Given the late start, I will probably take an earlier train - assuming of course that the underground has awakened from its long sleep.

I went on an earlier train and set off on my own. Sunny and slighty breezy up until 1.00ish. Great views from Ivinghoe Beacon. Sadly there was a heavy downpour around 1.00 p.m when I was near the Bridgewater Tower. I took the shorter route back to Tring Station catching a 3.00ish train.

We really enjoyed this walk which I'd never done before. The weather was mostly wonderful, but as Caroline mentions there was a very heavy shower - luckily we were very near the lunch pub in Little Gaddesden. We did the circular back to Tring. Much of the walk is totally off roads which is great, apart from a section after the very pretty village of Aldbury. It would be better to take the path through the churchyard northwest and then turning left onto the Hertfordshire way to Tring.

Mostly fine day . Caught by a shower just before lunch. 8 lunched at the Bridgewater Arms, after which split into further sub groups. (My group of 3 included rarely seen author of CW2 walk 1.) Said farewell to her and another at the monument as they were finishing at Tring.11

8 from the London train, plus 1 from Northampton, so 9 in all. The weather was partly cloudy and bright with a biting wind . The best bluebell area had had about half its acreage affected by forestry work, which had left deep tracks. However the display was still gorgeous.

Some of us eschewed the Beacon and lunch pub, instead heading for Berkhamsted with its tempting selection of public houses. At the Rising Sun we encountered The Guild of St. George, best described as men bearing a close resemblance to the comedian Al Murray (aka The Pub Landlord). They were embarking on a pub crawl to commemorate the day of their eponymous saint.

Hello Branchlike, you seem to be mix and matching the start of the Book 2 walk with SWC 366 - Tring to Berko via Tom's Hill (the Book 2 walk after lunch does not pass Ashridge House or go along Golden Valley). No bad thing as the combination walk makes for an excellent autumn walk, but if this was your intention walkers will need the directions for SWC 366 as well as the directions for the Book 2 walk.

There ARE tea options on the circular walk. Best is the Monument cafe by the Bridgewater Monument (though only outside seating…). Meanwhile, Aldbury village has the Greyhound pub and the (reopened) Trooper pub last time I checked (which was in April): see the walk home page for details. Having said that, it is a fine walk to Berkhamsted and it does have nice tea/pub options.

Since this walk and walk 366 has the same lunch pub, you could do this walk to lunch and then 366 in the afternoon: not a bad combination.

There were12 gathered on the platform of Tring station, and one who had missed the train caught up with us so13 in all. Weather sunny and warm throughout the day. About 8 of us climbed up to the beacon whilst others decided to push on to the Little Gaddesdon. Lovely views, from the trig point, and then we walked through gentle fields and woods to the Bridgewater Arms. Around 6 of us had lunch in the pub, whilst others picnicked in the playing fields just behind the pub which has benches. After lunch about 6 people did the Tring Circular Route, whilst the remainder walked to Berkhamsted through the Golden Valley, past Ashridge House, and past the remains of the practice WW1 trenches. A really lovely walk, and the combination of the two walks worked really well.

with rain forecast, it was a surprisingly bright start for the 8 who arrived at Tring on the posted train, but the weather closed in as we got on to the ridge. Two had got separated - I think one took the short cut and another pressed ahead to try and beat the weather - so there were six of us as we battled through wind and rain to reach the Beacon, before we all agreed to stop at the Bridgewater Arms to dry out. All had something to eat, the service was speedy and morale improved. The front runner didn't avoid getting wet but had been and gone before we got to the pub, caught up on an early starter and walked to Berkhamsted.

The sun was out before long in the afternoon (so all in all bright heavy rain bright again )and we spotted the first bluebell of the year. Soon we met a another walker who had been on a later train, making a total attendance of10.

We didn't stop at the cafe but two of us sampled the reopened Valiant Trooper before getting the 1623 train. (We were too late for this, but the Trooper also seems to have a Barn serving teas, coffee and cake till 3.30.) So it all worked out well despite the midday rain.

