Luton: Explore alleys and streets with bird names

Buses 8,21,24 and 53 stop in Ravenhill Way very close to the pool. The 38 stops in Leagrave High Street, which is a short walk from Pastures Way.

There is a large free car park by the pool and sports facilities.

[1] Turn right out of the car park and walk along the right hand pavement of Pastures Way. Cross Ravenhill Way carefully and continue uphill on Pastures Way. Pass St Martin de Porres Primary School until you come to the far corner of the railings.

[2] Turn right with the railings into an alleyway and follow it, round a left hand bend, into a short spur of Peregrine Road. The peregrine is a bird of prey.

[3] Cross the spur to number 102 and follow the left hand pavement of Peregrine Road round the corner, leaving Bunting Road behind you. Follow Peregrine Road, passing an alleyway on your right and another spur of Peregrine Road on your left, until you see Lapwing Road on your right. Cross Peregrine Road carefully.

[4] Turn into Lapwing Road and walk along the right hand pavement until you reach Bunting Road. Cross Bunting Road carefully, heading for the alleyway opposite you.

[5] Take the alleyway beside number 37, passing the bollard and barrier. You will shortly come to a crossroads of pathways.

[6] Turn right through a barrier and follow the path past the ends of three roads. These are Linnet Close, Sparrow Close and Finch Close, but you will not be able to see the names. The alley is named Osprey Walk on a sign opposite the end of Linnet Close.  Osprey Walk continues on to Ravenhill Way, but do not go that far. When you come to a road to your left you will see signs saying “No ball games” This is Holkham Close.

[7] Turn left into Holkham Close. Follow it ahead; do not take the first turning left, or the turning right to Ravenhill Way. Go straight on passing signs to numbers 24-32 and 53-63 until you see an alley ahead of you with a lamppost at its start. Take this alleyway, not the open access to the right that leads onto Ravenhill Way.

[8] Walking through the short alley, you arrive in Heacham Close. There is a turning on the left. Opposite this is the start of an alleyway beside a sign for numbers 8-18 and 19-25.

[9] Take this alley through to Ravenhill Way. Cross over Ravenhill Way carefully, this is a bus route, and take the road almost opposite. This is called Anmer Gardens. Go straight ahead towards the open land.

[10] Go through into the open land, with a view over the park to the hills. Turn right and follow the path until you reach a hedgerow.

[11] Once past the hedgerow, turn half left across the open field and head downhill towards the buildings. The gap between the large sports park building and the smaller private clubhouse to its right leads to the car park. If the grass in the field is too wet or too long for comfort, continue along the tarmac path at the top of the field to the road (Ravenhill Way) and follow the pavement downhill back to the start.

A. St Martin de Porres Ofsted report in June 2011 found that “St Martin de Porres is a good school. It has several outstanding features, including the care and support it provides within a community underpinned by strong values. The impact of these positive elements is mirrored in pupils’ personal qualities, including their keen interest in what they do, enjoyment of learning and high attendance. Outstanding spiritual, moral, social and cultural development enables pupils to celebrate cultural diversity and improve their knowledge and understanding of different faiths. Pupils have an excellent understanding of healthy lifestyles and how to keep safe. Outstanding links have been established with parents and carers, and all are in agreement that they are happy with their children’s experience at school.”

B.  The peregrine is a large and powerful falcon. The strongholds of the breeding birds in the UK are the uplands of the north and west and rocky seacoasts, so it is unlikely that they have been seen here. The other birds names that you will pass are associated with farms in this part of England. Swallows, buntings, lapwings, linnets, sparrows, finches and ravens would have been frequently seen in the days of farmland and may still visit the parks and gardens.

C.  The osprey's main UK stronghold is in Scotland, where you can visit many nest sites with public viewing facilities, including Loch Garten. This spectacular fish-eating bird of prey is an Amber List species because of its historical decline (due to illegal killing), and low breeding numbers.

D.  Holkham Close, Heacham Close and Anmer Gardens are all named after places in Norfolk.

E.  Lewsey Farm was situated on land belonging to the Lucy (Lewsey) family who owned the manor from 1305 to 1455. The manor then passed to the Wingate family. Most of the manor buildings were destroyed by fire in 1832.Fortunately a large part of the estate has been saved as park and recreation grounds.