Welcome to the Friends of Knolls Wood

Formed in the 1970s to “protect the Wood from development .. preserve the habitat .. keep it open to public access”. A group of local residents’ vigorous campaigning, personal donations and fundraising for professional surveys and publicity, prevented it from residential development; and induced the Council to buy it (in 1986). The Friends’ efforts still ensure it stays open to the public and its character is preserved; and we continue to develop with changes in the understanding of a wide range of issues nearly five decades later.

Knolls Wood is the last remnant of a plantation that covered much of northern Leighton Buzzard 180 years ago; and at its heart the woodland garden of The Knolls, the Frederick Bassett family home after 1880, reflecting the Victorian passion for ornamental gardens. It is situated one mile north of Leighton Buzzard in Bedfordshire. Covering an area of nearly 4 hectares, it is bordered on the North side by Sandy Lane and on the West by Plantation Road. It has been designated an area of Great Landscape Value and is covered by Tree Preservation Orders thanks to its range of exotic and ornamental tree specimens.

The aim of the Friends of Knolls Wood is simple - we want people to appreciate and enjoy the plants, trees and animals that this special location supports, for many years to come. We have an ongoing calendar of events which is not only designed to raise awareness of the natural habitat but also to educate our children to appreciate their surroundings.

Entrances can be found at w3w ///dates.goal.fully and ///newly.awake.prove.

We organise regular volunteer action days to help with projects in the Wood and other needs, a Children’s Fun Day in the autumn, public walks and other events from time to time. All are open to the public, not just Friends and their families. Scheduled events can be found in the Events Diary shown below.