Date: Saturday 11th January
Route: Tring Circular via Ivinghoe Beacon and the Bridgewater Monument
Distance: 8.3 miles
For our first country walk of 2014, we opted for an old favourite from the Time Out Book of Country Walks Volume 2, which starts on the outskirts of Tring, passes through woodland and over (sometimes steep) chalky hillsides along the start/ end of the Ridgeway National Trail to the windy hilltop that houses Ivinghoe Beacon and offers great views across the surrounding countryside.
Leaving the windswept hikers, dog walkers, kite fliers and model plane enthusiasts behind at the top of the hill, the route heads through a small wooded area onto a very easy path into the National Trust's Ashridge Estate and ahead to the Bridgewater Monument (and a popular cafe, where curried parsnip soup and mug of tea are on offer, alongside multiple willpower-testing cake options).
Once you've had the opportunity to refuel your batteries, there is another easy path (mainly downhill) to the pretty village of Aldbury, which was mentioned in the Domesday Book and still has stocks and a whipping post on the village green, alongside a pond. From Aldbury it is a simple stroll along the hedgerows back to Tring Station.
The Time Out book also includes an alternative, longer walk (11 miles as opposed to the 8.3 miles we completed today) - this is also a fantastic walk, with a great pub for lunch en route - but is a better option for days when you get up earlier than we did today!
Although today's walk was pretty muddy in places (especially in a couple of the early woodland sections), it is still highly recommended, a walk that blows away the cobwebs, gets your heart pumping and rewards you with fantastic views along the way.
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