Duncombe Terrace walk
An easy family walk along popular Duncombe Terrace with plenty to see along the way. Walk through the woodland onto open common with chalk downland in the distance.
An easy-access walk with wildlife and wildflowers to enjoy
The range of habitats here means there’s plenty of wildlife (the estate is renowned for deer, butterflies and wildflowers). Bluebell displays in spring are superb and you can find lots of grassland flowers such as orchids in summer. Autumn is a great time to watch the deer rut and enjoy the colours as the leaves turn.
Map
Start:
Ashridge Estate Visitor Centre, grid ref: SP970130
1
Start at the visitor centre, near the Bridgewater Monument, cross the Green taking the path leading off the main track to the right - it has studposts at the entrance.
Duke of Bridgewater Monument
The Bridgewater Monument, which is built on the Chilterns plateau, towers over the surrounding countryside giving amazing views of the estate. It was built in 1832 to commemorate the third Duke of Bridgewater, a pioneer of 19th-century canal-building.
2
As you enter this woodland with its ancient trees, note that lots of the sycamores along the path have tar spot fungus (black marks) in late summer. This is a good indicator of unpolluted air. Also look for butterflies in sunny openings and, later in the year, fungi on tree boles. Look out for signs of badgers; their tracks can be seen in many places including holes in the ground called dung-pits or badger latrines. They are very clean creatures.
Ashridge Woods
Over 2,000 acres (810ha) of atmospheric mature woodland with lots of waymarked trails to explore. Get close to nature here, whether it's the mighty beech trees, fascinating fungi, fallow deer or birds such as nuthatch. If you're lucky, you might hear woodpeckers too.
3
As you walk over the wooden bridge glance down to see the ancient Drovers path, which was worn into a ditch by villagers taking their animals to graze on Pitstone Common. Continue to Moneybury Hill, so-called because of buried coins found here (it's prohibited to use metal detectors on National Trust land).
Animals, insects and birds
A wide variety of different species can be found on the Ashridge Estate, including the 'edible dormouse' (or Glis glis). It is a shy nocturnal animal so difficult to see. It is found almost exclusively in the Chilterns; they inhabit deciduous woodland on the estate. Ashridge is also a great place for invertebrates such as beetles and butterflies, but the most commonly seen wildlife are the fallow and muntjac deer.
4
Pass the mound on the left-hand side, which is called Bell Barrow (due to its shape). It's thought to be a Bronze Age burial mound. The wooden lodge further on, on the left is a copy of a Victorian shooting lodge that burned down in 1989.
5
On the right you will see a large log bench with lovely views of Pitstone Hill and Aldbury Nowers. Continuing along, note the hazel trees that have been coppiced (cut to ground level, then left to regrow) to provide a wildlife habitat. The fallen cedar seen here is still alive and growing. As you walk through the pine woodland between here and point 6, enjoy the smell of the conifers.
6
Emerge from the pine trees onto Clipper Down.
7
This is the end of the trail so, either turn around (this is also the turning point for mobility vehicles) and return by the same route, or continue for another mile to Ivinghoe Beacon for more wonderful views.
End:
Ashridge Estate Visitor Centre, grid ref: SP970130
