Ashridge Estate Boundary Trail
The Ashridge Estate Boundary Trail is a 17 mile circular walk that goes round the National Trust’s Ashridge Estate, located on the northern edge of the Chiltern Hills in Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire.
It’s been 2 years since I last visited the Ashridge Estate, with my good friend and Ashridge Estate regular, Anjanee. So I was excited to return to this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), and remind myself why It’s such a popular place for hikers, cyclists, dog walkers, families, and general public to enjoy.
The Ashridge Estate Boundary Trail
Distance
Full route 17 miles / 27km
Or you can split the full route into 2 sections…
North 9 miles / 14.4km - With some dramatic scenery, including Ivinghoe Beacon, Incombe Hole and ancient woodlands.
South 10.5 miles / 16.8km - With more open countryside, with some stunning features, including the Golden Valley and ancient woodlands
Follow the white signs with green arrows along the full Ashridge Estate Boundary Trail
TIME: 5.5 hrs - 6.5 hrs (full route)
DIFFICULTY: Moderately challenging
ELEVATION GAIN: 660m / 2,169ft
TERRAIN: Paths and tracks with steep slopes and flights of steps. Uneven in places and can get quite muddy after wet weather
START and FINISH: Ashridge Estate, Moneybury Hill, Ringshall, Berkhamstead HP4 1LX
GETTING THERE
By Train – Tring Station is approx.. 1.5 miles (2.4km) from the Bridgewater Monument. Cheddington Station is 3.5 miles (5.5km) from Ivanhoe Beacon and 2.5 miles (4km) from Pitstone Windmill, by Arriva 64 Bus service.
By Car – The Ashridge Estate visitor centre is between Tring and Berkhamstead, 3 miles (4.8km) north of the A41, along the B4506 from Northchurch (to Ringshall and Dagnall). It can be reached from the A489 from Dunstable.
By Foot – There are footpaths up to the Ashridge Estate from Aldbury (1/2 mile/800m), Tring (1.5miles/2.4km) and Ivanhoe village (3/4 mile/1.2km).
FACILITIES
Parking – Free Car Park off Monument Drive HP4 1LT
Toilets – To the left of the Ashridge Estate visitor centre
Café – Monument café serves hot and cold drinks, hot food, sandwiches, light bites and cakes.
Dogs – Please keep dogs on a lead to protect wildlife. There are water bowls near the visitor centre entrance, and dog waste bins along Monument Drive and near the visitor centre.
Shop – Shop with garden, books, gifts and local produce
More information can be found on the National Trust (NT) website
WHAT GEAR TO TAKE WITH YOU
Walking boots or sturdy trail shoes
Waterproof jacket (check weather forecast)
2 litres of water
Food and snacks (or you can purchase at the Cafe)
Sun screen / Insect repellent
First aid kit
Phone and charger
Headtorch
HIGHLIGHTS
Ashridge Estate
Ashridge Estate is a 2,000 hectare (5,000 acres) area of the Chiltern Hills AONB. It features diverse landscapes, Including ancient beech and oak woodlands, meadows and chalk downlands. Explore numerous walking trails, where you can encounter majestic trees, wildlife, and historical landmarks such as Ashridge House, a grand mansion that dates back to the 19th century.
The estate offers stunning views of the Chiltern Hills, and provides a peaceful retreat for nature lovers and outdoor lovers.
Bridgewater Monument
On the approach to Ashridge visitor centre, you can’t miss this towering granite column which reaches high above the treetops of the estate. The monument was built in 1832 in memory of the 3rd Duke of Bridgewater, Francis Egerton, who once lived in Ashridge house.
Climb to the top - During weekends from April to October and when the weather is good, the monument is open and you can take on the challenge of climbing all 172 steps to the top. £2.50 per adult and £1.50 per child. Free for National Trust members.
When you reach the top, you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of Ashridge Estate and rolling Chiltern’s countryside. In fine weather, you may be able to see Canary Wharf in central London, over 30 miles away.
