 40 miles of scenic landscape, which is defined by the Greensand Ridge and reaches three neighbouring counties: from Cambridgeshire in the East, across Bedfordshire and to Buckinghamshire in the West. Wander into one of the Greensand Ridge's ancient woodlands in late April and you'll encounter drifts of bluebells. Excellent. Don’t worry, you don’t have to do the whole route at once. The Lower Greensand is a predominantly arenaceous sandstone consisting of sediment that accumulated apparently in a shallow sea in the later part of the Lower Cretaceous. [4], The Lower Greensand is composed of alternating mudstones (sandy, with clay particles such as smectite) and sandstones, up to a maximum thickness of about 400 metres (1,300 ft), and is composed of a number of distinct formations, namely the Folkestone Beds, Sandgate Beds, Bargate Beds, Hythe Beds and Atherfield Clay. The walk is an ideal introduction to the history, landscape and wildlife of this part of the county. Responsible dog owners are welcome at Rushmere Country Park within designated areas - both on and off the lead. Ampthill Park has a bit of everything - tremendous views from The Greensand Ridge, a fascinating heritage from Henry VIII to Capability Brown, and a diverse collection of flora and fauna. The Greensand Ridge, capped by the resistant sands and sandstones of the Hythe Beds, reinforced by bands of chert, rises steeply as a series of high, wooded escarpments between Gibbet Hill, Hindhead (272 metres (892 ft)), north of Haslemere, and the ridge's highest point, Leith Hill (294 metres (965 ft)). In 2009, the Greensand Ridge Local Action Group was formed to help enhance and develop the Greensand Ridge area. Interbedded between the Bargate and Sandgate Layers, was much quarried for cloth... In Surrey and Kent is followed by a long-distance walking route, the Greensand Ridge running! 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