Eastlife Winter 2019

Beds, Bucks & Herts
5 REASONS TO
Visit
Ampthill
THIS WINTER
Written by Liz Mattock
Imagine it’s a cold crisp winter’s day with a flurry of snow on the
ground and you are torn between the exhilarating sting of the
cold air and the warm cackle of a roaring fire. Find out why the
pretty town of Ampthill is perfect for a winter visit…
Photography & Art
Grab your woollies, your camera or your paintbrush and head
out into the rolling hills of Ampthill, a photographer and artist’s
dream. The picturesque scenery is constantly changing from
dawn to dusk and low sun creates stunning shades of whites,
blues and purples reflecting off the land.
Local Ale
Pop into Kelchner Brewery (previously Ampthill Brewhouse).
Open days are very rare so if you want to stock up for Christmas,
the brewery is only open to the public on Saturday 14 December.
Pre-booked tours are also available. Fancy an evening tipple;
why not try ‘After Dark’? Sitting down to watch the game, grab a
bottle of ‘Hat-Trick’. Cheers!
For a break from the cold, warm up with a drink or bite to eat at
The White Hart. A cosy pub, food is available from breakfast to
dinner. Their wood-fired pizzas are a popular choice!
Houghton House
Although this attraction sounds warm and welcoming, you’ll
need to wrap up for this experience too. Houghton House is
the remains of a 17th century mansion house with breathtaking
views of the local countryside. Take a walk around the impressive
grounds and learn more about its history. Free admission, open
every day 10am until 6pm.
Centre Parcs
You wouldn’t think that such a haven could be found just an hour
away from London, but Centre Parcs, Woburn Forest (previously
Warren Wood) has it all. If you fancy a winter break, there are so
many activities to do. The park offers a subtropical swimming
paradise and Aqua Sana Spa, perfect to avoid those winter chills
or raise your body temperature at the adrenaline filled ‘Drop’;
a tower with varying heights of up to 10 metres to free-fall. The
woodland based holiday parc is just a 10-minute drive from
Ampthill.
Take a Simple Stroll
If you’ve never been to Ampthill before, you’re in for a treat. The
streets of Ampthill are home to cute thatched quintessentially
English cottages – they really are visions out of a story book. The
town is also home to a brewery museum, cafes, pubs, boutique
shops, restaurants and stationers. So wrap up and get exploring!
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