Ivinghoe Beacon
Although Ivinghoe Beacon (233m/764ft) is not the highest point on the Ashridge Estate, it has spectacular views of the surrounding countryside. It’s also notable for its historical significance, with ancient hillfort remains dating back to the Iron Age.
Look out for Incombe Hole, which is a natural feature dating from the last Ice Age.
Nature and wildlife
Ashridge Estate is blessed with an abundance of wildlife! Look for butterflies in sunny clearings and signs of badgers. Note the hazel trees near the shooting lodge that have been coppiced to provide wildlife habitat. As you walk through the pine woodland you can enjoy the smell of the conifers.
Wildlife at Ashridge – Two major habitats found at Ashridge are the woodlands in the south of the Estate and the chalk grassland and scrub found on the hills to the north. These provide a home for the vast number of creatures that live at Ashridge.
THE ASHRIDGE ESTATE BOUNDARY TRAIL
START
NORTH SECTION
It was a bright and sunny start to the day which, was a blessed relief from the amount of preceding rainfall throughout the UK! Despite this, my waterproofs were nicely stowed away in my rucksack just in case!
The Boundary Trail starts by the Bridgewater Monument, directly opposite the Visitor Centre, clearly marked by the white circular signs with green arrows.
It was a later than usual 10am start, as I set off on another hiking adventure!
I Immediately pass Bridgewater Monument, and follow the signpost heading towards Ivinghoe Beacon. It’s a straight and easy going path, that dissects the woods on either side. I cross over a short wooden bridge and keep going on the path.
Throughout the trail, you pass some small tree stumps that have a round plaque on them, marked “Wildlife Trail”. It’s a handy reminder to keep a look out for the many varieties of wildlife and fauna on the estate.
2km Into the walk the path becomes inaccessible as a disability route, as the track turns from an easy going path to a muddy terrain.
Just a few hundred metres along the path, you go through a gate, and shortly after that the path splits, as I take the left fork. the path is more uneven and muddy, as It heads downhill and then bears left, running in between hedges.
3km - as I come out of the hedgerow and into the open, where I’m treated to the first views of the Ridgeway, and signs for Ivinghoe Beacon.
Following the signs for Ivinghoe Beacon, I turn right, as the path skirts around Incombe Hole, and heads uphill.
At the top of the hill I go through a gate, and continue along as I admire the views to my left before reaching the chalk grassland. Another “wildlife walk” sign notes to look out for the Soaring Raptors - birds of prey including red kites, and ravens! The view straight in front of me is leading towards Ivinghoe Beacon.
It’s a stunning stretch of undulating path, with some steps that lead down towards Beacon Road. Cross carefully over the road, and follow the sign that bears left and uphill to Ivinghoe Beacon.
5km - and an hour into my walk, I make it to Ivinghoe Beacon, (233m/764ft).
After a short break to admire the views It’s time to continue. The path veers right with some stunning 360 degree views, as I head along the ridge, which is a long stretch of lush green grass that slopes away on either side.
Towards the end of the ridge, It heads downhill, and snakes round to the right towards a gate at the bottom of the hill. It’s a bit of a horseshoe as I follow the path, which continues back towards the direction we came, but now in between some fields.
At the end of the field, I go through a gate on my left, and the path rises slightly. Crossing through another gate, I enter a wooded section, with tall pines on my right. The path becoming quite muddy and uneven.
Then just beyond I enter into a section of tall pines, with a carpet of woodchip and soft ground. It’s incredibly peaceful as I walk alone through the trees, albeit for a short while.
Once through the woods, the path turns right, and I come to a flight of stairs. At the top I pass through a gate, and arrive at Ward’s Hurst Farm.
Going through the farm, I’m now entering into a series of fields, which then run alongside Ringshall Coppice.
9km into my walk, and I cross Beacon Road once more. Now back in a wooded area, the ground Is saturated with mud due to the recent and persistent rainfall.
