Pete's Walks - Kensworth and Dunstable Downs (page 2 of 2)
I followed the fence as it turned left, contouring across Whipsnade Downs with a view ahead now towards Ivinghoe Beacon. After some distance the path moved away from the fence dropping slightly downhill. When I reached a crossing path I turned left, climbing uphill very briefly, then following the path on to the car park on Bison Hill.
Path along Whipsnade Downs, Ivinghoe Beacon in the distance (note to self: must clean camera lens!)
View over the Vale of Aylesbury, from Whipsnade Downs
Path along Whipsnade Downs, again with Ivinghoe Beacon in the distance
Another view over the Vale of Aylesbury, from Whipsnade Downs
Looking back, along the top of Bison Hill
From Bison Hill I took the hedge-lined bridleway towards Whipsnade. On reaching a bungalow on the edge of the village, I took a path going left, along the edge of a large pasture with Jacob sheep in it, which led to the Tree Cathedral. From there I crossed the irregularly shaped green to Whipsnade church, and took the path that started behind it.
The bridleway from Bison Hill to Whipsnade
Whipsnade, from the entrance to the Tree Cathedral
Whipsnade
The path from the church followed a hedgerow to reach the minor road from Whipsnade Heath to Studham. On the far side a path continued beside the edge of a wood to reach Holywell. I turned left for a short distance along a residential street, then took another path on the left. This soon turned right, to run along next to Buckwood Lane, with garden fences on my right. I eventually joined the lane for a few yards before turning left along Dovehouse Lane. A path on the left then took me across a couple of fields to reach the Whipsnade road, where I turned right to return to Kensworth.
The path from the back of Whipsnade Church, heading towards Holywell (pronounced Hollywell)
Approaching Holywell
Dovehouse Lane
The path from Dovehouse Lane, approaching the Whipsnade road
Looking towards Common Road, Kensworth, from the same spot
This was a very pleasant two-hour stroll on a beautiful morning. It was nice to finally feel that Spring is just around the corner, and I'm really looking forward to seeing wildflowers and butterflies again on my walks.