Today I found out there was another early starter, so11

10 at the station, joined later by an 11 th The day was cloudy breezy some sun getting sunnier Approaching Ivinghoe Beacon, about 5 forewent that experience and headed straight to Little Gaddesden. (The beacon crowd caught them up anyway, so nothing gained). More schisms occurred over lunch. Only about 5 visited the Bridgewster, none eating there. Others picnicked. We moved off in waves afterward with two groups pursuing an alleged shortcut to Berkhamsted.This involved walking most of Golden Valley. It was a bit shorter but not as shorter as it could have been if we’d turned off sooner. Not sure if any followed the conventional route. 3 went for tea in Gail’s. For most, the day ended in the Crystal Palace along the canal. So busy it’s hard to believe it was once threatened with closure. The garden area suffers a bit from train noise.

I am told there were 12

Another walker started later, never met up with us and finished at Tring

I did this walk today, Friday 05 May. Lovely cowslips on the grassy ways on the approach to the Beacon. A year ago the National Trust "redesigned" Dockey Wood by introducing briars and undergrowth in between the seas of bluebells - spoiling the carpet effect. Same this year - bluebells still lovely, but not as good as pre-redesign, and this bank holiday weekend there will be an entrance fee to walk in the wood.

Flat Isley's bluebells are stunning and well worth a wander on the permitted paths though this wood. But please don't walk on the paths reserved for badgers ! !

6 on a day that started wet, got very wet then dried up a bit near the end. The leading 5 managed to shake Mr Tiger off on the way to Ivinghoe Beacon. But he had a clever plan to take a secret short cut through to Dockey Wood, have a look round and look smug when the others eventually arrived at the pub.

Part A worked. The wood’s bluebells looked good even if it cost £3 to go in. But Part B started to unravel as he neared the pub and realised he had left his walk book and map pocket (yes, book) on a seat in the woods. Not so clever. Barely time to swig a pint of cider before returning to retrieve it, passing the others on the way. From the woods, across to the shortcut and on to the Monument caff where he hung about with a coffee, trying to look smug again but eventually giving up and proceeding solo to Berko.

Bluebells were good throughout (well, maybe not as good as Knebworth’s). Probably good in Flat Isley too, but I’ve never worked out which bit that is. Also good displays of cowslips and, nearing Berko, buttercups. Never saw the others again.

Trains delayed at the station but got back eventually. Socks wet, fingers wrinkled.

Sorry you got left behind, Mr Tiger, and failed to meet us later. I presume you recovered your lost chattels? We had a very pleasant lunch in the Bridgewater Arms, suitably apprised of the calorific content of our food choices. There was a military parade of some sort on the television: not sure what that was about.

The location of Flat Isley is indicated in the walk directions (though possibly not in earlier editions of the book…). We did a detour into it and found it magnificent as ever. Earlier we decided not to detour to Dockey Wood, but three of us did sneak across the field to look over the fence.

Getting to the Bridgewater Monument we found the cafe and its normally bustling outside tables deserted. For the first time in my life I was able to order a tea there without a half hour wait in a slow-moving queue. The rain, which had seemed to be easing, had pepped up now, but luckily there turned out to be some tables in the visitor centre where we could huddle and tell tales of sunnier days.

Two went direct to Tring station at this point. There they filmed columns of troops disembarking. (I fear there may be a military coup underway.) Three of us carried on to Berkhamsted. The bluebells on the early section of this extension were stunning - better and more extensive than I can ever remember. We also saw some deer.

For the rest of the way into Berkhamsted it was basically a paddle through standing water, my boots ending the walk squeaky clean as a result. Both the canalside pubs were full to the brim, but we squeezed into one. Since the guy in the wine shop at the station looked a bit lonely we also bought supplies for the train.

Brilliant will try to come Jane

13 on this walk, including 12 at the start and one who got the train an hour earlier (I understand: I never saw her, but others did). It was a glorious sunny day , the most perfect walking weather I can remember for a long time - barely a cloud in the sky and delightfully warm in a way it probably won’t be again till next spring….

After the fine downland stretch to Ivinghoe Beacon, passing larks on Pitstone Hill that seemed to think it was April, we passed into more wooded territory. A good deal of autumn colour was on display here, including more than usual amounts of maroon, pink and gold, the recent cold nights (perhaps combined with a sunny summer) having their effect.

