Pete's Walks - Lilley to Barton-le-Clay walk (part 2)
Approaching Pegsdon
From Pegsdon I followed a minor road a short distance before turning left along a short dead-end lane. I continued along field paths to pass an old water mill, then continued along the lengthy tarmac drive from the mill to Hexton.
Path from Pegsdon, approaching the old mill
Mill Lane, between the old mill and Hexton
Hexton
From Hexton I continued along flat but very pleasant footpaths to the much larger village of Barton-le-Clay, soon crossing the county boundary from Hertfordshire into Bedfordshire. This was a superb section for butterflies, and I managed to take several quite good shots of them. They included Common Blue, Ringlet, Peacock, Painted Lady and Small Tortoiseshell.
Path leaving Hexton
Path between Hexton and Barton-le-Clay
Looking south from the path to Barton-le-Clay - I think part of the iron-age hill fort of Ravensburgh Castle is just visible on the skyline, right of centre
Approaching Barton-le-Clay
I walked through Barton and took the short but steep path up to the top of the Barton Hills nature reserve, passing a fine example of a Common Spotted Orchid, then following the fence on the reserve's eastern side.
Barton church
The path up to the top of the Barton Hills nature reserve
Looking back over Barton-le-Clay
Sharpenhoe Clappers from Barton Hills
Barton Hills
Barton Hills
I sat on a bench to eat my lunch, admiring the views over Barton Hills, then continued along the southern edge of the reserve to the far corner.
Barton Hills