Chiltern Society: Ayot St Lawrence Walk

Yesterday, Gill and I drove to Kimpton in Hertfordshire, to start this "moderate" 6 mile circular walk. The weather was marvellous, cold but with bright sunshine. For a weekend Chilterns walk we hardly saw anyone. Early on we did pass the rather elderly couple (in the photograph) who were walking hand in hand as if young lovers...and why not!

I found this walk for free via the ordnance survey app (monthly fee £4.99 while annual currently £20.29) but it was originally published by the Chiltern Society https://chilternsociety.org.uk/shop/books/more-great-walks-in-the-chilterns/. Which I have now ordered a copy.

Lots of green paths, frost, mud and rolling countryside. You pass the ruined Ayot St Lawrence church (destroyed by a slave owner landowner, since it apparently spoilt his view from his manor house). Also, the home of playwright George Bernard Shaw, which is now owned by the National Trust but closed until the spring. 

Check out my Facebook account for other photos.

Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang Windmill Walk

Another great walk from this summer that I haven't managed so far to post. It is a 8 mile 4 hour (Orange graded) circular Pathfinder walk in the Chilterns - Ibstone, Turville and Fingest. Not public transport friendly I am afraid. 

A quiet and rather remote walk through lovely rolling countryside, including sight of the wonderful Cobstone Windmill, which was used as a film location for one of my favourite films from my childhood "Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang". 

I will post more pictures from the walk on Facebook. 

Coombe Hill & Chequers Walk

 

As much as I enjoy walking locally in Epping Forest, Essex and East Hertfordshire, it was great to go on some more challenging walking today in the Chilterns. 

We started off at the Coombe Hill car park (Just over 1 hour drive from Forest Gate.  The car park is pretty small so maybe if you are driving on a "busy" day park in Wendover. You could have joined the walk at the Coombe Hill memorial from Wendover Railway station or the town car park). 

Today we followed this free, downloadable path from the National Trust https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/chilterns-countryside/trails/coombe-hill-and-chequers-trail. You can take either a 5 or 7 mile route. 

I have done different versions of this marvellous walk, a number of times over the years. Lots of happy memories but some sad, as a good trade union comrade of mine, George Woznick, who went with us on a walk in 2004 is no longer with us. 

https://www.johnslabourblog.org/2018/10/coombe-hill-chequers-walk-2018-2004.html

Highlight of the walk today were not only the fantastic views but the magnificent birds of prey you could see nearly everywhere.  Red Kites, in particular, floating above us then diving down down to hunt. We saw 8 of them circling over what was probably carrion at Beacon Hill, just inside the Chequers security cordon. 

We passed the Prime Ministers Country Home Chequers. There was no sign of Boris painting or otherwise. 

Gill had a highly recommended chocolate ice cream at the Bookmoreend Farm shop and kitchen, while I had a tasty bacon roll. 

Afterward a drink at the "Shoulder of Mutton" in Wendover to rehydrate. I asked as usual for a pint of their "best bitter". Which today was "ConkerBonkers".  It was refreshing but a little hoppy for me. 

I have posted further pictures of this great walk on Facebook - here. 

Boxing Day Walk 2011: Aldbury, Ivinghoe Beacon and Ashridge

Off message - but a superb Boxing day walk ( Number 21) in the Chilterns.  An "Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty". 7 miles long orange

"Challenging Walk" but only 3.5 hrs long.

Aldbury, the starting point, is a chocolate box English village with thatched cottages, Olde worlde pubs, pond and punishment stock.

Ivinghoe Beacon (see picture right) is a spectacular (former iron age fort) hill
landmark overlooking the plains below.

Ashridge is a simple lovely forest estate and the walk that ends up at the Bridgewater monument. I have posted more photos on Facebook here.

John's Autumn Watch

Off message but last weekend I went for a marvellous Autumnal walk in the Chilterns.  It is apparently a particularly "bountiful" season this year with lots of fruit and berries.  Thanks to the cold winter last year which killed off fungi and pests with a warm but showery summer.  Double click photos to bring up detail.

In the weak sunshine and long shadows the trees are starting to change colours.  It had rained the day before and there was that lovely wet, musty muddy smell in the woods. 

There were some huge birds of prey floating up high looking for dinner and a very disdainful small deer (left - Munjac?) who hopped away like a rabbit.   

The walk was (number 15) "Great Hampden and Little Hampden".  There were simply superb views all along the route.  It was only 6.5 miles and while up and down there was nothing too strenuos. 

There was a little bit of history at Hampden House which is the site (right) of the home of John Hampden, the leading Parliamentarian whose refusal to pay Ship Tax in 1641 was one of the triggers of the English Civil War.  See - the British if pushed too far can be rebellious! (not that Revolution did poor John much good)

The rolling hills and beech woods of the Chilterns are deservedly an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and only a few miles from London.  It can get very crowded in the more popular spots but this walk was quiet and very peaceful.  Recommended.

London’s green, pleasant (and mostly empty) hinterland

Off message but tonight I’m recovering from a lovely tramp in the Chilterns. Some people drone on how awful living in London is - so to escape they spend hours and hours every weekend driving to the Cotswolds, Clacton or Coniston.

They forget how much fantastic countryside is within an hour (or less) of Charing Cross. Check out the superb Pathfinder Guides published by Jarrold and Ordinance Survey.

Today we started off at Berkhamstead for a 7 mile tramp along the Grand Union Canal, Northchurch common, the National Trust Ashbridge Estate and finally finishing at the impressive Norman Berkhamstead Castle.

I was map reading so naturally we got completely lost for a while. Apologies to local landlords for the trespassing that took place but it was in good faith... and of course in any case all property is theft (joke).

My one serious point for what it is worth is that while trekking today thorough gorgeous parts of the British countryside on our London doorstep we saw relatively very few other walkers.

While no doubt hundreds of miles away, thousands of Londoners will be walking up Snowdon, Scafell or Ben Nevis while complaining bitterly about the crowds.