Six of us lunched in the Bridgewater Arms (fairly nice food but small portion sizes and sour-faced staff). None of the rest of the group turned up at the pub and we never saw any of them again. Three may have done the shortcut to the Bridgewater Monument, the other three possibly went on to Berkhamsted. They alone can tell their stories.

The six of us carried on through the pleasant woods to the Brownlow Cafe, but I was the only one to have tea there. Three went to Tring station, the rest of us pioneered our own route to the northern edge of Berkhamsted, where after a drink one went to get the last train of the day (the 5.16).

That left two of us to walk in the wonderful golden sunset towards Chesham, a walk of about five miles. We were disappointed of our planned mid walk pub stop when we found it closed for “maintenance”, but our reward was a beautiful dusk crossing of a valley, with a golden near full moon rising slightly shyly above the trees and several hundred jackdaws bedding down noisily in the surrounding trees.

We then walked into Chesham in partial moonlight, serenaded by owls, and had a Lebanese meal before finding the 8.56pm Metropolitan Line train had been cancelled due to a suicide at Harrow. Cue a pub stop and the 9.26, which thankfully operated without incident.

Just 2 on this enjoyable walk. An hour of light rain in the morning but otherwise a fine day. Not many people about, even the Bridgewater monument was quiet.

Hi Pete.

I wonder if I did anything wrong on Saturday. I took the earlier train (9.24) but waited for the 9.33 to arrive at 10.16. I didn't see anybody and so set off about 10.30. The lunch pub didn't know of any walkers that day.

I am a regular walker but decided to try out the SWC. Before I try another one I need to know I understand the system! I note that there were 2 on the walk. Is it usually that few?

Tony

tonyboo[at]tonycampbell.info

Two of us got off the train. Where did you wait? We went to the station entrance then along the road. Gave the pub a miss for a picnic at the monument.

This Saturday was a very unusual for numbers turning up, so give us another try!

Did this walk today, sat 23/4... bluebells out everywhere... enjoy!

8 arrived at 10:58 and set off only to find that 3 had already arrived at 10:52. They were miles ahead by the time they were caught up with. That makes 11 including 2 first-timers. There were cowslips along the top. The group fragmented soon after coalescing, with 3 taking a secret short -cut to Dockey Wood ("not so short” said one), the rest progressing to Ivinghoe Beacon. Although 4 of those could well have been abducted by aliens, as they were never seen again . (Doo doo doo doo)

Dockey Wood was impressive but we have seen it better. Theres a £2 charge over the Bank Holiday so we did well to come Friday.

7 at the Bridgewater Arms where, apparently, there's a ban on eating in the garden. (no Health-and-Safety-gone-mad certificate). Not that we'd have wanted to on such a cloudy chilly day.

Flat Isley was so purple Alice Walker could have written a book about it. Bluebells again. Lots of the little blighters. And, a bit later, a wonderful green bit with light filtering through the young beech leaves. On and on we went, eventually reaching Berkhamsted where 2 of the remaining 3 caught the 17:32, and one the 17:44. A grand day out

Incidentally, there are reports the Valiant Trooper in Aldbury has closed.

I did a variation of this walk on Sunday, bluebells in Dockey Wood were about 60% out but only 30% in Flat Isley. Hopefully by Friday, it will be in full bloom.

Anyone planning to do the shorter walk versions?

I'm planning to do the 5a short cut (without bluebells), continuing to Berkhamsted, about 10.6 miles I think.

I’m doing the short version. 7 miles.

Hi Marcus was in Tring yesterday and bluebells not fully out between 50 to 70 % in some places while others still in buds. Dockey Wood was impressive while Flat Isley about 40% out. Rail Copse, Old Copse and Swallow Copse barely in blue colour. Still its dazzling in Dockey Wood and Flat Isley. Place was very quiet. Should be better by Friday and some rain will definitely helps. Enjoy your walk on Friday. By the was at Isabella Plantattion in Richmond today and the azleas are late by about 2 weeks. Only 20% are in flower. Thought some of the SWC might be interested. Monica.

Posting walk on Friday is a good idea as there are no direct train to Tring this weekend and BH due to engineering works. Also its free to go into Dockey Wood on weekday where as weekend you have to pay from this weekend unless you have NT card I think. Monica.

Thank you for the update on the bluebells, Monica. A number of us are looking forward to seeing them on Friday.

