Marston Thrift is a community ASNW woodland on the borders of Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire. It has been worked by a dedicated group of volunteers since 1973 and it is thanks to them that the woodland has been brought back into management and now thrives. The Wardens of Marston Thrift, Clive and Angela Bucknall, have kindly offered to show SWOG members around the wood to demonstrate what they have achieved over the years.

Clive and Angela lead a working party that meets on the first Sunday of every month between October and March – and they are keen for more help.

The timetable for the day is as follows:
11.00 am meet at Marston Thrift car park. Guided walk through the wood with Clive and Angela.
12pm Meet the volunteers for a chat and coffee. After this, members might like to join the working party or are free to explore the wood further.
1.00 pm Drive to Marston Vale Forest Centre for lunch and a talk about the regeneration of the Forest of Marston Vale.

Email [email protected] to book a place.

You can find out more about the Forest of Marston Vale here

Directions Follow signs for A421 Bedford from M1 Jnt 13. Leave the dual carriageway at Marston Moretaine. Go right at the first roundabout, straight over the second, then right again at the third one, signposted Houghton Regis. After about half a mile, there is a right turn signposted to Wood End. Drive along this narrow road for a mile and half until you reach the small carpark for Marston Thrift.

Click on the map to enlarge.