Pete's Walks - Kensworth to Ivinghoe and back (page 2 of 2)
From Ivinghoe I took the long footpath that led very gently uphill towards Ashridge. This is one of my favourite paths in my local area, very pleasant walking with great views all around - Ivinghoe Beacon, Steps Hill and Incombe Hole to the left, the wooded slopes of Ashridge ahead, Pitstone Hill over to the right, and good views over the Vale of Aylesbury looking back. I noticed that new fences had been put in, and that sheep were grazing the fields and meadows near the start of the path.
Near the start of the long path from Ivinghoe to Ashridge
Pitstone Hill, from the path from Ivinghoe to Ashridge
Ivinghoe Beacon, now seen from the other side
The path continuing towards Ashridge
Ivinghoe Beacon again
Looking back over Ivinghoe to the Vale of Aylesbury - the grand house in the distance is Mentmore Towers
Incombe Hole
The path continuing towards Ashridge
In the distance I saw a large party of walkers making their way along the Ridgeway Path, past Incombe Hole and up to the top of Steps Hill. I counted and there were 26 of them - I'm afraid I'm very unsociable and much prefer walking by myself (mainly because I can pause whenever I want to take a photo and because I see much more wildlife than if I walked in a noisy group), although I've always enjoyed the walking holidays I've done with groups. Shortly after crossing the Ridgeway Path, my path steepened as it climbed the wooded slopes to reach the main track between the Beacon and the Monument at Ashridge. I turned right and followed the track past the kennels on Clipper Down, stopping a little further on to sit on a bench and eat my lunch.
Getting nearer to Ashridge
A view from the path as it goes uphill into Ashridge
Sarnies over, I continued a little further along the track, now amongst a few of the beech trees that dominate Ashridge, then turned left on a path that took me to a minor road. I crossed over and went down the drive to Ward's Hurst Farm, remembering that the paths had recently been officially re-routed here (no less than six paths meet at the farm). I continued on along the familiar descending path to Hogs Hall, with the lovely views ahead over the Gade Valley, and then followed the surfaced track from Hogs Hall down to Dagnall.
The main track from Ivinghoe Beacon to the Bridgewater Monument, Ashridge.
The path from Ward's Hurst Farm to Dagnall, overlooking the Gade Valley
The track from Hog Hall to Dagnall, looking towards the White Lion at Whipsnade Zoo
As I walked through Dagnall, I noticed that the footpath that linked with the bridleway to Little Gaddesden had been officially re-routed to avoid the farmyard and garden that it used to go through. Personally I'm quite happy when such changes are made, even if it makes the path slightly longer, as I never really like walking through someone's garden and wouldn't want to have a footpath through my own garden. From Dagnall I continued on the familiar route, taking the path beside the School and then heading steeply uphill to reach Whipsnade Golf Course. I went straight on at the path junction in the middle of the golf course, and followed the path to Studham church. I continued past the church, then turned left, crossing the Holywell-Studham road and taking the path that passes the edge of Holywell to reach Dovehouse Lane. It was then a short walk along the lane, across a couple of fields to the Whipsnade Road and back to Kensworth. I got home around 3pm.
Dagnall church
Studham church
Footpath to Holywell
It was a really enjoyable walk, on a great day for walking (quite unbelievable considering it was a Bank Holiday Saturday!). It was fairly breezy which kept the temperatures pleasantly cool, and despite there being a lot of cloud about it was generally bright and sunny. I was pleased to walk a small section that was new to me, and thought that the short-cuts made the walk a more reasonable distance.
Taken from near Kensworth at the end of the walk. Clouds like these always make me think of the start of the titles for 'The Simpsons' - always a happy thought!