Will we have the pleasure of your company next Wednesday, 05 May on the Holmwood Walk ? I recall you like Leigh Hill Rhododendron Wood - the azaleas and rhodos should be in full flower by then.

Yes I will be attending next Wednesday walk and hope the weather holds as I may extend my walk around Gomshall. Old Sims Copse also has very good bluebells wood and maybe we might be lucky. Was in Wendover woods mostly Hale Wood and Barn wood the bluebells about 50 % out but a good show of 3 corner leek. Makes very nice soups or stir fry. Would like to join you all tomorrow but have been exploring bluebells woods in the Chiltern for the past 4 days so quite tired. Enjoy the walk tomorrow and see you all on Wednesday. Monica

20 at the station. 17 set off at a brisk pace. 2 lagged and 1 opted for short walk c.

One lagger was persuaded by the other one to take an even shorter short cut in the direction of Dockey Wood. This resulted in an intersection with some of the others doing the official shortcut. A diversion off this route led to Dockey Wood. Later, the same two laggers decided to forgo the alpine meadow for a gentler route through the common. Then a circuit of the castle moat. Didn’t see many of the others during the day so don’t know what they did.

There are definitely bluebells about and plenty of purple patches but they’re not really at their best yet. Dockey Wood was perhaps the most impressive. If you can call it impressive. Quite a tough walk post-lockdown .

The day was sunny and cloudy chilly at times

An addendum to Ian's report, from one of those who did most of the main walk. As Ian said, the group soon split up after the start, with further separations taking place at the foot of Ivinghoe Beacon. As I opted not to ascend the Beacon today, I surprisingly found myself at the front, alone, heading towards Wards Hurst Farm, then Dockey Wood, now in glorious sunshine, and pleasantly warm. Alas, although the bluebells were colourful in the Wood, we were about a week too early for their best carpet display. Having said hello to Mr M Tiger and his sister in the Wood, I continued on to the hamlet of Ringshall, where two other walkers joined me - for the rest of the walk to Berko. We stopped for our picnic lunches in Little Gaddesden in the (closed) pub's beer garden - as I've spent "loads of money" in this pub over the years, I didn't feel too guilty for our technical trespass. Onwards then to Flat Isley, where the bluebells were close to "full on". We spotted at least one other walker sunbathing by the Bridgewater Visitor Centre, before carrying on, passing some very good bluebell displays on the descent to the main road. The sunshine stayed with us for our walk through the Common to Berko, where one went in search of tea, leaving two of us to head for the railway station - and the 16-46 hrs fast train back to London. A lovely day out - and the forecasted rain showers never materialised.

Bridgewater Arms. Friendly staff. Mediocre food.

13 mild some sun dry windy Fairly mud-free, except for the bits that weren’t. Strong winds on exposed hill-tops. Mr Tiger, who was trailing from the start, seems unable to resist the allure of this walk’s shortcut these days. The faster 12 will have to comment on the main walk. The café at Bridgewater Monument had large queues. Mr Tiger contemplated the extension to Berkhamsted, growled “nah” and returned to Tring station instead, without stopping at the Trooper. Nice walk, don’t get me wrong.

Photographic evidence, gleaned from the internet, suggests there were at least 4 on this walk.

9 in mostly bright sunny and cold weather. 7-2 female to male ratio with one newcomer who had motered to Tring. I took MR. Tiger’s advice and skipped the beacon but pressed on to Berkhamsted where I enjoyed a pint in Wetherspoons garden for £1.69

9 turned out on a warm and sunny day. All followed the Chiltern Escarpment up to Ivinghoe Beacon where we lingered for 10 minutes or so to take in the fine views. 2 took the short cut to the Bridgewater monument going on to finish the walk in Berkhampstead. The remaining 7 continued on the main Tring circular walk. Staff at the Bridgewater Arms in Little Gaddesden were very accommodating and happy for us to eat our own sandwiches in their garden. Needless to say, we all bought a drink. Just 1 ordered from the menu and commented only that it was what he had expected to get for the price. Being such a nice day, we all stopped again in Albury at the Valiant Trooper for drinks and/or cream teas. The barman there was a bit manic as he struggled to come to terms with a faulty till. 3 just made the 4.57 from Tring station, while the other 4 were 20 minutes behind. A lovely day spent in great company. Thanks for posting Pete.

