Pete's Walks- Kensworth, Markyate, Studham, Whipsnade (page 3 of 3)
Instead of continuing ahead along a path to Valley Road, I turned right and followed the short lane from the school to the road through Studham. At the junction I turned left through this part of the village (remembering that this road was part of the tortuous route my school bus used to take, many years ago!), soon coming to a sharp corner where Valley road went left. I went straight on along Church Lane to reach Studham church, passing through the churchyard to the left of the church. A lengthy path continued straight on, initially beside a hedge on my left, crossing two small valleys and then bringing me to the old disused lane between Holywell and Whipsnade (I joined it on the edge of Holywell, to my right).
The end of the lane from Studham School
Church Lane
Studham church
The start of the path from Studham church to Holywell
The path from Studham church approaching the old lane in Holywell
I turned left along the old lane (closed to traffic over 20 years ago), following it for almost half a mile before taking a path on the right (just past where the lane is blocked to traffic by bollards). This went slightly uphill to a field corner, where I turned left through a meadow to reach Whipsnade church. I went through the churchyard, and turned right through part of the huge irregularly-shaped green in Whipsnade, heading downhill to meet the road opposite the Old Hunter's Lodge restaurant.
The old lane from Holywell to Whipsnade
The old lane from Holywell to Whipsnade
Approaching Whipsnade church
Looking towards Whipsnade Heath from Whipsnade The building is the Old Hunters Lodge pub and restaurant.
I soon turned off the road, taking an overgrown old section of lane on the right (this was the former continuation of Buckwood Lane, the only way into Whipsnade before the new road from Kensworth was built about 1930 to provide access to Whipsnade Zoo). At its end, I crossed over and went left, and crossed the Whipsnade Road by a roundabout to reach Whipsnade Heath. I took the familiar path through the small car park and straight on through the wooded heath, continuing along the path through two fields to return to Common Road, Kensworth, where I turned right to return to my home.
Another old lane, this used to be the final part of Buckwood Lane
Whipsnade Heath
The path from Whipsnade Heath to Kensworth
Common Road, Kensworth
Strangely, I hadn't been particularly keen on going for a walk this morning - normally after a long lay off from walking I'm desperate to get out there again. But once I started, I really appreciated being out in the fresh air and exercising my legs again - I think seeing a Red Kite so soon after I started really did the trick! I was disappointed not to see any wildflowers out, but this was hardly surprising given how cold March has been and the fact there was still plenty of snow on the ground. Normally at this time of year I am enjoying my first sightings of Coltsfoot, Lesser Celandine and so on - this year, Winter has really outstayed its welcome! It was a shame I had to shorten the walk, but I made the right decision as I still feel rather rough as I type this a few hours later. I think I'm still suffering the after effects of the virus I had, as my whole body feels weak, not just my legs [UPDATE 16/03/16: little was I to know that the after-effects of the virus would plague me for the next three years!].