Pete's Walks - Kensworth, the Downs, Studham church
I did this walk on Saturday, 30th May 2009. I needed to 'break in' some new boots, so I just set out to do my 'usual' local walk, up to the Downs and back through Whipsnade and Holywell. In the event, it was such a beautiful morning and the boots felt so good that I decided to extend it slightly by going out to Studham church and back.
I started off about 9.25am, heading up Common Road, Kensworth, and taking the path across fields to Whipsnade Heath.
Start of the path from Kensworth to Whipsnade Heath
Path through the woods on Whipsnade Heath
From Whipsnade Heath I followed bridleways that took me to Whipsnade Downs. I noticed two or three Silver-ground Carpet moths, which I'd seen for the first time two days ago.
The bridleway from Whipsnade to Whipsnade Downs
The bridleway from Whipsnade to Whipsnade Downs
Vale of Aylesbury from Whipsnade Downs
I took the path running below the huge meadow or pasture on Whipsnade Downs, where I saw my first Common Spotted Orchid of the year, and followed it as it descended to the foot of Bison Hill. I climbed the steep path up Bison Hill, which has been recently 'maintained' by the National Trust - I don't really like what they've done here, I found the path very awkward when I descended it recently.
Dunstable Downs, from the adjoining Whipsnade Downs
Ivinghoe Beacon from Whipsnade Downs
Looking back from near the top of the steep path up Bison Hill
I then took the bridleway from Bison Hill towards Whipsnade, but took the first path on the left to reach the tiny Sallowsprings Nature Reserve where I saw my first Lesser Stitchwort of the year.
Footpath to Sallowsprings Nature Reserve
Sallowsprings Nature Reserve
I then followed the path from the nature reserve, which took me a few yards along a private drive and then beside Whipsnade Tree Cathedral. I crossed part of the huge green at Whipsnade and went through the churchyard. I'd now decided to extend the walk out to Studham Church, so instead of continuing on the path to Holywell, I turned right and then went left along the old lane between Whipsnade and Holywell. After a third of a mile or so, I turned right alongside the Zoo fence.
Part of the huge green at Whipsnade, looking in the direction of the Zoo
The path beside the Zoo fence
I kept straight on at a junction, just after the Zoo fence turned right, and followed a hedgerow through a couple of fields to a wood, Mason's Plantation. From there it was a short walk across an empty pasture to a path junction by Studham church. I turned left, and followed a pleasant path through fields to Holywell.
Path from Whipsnade Zoo to Studham church
Near Studham church
Path from Studham church to Holywell
I walked through Holywell (part of the parish of Studham) and took the path beside Buckwood Lane. It was then the familiar route back to Kensworth, up Dovehouse Lane and across a couple of fields to the Whipsnade Road.
Path through large hay meadow, approaching the Whipsnade Road
This was a very pleasant walk on a beautiful morning - there were beautiful blue skies with just a few puffy white clouds, and a nice breeze that kept the temperature down to the low 20s. And I had no problems at all with the new boots (after about five pairs of Scarpa Rangers over the last 10 years, I'm trying some different ones).