9 turned out on a warm and sunny day

Just a note to say them Dockey wood bluebells and other woods in Ashridge estate are at its best. I was there yesterday. By the way the cafe/restaurant at Berkhampstead called 'I love food' is close for a few months for renovation as I discovered yesterday. Might join your guys tomorrow.

Monica

2 walkers spotted my late posting and joined me on today's bluebell extravaganza, so that is 3.

The weather was sunny spells in the morning a few light showers later .

As per Monica's report, the bluebells in Dockey Wood and Flat Isley were stunning, with many more displays elsewhere in the Ashridge Estate.

In the morning the meadow below the ascent to Ivinghoe Beacon was a mass of dandylions and cowslips - yellow to offset bluebell blue.

2 of us dined at the Bridgewater Arms and although we had a longish wait for our food to arrive, when it did it was good, honest pub grub - just what the doctor ordered to sustain us on our afternoon leg. We caught up with our sandwich colleague as we left the Ashridge Estate, and all three of us enjoyed the Berkhamsted leg now in intermittent light drizzle.

We enjoyed good travel both ways on our lovely day out: it is always a treat to fit in this bluebell classic during bluebell season.

Hi Guys anyone attending this walk Tring circular or extend to Berkhampsted. Love to attend and look forward to see some of you on sunny Sunday.

Monica

If you are hoping to channel that Wordsworthian "wandering lonely as a cloud" vibe then do not do this superb walk on a lovely sunny late autumn day. 8 of us joined a caravanserai of meet-up groups, ramblers and families on the route to Ivinghoe Beacon. Just before there the group split with with 3 of us deciding to walk to the Bridgewater monument for a picnic lunch and then go on to Berkhamsted. The trail to the monument became fairly crowded and when we reached the cafe you would have thought an open air concert was taking place.

The lovely trail to Berkhamsted was virtually empty and the woodland and open countryside looked gorgeous in a shimmering glowing light. At Berkhamsted the 3 of us enjoyed scrumptious cakes and tea at "I love Food" at 25-27 Lower Kings Road and 200m or so past the station. Strongly recommend this is added to the tea stops for those who do this ending as you would be hard pressed to find anything better. Great cakes, warm welcome and plenty of space with tables on two storeys. 3.40pm train back for us. Hope the rest enjoyed their walk and whatever routes they took. Terrific day out.

Yes totally agree. Hoards of people up Ivinghoe Beacon and horrendous ques at Monument. Lots of nice picnic benches which I enjoyed. Was walking solo from Ivinghoe Beacon to Berkhamsted. Very peaceful route from Monument to BKM not a sole in sight till I got to BKM station I met up with 3 others who had tea and cake which I missed. Lovely day walk many thanks to the author AKA Walker.

Monica

3 of us did the main walk and we had a great day, the views were stunning, the weather was good (if a bit nippy). We visited the church in Aldbury and we were delighted to find a fantastic carving of a 'Wildman of the woods' completely covered in delicately carved curly hair, with a garland of ivy round his waist, lolling at the feet of the recumbent effigy of Sir Robert Whittingham.

So the church is well worth a visit.

As of Sunday 6 May, Flat Isley was looking wonderful. This is a huge bluebell wood, though that may not be apparent when you first approach it from the main walk route: go a good 150 metres in for the full effect.

The first mile and a half or so (as far as the road) of the Berkhamsted extension was also awash with bluebells today. I have never seen them looking so good.

Will all this last another week? Who can say. But I saw no sign of decline today and the Ashridge woods traditionally come out a week to ten days later than those in Kent or Surrey.

Just to whet your appetite further, approaching Berkhamsted I was serenaded for an HOUR by a cuckoo, the biggest amount of cuckoo song I have heard since I was a child. Obviously I am hoping that by next Sunday he has met a lady cuckoo, some poor dunnock couple have a hungry adopted chick and the cuckoos are on their way back to Africa. But you never know.

