Pete's Walks- Ashridge and Frithsden (page 2 of 2)
Beyond the golf course I went straight on at a bridleway junction. I passed Brickkiln Cottage on my left, and then had a large open meadow near by on my right. I next passed Coldharbour Farm on my left, and a few yards further on took a path forking half-right into the trees of Berkhamstead Common (it was here that I finally departed from the route of the Ashridge Estate Boundary Trail). This started as a fairly narrow path but gradually widened to become a sizable grassy track through the woods. I followed it for about three quarters of a mile, to reach another parking place off the B45406 (about a mile and a quarter south of where I'd parked).
The bridleway continuing just past Brickkiln Cottage
The bridleway continuing towards Coldharbour Farm
The bridleway continuing towards Coldharbour Farm
The footpath just beyond Coldharbour Farm
The path continuing from Coldharbour Farm towards the B4506 Ringshall-Northchurch road
The path continuing from Coldharbour Farm towards the B4506 Ringshall-Northchurch road
The path approaching the B4506 Ringshall-Northchurch road
Across the road a bridleway carried on through more woods, initially close to a pasture on the right where as usual I spotted some Fallow Deer. On reaching a path crossroads, near a cottage on the left, I turned right on a path heading almost due north. I soon passed another side of the pasture and saw the same deer again. The path led me on to the drive to the Bridgewater Monument, where there were multitudes of cars and people. I went straight on and within a few yards had left the crowds behind (they never go far from their cars!). A short path led me to a bridleway where I turned half-right. This soon curved right, to run almost parallel to the B4506 a little distance through the trees on my right (I couldn't see, but could hear the traffic occasionally).
The bridleway on the other side of the B4506
The bridleway on the other side of the B4506
The footpath going north to the drive to the Bridgewater Monument
The footpath going north to the drive to the Bridgewater Monument
The footpath approaching the drive to the Bridgewater Monument
The path on the other side of the drive to the Bridgewater Monument
The bridleway going northeast, almost parallel with the B4506
Here I met an 89-year-old gentleman - we got talking about wildlife (he'd just seen a fine example of a Sweet Chestnut tree) for a while, and he decided to turn round and walk back with me for about half a mile until a major track junction where I could see my car off to the right (it was very nice meeting you David!).
The bridleway going northeast, almost parallel with the B4506
The bridleway going northeast, almost parallel with the B4506
The bridleway down to the car park on the B4506 just south of Ringshall
After some incredibly hot and sunny days, it was a slight disappointment that this was a largely overcast day, though I was grateful that it was a few degrees cooler. It was still pretty warm though, so I was glad I'd deliberately picked a route that was in woods for about half its length. All the paths were ones I'd walked many times before, but that didn't detract from a very pleasant route. A three-hour walk was just what I needed and I was pleased that I didn't have any after-affects (so touch wood, I may finally be getting over this Post-Viral Fatigue).