Bridgewater Monument to Ivinghoe Beacon trail
This trail links two of our iconic attractions - the Bridgewater Monument, a listed Georgian building and Ivinghoe Beacon, a regionally-important Iron Age hill fort.
Map
Start:
Ashridge Estate Visitor Centre, grid ref: SP970130
1
From the visitor centre head across Monument Green and take the path to the right of the Monument. Follow the well-surfaced track through the woods.
2
Follow the track across the wooden bridge. You'll also go past an ancient barrow on the left, which has been fenced off to protect it from erosion. A little further on, you'll see the old shooting lodge on your left.
3
Keep on the track until you reach a large log seat on the right. Take a moment to admire the view on the left over Aldbury Nowers and Duncombe Farm.
4
Stay on the same path until you pass a small cottage on your right - Clipper Down Cottage - and go through a gate. Keep going forward until the track descends between two steep banks.
5
At the bottom of the hill fork left, following the signs for the Ashridge Estate Boundary Trail, onto a rougher track and continue downhill.
6
Ignore the track on the left and continue through the gate. The path passes through a dense scrub, which supports many types of bird. As you leave the scrub, a vista opens to the left with views to Pitstone Hill. When a fence joins from the left, continue straight ahead along it.
7
Where the fence turns left, you need to turn right onto an obvious grassy path and head towards the hills. You'll pass a sign warning people not to pick up 'unidentified objects', as this area was once used for military training. Follow this path uphill, passing the spectacular deep valley of Incombe Hole on your left.
8
At head of the valley, bear left with the Ridgeway and the Ashridge Boundary Trail. Follow the trail into a dense block of hawthorn scrub. When the path emerges on the other side of the scrub, you'll get a clear view towards Ivinghoe Beacon. Continue straight ahead parallel to the fence on your right.
9
Turn right through the gate and follow the track over the hill and down to the road. Take care crossing the road as the chalk is slippery and visibility is not very good.
10
Take any path to the left onto the slopes of Ivinghoe Beacon. This chalk grassland is rich in wild flowers and insect life. If you climb to the top of Ivinghoe Beacon, you'll be rewarded with a view across the Vale of Aylesbury.
11
Having crossed the road, turn immediately left onto a path that passes between dense bushes. Follow this path through an area of bigger trees with the road below you on the left. You'll eventually come to a more open area with scattered bushes and open grassland.
12
A rutted track joins your route from the right. Continue straight ahead on the track until you come out onto a grassy car park. Carry on to the far end of the car park.
13
Turn right onto a surfaced track signed Ashridge Cycle Route. Follow this track until you come to a cattle grid. Continue ahead using the pedestrian gate next to the cattle grid. You'll enjoy far-reaching views to the right at various points where the trees break. By staying on the track, you'll soon be back on the route you came on. Continue back to the Bridgewater Monument via Clipper Down Cottage, the Shooting Lodge and the wooden bridge.
End:
Ashridge Estate Visitor Centre, grid ref: SP970130
