Discover Ickwell: May Day, Historic Houses and Countryside

Ickwell combines an unusual tradition with historic buildings and a landscape that can be explored along a variety of routes. The Ickwell May Day tradition is particularly distinctive: it was already established in Ickwell in 1563. The village also has a history that can be seen at Ickwell Green, in Ickwell Bury and in individual listed houses. Those planning a trip can combine cultural history and outdoor activity here.

May Day and Ickwell Green

The Ickwell May Day Festival includes a procession of approximately 800 metres from the church in Northill to Ickwell Green. The route is therefore one of the specific components of this distinctive tradition. For visitors interested in local traditions, the festival offers an engaging way to access the history of the village, without limiting the trip solely to sightseeing at historic buildings.

Several notable buildings stand around Ickwell Green. The Old Smithy is a Grade II listed building from the 19th century. It was built of brick with coloured lime-rendered roughcast and has a slate roof. 1 Ickwell Green is a Grade II listed timber-framed house from the 18th century with a thatched roof. The Old House on Ickwell Green has medieval origins and was altered in the 16th, 18th and 19th centuries.

History, Geology and Landscape

Individual names and areas also add to the picture of Ickwell. Ickwell Bury was built by John Harvey in 1683. The former enclosure of Ickwell Pound is now planted with trees and forms part of the Bury estate. This should be distinguished from a former wooden pound that stood at the north-western corner of Ickwell Green. These details make it clear that the history of the village cannot be read from a single building alone.

The Oxford Clay Formation lies beneath Ickwell. This claystone formation was deposited 154 to 164 million years ago in warm, shallow seas during the Jurassic period. The land around Ickwell's maypole is low-lying, at approximately 110 feet above sea level. Such geological and landscape details are an interesting complement to the visible buildings and traditions.

Walks and Practical Information

Those wishing to combine their stay with exploring the countryside can include the Old Warden Circular Walk in their plans. It explores the landscape around Ickwell Green, Northill and Old Warden. This allows you to shape the focus of your trip around cultural history, local traditions and a walk through the surrounding landscape.

Parking and toilets are available at the May Day Arena in Ickwell. There is also a disabled parking space near the arena. When looking for a holiday rental in Ickwell, you can therefore first consider which part of the trip should take centre stage: the procession and festival, the historic houses at Ickwell Green or the countryside around the Circular Walk.

More Destinations for Your Trip Planning

Find more destinations for planning your trip at Marston Moretaine, Caddington, Henlow, Dunstable, Aspley Guise, Stotfold, Sandy and Bedford.

For the higher-level travel overview: Bedfordshire.