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I did this 4.5 mile walk on Friday, 30th October, 2009. It was a shortened version of my regular route from my home to Whipsnade Downs, Bison Hill and back. It was a dull grey afternoon, very autumnal in feel.
I started by walking up Common Road, Kensworth, as far as New Green End Farm, and taking the path to Whipsnade Heath. I turned right at the heath, following a path through the trees that eventually turned left to meet the road from Dunstable Downs to Studham. I took the short bridleway on the far side, and at its end turned left on to a much longer bridleway that eventually took me to Whipsnade Downs.
Approaching Whipsnade Heath from Kensworth
Path through Whipsnade Heath
The Witches Beech, Whipsnade Heath
Bridleway from Whipsnade Heath towards the green at Whipsnade
Bridleway from Whipsnade to Whipsnade Downs
Approaching Whipsnade Downs
Path along the top of Whipsnade Downs
View out towards Totternhoe from Whipsnade Downs - on a clear day you can see for 40 miles!
The views from the Downs were quite restricted because of the grey conditions, but I still liked the view out towards Ivinghoe Beacon. I followed an old drover's way that descended the Downs quite gently, where I was surprised to see a lot of Yellow-wort. I then took the very steep path back up Bison Hill.
Path on Whipsnade Downs
Looking towards Ivinghoe Beacon from Whipsnade Downs - I quite like this shot
View back from the top of the path up Bison Hill
I took the bridleway from the car park on Bison Hill to Whipsnade, turning left off it to reach the Tree Cathedral. From Whipsnade I usually take the path from the church to Holywell and return home via Dovehouse Lane, but this afternoon I decided to shorten the walk and just walked downhill to return to Whipsnade Heath and then retrace my route out of Kensworth.
Approaching Whipsnade Tree Cathedral
Whipsnade Tree Cathedral
Whipsnade
The picnic site on Whipsnade Heath
Nothing special, but an enjoyable hour and a half's stroll. If nothing else, it's always nice to see trees in their autumn foliage.
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