Pete's Walks- Hudnall and Potten End (page 2 of 2)
I crossed over the road and head up the lane opposite, Roman Road. This went uphill, passing the entrance to a vineyard on the right. At the top of the hill, there were good views through gateways on either side, the view to the left extending along Golden Valley, with Ashridge House appearing in the trees beyond. The lane then started to descend, soon running in a cutting with interesting brick and flint walls on each side. I passed under Devil's Bridge, and then soon reached the village of Nettleden.
Near the start of Roman Road in Frithsden
Looking right from near the highest point along Roman Road
Roman Road starting to descend towards Nettleden
Part of the walls in the cutting
Roman Road passing under Devil's Bridge
Arriving in Nettleden (the route continues along the right edge of the brown field on the left)
On reaching the main road through the village, I went a few yards left and then took a path starting on the other side. This led uphill beside a right-hand hedge, with the huge field (it extends for about a mile along a valley to Little Gaddesden) on my left. Towards the top of the hill, the path continued beside a smaller grassy field or paddock. Beyond that the path continued through trees, with the grounds of a Buddhist monastery on my left. Finally the path went down the drive of a house to reach St Margaret's Lane, where I turned left.
The path starting out from Nettleden to St Margaret's Lane
The path from Nettleden to St Margaret's Lane
The path starting out from Nettleden to St Margaret's Lane - the grounds of the Buddhist monastery are to the left
St Margaret's Lane, here outside the Buddhist monastery
I then just had an easy and pleasant stroll for about a mile and a half along St Margaret's Lane. I passed the entrance to St Margaret's Farm on my left, and shortly after there was a section of the lane that was unsurfaced. It became surfaced again by the time I reached some cottages on the outskirts of Hudnall, including one named Covetous Corner. Eventually the lane brought me back to Hudnall Common and my parked car.
St Margaret's Lane, heading back towards Hudnall Common
St Margaret's Lane, heading back towards Hudnall Common
St Margaret's Lane, heading back towards Hudnall Common
St Margaret's Lane, just past the intriguingly named Covetous Corner
St Margaret's Lane, almost back at Hudnall Common
View of Hudnall Common, looking over the Gade Valley in the direction of Studham
This is a walk close to my home in Kensworth that I always enjoy - it's a very useful one if I only have a couple of hours or so to spare. Today it was very cold, not far above freezing, but I was warmly wrapped up and as usual didn't really notice the cold. The largely blue skies allowed me to enjoy the numerous pleasant views at somewhere near there best.