Pete's Walks - Kensworth to Redbourn (part 6)
The lane ended after about a quarter of a mile (where a track or drive goes left), but I continued straight on along a byway lined by hedges. This is a particularly pleasant stretch of the walk, with occasional views over the countryside either side. After about half a mile (just before the bridleway turned left), I forked right through a small area of trees to reach a field corner and then turned left on a path just inside the edge of Byslips Wood (extending to my right). This soon brought me to Byslips Road (a minor road between Studham and Kensworth), where I went a short distance to the left to reach a path starting on the opposite side (it's a little hidden from view approaching it from this side, it starts immediately before the first house on the right).
Roe End Lane (now a byway)
Roe End Lane
Byslips Road
This path is one I use frequently on my walks (there are only a limited number of paths leading in and out of Kensworth!). It led across a huge ploughed field, soon passing a lone tree and then a wood on the right. Beyond the wood, the path was very indistinct so I more ore less made my own way across, heading for an entrance into a wood on the far side. The path through the wood led to the edge of Holywell, where I turned right and followed the path that bordered the garden fences on my left.
Near the start of the path from Byslips Road to Holywell
The path from Byslips Road to Holywell
The path from Byslips Road to Holywell
The wood at Holywell
The path beside the gardens at Holywell
The path took me down to a valley bottom. Here I went right at a path crossroads and immediately came to Buckwood Lane, close to the junction with Dovehouse Lane (a few yards to the right). I followed the latter, which headed gently uphill with the tall hedges either side overarching the lane to almost form a green tunnel. At the top of the hill I reached Shortgrove Manor Farm, where I turned left. The path started along a track next to a meadow then crossed a much larger field of short grass, with a view towards the houses of Kensworth across the small valley to my right. It was then a short walk (right) along the Whipsnade Road to return to my starting point in Kensworth. I got home about 4.15pm.
Dovehouse Lane
Near the start of the path from Dovehouse Lane
The path from Dovehouse Lane approaching the Whipsnade Road
The Whipsnade Road heading into Kensworth
Allowing for my lunch stop, the walk took me about five and a half hours, half an hour longer than when I walked it in 2008 - I'm getting old!. It was a fairly flat route, with only two or three short bits of uphill, but it seemed to take a lot out of me for some reason - I felt rougher the next day than I have for some time. But it was an enjoyable walk, and I'm lucky to have such pleasant countryside on my doorstep.