Flitwick Moor

Flitwick Moor lies between the villages of Flitwick and Greenfield in Bedfordshire. It covers nearly sixty hectares of wetland, the largest such area in the county. The site was given legal protection in 1984 and is managed by the Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Central Bedfordshire Council oversees planning matters here. Folly Wood was added to the reserve in 2007, extending the total area to about sixty-seven hectares. The moor supports eight kinds of sphagnum bog moss, one of them nationally rare. It combines wet grassland with areas of woodland, creating varied habitats. The Wildlife Trust records these species and maintains the balance of the mire. The site’s wetland character makes it important for wildlife conservation. Access to the heart of the moor is from Greenfield Road, which cuts through the reserve. Visitors walk along paths that cross wet grassland and skirt woodland edges. Sphagnum hummocks and pools appear close to the route. The open views across the valley change with the seasons. Bird calls and the rustle of reeds fill the air. The moor shows how small wetlands can shelter rare plants and quiet corners.