Pete's Walks - Kensworth, Studham Common, Whipsnade (page 2 of 2)
I was delighted to see my first Greater Stitchwort of the year growing along this hedgerow, one of my very favourite wildflowers. The bridleway continued past another field and then through a triangular section of trees to reach the boundary fence of Whipsnade Zoo, which I then followed for some distance to reach Studham Lane, a long disused lane between Holywell and Whipsnade. I turned left along the old lane - at some point along it I saw a strange flower which I later had identified on a website as Toothwort (apparently a parasite that grows on the roots of trees such as Hazel and Field Maple). Just beyond the point where the old lane is blocked to traffic, I took a path on the right, following a hedgerow uphill and then turning left to follow the edge of a meadow to reach Whipsnade church.
The bridleway from Studham to Whipsnade
The bridleway from Studham to Whipsnade, alongside the zoo fence
'Studham Lane', the former lane between Holywell and Whipsnade
The path going right from the old lane, close to the former Chequers pub in Whipsnade
Approaching Whipsnade Church
I walked through the churchyard to reach the huge green around which the dwellings of Whipsnade are scattered. I headed slightly right, crossing the road through the village (the Whipsnade Road I'd started off along), and following the left edge of that part of the green downhill to a corner, continuing along a bridleway between hedges. I almost immediately came to a junction, where I turned right onto a similar bridleway. This went up and over a small rise, ending on the Whipsnade Heath to Dunstable Downs road.
Part of the huge green or common at Whipsnade
The path heading to a corner of the common at Whipsnade
Looking right from the same spot, over The Old Hunter's Lodge towards Whipsnade Heath
The bridleway between Whipsnade and the Whipsnade Heath - Dunstable Downs road
The bridleway between Whipsnade and the Whipsnade Heath - Dunstable Downs road
There were more Wood Anemones on the other side of the road (another spot I usually see them). I turned left for a hundred yards and then turned right into Land Park Lane. This went slightly uphill for a short distance, levelling out and passing the iron fence of a factory on the right. (they squeeze fruit to make drinks here, I believe). At the end of the lane, I simply turned right into Common Road, Kensworth, which I followed for half a mile to return to my starting point.
The Whipsnade Heath - Dunstable Downs road from the end of the bridleway - Land Park Lane starts about 100 yards on the right
Land Park Lane
Land Park Lane
View towards Church End, from where Land Park Lane meets Common Road, Kensworth
Common Road Kensworth, from near Green End Farm
This 6.6 mile walk took me about two hours and ten minutes. It was a bright and sunny morning, though very cold to begin with so that I was wearing my coat for about the first hour. Although all these local paths were very familiar to me (though I think this is the first time I've recorded Land Park Lane on my web site), I don't think I'd actually done this exact route before. It was certainly an enjoyable route, and I'm sure I'll do it again some time.