Pete's Walks - Alternative Ashridge Walk (page 2 of 2)
From Norcott Hill, another path continued, again just inside the edge of the woods, with fields leading down to the Bulbourne valley on my right. I crossed a private drive - unusually there were no Fallow Deer along it today, although I did see them elsewhere on this section of the walk and also spotted a female Muntjac Deer. As I reached the Ringshall-Northchurch road, a Common Buzzard flew out of the trees opposite me. I carried on, soon passing a small estate of bungalows outside Northchurch (where I saw a sizeable group of Fallow Deer in a paddock - this is another good place for seeing them). There were several patches of snow along the subsequent path past a large school. I then turned left on a field path, following a hedgeline as I made my way towards Berkhamsted Common. I stopped for lunch as usual on a convenient bench along here, with a view towards Berkhamsted. It was now about 1.35pm, and I was a little surprised at how long the walk was taking as I usually reach this point about half an hour earlier.
Path along the southern edge of Northchurch Common
Patches of snow along the path beside the school in Northchurch
View from my lunch spot - Berkhamsted is hidden in the murk somewhere
The pleasant path continued onwards, soon crossing a green valley where a few horse grazed in extensive pastures. I then turned right along a very pleasant path, just inside woods again. There were a few more Fallow Deer sightings as I turned round by a minor road and headed back across Berkhamsted Common, with the golf course to my right.
Path heading towards Berkhamsted Common
Path along the bottom of Berkhamsted Common
Heading back across Berkhamsted Common
My route then took me through the charming area called Frithsden Beeches, and then carried on through more woods. There were more deer sightings, including a large number in the huge pasture completely surrounded by woods close to Ashridge House.
Frithsden Beeches
Fallow Deer near Frithsden
Beech tree near Frithsden
Fallow Deer in the huge wood-bordered pasture near Ashridge House
I followed the path beside the large pasture, continuing along an avenue of Beech trees. I re-crossed the Ringshall-Northchurch road, and counted over 70 Fallow Deer in the large pasture on the far side (plus several cattle and a Green Woodpecker!). I turned right at a bridleway crossing, and within about half a mile reached the drive to the Monument and my parked car.
Beech trees along the path by the huge pasture
Further along the avenue of Beech trees
The bridleway continuing across the Ringshall-Northchurch road (like many in Ashridge it has recently been resurfaced)
Fallow Deer (I counted over 70) in the large pasture by the Ringshall-Northchurch road. They seem to co-exist quite happily with the cattle.
Bridleway leading back to the drive to the Monument
This is one of my favourite local walks, and I always enjoy it. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would today, possibly because of the unexpected sunshine in the middle of the day - I'd been sure I'd have grey and gloomy skies all day, and had thought it would be a walk more or less just for the exercise. The numerous deer sightings (11 or 12 in all) certainly added to the interest, as did the Red Kite and Buzzard. The walk took six hours, which I felt sure was longer than this 15.5 mile route usually takes me. Looking back through this site, I see that this was only 10 minutes longer than when I last did this walk. I'll put it down to the muddy conditions throughout slowing me down (rather than advancing decrepitude!).