Clophill Lakes

The Greensand Trust is delighted to offer a new Nature Reserve at Clophill Lakes featuring otters, sand martins and colourful dragonflies in the wetlands, and skylarks and wildflowers in the grassland areas. We are now open daily (9am to 6pm) providing public access in a sensitive and sustainable manner which conserves and enhances these emerging habitats, whilst enabling visitors to share in the benefits this very special environment provides.

Please note: dogs on lead and cashless payment only. No cycling or fishing.

Find us at Shefford Road, Beadlow, Beds SG17 5TR

Many sat nav systems are taking visitors to Webber Close in Shefford which has a similar postcode SG17 5TA - please search using our name or use the What3words app 'twice/half/protrude'. For more information on how to find us visit here.

Your ongoing support of our fundraising for the site is very much appreciated - please visit our Clophill Lakes Appeal

Replacement boardwalk at Clophill Lakes coming soon!

The Greensand Trust is delighted to announce that, through a combination of donations and an insurance payment, we are now ready to commission a replacement boardwalk!

After the devastating arson attack at Clophill Lakes last August, we’ve been fundraising for a replacement whilst also being in discussions with our insurers and their loss adjusters. The Clophill Boardwalk Appeal has so far raised an amazing £95,961 including Gift Aid, making it so very close to its target of £100K (based on the cost of the original boardwalk). This, combined with an insurance payment of £66,874, gives a combined total of just under £163K, which allows us to now commission and install a more resilient boardwalk and associated surfacing around the site which has been costed at £164K.

A like for like boardwalk would be just as vulnerable as the original, so we’ve been working with contractors on a new and more resilient boardwalk design comprising a non-flammable causeway separating two steel framed and timber sections of boardwalk. This work will also include the installation of CCTV and improved access to and from the boardwalks.

Jon Balaam, Director of Development at The Greensand Trust, commented:

We’ve been overwhelmed by the support shown for our appeal to help us overcome this enormous setback at the site. This is an incredible example of the community coming together in the face of adversity and we would like to extend our deep gratitude to all of our donors, supporters and visitors who’ve made this possible.

The new boardwalk will restore accessibility at the site between the two lakes, enabling visitors with buggies and mobility scooters to complete the shorter walk which was cut off by the arson attack.

Work will begin on site very soon – please follow our social media for updates as they happen. Donations to our Clophill Boardwalk Appeal are still open – please help us raise the remaining funds needed to reach our target: https://www.greensandtrust.org/Appeal/clophill-lakes-boardwalk-appeal

Image: The original boardwalk with view of Warren Lake taken in April 2025.