{"id":31193,"date":"2023-10-18T17:39:27","date_gmt":"2023-10-18T15:39:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/?post_type=purple_issue&p=31193"},"modified":"2023-11-14T13:36:59","modified_gmt":"2023-11-14T12:36:59","slug":"02-ashridge-estate-hertfordshire","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/2023\/10\/18\/02-ashridge-estate-hertfordshire\/","title":{"rendered":"02 Ashridge Estate, Hertfordshire"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
<\/div>
\n
SOUTH EAST<\/strong><\/strong><\/span><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

02<\/span> Ashridge Estate, Hertfordshire<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Distance: 3.1 miles\/5km | Time: 2 hours | Grade: Easy | Total ascent: 46m<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n

<\/p>\n\n

\"\"
Ashridge Estate\u2019s 2,023 hectares of woodland can be explored on more than 80 miles of footpaths<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n

<\/p>\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n
\n\n

Walked by Susie Kearley<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

\n\n

Ashridge Estate is a vast area of ancient trees, meadow and downland in Hertfordshire with miles of tranquil walks and glorious countryside to explore. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Once a royal residence to King Henry VIII and the young Princess Elizabeth I, Ashridge House is today a stunning conference venue open to the public. Also worth a visit is Bridgewater Monument (open at weekends in the summer) \u2013 climb 172 steps to the top for amazing views. Both can be visited on this short circular walk through the estate, although Ashridge House requires a detour from the route. <\/p>\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n

<\/p>\n\n

1) START <\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

From the Ashridge Estate Visitor Centre (NT), turn right out of the main entrance and follow the path alongside the fence to the start of the Foresters\u2019 Walk, which is waymarked. There is a bridleway sign as well as a sign marking the Foresters\u2019 Walk. <\/span><\/p>\n\n

With a grassy meadow on your right, continue along the path, looking out for the ancient oak tree on your left. <\/p>\n\n

Veer right after the oak then, at the meeting of paths, turn left and walk through a series of glades to a five-way path junction \u2013 one of these routes used to be a grand gravel drive leading to Ashridge House. <\/p>\n\n

2) 0.5 MILES <\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

From the meeting of paths, turn right, continuing past the Deer Hay Meadow on the left. At the far side of the meadow is Deer Hay Cottage. <\/p>\n\n

After 500m you\u2019ll reach another meeting of paths and the Chiltern Way. Turn left on to the Chiltern Way (signposted with a purple arrow).<\/span><\/p>\n\n

3) 0.8 MILES <\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

Walk east past veteran trees until you reach the road (B4506); cross to Lady\u2019s Walk, lined with beech trees. <\/span><\/p>\n\n

4) 1 MILE <\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

Keep walking until you reach a Foresters\u2019 Walk waymarker, signposting left, just before the Old Park. Follow the sign uphill, with Old Park on your right and Thunderdell Wood on your left. <\/p>\n\n

At the end of Old Park, take the second turn left through woodland. When you exit on to open grassland, turn left again (a short detour to the right will bring you to Ashridge House). <\/p>\n\n

5) 2 MILES <\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

Stick to the left of the grassy walkway as you head west back towards the visitor centre. Cross the road and continue following the Foresters\u2019 Walk signs. <\/p>\n\n

6) 2.7 MILES <\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

You will reach a right turn, leading to a parking area. This used to be a parade ground for an army camp. Pick up the path on the left and follow the trail back to the start of the Foresters\u2019 Walk, finally retracing your steps to the visitor centre, where the Monument Caf\u00e9 serves refreshments.<\/p>\n\n

<\/div>
\n

USEFUL INFO <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Starting point<\/strong>
Ashridge Estate visitor centre, HP4 1LT. \u00a32 honesty box in the car park. National Trust entrance is beside a bus stop called \u2018Ashridge Monument Drive\u2019. Buses no. 29, 30 and 31 from Hemel Hempstead to Berkhamstead stop there. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Terrain<\/strong>
Waymarked trail of mixed terrain. No stiles or gates, but some uphill walking, narrow woodland tracks and grassy areas. Not suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Map<\/strong>
OS Explorer 181 <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n

<\/div>
\n

In association with<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

For more walks and days out visit countryfile.com<\/em><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n

<\/p>\n\n

Photo: Alamy<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Ashridge Estate is a vast area of ancient trees, meadow and downland in Hertfordshire<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":31189,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ub_ctt_via":"","purple_page_number":"91","purple_custom_meta_purple_page_number":"91","purple_seq_number":"2","purple_custom_meta_purple_seq_number":"2","purple_source_article":"article_91-2.xml","purple_custom_meta_purple_source_article":"article_91-2.xml","purple_source_issue":"November-2023","purple_custom_meta_purple_source_issue":"November-2023","purple_external_id":"November-2023-91-2","purple_custom_meta_purple_external_id":"November-2023-91-2","purple_issue_code":"|0000084075||","purple_custom_meta_purple_issue_code":"|0000084075||","purple_android_product":"com.im.countryfile.209","purple_custom_meta_purple_android_product":"com.im.countryfile.209","purple_ios_product":"com.im.countryfile.209","purple_custom_meta_purple_ios_product":"com.im.countryfile.209","purple_web_product":"","purple_custom_meta_purple_web_product":"","purple_publication_id":"91da22fd-9e7f-40d1-a93f-fc46e9516d91","purple_migrated":"","kt_blocks_editor_width":"","apple_news_api_created_at":"2023-10-18T15:39:37Z","apple_news_article-theme":"","apple_news_api_id":"747111c0-4f45-4093-96c2-500ea99d07f5","apple_news_api_modified_at":"2023-10-18T15:39:37Z","apple_news_api_revision":"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAg==","apple_news_api_share_url":"https:\/\/apple.news\/AdHERwE9FQJOWwlAOqZ0H9Q","apple_news_coverimage":0,"apple_news_coverimage_caption":"","apple_news_is_hidden":false,"apple_news_is_paid":true,"apple_news_is_preview":true,"apple_news_is_sponsored":false,"apple_news_maturity_rating":"","apple_news_pullquote":"","apple_news_pullquote_position":"","apple_news_article_theme":"","apple_news_sections":"[]"},"categories":[135],"tags":[14],"apple_news_notices":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2023\/10\/77b4642b-1dc2-4bfd-8c2e-375c3fba7c01.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"acf":{"readingTimeMinutes":"3","apple_news_title":""},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2023\/10\/77b4642b-1dc2-4bfd-8c2e-375c3fba7c01.jpg",1334,750,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2023\/10\/77b4642b-1dc2-4bfd-8c2e-375c3fba7c01-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2023\/10\/77b4642b-1dc2-4bfd-8c2e-375c3fba7c01-300x169.jpg",300,169,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2023\/10\/77b4642b-1dc2-4bfd-8c2e-375c3fba7c01-768x432.jpg",768,432,true],"large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2023\/10\/77b4642b-1dc2-4bfd-8c2e-375c3fba7c01-1024x576.jpg",800,450,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2023\/10\/77b4642b-1dc2-4bfd-8c2e-375c3fba7c01.jpg",1334,750,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2023\/10\/77b4642b-1dc2-4bfd-8c2e-375c3fba7c01.jpg",1334,750,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Ashridge Estate is a vast area of ancient trees, meadow and downland in Hertfordshire","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31193"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=31193"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31193\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":32668,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31193\/revisions\/32668"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/31189"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=31193"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=31193"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=31193"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}