Pete's Walks - Kensworth and everywhere (page 1 of 2)
If you are considering walking this route yourself, please see my disclaimer. You may also like to see these notes about the maps and GPX files.
I did this 15-mile local walk on Saturday 15th May 2009, yet another repeat of my 'Kensworth and everywhere' walk. I had a few slight back problems over the last couple of days, so chose this route as there are numerous opportunities to shorten it if I have any problems. Today I did the walk in the clockwise direction.
I started walking about 9.05am, setting off up the Whipsnade Road where I saw the first Greater Stitchwort of the day - this is one of my favourite flowers, and it is a joy to see the hedgerows full of it at this time of year. I crossed the fields to Dovehouse Lane and made my way to Holywell, then turned left through a wood and across a huge arable field to Byslips Road.
Meadow between the Whipsnade Road and Dovehouse Lane
Approaching Byslips Road from Holywell
Beyond Byslips Wood I turned left, spotting my first Peacock butterfly of the day as I followed the edge of the wood on my left. Beyond the end of Dedmansey Wood I continued on along field boundaries to reach Buckwood Road just outside Markyate. I turned right, just touching the edge of the village before turning right again, on a path following a hedgerow slanting upwards across the hillside. Here I spotted a female Wheatear, obviously pausing on its northward migration. Further on I passed a walker coming the other way - he seemed familiar, and he turned and called back "It's Pete, isn't it?". I realised at once that it was Martin, a chap from Markyate I met a couple of years ago near the windmill at Lacey Green when I was doing Walk 13 of my Chiltern Chain Walk. We had a good chat for about 10 minutes - unfortunately Martin hasn't been able to do much walking recently because of recurring back problems. It was really good to see him again, and I hope we meet up again some time.
The start of the path beside Byslips Wood and Dedmansey Wood
The path continuing from Dedmansey Wood towards Markyate
Looking back along the path from Dedmansey Wood, from just before Buckwood Road
The path from Markyate to Roe End
I continued on my way, following the path to Roe End and turning right, along Roe End Lane. Where the lane became a public byway, I turned left along a farm track that crossed a small valley to reach Beechwood Home Farm. Here I turned right, soon entering Gravelpit Wood where I saw some Bugle and Cuckooflowers, as well as the almost ubiquitous Bluebells and Greater Stitchwort. I progressed on into Great Bradwin's Wood and then to Studham Common.
The track to Beechwood Home Farm
Track through Gravelpit Wood
Great Bradwin's Wood
Studham Common and Studham
I walked along the top of the common, then passed the village school. Near the village church I took another short woodland path, continuing on along the bridleway to the edge of Whipsnade Zoo. I then walked along the old lane from Holywell to Whipsnade, where I turned left and followed a short semi-circular path around the edge of the enormous village green to close to the zoo entrance, then took the short bridleway that leads to the car park on Bison Hill.
Near Studham church
The path through Mason's Plantation/Church Grove
The bridleway to Whipsnade Zoo
Approaching the zoo fence
The old lane from Holywell to Whipsnade