Welcome to the Chilterns Gateway Centre - Dunstable Downs
The Centre offers a range of facilities:- Modern, bright facilities all on one easy to access floor;
- Panoramic views over the Downs all year round
- A light and spacious café, where teas, coffees, light refreshments, hot lunches, sandwiches and filled rolls are served daily.
- A ‘Gifts & Guides’ shop for local produce, toys, sweets, guide books, maps and literature.
- Toilets and baby changing facilities – accessible from inside and outside.
- A new parking area, close to the new centre, for people with disabilities, other parking is available for cars, motorcyclists and cyclists.
Dunstable Downs really is the perfect place to fly kites. There is an annual kite festival with stunning displays featuring a range of spectacular kites. To test your own kite flying skills why not buy one of the excellent kites available for flyers of all levels. The kites offered for sale are suitable for different age groups and the friendly staff are always happy to help construct them and offer useful tips for flying.
The National Trust has always been interested in supporting local producers, in particular local food that can be sold in their shops, and are pleased to announce that local Bedfordshire honey, both clear and set varieties is now on offer at the Gateway Centre.
The honey is made just down the road in Dunstable and supplied by Edward Thomas, a member of the Beekeepers Association.
The Gateway Centre, was designed by Architype – an architectural practice with expertise in social and environmental architecture. It takes full advantage of its breathtaking position on the Downs with a 50 metre wide glazed facade through which visitors can admire the landscape all year round.
Fittingly, within a landscape where gliders regularly fly, a wing-shaped roof adds a unique and inspired element to the design.
The building was designed with sustainability in mind and features many different “new” technologies which help make its operation more sustainable.
Thanks to …
Designers … Architype
Project Managers …. Hannah Reed
Construction Team ….Haymills
Tell Us What You Think!!
We want as many people as possible to visit Dunstable Downs to enjoy the fantastic countryside and wonderful views and also make the most of the Chilterns Gateway Centre
The project team has been talking and working with people who live and work in the area’s towns and villages and by listening to local people we will be better able to make everyone feel welcome to the Downs.
Let us know if you have any suggestions to make Dunstable Downs an even better place to be Feedback.