Pen-y-Fan

Circular walk via Pen-y-Fan
Distance - 4.5 Miles
Pen-y-Fan 886m
Corn Ddu 873m

Before heading home we decided to do a walk to Pen-y-Fan and check the footpath we had helped put in on the other side (volunteer work for the National Trust) was still in one peice! Heading out from Pont ar Daff car park we headed up towards Corn Duu which is a bit of a pull but we stopped to take a few photo's once the hail storm had passed, which left a light dusting of white on the mountain and some moody skys! We peeled off to the right before the last pull to Corn Duu and took the path around the contors and again before heading up to Pen-y-Fan we peeled off to the right along a small path which brings you out on to the path between Pen-y-Fan and Cribyn where we had helped put in a new footpath late last year which was still looking good and looked at how much more needs doing still as the path still needs doing higher up to help prevent further errosion of the mountain side.



(On the way up, Corn Ddu/Pen-y-Fan, Pen-y-Fan summit burial cairn)

We then headed up to the summit of Pen-y-Fan which although a bit windy had some great views. We then headed back down towards Corn Ddu and to it's summit before heading down to Storey Arms car park. When we reached the road we headed left back alongside the road to Pont ar Daff car park.

My Rating - Good

Pen-y-Big, Wales

Circular walk via Pen-Y-Big, Brecon Beacons.
Distance: Aprox 7 Miles
Pen-Y-Big: 2,358 ft

After a pretty drive up to the carpark where we started this walk which took us past Pontsticill and Pentwyn reseroirs. The route starts from a path at the start of the car park up past a string of very pretty waterfalls then a pull up to the top of Craig y Fan Ddu ridge which is most of the uphill on the route. At the top the path bears around to the right following the ridge around and afords some great veiws. As the path bears around again this time to the left views of Pen-y-Fan, Cribyn, Corn Du come into sight and Pen-y-Big also which is where we was aiming for. The path stays stays on the same hight and where it splits we took the left path walking next to some very large drops! It was very windy when we was walking but thankfully pushing us away from the edge not towards it! The path swings again around to the right dropping down slightly before you head back up a short incline upto the summit of Pen-y-Big. As you head up towards the summit the path become a bit vague as you head through a dump of stones where there is a shelter made up from the stones which made a good wind break and lunch spot. After visiting the summit which has good views but not the most strenuious summit to reach, but good place if you want to get the views without too much work!



(Waterfalls, Tarn on Craig y Fan Ddu, Pen y Big/Cribyn/Pen y Fan)

We headed down a short but steep winding path to the green road which heads down to the Upper Neuadd Reservior and is open to off road traffic a few months of the year. We followed the track down and where the path splits and joins a road we took the left hand fork which follows an old railway bed which makes it easy walking and affords views across to Pentwyn Reservior which we drove past earlier in the day. Eventually the track joins the road which we followed back to the car park.

My Rating- Very Good, easy climb and great views.

Walk following route from - Walking Britain

Ivinghoe Beacon

Circular walk around Ivinghoe
Distance: Aprox 14 Miles

Having a full day free for walking we decided to make a day of it and planned our own walk from the OS map around Ivinghoe Beacon. Starting from Ivinghoe we first headed out in a rough NE direction along footpaths which took us through Grove farm and a pick your own area which was closed at the time. After passing the PYO the footpath took us through Grove Farm to Ivinghoe Aston where we took the road up through the village until we came to the Two Ridges Link which links two long distance trails, Green Sands which heads out towards Thetford and The Ridgeway which heads out to Overton which together following the route of the Ickneild way which was a prehistoric trade route. We took this to the top of the Beacon which is a short sharp climb to the top.




(Thatch hook and Man Trap Ivinghoe, Ivinghoe Beacon, Pitstone Church.)

After getting our breath back whilst taking the expansive view in we then headed towards gallows hill which was used as it name implys to put off the highway robbers etc as would have been easily seen from the road. We then took a permited path to the Coombe folling the Ashridge border trail through the woods to Wards Hurst Farm which has a mirade of paths through it, we took the one heading towards Crawley wood and when we reached the road we turned right taking the path which runs alongside it, crossing over just after the cattle grid, taking the path through the woods which have seen better days to the trackway. At this point we had a choice of heading down to Incombe or bear left for a longer walk, we still had energy so we took the track left, following it to the footpath down along clipper down. At the bottom of the hill we saw a permisive path to the right which we took to Down Farm and the road. We then crossed the road following another permissive path, ignoring the initial foothpath which would had took us through a muddy feild the farmer was about to start plowing and instead followed the path which took us around the edge of the feild and brought us out by Grimms ditch which at this point is very distictive and deep. We followed the ditch to the right to Brook Statnalls Wood, following the path through the wood and around the field to the B448 carefully crossing over to head down to Church end, taking a slight detour through the church yard and down through Pitstone and heading back up to Ivinghoe.

My Rating - Good

Mentmore, Chiltern Hills

Semi Circular walk from Pitstone to Mentmore
Distance: Aprox 12 1/2 Miles

On a very unusually sunny day we decided to do a longer walk so extended a circular walk by walking along the canal to the start finish point of the Mentmore walk we were following. Heading out of Pitstone we headed to the swing bridge on the canal and followed the canal path out towards Mentmore picking up the circular walk and leaving the tow path by the weir. Taking the path over a plank bridge we followed the hedge line to the road crossing over to walk along Bridego road bearing left at the junction up to Mentmore. There is a bench on the green over looking the valley which was a great spot for a rest and a refreshment break.



