Beauty is to be found on every doorstep, and in our fortunate case in Berkhamsted one such source is the woodlands and commons of the Ashridge Estate on the hills to the north of the town. Managed in large part by the National Trust, the Ashridge landscapes encompass a variety of forest, field, down and grassland that support predominantly deciduous trees including beech, birch and oak, along with a variety of bird- and wild-life, as well as grazing land for sheep, cattle and horses. Sightings of fallow and muntjac deer are frequent; in spring the staccato of woodpeckers resounds in the woods, whilst skylarks and red kites add an all-year-round majesty to the more open areas.
My walking route yesterday followed the Ashridge Boundary Trail in an anti-clockwise direction starting from the Alford Arms pub in Frithsden, the 17-mile ramble taking me around six hours under clear blue skies. A couple of friends have asked me to include a map of my walking routes (and for those interested I have also now added one such into last week’s Blog).
The walk follows the Ashridge Boundary Trail just to the north of Berkhamsted
I have fond memories of this circuit from the first covid lockdown in 2020, when a friend and I raced each other around the route in opposite directions on quite a number of occasions, both as a means of keeping fit and to escape the confines of lockdown: honours were largely even then, as we both recorded ‘personal best’ times of sub four hours. Our efforts were a welcome diversion at the time, although I relish the opportunity of a somewhat slower ramble, as yesterday, with time to stop for a picnic lunch and a few photos.
Detailed pargeting on an old cottage near the start of the walk in FrithsdenThe sunken ‘Roman Road’ over the ridge to Nettleden was in fact commissioned in the mid 1700’s by Francis Egerton, the third Duke of Bridgewater, in order to provide a short-cut to market whilst protecting his Lady from the stares of the local peasantry: the track known commonly as ‘Spooky Lane’ and crossed here by ‘Devil’s Bridge’ still sees more horses than motor vehiclesDeer culling towers are a not uncommon sight in this part of the ChilternsEntering Golden Valley with the tower of Ashridge House just visible on the left: the Totternhoe stone-faced building dates from the early nineteenth century and is now an international business school – there is a photo of the front of the House in my Blog of 15 February last yearInto the woods, where the Boundary Trail is fairly well signposted for the most part, although a map is certainly necessary on occasions in some more remote sections of the walkDesirable residence for sale in RingshallGrazing pastures on the approach to Ward’s Hurst Farm: Dockey Wood encroaching on the west (left here) draws many a springtime crowd to see the Ashridge bluebells (although there are many other less popular places for those in the know of such local secrets)Looking back up the ‘Garlic Steps’ that come alive in the late spring with the dark green leaves and the pungent scent of wild garlicOut onto the downs, looking back eastwards along the ridge and over towards the Whipsnade Lion – just visible in the chalk top left, but now in some need of restoration . . .. . . and atop Ivinghoe Beacon with far reaching views northwards and (here) eastwards along the Chiltern HillsThe Ridgeway Path starts (or ends) at Ivinghoe Beacon, this ancient trackway following the upper route along the scarps for 87 miles to Overton Hill near Avebury in WiltshireFollowing The Ridgeway Path from the Beacon for about a mile leads to this westerly viewpoint overlooking Inchcombe HoleThe main ride through Ashridge Forest offers tantalising glimpses of the fields beyond . . .. . . and leads to the Bridgewater Monument, built in 1832 in memory of ‘the father of inland navigation’, the aforementioned Francis EgertonAlong with two Golf Courses, those of Ashridge and Berkhamsted, the Boundary Trail also crosses the town’s polo field near Northchurch Farm (although I have yet to see any action here)
And so ended a wonderful day’s walk around Ashridge. I hope to share another journey with you all next week, so until then take care and enjoy the milder weather!
Tangled up in green
Today’s song title heading ‘Round and Round’ is borrowed from a 2012 release by American indie rock band Imagine Dragons. The song was penned and produced by the group alongside the British hip hop musician Alex da Kid, appearing initially on their EP ‘Continued Silence’ and later as a ‘bonus track’ on their debut studio album ‘Night Visions’.
6 thoughts on “Round And Round”
Looks like a great walk Nick – I wish I could do 17 miles (in a week let alone a day!),
Nick – you are amazing… wonderful commentary and pics – I was thinking you might write a book – but now I know it must be an encyclopaedia…. and I know you, someone so special ! Fantastic , Keep up the great walking…. .
Walking for Fun, Challenge and Charity! 
Looks like a great walk Nick – I wish I could do 17 miles (in a week let alone a day!),
All the best, catch up soon.
Brian.
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Hi Nick
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div>Recognise so much of this route as this was my go to
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What a beautiful walk to have more or less on your doorstep Nick. Lucky you!
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I loved looking at these photos. Familiar paths and sights. What a beautiful day. Never managed this long walk around the boundary though. Well done!
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That’s one heck of a long walk. Beautiful scenery too – I’ve done bits of it but never that distance. Very good
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Nick – you are amazing… wonderful commentary and pics – I was thinking you might write a book – but now I know it must be an encyclopaedia…. and I know you, someone so special ! Fantastic , Keep up the great walking…. .
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