Pete's Walks - Ashridge Estate Boundary Trail (page 2 of 3)
The path turned left along the top of the hill, with the Golden Valley down to my right. Beyond the large sheep pasture it followed a long hedgerow between ploughed fields, and passed through a small wood. Beyond was a corner of a huge pasture, where I took a slight semi-circular diversion from the right-of-way to go round the bullocks (some with impressive horns) that were grazing here. The path then followed a fence line down into the valley, before turning left and continuing along the valley bottom through the same huge pasture, heading back to the woods of Ashridge close to Ashridge House. As I reached the woods, I saw and heard a Buzzard.
The path continuing above the Golden Valley
The footpath going down into the Golden Valley
The Golden Valley, approaching the woods of Ashridge
As it reached the woods, the Golden Valley continues as a broad sweep of grass between wooded ridges either side. I crossed a path across the valley here that I'd taken on a walk about 10 days ago - I saw about 20 Fallow Deer here then, today I just saw two does run across in front of me. The path then crossed a drive to Ashridge House and continued for some distance through the trees, between part of Gaddesden Row on my right and Ashridge Golf Course to my left. I then re-crossed the Ringshall-Northchurch road back into the main section of the Ashridge woods, and carefully followed the waymarks as the Ashridge Estate Boundary Trail twisted and turned along several bridleways. Just before it reached the Ringshall-Ivinghoe Beacon road, I stopped for lunch, sitting on the same tree trunk I always use when I do this walk in this direction.
The Golden Valley
Path near Gaddesden Row and Ashridge Golf Course
Path near the Ringshall-Ivinghoe Beacon road, just before my lunch stop
After crossing the road I continued along a short drive past some cottages and a small reservoir, before turning left alongside Ringshall Coppice on my right (most coppices are small woods, often like a copse, but this is an extensive wood). The path then continued through some empty sheep pastures to reach Ward's Hurst Farm, where six paths meet.
Path beside Ringshall Coppice
Path through the pastures heading towards Ward's Hurst Farm
Close-up of the White Lion at Whipsnade Zoo, from near Ward's Hurst Farm
Continuing northwards from Ward's Hurst Farm (where the paths have recently been officially re-routed to avoid most of the farmyard), the path re-enters the woods, descending steeply on wooden steps. After a small spooky section through conifers, there is a lengthier bit of deciduous woodland. I met more walkers here - I noticed that other walkers seemed less friendly than usual today, some appearing surprised when I greeted them with my usual polite 'Good Morning' or 'Hello!'.
Path through the woods beyond Ward's Hurst Farm
The path emerged from the trees in an area of open grassland south of Ivinghoe Beacon, at the bottom of a step slope leading up to the car park, on my left. I soon turned right, following a clear path through chalky ploughed fields, running parallel to the Ivinghoe Beacon-Gallows Hill ridge over to my left. Further on I had a hedge on my right, then I turned left on a track going uphill to cross the end of the ridge close to a prominent grassy tumulus.
Ivinghoe Beacon from the south
Path south of the Beacon, parallel to the ridge over Gallows Hill
The track up the end of Gallows Hill