Page 1 of 1. How to find the Balancing Pond.

Uk map showing location of Bedfordshire.

Bedfordshire is a medium sized county situated in southern England. The scenery ranges from rolling hills and wooded areas around Woburn, Aspley Guise and Clophill to the flatter areas of open farmland around Sandy, Biggleswade and towards the Cambridgeshire border. Most of the county's major tourist attractions are in Mid Beds. Woburn Abbey and Safari Park, Wrest Park, Shuttleworth's collection of airoplanes and other transport, the Swiss Gardens at Old Warden and the national headquarters of the Royal society for the Protection of birds, at Sandy.

Bedfordshire is conveniently located and well served by public transport. The M1, A1 and A6 provide through links. The tourist information centre can be contacted on 01767-682728.

Biggleswade is located about 15 miles east of Bedford. The name Biggleswade is derived from "waed", old English for ford and "Biccel", an Anglo Saxon personal name. The Romans built their road to York ("The White Way") through "Stratton" and Celtic finds indicate the existance of a much older route.

Two fine half-timbered inns, the White Hart and the Red Lion, recall Biggleswade's past as a coaching stop on the Great North Road through the Bedfordshire countryside, surrounded by abundant market gardens.The road (A1) now by-passes the town, which is still a centre for vegetable production and also has a 19th-century mill that makes flour for Jordan's, the health food company.

From the A1 Biggleswade south roundabout, follow the tourist signs to the Saxon Pool.

Turn off the A1 at the southern roundabout (by Homebase). Drive north along London Road. At the second roundabout (just before the Texaco garage) turn right into Saxon Drive. At the next roundabout go straight on, following Saxon Drive. At the next roundabout turn left, then turn right into the Saxon Pool car park. The Balancing Pond, toad tunnel and new road are all within 20 yards of the car park. The new road is not shown on the map but runs north of the Balancing Pond.

Alternatively, from the A1 roundabout follow the 'Saxon Pool' brown tourist signs. These will direct you to the swimming pool car park by the Balancing Pond. The Saxon Pool Cafeteria is open to the general public and provides a range of hot and cold meals upto 8pm. The OS coordinates for the Balancing Pond are:- TL:20319 44290.

Photograph of the Balancing Pond.

This photograph of the Balancing Pond was taken looking south from the swimming pool car park. The pond is located on the edge of the Saxon Gate housing estate and close to the site of an Anglo Saxon village. Ancient maps show a pond has been at Saxon Gate for very many years. The area is of interest to both archaeologists and conservationists.