Pete's Walks - Kensworth to Ivinghoe (part 2)
Lunch over, I continued on my way through another huge meadow, this one with a few more colourful wildflowers in it. To my left was the deep, steep-sided valley of Incombe Hole, cutting into Steps Hill. I crossed the Ridgeway path (a third of a mile to the right was the Pitstone Hill car park where I'd started and finished Sunday's walk) and continued gently uphill towards Ashridge. The path steepened as the grass meadow gave way to bushes and then trees, until I reached the main track from the Bridgewater Monument to the Beacon. I followed the track to the right, soon passing the kennels on Clipper Down.
Incombe Hole, from the path to Ashridge
The path to Ashridge
The main track from Ivinghoe Beacon to the Bridgewater Monument, just before the kennels at Clipper Down
I turned left about quarter of a mile past the kennels, following a footpath through the beech trees of Ashridge. I soon came to the Ringshall -Ivinghoe Beacon road, and crossed over and walked down the long drive to Ward's Hurst Farm. I almost went wrong here, a couple of walkers coming the other way pointing out that the paths through the farm had been re-routed (there were some notices posted about it, the rerouting had been done officially - the new paths avoid the heart of the farm and clearly benefit walkers and farmer alike). From the farm I took the familiar lengthy downhill path past Hog Hall to Dagnall, in the Gade Valley.
Path through the trees at Ashridge, heading towards Ward's Hurst Farm
Dagnall and the Gade Valley, from Ward's Hurst Farm
The drive from Hog Hall approaching Dagnall
From Dagnall I took a steep path uphill to Whipsnade golf course, and continued on, following a line of trees between fairways. Beyond the golf course, the path crossed a couple of fields to reach Mason's Plantation, then crossed a pasture to reach Studham church.
Path from Whipsnade golf course towards Studham church
Path through Mason's Plantation, near Studham church - I saw a Common Spotted Orchid here
Approaching Studham church
I continued past the church, then turned left at the next path junction. I soon crossed the road between Studham and Holywell, taking a path on the other side that went uphill through the edge of a small wood and crossed another field to reach the edge of Holywell.
Path from Studham church towards Holywell
Approaching Holywell
It was now a very familiar route home, along the edge of gardens in Holywell (where I saw a Straw Dot moth), up Dovehouse Lane to Shortgrove Manor Farm, across a couple of meadows (in the process of being cut for hay) and then a short distance down the Whipsnade Road back to Kensworth.
Path behind the fences of Holywell
Path from Dovehouse Lane to the Whipsnade Road - note the newly mown hay
I got home about 3.30, after just over six hours of walking. It had been a lovely day for walking, generally fairly sunny but not too warm, and I had really enjoyed this route. My new boots are working out really well, and have really put a spring in my step - I felt much less tired at the end of this walk than I would normally.