Whilst concentrating on navigating my way through the mud, I miss a sign to my right, before I eventually realise my mistake. Fortunately I’m able to get back on track quite easily, and I’m through the mud and cross over Ringshall Road into Ashridge Golf Club. It feels good to be clear of the mud, at least for a while. That last section was heavy going!
I quietly walk along the path that runs alongside the golf course fairway, occasionally pausing to watch a few shots blast past me.
Once past the golf club, I cross over Ringshall Drive, and onto grass that sweeps round to the left. It’s a lovely stretch of grass, with deep lines of trees on either side. Just a few hundred yards down the lawn, there’s an opening to the right, that climbs uphill briefly. If you wish this is where you can divert to get a great view of Ashridge House, or perhaps call It a day, to head back to the Visitor Centre afterwards.
End of North Section.
SOUTH SECTION
Continuing on the 2nd leg of the Ashridge Estate Boundary Trail, and It’s now 12.45pm.
It’s a pleasant, steady walk across the grass which has Cromer Wood to my left. Once past the woods, the trail becomes more of an open countryside.
The path then bends to my right, and then left, as I approach Webb’s Copse. I’m beginning to feel hungry now, as It’s now approaching 1.15pm and as I’m just past the halfway point, I decide to stop for a break.
I have a memory of this Copse, from when I last stopped here with my good friend Anjanee. I venture over to a log where I can take off my rucksack and sit for a short while. It’s a lovely, quiet spot, enclosed in the trees, with the Daffodils now beginning to bloom.
15 minutes later, and my hunger quenched, I decide to carry on. After exiting the Copse, I’m back on open rural farmland, with sweeping fields to my right.
A little further I reach a stile and cross another field, before reaching Highridge Farm. There’s a small gate to my right with a sign marking the Boundary Trail. I’ve now reached 16km.
After walking through a narrow path and into a clearing, there’s a couple of delightful houses that are set down at the foot of the hill, with the backdrop of Great Frithsden Copse behind it.
At the foot of the hill, I walk through a tight path until I reach a road, and cross over, heading to my right, and then enter the Copse on my left. A sign marks the heading towards Berkhampstead Common.
Walking through the Copse, I cross a small road and into a short enclosed path straight ahead.
At the end of the path, I head right, and towards Berkhampstead Golf Club (they sure do like their golf around here!). The route takes me across one of the fairways, so I keep a close eye to make sure all is safe!
It’s a lovely stretch, as I walk In between two fairways watching small groups of golfers play their respective shots, followed by occasional murmurs of their obvious disappointment at their lack of accuracy! (If you’ve ever played the game, you know exactly what I mean!). But I make sure I walk carefully and respectfully through the course until I eventually clear the golf club and into a quiet wooded track.
It’s now 2.30pm and have now walked approximately 20km as I reach Berkhamstead Common. The path is very muddy, and as a result takes me a while to navigate my way through.
I reach Coldharbour Farm and turn left through the main open gate and head straight through the yard and into a clearing with a small pond on my left.
Once through the farm, the views open up once more, with vast open countryside, that has a small steady climb, before reaching a gate and subsequent track which I follow.
The path takes me first past Northchurch Farm, before I cross over a small road and emerge into a lovely easy going stretch of woodland close to Northchurch Common.
Less than 4km to go now! I continue on, first Into Rail Copse, then crossing over Toms Hill Road, which then leads me Into Old Copse. The home straight Is now In sight, and I’m back on an easy track as I head towards the finish.
4pm - I round a corner and to a familiar sight…Bridgewater Monument, and the end of the Ashridge Estate Boundary Trail.
There’s only one thing left to do…treat myself to some lovely, and well-deserved blueberry cake at the Cafe!
SUMMARY
So that’s it! The Ashridge Estate Boundary Trail. A glorious walk, which has it all…from the epic hills and scenic vistas in the North section, to the more tranquil countryside views in the South, It’s a truly memorable experience for anyone seeking an outdoor and historical adventure.
I hope my blog Inspires you to explore this beautiful place for yourself!
Happy Hiking!
Marc
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