Galley and Warden Hills SSSI
Site postcode: Galley and Warden Hills Nature Reserve, LU2 7AJ
Galley and Warden Hills Nature Reserve was Luton’s first nature reserve and provides visitors with a perfect place to enjoy a walk.
The chalk downland supports a huge variety of wildflowers and these attract rare insects and over 20 species of butterflies.
The area is grazed in the autumn and winter by cattle to keep down the growth to support the diversity of flowering plants.
History enthusiasts can explore 'Drays Ditches' at the base of Warden Hill, originally dug in the Bronze Age as tribal boundaries. Later, in the Iron Age, these were built up as a way to control traffic along the Icknield Way.
Near the top of Galley Hill, two Bronze Age barrows can still be found. These were excavated in the 1960s and the remains of 14 burials were found in the largest barrow. In the Middle Ages a gallows was built on top of one of the barrows to be used for public executions.
The hills offer stunning views over Luton, making it a popular spot for locals to watch the sunset and take in the sights of our town.