Pete's Walks - Kensworth to Ivinghoe (page 3 of 3)
I stopped for lunch about 1.15pm when I reached a crossing hedgeline (a new gate has been installed, and the concrete block I sit on to eat my lunch seems to have been moved a few yards). As always today, the views were nowhere near as good as usual. I then continued on my way towards Ashridge, soon crossing the Ridgeway path as it reached the bottom of Steps Hill. The path steepened as it hit the wooded ridge of Ashridge (I saw some Cowslips here), and I made my way up to join the main track between Ivinghoe Beacon and the Bridgewater Monument. I went right here, following the track past the kennels on Clipper Down and on for a few hundred yards further, before turning left on a pleasant path through beech trees (I spotted some lovely Wood Sorrel here). This took me to a road, opposite the long farm drive to Ward's Hurst Farm (where six footpaths meet).
The path to Ashridge, just about to cross the Ridgeway
The path reaching the wooded slopes of Ashridge
The path through part of Ashridge, heading towards Ward's Hurst Farm
The path to Ashridge, just about to cross the Ridgeway
The path from Ward's Hurst Farm to Dagnall is always a pleasure to walk (and not just because it's a long stretch of downhill!). I really like the view towards Dagnall and the Gade valley, and further on, beyond a couple of sheep pastures and the bungalow of Hog Hall, the view opens out t include the Dunstable and Whipsnade Downs, with Ivinghoe Beacon over to the left. As I reached the end of the long drive from Hog Hall, I spotted my first Field Pansies of the year, another of my favourite wildfowers.
Dagnall and the Gade valley from near Ward's Hurst Farm
The Whipsnade Downs from the track from Hog Hall
I turned right along the road through Dagnall (I'd crossed the same road earlier by Edlesborough church), and took a footpath on the left beside the village school. This led to a lane (going to Studham) where I went a few yards to the right and took a path going uphill beside a wood to reach Whipsnade golf course. The path continued between a belt of trees separating two fairways, then left the golf course and followed tractor tracks across the corner of a ploughed field. It the followed a hedge beside another ploughed field, to reach a large wood called Mason's plantation (I'm not really sure where this ends and Church Grove begins).
Path from Dagnall School
Start of the path to Whipsnade golf course
The path to Studham from Whipsnade golf course
The path to Studham from Whipsnade golf course
Path in Mason's plantation
I turned left at a junction in the wood. Beyond the wood I crossed an empty pasture to reach Studham church, the path continuing alongside a hedge on my left. At the next junction I turned left, following a hedgerow to reach the road between Holywell and Studham. On the far side, another path led uphill into a wood (where I saw my only Wood Anemones of the day), and continued between fields to reach the edge of Holywell.
Approaching Studham church
The path just beyond Studham church
The path to Holywell
Approaching Holywell
It was then a very familiar route back to Kensworth, following the path beside the edge of Holywell To Buckwood Lane, then along Dovehouse House Lane and across a couple of fields to the Whipsnade Road (unusually busy this Saturday afternoon) and a short stroll back to my home.
The path along the edge of Holywell
Looking towards Kensworth, from the path between Dovehouse Lane and the Whipsnade Road
As always this was a nice walk, and the extra couple of miles make it a bit more challenging than most of my walks. Unfortunately I got some blisters on my left foot, which meant I didn't enjoy the walk quite as much as I should have (I think I need to make some adjustments to my boots, having changed the insoles recently). It was also disappointing that it was so hazy, the views were nowhere near as clear as they usually are. But it was certainly a great day for seeing wildlife, with lots of butterflies about and some birds and wildflowers that I saw for the first time this year. I really do like walking at this time of year, Spring has definitely supplanted Autumn as my favourite season.