Talking about cuckoo - I did a Islip circular yesterday and spend most of my time around the Otmoor RSPB. Was lucky in a way as I saw a cuckoo singing and also flying around. In fact while walking round the reserve and hides I heard a turtle purring, lots of sedge warblers and other types of warbles singing their hearts out. Also plenty of black cap birds too. Best of all was a little tern was spotted in of the hides.Bird of prey especially hobbies and marsh harriers were spotted. Very hot day indeed and trains were packed with shoppers for Bicester. Thought some of you might like an update on wildlife if you are doing future walks around Islip.

Monica

You SAW a cuckoo? Gosh. And a turtle dove too. I am very jealous.

What time is the suggested train for this walk?

I counted 12 walkers in total, one of whom arrived lat and met us in the pub. All but 1 did the longer version. Only a few were eating in the pub, nonetheless it was busy with a wait of about 45 minutes. The rest had their own lunch nearby (St. Peter and St. Paul's church was a few minutes detour but made a lovely picnic spot). The weather was dry warmer and sunnier as the day went on . A very nice walk and a good tea at The Valiant Trooper in Aldbury.

4 off the train at Tring, plus one on an earlier train, who we met on top of Ivinghoe Beacon (but then doing the shortcut to the Bridgewater Monument) but I will include him, so that's 5.

Apart from one short, light shower at said Beacon, it was a lovely sunny Spring Day , and about sixteen degrees, almost ideal walking conditions.

Lots of woodland flowers and plants which my companions were able to identify, and the bluebells were at their perfect best in Dockey Wood, Flat Isley and much of the Ashridge Estate, particularly latterly on the descent to the road before the start of Berkhamsted Common: vistas of blue carpets as far as the eye could see.

The sight of young lambs in Ward's Hurst Farm and a herd of deer in fields below the Monument, all added to our enjoyment of today's walk. We had a pleasant, unrushed lunch stop at the Bridgewater Arms but we skipped tea as it was approaching 6 pm by the time we entered Berkhampsted. A fast train then whisked us back to Euston before 7 pm.

For the record, there was not a single stile on the walk - a bonus for doddery, ageing walkers. Apart from the lack of any water features along the way (a big deduct in my book) I thought today's outing was a near perfect walk for bluebell season.

Did this walk happen? I would be interested to hear how it went, having recommended it to one of the walkers on the Petts Wood circular.

Yes, there were 9 people on a crisp sunny day. All enjoyed the walk which has a mix of open countryside with great views in the morning and attractive woodland in the afternoon. Only two ate in the pub as it looked like there would be a long wait for food. The rest ate nuts and sandwiches in the sunny garden. One went to the National Trust cafe and seven to the Valiant Trooper for tea. The latter impressed with a boot scraper and a bucket of water with brush outside. We went home with clean boots arriving in London around 5.30pm. A lovely walk.

The path along the field edge at the start has been incorporated into the directions - see the pdf, which should be dated as last updated in May. If this is not what you have, refresh and reload it onto your browser. The new pdf is also "sectionalised", hopefully making it easier to navigate.

The Berkhamsters might like to consider the Cafe & Bar Here at 28-30 Lower Kings Road. They seemed happy to serve tea and cakes last time we visited. There's also a Bills at 163-165 High Street if you want something more substantial

12 I think set off from the station and all did the official route to the Bridgewater Arms in Little Gaddeson on a lovely mild slightly grey day with a little sun in the afternoon . Food at the Bridgewater Arms was good but service was interminable.

7 of us after lunch went directly south through a Capability Brown valley to Berkhamstead where the going underfoot was dry and grassy with none of that slippery mud that we had had in the morning. The route which was suggested by MA was through Golden valley and then Frithsden Beeches and then Berkhamstead common and then the last 700 metres to the station back on the official route. Thus we did 17.6 km according to the Sat Nav

Tea / coffee /cake was had by 5 of us at ' I love food ' on 24 Lower Kings Rd - apparently someone is going to put up a comment on this cafe - but it was good and friendly.

Snooze on the train home - yeah

Divine Dish

At 4.40pm on Friday I uploaded a new version of the pdf for this walk, incorporating some updates and changes to options a) and c). The main walk and option b) are unchanged, but if you are using the later version of the pdf some paragraph and page numbers have changed.

