Ashridge Estate, Gallows Hill and Ivinghoe Beacon
This is one of my favourite local ramble routes in Buckinghamshire. Starting at the Bridgewater monument at Ashride Estate, we head out along a broad trail before taking the public footpath through Ward’s Hurst Farm and down along the Icknield Way through The Coombe and Ivinghoe Hills towards Gallows Hill, ascending the ridge towards Ivinghoe Beacon.
We then take the Ridgeway, winding up and down Pitstone Hill before heading into the leafy woods of Aldbury Nowers, eventually arriving in the village of Aldbury. The Greyhound pub here is worth a pit stop before heading back up the hill (steep but short!) into Ashridge.
Ashridge Estate has some spectacular bluebells in the spring (take a detour at Ward’s Hurst Farm to Dockey Wood for a particularly picturesque display), but is worth visiting all year round. I’d recommend waterproof boots during the cold months and any other wet days, as the ground tends to get very muddy in places, especially the steps down The Coombie, and along the top of Steps Hill.
Parking: There’s free parking along the main drive by the Bridgewater Monument in Ashridge, postcode HP4 1LT.
Toilets: At the Brownlow Cafe in Ashridge, at The Greyhound pub in Aldbury
Cautions: This route is generally very easy, with just a few short, slightly steep bits (check the elevation card in the route). The hills around Ivinghoe can be a bit slippery after wet weather due to the chalky ground. It can also be very muddy in places during the winter. Gallows Hill and Ivinghoe Beacon can be pretty blustery on windy days.
Download the Ashridge Ivinghoe route gpx file (right click and choose Save As)
Wendover Woods, Hale Wood and Barn Wood
Wendover Woods is a well known Forestry England site, with lots of well surfaced, marked trails to suit every ability level. For the more adventurous and able however, venturing beyond Wendover’s marked trails leads to some lovely quieter woods and hills.
Starting at the Wendover Woods large parking lot (see parking note below for additional options) we head down the one of the forest’s main bridleways before turning slightly uphill and across a quieter woodland, crossing a small country lane and entering Hale Wood.
We follow a quiet path through Hale Wood and enter into Barn Wood, going past Boswells Farm and along the Ridgeway before connecting to Hale Lane and turning back onto the Icknield Way into Wendover Woods at the bottom of Boddington Hill. We then continue to Haddington Hill before ascending back towards Halton Wood and the Wendover parking lot.
Parking: Wendover Woods main parking lot (paid, postcode HP22 5NQ), alternatively use the small parking lot just inside the back entrance gate which is free (postcode HP23 6LD). There’s space for an additional two cars just outside the back gate for out of hours sunrise or sunset walks.
Toilets: At the Wendover Woods Cafe
Cautions: Many of the paths are shared with cyclists, so keep an eye out. This is a relatively hilly route but none of them are particularly steep. Part of this route does follow along a road, Hale Lane, after leaving Barn Wood, heading back towards Wendover. While it’s a relatively quiet road, there’s no pavement so you’ll need to walk along the verge and along the road itself in places. Please be careful!
Download the Wendover, Hale and Barn Wood route gpx file (right click and choose Save As)
