16.3 km (10.1 miles) 4/10
I've previously posted this walk earlier in the year, but I have noticed that it features on no less than five of the lists of recommended walks for April flowers, so suggest doing it today. It has an exhilarating start along the Ridgeway to the Chiltern escarpment and Ivinghoe Beacon, then by contrast, into the beechwoods of the Ashridge Estate. If it's too muddy on the approach to the Bridgewater Monument, a hard-surface alternative is possible. Finally a gentle descent back to Tring station, with tea at the Monument Cafe or the pub in Albury.
Travel: 1009 from Euston, arriving at Tring at 1051. Four returns trains an hour.
Lunch: the only possible pub lunch stop is the Bridgewater Arms, Little Gaddesden (01442 842 408). Located 10.2km (6.3 miles) from the start of the walk, this traditional country inn, now owned by Greene King, serves food all afternoon daily either in its restaurant or bar area. It also has a small garden. Fast walkers might be able to lunch at the Monument cafe – see below – especially if you short cut to avoid Little Gaddesden.
Tea: There's nothing by Tring station, but the Monument Cafe by the Bridgewater Monument on the Ashridge estate is a popular place for tea. It is self-service, with outside seating. Open till 4pm in winter, and 2.5 km from the end of the walk. Alternatively, the Greyhound Inn (01442 851228) or the Trooper (01442 949020), in the village of Aldbury, should be open for drinks. They are even nearer the end – say 25 minutes to be on the safe side. I think there's a village shop in Aldbury too.
Shortening the walk: You can go directly from Ivinghoe Beacon to the Bridgewater Monument, 4.7km (2.9 miles) for the most part on an easy gravel track through beech woodland but with occasional escarpment views. This misses out Little Gaddesden (and the lunch pub) and shortens the walk by about 2 miles.
For walk directions, map and GPX click here
T=2.5