Pete's Walks - Lilley and Barton-le-Clay (page 2 of 3)
I continued along the path northwards over the top of the Barton Hills, enjoying the views on this clear and bright morning. The path then dropped down to reach the large village of Barton-le-Clay, entering it near the church. As I walked through the village I saw my first butterfly of the year, a Brimstone, and then spotted another one just after I took a path out of the village.
Barton-le-Clay from the Barton Hills
Close-up of Sharpenhoe Clappers from Barton-le-Clay
The path descending from Barton Hills to Barton-le-Clay
Near the start of the path from Barton to Hexton
The section from Barton to Hexton was very flat, following paths along the edges of arable fields, but it was still very pleasant, with some nice views. To my right was a ridge of hills, stretching from the Barton Hills to Deacon Hill which was prominent ahead of me. The fields stretched away to my left, where I could see the village of Shillington and its church, both familiar to me from the John Bunyan Trail. Beyond Hexton the flat section continued, as I followed a lane and then a drive to an old mill. Footpaths then led on to reach the outskirts of the village of Pegsdon, where I followed a road to the right to reach the Barton-Hitchin road.
The path from Barton to Hexton
Approaching Hexton
Hexton
The drive to the former mill between Hexton and Pegsdon
View of Deacon Hill from near Pegsdon
The burial mound of Knocking Knoll on Knocking Hoe, from near Pegsdon
Across the main road, I started the long and gradual climb up Pegsdon Hill. There were plenty of excuses to stop and take a photo, with Deacon Hill a short distance to my left and increasingly good views behind me over the lower lands that I was leaving behind. The path ran just to the right of the steep sided valley called Barn Hole. At the top of the hill I sat on a very convenient bench to eat my lunch (it was about 1pm), with a stunning view looking back along Barn Hole to Pegsdon and the lower lying area beyond.
Deacon Hill, from near the start of the path up Pegsdon Hill
Barn Hole
Looking back over Barn Hole and Pegsdon
Looking back down Barn Hole from near the top of Pegsdon Hill (my lunch spot)
From the same spot, looking across the start of Barn Hole to the path to Deacon Hill