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Go east and take in Sandy
Take a rural bus ride and discover the many attractions along the way
This week, we are taking you on a tour of east Beds and a rural bus ride on the M3 service to Sandy. There are many attractions to visit within a short walk of the bus stops along the route.
The M3 leaves Bedford bus station every half an hour, Mondays to Saturdays, and takes just over 30 minutes to reach Sandy. On Sundays, buses run every two hours.
On leaving Bedford, the M3 first passes Priory Business Park and then The Eyrie, home of Bedford Town football club. Beyond this lies the open Bedfordshire countryside, much of which to the north of the main road will soon become the Bedford River Valley Park.
The first village to be reached is Willington. Here, a heritage trail has been developed to guide visitors around the main attractions.
Places of interest in Willington include the Danish Camp Riverside Visitor Centre, situated on the south bank of the River Great Ouse and also on National Cycle Route 51.
Bicycles can be hired from the camp which also serves food and refreshments throughout the day.
Also in Willington is a Tudor dovecote and stables which are owned by the National Trust and can be visited by appointment between April and September. To arrange a visit, call 01234 838278.
The next village along the M3 route is Moggerhanger, location for the Grade 1 listed country house of Moggerhanger Park. The restaurant, tea rooms, visitors' centre and woodland walk around the grounds are open daily from 11am to 4pm. Tours of the house itself are available between mid-June and September.
For more information, call 01767 641007.
Sandy is a small town in east Bedfordshire which nestles close to the Greensand Hills. The town is famous for producing the Bedfordshire clanger, a sweet and savoury pastry traditionally eaten by land workers in the area.
Today the clanger is still sold at Gunns Bakery in the town centre. In the High Street stands the impressive St Swithun's Church which was built of locally quarried ironstone. The Roman Sandy Story, situated in the town council offices, is an exhibition of local archaeology dating back to Roman times. The exhibition is open Mondays to Fridays.
A two-mile walk east from the town centre leads to The Lodge, headquarters of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB).
Visitors can explore the peaceful trails that lead around the grounds of the main house or visit the gift shop located at the gatehouse.
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Weather for Bedford
Sunday 27 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Light showers
Temperature: 12 C to 26 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: North east
