Pete's Walks - Kensworth and Whipsnade Downs (page 2 of 2)
When the path went through a metal kissing-gate I went straight on then turned left at a path crossroads in the grass, to go slightly uphill with the Bison Hill car park to my right (UPDATE 6/2/2024: the car park has been closed for a couple of years, I don't know if it will ever re-open). I then continued down a hedge-lined bridleway that headed towards Whipsnade. A Jay flew along ahead of me here, and I spotted a small group of Goldfinches.
Path on Bison Hill, with Ivinghoe Beacon in the distance
Top of Bison Hill, approaching the car park
Close-up shot of Ivinghoe Beacon from Bison Hill
Bridleway to Whipsnade from Bison Hill
Immediately after the bridleway passed a house, I took a footpath on the left through a field containing some Jacob's Sheep and soon reached Whipsnade Tree Cathedral. The path continued close to a hedge on my right, then I went though a gate at the entrance to the Tree Cathedral and then followed a drive to reach the road through Whipsnade. I crossed over and walked across part of the green to reach the church.
Jacob's Sheep, Whipsnade
Path to the Tree Cathedral
Whipsnade Tree Cathedral
Whipsnade Church
A footpath went through the churchyard, passing to the right of the church, then followed a hedgeline through a couple of meadows to reach a road. On the other side, and a little to the left, a path followed the edge of a wood to reach Holywell.
The path from Whipsnade church towards Holywell
Looking back, from just before Holywell
Holywell
I turned left and followed a residential road a short distance through Holywell, before taking a path on the left. This was soon running beside Buckwood Lane (with the gardens of Holywell on my right). The path joined the very icy lane just a few yards before the junction with Dovehouse Lane (on the other side). I decided to walk the latter lane all the way back to Kensworth for a change (instead of turning left halfway along it on a path that goes to the Whipsnade Road). The lane was again very icy, but there was generally a strip of snow along the centre where it was possible to walk safely. At the far end of Dovehouse Lane I turned left to return to my home.
Path beside Buckwood Lane
A very icy Buckwood Lane, just before the junction with Dovehouse Lane
Dovehouse Lane
Dovehouse Lane, shortly before Dovehouse Farm, Kensworth
This was a very pleasant 2-hour stroll in the snow on Boxing Day morning. Pity about the views from the Downs, though.
Unfortunately the BBC 5-day weather forecast is now for Fog, Fog, Mist, Drizzle and Light Rain, so I don't know when I'll next get out for a walk.