19 6 off the Clapham train, 12 off the Euston train and at least 1 joining at the pub. cloudy start sunny later The beeches along the Ridgeway were at their vibrant best with new leaves. Yours truly split off at Ivinghoe for the shortcut to the monument, so yours truly can’t comment on the pub. The bluebells were still out in force. Some spectacular splashes of colour on approach to the monument. I heard Flat Isley was good – I actually missed that , unless the patch I saw was part of it – but there were good shows at the start of the Berkhamsted extension, just past the paddock at Brownlow. Plenty to gush about. Also worthy of mention, buttercup meadows, speedwell and cowslips.

I know of two others did the Berko bit. I’m guessing the others finished at Tringo.

Just 7 on today's walk - maybe some of our regulars had not recovered from their exertions in the Brecons. They missed a wonderful display of bluebells in Dockey Wood, and later more full carpets in the Ashridge Estate. Before that we encountered wintry conditions and a strong breeze as we made it to Ivinghoe Beacon, but luckily for us, the expected rain held off all day until we were safely back in London that evening. A good lunch was enjoyed by 3 of us at the busy Bridgwater Arms, with the pub kindly allowing our sandwichers to eat in their extensive garden, albeit it was far from warm for outside dining. Suitably fed and watered, we now headed for the Bridgwater Memorial, where we said farewell to the 3 in our party heading back to Tring and home for an early bath. The walk for the remaining 4 of us to Berkhamsted was as enjoyable as ever, more so with the excellent bluebell displays en route. We just made Berko railway station in time for my 3 companions to jump aboard the 16-46: as I have to stretch post walk to prevent my ageing limbs from seizing up, I caught the 17-15 service which whisked me back to London.

Another most enjoyable SWC Wednesday walk.

19, including two late starters. One of the latter came on the Clapham Junction train but only because of a mix up at Euston. No one else got this train that he noticed. The other came on the Clammy Junction train an hour later, did a short cut to lunch and then followed his own route in the afternoon - but he had lunch with us, so we are counting him. The day started rather misty but sun came out later . So we had the bits with the nice views in the mist, and sunshine after lunch in the woods. But the golden light on the bare trees was lovely and it felt almost - dare I say it? - springlike. Bliss it was in that afternoon to be alive.

At least one group insisted on using an out of date edition of the book. Be warned by their story! They went the wrong way at Ward's Hurst Farm and got attacked by a gaggle of geese (admittedly while on a public footpath). One was bitten. Later in the pub we googled how to deal with aggressive geese and it turns out turning your back and running is not advised. It spurs them on, apparently.

Twelve wanted a pub lunch so we phoned the Bridgewater Arms when we set off from the station and were told categorically they could not accommodate us. So we arrived anyway in dribs and drabs and they accommodated us fine. Indeed they seemed to me to be never more than two thirds full. The food was a tad slow coming but only a tad. Portions and quality were good. The Vegetarian Indian Feast was a rare veggie meal served in walker (or Walker)-sized portions.

I don't know who did what later but four of us at least walked to Berkhamsted in the lovely sun and went to the Crown in the High Street. On the way I stopped by the canal at dusk. And at that moment a blackbird sang..... Two, actually. My first of the year.

12 when I counted Maybe a typo by the walk reviewer

Lovely walk despite the misty start. Re the refreshments, I'd say the Bridgewater Arms has a good value menu (£5.95 for v good fish and chips)and Valiant Trooper did a v nice tea, in proper pots! Chocolate brownie went down well.

Historical duplicate/misleading attendance numbers cleanup project: 12

typo in original comment, now deleted: "Anonymous said...

22 on the walk The weather was misty and chilly poor visibilty becoming low autumnal sun later .

A very pleasant day for walking though Bridgewater arms pub lunch was only okay

At least 5 of us climbed the monument at Bridgewater monument ( £2.50 if you are not a NT member ) and that adds 66 metres to the length of our walk and makes it a 9 out of 10 for toughness but the views were still a bit hazy

Valiant Arms tea was okay but far from valiant

Thanks for a good day.

I Strain"

Highly recommend The Attic tearoom on the top floor of Home & Colonial shop at 134 High Street in Berkhamsted. According to their website, they are open until 17:30 on Saturday.

There are quite a few stairs to climb to get to The Attic, but the cake is worth it.