(Grand Union Canal, Mentmore Gatehouse, Canal with Ivinghoe Beacon in back ground)

We then headed down past Vicarage Cottage and through the fields, following a dyke in the second field to Ledburn through some very sticky mud which was like walking one step forward and two back! Once we had finally made it to Ledburn and cleaned our boots off we turned right through the village and taking the footpath ahead where the road came to a junction. Taking the path to the right when it split and passing over the railway bridge 'sears crossing' which took us through the back of a farm and a large metal gate to the road. Taking care whilst crossing the road to the road opposite we took this through Grove and past a very sweet chapel which has been converted to a house. This then brought us to the canal which we took to the right and followed it back to the swing bridge and Pitstone. This was quite a long stretch along the canal which we finally found a bench to sit on in the sun by a lock and watched a canal boat go through the lock, turn around and go back through the lock again which was good entertainment whilst eating lunch!

Walked following adapted route from 'AA 1001 Walks in Britain'

My Rating - Good (apart from very sticky mud!)

Tring Park

Circular walk from Tring via Wiggington and Tring Park
Distance: Aprox 5 1/2 Miles

With an afternoon free we took a short walk from Tring passing the Walter Rosthschild Zoological Museum which is free entry and if you have the time worth a look around, it holds a large collection of stuffed animals (much more interesting than it sounds!) and is part of the London Natural History Museum. There is also a small cafe which you could visit on the return for a tea break!



(Looking back at Tring, Cutter in Hastoe, Obelisk and Temple in Tring Park)

After passing the Museum the walk heads up out of Tring heading up through Stubbings wood to Hastoe a small village at the highest part of the walk. After passing through Hastoe we shortly reached Grimms Ditch which is an Iron age defence ditch which runs a fairly long distance along the Chilterns ridge. This section is not at it's deepest but still clear in the ground. The route took us alongside and on top of the ditch until you reach Wigginton, bearing back towards Tring through Wigginton we reached the Ridgeway National Trail which we followed a short distance through a field passing a slightly unexpected Trig point, at the other end of the field we left the National Trail and heading down through Tring Park passing a 'Temple' which due to the road behind cutting through the back of the folly only the front is left. We then headed down to an obelisk out to the open land of the park. This has been both formal gardens and Park land in it's time looking down to Tring House. If you visited the museum you will have seen the photo's of the Park with Rothschilds Zebra's and other exotic animals as there grazing land! It was then a short walk over the A41 back into Tring.

Walked following route in 'AA 1001 Walks in Britain'

My Rating - Good

The Slaughters, Cotswolds

Circular walk from Bourton on the Water to the Slaughters
Distance: Aprox 11 Miles

On a very blustery chilly day we headed out of Bourton on a long circular walk via Norton. Initionaly we headed out along the river windrush out of Bourton, which as you walk through Bourton is spanned by lots of quaint bridges. After leaving Bourton and crossing the Fosse Way the route takes you along the side of the river and to a dissused railway line which we decided to follow rather than dropping down into the valley. We left the railway line to reach Aston Farm and head upto the DMV (Deserted Medieval Village) of Lower Barford (where we went slightly wrong, but others seemed to be having the same problem so didn't feel so bad!) After turning left and reaching the DMV which showed clearly in the ground (there is a small information board at the end of the field). After carrying on for a short while we took the path to the right up past a golf course and headed over to Norton (we chose to take the right hand path the the village rather than straight on) which we followed a small path alongside the river until reaching a Dovecot which you can visit for free (we gave a donation to help the up keep) There was also an old petrol pump which made a good photo!



(May Pole, Norton Dovecott and Petrol Pump!)

We headed of to the right to pick up the Wardens Way, which we followed to Lower Slaughter finding a restbite from the chilly wind by some barns where we managed to find somewhere to sit and eat our lunch. The route takes you over fields and drops down to a road which you follow for a short distance, passing some more houses and fields until you reach Upper Slaughter which has some really quaint looking buildings and large Manor houses! After taking photos we carried on along the Wardens Way to Lower Slaughter which brings you out past the Mill which you can visit (after cleaning your muddy boots in the river!) The route takes you through Lower Slaughter and back over the Fosse Way into Bourton.



(Snowdrops, Upper Slaughter, Lower Slaughter Mill)

My Rating - Very Good

Walk following route from - Walking Britain

Broadway, Cotswolds

Circular walk from Broadway to the Broadway Tower
Distance: Aprox 5 Miles

This is a pleasant walk from Broadway in the Cotswolds upto the Tower which has good views back over Broadway and the surrounding area. After orintating ourselves as we had parked in the long stay carpark rather than the short stay we headed into the valley and back up out circling around to the Tower, the first half of the walk was very muddy in places, passing through marshy land which has marker posts to help you through! After an undulating section you head up passing several buildings along the way, one having a dog..or as looked like to me a fox (minus the tail) on it's chimney. After a short pull up we reached the Broadway park which there is a resturant and gift shop if you are hungry (we had eaten a nice pub lunch before setting out so skipped stopping).



(Walking up through marshy area, Broadway Tower, Milepost in Broadway)

Just beyond the resturant you pass deer fencing which had a few deer inside and through a gate to the Tower which has a gift shop and you can pay to go up the folly which we decided not to do but I should imagine on a sunny clear day the views would be good! Check opening times. We then headed out through the valley to the woods, you have to cross a main busy road so care was taken! We followed the cotswold way through the woods then cut off to drop back down into the valley through open and very muddy fields back down to Broadway. Just before pasing under the new bypass we were lucky enough to see a bird of prey which was being worked by it's owner. We then headed back down the main road which is now due to the bypass very quiet and plesant! Where we spotted this mile marker which in the war had been chiseled off and now had been re-marked with the miles. It was then a short walk back to the car park!

Walked following route in 'AA 1001 Walks in Britain'

My Rating - Good