My Adventures 2: Ivinghoe Beacon Loop walk 22nd April 2013

I set off from home to drive to Ivinghoe Beacon.After just over an hours drive,I arrive at the National Trust car park for Ivinghoe Beacon, on the left of minor road to Ringshall, 1km (0.5 miles) south off the B489, Grid Ref SP96216.
I leave the car park and walk down a hill towards the beacon,to my right is the Whipsnade White Lion.
This is a creation of the 20th century, built in 1933 from a design by Mr. R.B. Brooke-Greaves to indicate the position of Whipsnade wildlife park. It is the largest of all the figures and after being cut in outline only it is now a solid figure making it a very impressive site even from some distance. Being so conspicuous it is effectively used to advertise the zoo. The lion was covered for the duration of the war with netting, turf and paint. The lion is occasionally illuminated and was so for the 50th birthday of the zoo in 1981, the lights have been recently replaced. The lion is home to a colony of cavies and wallabies which can be seen occasionally on the lion.

The field I was walking through, was full of Sheep and lambs,a real indication of Spring finally arriving and the weather had finally warmed up too.

I have started to climb now up Gallows Hill along the ridge towards the Beacon.

Overhead was a light aircraft towing up a glider. This reminded me of my glider flight over the Chilterns from Marlow, three years ago.An amazing experience! The blog for which is here.

I reach the top of Ivinghoe Beacon for the panoramic views.It is at a height at 233 metres high.

The Ivinghoe Beacon Trig Point

I now begin to walk down from the Beacon following The Ridgeway. The Ridgeway National Trail, 87 miles (139km) through ancient landscapes.The Ridgeway runs between Overton Hill (Wiltshire) and the Ivinghoe Beacon (Buckinghamshire). Thought to be Britain's oldest road it dates back about 5000 years. You really feel like you are walking through history.

Down to my right is Pitstone Windmill. This is one of the oldest windmills in Britain. Pitstone windmill ground flour for the village for almost three hundred years until a freak storm in the early 1900s left it damaged beyond economic repair.Donated to the National Trust in 1937 Pitstone Windmill has been faithfully restored

A view from the Woods

The wood was alive with daffodils,had I been here a month later,it would be full of bluebells and a fine sight indeed.

A disused hut.


A wild Primrose

I emerge from the woods to the sight of the Bridgewater Monument. The Grade II listed Bridgewater Monument (grid reference SP970131) was built in 1832 in memory of Francis Egerton, 3rd Duke of Bridgewater (1736–1803), "the father of inland navigation". It is 108 feet (33 m) tall, with 170 steps inside, designed by Sir Jeffry Wyattville..

The monument was closed today,so views to be had from its top wasn't to be. But I did stop at the cafe below for a cup of tea and a packet of crisps.

After a short rest I continue along the path towards Aldbury.

A view from the woods looking down to Aldbury.

I emerge into Aldbury, a picture card perfect village.Complete with pub,Post Office and Green.

Aldbury has around 800 inhabitants, a small shop, garage, and two Public houses ,The Valiant Trooper and the Greyhound. A troop of morris men is based here and perform seasonally on weekends outside both.

I stopped off at The Greyhound Inn for a half pint and peanuts and a rest taking the village views.

View from the Pub garden.

I walked further along the road to St John The Baptist Church in Aldbury.

Looking back to St John The Baptist Church

Looking back to The Bridgewater Monument high above Aldbury

The path takes me through Stocks Hotel Country Golf Club, where at the top of the course where it meets Aldbury Nowers I see two Muntjac deer runs across.

After I emerge from the wooded area of Aldbury Nowers, I am now climbing Pitstone Hill.The wind was now very strong whipping up the hill side.Below me I see the blue waters of a dis-used Chalk pit.

Cattle (Belted Galloway) sheltering beneath a wind-swept bush.

Looking down to Pitstone.

Looking across to Ivinghoe Beacon,the end of the walk is in sight.

I now reach Incombe Hole.Incombe Hole is a steep-sided dry valley. It would have been created in glacial times when the chalk was fractured by water freezing and thawing in its pores and joints in consequence of which there would have been a downhill movement of the debris. .

The Ridgeway take the easy way round up a gentle incline. Still feeling quite refreshed I thought I'd go down into The Incombe hole and up the steep hill the other side.

I finally reached the top, with cheeks glowing a bright red. It was much tougher than I thought and now feel as though I've really walked some.

I walk on looking down into the valleys and towards the Beacon.

Just as I reach the beacon I saw the fantastic sight of Red Kites soaring above the beacon and could hear their amazing calls. Out of this world and something I never tire of. The Chilterns are alive with these fantastic birds.