Pete's Walks - Whipsnade Downs and Holywell
I did this walk on Sunday 26th April 2009 - it was my fairly regular Sunday morning 2-hour walk to Whipsnade Downs and back (so you'll probably recognise many of the views in the photos!).
I started by taking the path from Kensworth to Whipsnade Heath.
Path from Kensworth to Whipsnade Heath
Path entering Whipsnade Heath
Path through Whipsnade Heath
My path through the wood at Whipsnade Heath took me past a section of a private wood that is called Landpark Wood on the map, but which I have always known as Bluebell Wood for obvious reasons.
Bluebells in Bluebell Wood
The Wood Anemones at the side of the road to Dunstable Downs were sadly past their best. I crossed the road and followed Bridleways to Whipsnade Downs.
Start of Bridleway from Whipsnade to Whipsnade Downs
Bridleway to Whipsnade Downs
The views over the London Gliding Club and the Vale of Aylesbury were pretty good on this bright morning. I followed paths round the huge meadow or pasture on the Downs and made my way to the foot of Bison Hill.
Vale of Aylesbury from Whipsnade Downs
Whipsnade Downs, with Ivinghoe Beacon in the distance
Ivinghoe Beacon from the path along Whipsnade Downs
Ivinghoe Beacon from the path along Whipsnade Downs
The steep path up Bison Hill (which runs almost parallel to the road) has been renovated recently and a new wooden fence put in. I'm not too sure I'm happy with what they've done, but I noticed that it is now being used by horses, which certainly wouldn't have been possible before (I've just checked my map, it is a bridleway).
The recently renovated steep path up Bison Hill, close to the road.
From the car park on Bison Hill, I took the bridleway back to Whipsnade. On the edge of the village I turned left on a path that took me past the Tree Cathedral.
Path from Bison Hill to Whipsnade
Whipsnade Tree Cathedral
I crossed the huge village green at Whipsnade and took the path through the churchyard. This continued through fields, crossing the road to Studham, and took me to Holywell.
Path from Whipsnade church to Holywell
From Holywell I took my usual route home - along the path beside Buckwood Lane, up Dovehouse Lane, across a couple of fields, and then down the Whipsnade Road.
Path beside Buckwood Lane, with the gardens of Holywell to the right
The path between Dovehouse Lane and the Whipsnade Road
As ever, this was a very pleasant 2-hour stroll. I got a photo of a Speckled Wood, but saw few other butterflies. Apart from Bluebells, there was a lot of Greater Stitchwort, still some Lesser Celandine, and some Yellow Archangel (mainly the natural stuff, but also some of the garden escape with the silvery leaves).