Pete's Walks - Lilley-Barton (page 2 of 5)
The next section, as I turned left from Deacon Hill to head southwest to Pegsdon Hill, is always the highlight of this route, and today was no exception. It was slightly cloudy, but still the views to my right over the flat lands of Bedfordshire were really impressive. The walking along this chalk downland escarpment was delightful, with plenty of colourful wildflowers amongst the grass, and the path dropping and rising again as I crossed the top of a small valley that dropped down to join the bigger ravine of Barn Hole. I was soon skirting the top of Barn Hole as I reached the top of Pegsdon Hill.
Trig column on top of Deacon Hil
Looking towards Pegsdon and beyond from Deacon Hill
Near the start of the path from Deacon Hill to Pegsdon Hill
The path from Deacon Hill to Pegsdon Hill
The path from Deacon Hill to Pegsdon Hill
View from the path from Deacon Hill to Pegsdon Hill, looking down a side valley of Barn Hole
Barn Hole
On Pegsdon Hill the path followed a hedge on my right which turned right. I was now heading north, the path initially running along the western rim of Barn Hole, before dropping steadily through a huge area of open grassland to reach the B655 again at Pegsdon - I was delighted to see a Red Kite here again, I have seen one here at least twice before.
Start of the path from Pegsdon Hill to Pegsdon
The path from Pegsdon Hill to Pegsdon
Deacon Hill, from the path from Pegsdon Hill to Pegsdon
Approaching Pegsdon
I crossed the road and continued northwards on a minor road, ignoring the centre of the village of Pegsdon on my right. I soon turned left on a drive to Green End and Bury Farms, a path then continuing alongside a hedgerow and then beside a small wood to reach an old watermill. The right of way then continued westwards along Mill Lane, more a private drive than a lane, then turned south (left) along the similar Common Lane to reach the village of Hexton.
The track out of Pegsdon, by Green End and Bury farms
The path from Pegsdon
Approaching the old water mill