4 warm and breezy with occasional sunny intervals

A surprisingly small group for a fine July Saturday. We followed the main walk as far as the Bridgewater monument, stopping for liquid refreshment at the Bridgewater Arms - much needed after the morning exertions - in the pleasant and spacious garden. We then did the extension to Berkhamsted, which was clearly longer than the 4.3 km (2.7 miles) stated in the directions. It took us 1 hour 25 minutes at a steady pace on a largely firm and level or downhill surface, so I would estimate the correct length as 4.3 miles (6.9 km). This would mean the total distance walked was 14.4 miles. The directions were helpful. I suggest one amendment in paragraph 37 to read as follows: "In 50 metres, you emerge onto a concrete car-wide track. 30 metres after the start of the track, turn left through a gate into a field"

Thanks for the very precise walk update: that is useful.

The Berkhamsted extension is not 2.7 miles long and the walk document doesn't say it is. Going this way is 2.7 miles LONGER than the main walk, the distance you DON'T walk from the Bridgewater Monument to Tring station having to be subtracted from the 4 miles or so from the monument to Berkhamsted. I will try to make this clearer.

Just 6 on this walk which was a bit surprising given its a lovely outing but perhaps some got left behind at Euston where a platform and display board mix-up meant a mad dash for the train. Needless to say there was no apology from the rail operator but so long as they are allowed to rip you off with impunity why should they care?

Weather fine and sunny . A bit of strange day this as when we got to the road and the "there and back leg" to Ivanhoe Beacon I decided not to do this for the "nth" time but continue on the main route confidently expecting my faster colleagues to catch me up in about 20 mins. But they never showed up! When we all met up in Berkhamstead they had inadvertently done the Tring to Berkhamstead shorter walk - missing out the pub - which I think is walk 2-05ab in Sean's master walk list. They were a bit stunned when I explained this to them and to be frank its an easy mistake to make if you are using the book as the multiplicity of paths from the tarmac road can be confusing. (Of course its a cinch with GPS (;>)). Still they had superb refreshments in Berkhamstead's Attic Cafe and enjoyed their day's walking .

in the afternoon I took the opportunity to explore a minor diversion from the route from the pub and I'll write a note on this on the walks comments page. Only David Colver did the walk as advertised so full marks to him!

The ending to this walk is lovely and Berkhamstead is a place well worth lingering in on a fine summers evening. It has a number of interesting pubs and cafes and "artisan" type places.

Did the walk as PeteB indicates. I've been to the beacon many times but always in dull or cold or rainy whether, never in sunshine.

Good lunch at The Bridgewater Arms with the best roast potatoes of the year so far. Why fuss after bluebell woods when there are roast potatoes to savour?

It might be worth updating the directions to say that while the Attic Tea Room closes at 5pm on a Sunday, it has a sign saying that last orders are at 4:30. I arrived at 4:33. So took tea at Carluccios, but saw no sign of the others.

20 on this walk. dismal damp but never really properly raining so cannot complain . Autumn colours starting to come through. Quite pretty in places. 3 or 4 opted for the shortcut to the monument. The rest went to the Bridgewater Arms which was friendly and accommodating. Later, some stopped at the Brownlow. I got the 3:34 back to Shepherds Bush. Don’t know what the others did, they all vanished in the woods.

Planning to do this walk instead of the Winchester one because of potential tube strike tomorrow.

6 on this walk with a longish shower in the morning but sunny later on ".

A shorter walk for those who may have had travel difficulties returning home from Waterloo after the tube strike started.

We skipped Ivinghoe Beacon and headed straight to Brownlows for a good value and tasty lunch. Fresh cream and strawberry scones were on offer and were yummy. Five returned to Tring via Albury, while the poster went off to explore routes around Ashridge College before slipping down through Frithsden woodland to Berkhampsted.

PeteB your Cotswold map led walk sounds really good for one Wednesday in June/July.. hope to actually walk the walk instead of just reading about it !

Many thanks, melanie

Thanks Melanie. If the Wednesday group do not choose it then I'll post it for my Sunday slot in July or August (the outgoing train for Cotswolds walks beyond Oxford work better on a Sunday than a Saturday but if a Saturday walks setter wants to do it then great.) I'll also be putting a slightly amended pdf in the temps walk directory later this week.

weather wet & blowy, beware!

Weather too violent for me. Mike not going either.