Pete's Walks - Shorter Ashridge Walk (page 2 of 2)
When the path reached the Ringshall-Northchurch, I turned left along the road until I reached a crossing bridleway. Here I turned right, soon keeping left at a fork - this took me to the entrance to Northchurch Farm. I followed a path past the farm buildings, which continued across a flat grass field that is actually used for polo. The path continued slightly downhill between a hedgerow and a right-hand fence.
The Ringshall-Northchurch road
Looking back over where Id' walked, along the southern edge of Northchurch Common (top left, you can just see the footbridge carrying the Ridgeway over the A41)
The bridleway approaching Northchurch Farm
Path across the polo pitch at Northchurch Farm
From just across the polo pitch, looking ahead in the direction of the walk
I then continued along a track, which soon turned left and then right, going uphill beside a large ploughed field on my left. The track levelled out, and on eventually reaching a field corner I went over a stile and went half-left across a small pasture with an overgrown pond in it to reach Coldharbour Farm.
The track to Coldharbour Farm
The track to Coldharbour Farm
Approaching Coldharbour Farm
Beyond the farm I went half-left, across a drive and back into the woods. I then went wrong here (despite having done this walk several times before!) - I took the first turning on the right, realised it was wrong and so turned back and took the second turning on the right. In fact, this was still wrong, the route on my Google map takes the third turning. No matter, at the end of the path I turned left and soon came back to the intended route, following a line of beech trees with a large enclosed pasture on my right. Further on the path ran along an avenue of beech trees (much beloved of photographers at this time of year and often featured on calendars), which brought me back to a small car park on the Ringshall-Northchurch road.
Path on Berkhamstead Common
Path on Berkhamstead Common
Avenue of beeches on Berkhamstead Common
Avenue of beeches on Berkhamstead Common
I continued on a surfaced bridleway across the road (the field with the deer in it was now just to my right). At a path junction, I turned right, back on to the footpath that I'd started out on. After half a mile or so this took me back to the drive to the monument - the smaller car park where I'd parked was now also full, showing how popular Ashridge is when the woods are displaying their Autumn Colours.
Across the Ringshall-Northchurch Road again
Looking back along the footpath to the drive to the monument
The footpath to the drive to the monument
The footpath to the drive to the monument
As always it was a pleasure to see Ashridge in Autumn, although the trees weren't quite at their most spectacularly colourful. It was a cold and blustery day, about 3C when I set off, and I was wearing my full winter walking outfit. It stayed dry, and was generally quite sunny. I was just glad that I didn't have any discomfort in my leg, although I don't think I've yet got the problem sorted out as I did have a slight ache in the leg afterwards.