Essex, Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire

In the footsteps of Capability Brown

Golden Valley at Ashridge Estate Hertfordshire — 'Capability' Brown's Golden Valley | © National Trust Images/Graeme Cannon

Discover the Golden Valley, a hidden gem of the Ashridge Estate, on this 4.3-mile walk. Designed by the famous 'Capability' Brown this masterpiece ranks among his finest works. Following historic rides and paths, this route takes you through the faded grandeur of Ashridge Park with stunning views of Ashridge House and the historic deer park. A shorter route is included if you would prefer to just visit the valley.

Near to

Ashridge Estate

Start point

Ashridge visitor centre, grid ref: SP971131

Address
Ashridge visitor centre, Berkhamsted HP4 1LT
Directions via Google Maps
By train
Tring train station 1¾ miles – from the station you can take a taxi or walk.
On foot
The Ashridge visitor centre is a short detour from the Ridgeway footpath at Ivinghoe Beacon.
By bus
Buses stop close to the end of Monument Drive. Buses stop in Aldbury village, which is a ½-mile uphill walk and also in Tring, which is a 3¾-mile walk.
Cycling
The AshridgevVisitor centre is close to the Chilterns Cycle Route and there are cycle stands at the centre.
By road
The entrance to Monument Drive and the Estate visitor centre is off the B4506 between Berkhamsted and Dagnall.
To get to the Gaddesden Green car park, for the short route: from the main road at the visitor centre turn left in the direction of Ringshall. Take the right turning beyond Ringshall, signposted Little Gaddesden. Continue on this road until you pass a war memorial on the right, the car park is 20–30m further along on the right. Grid ref: SP998128.
Total stages: 10
Total stages: 10
Start point
Ashridge visitor centre, grid ref: SP971131
Stage 1
With your back to the Bridgewater Monument, walk down what was originally part of Prince's Riding but is now known as Monument Drive, towards the B4506. (For the shorter route, start at Gaddesden Green car park, marked 11 on the map), and the path will take you to the Golden Valley, between Steps 5 and 6.)
Stage 2
With care, cross over the busy B4506 road and head around to the left of the wooden fence that blocks your path. This 'deer leap' was part of the perimeter fence of the deer park, which you have just entered. Follow Prince's Riding all the way to the sign for Ashridge House, a short way before the metal fence.
Stage 3
Turn right onto the surfaced path around the golf course green. At its end, follow the rough track into the copse ahead. Here, do take a minute to admire the ancient sweet chestnut trees. Follow this track along the boundary between the great lawn (often marked out as a sports field) and the wilder grass until you come to the tree line in front of you.
Brown's copses
This is the first of Brown's work we encounter on the walk and as always, he fools you into thinking that you are seeing an entirely natural scene. In actual fact, he shaped these copses by felling the rest of the woodland that encircled the house. He hated the straight lines of older features like the Prince's Riding and replaced them with his own 'naturalistic' designs whenever he was allowed: at Ashridge, Duke Francis wouldn't let him.
Stage 4
Leave the path that leads into the woods and keeping left, follow the tree line down the slope.
Stage 5
Be careful as you cross the road and bear right into the Golden Valley, walking along the valley floor. (This is where the shorter route begins, from the Gaddesden Green car park.)
Golden Valley
Called 'the master of illusion', Brown certainly used all his tricks in the Golden Valley. He felled and planted many trees and had tons of earth moved to get the valley looking just as he wanted. Everything you can see is made up of perfect, sinuous curves, as if you'd walked into a landscape painting. He blocks the view with fingers of earth coming out from the valley sides and uses the natural curve of the valley to give the impression it continues into infinity.
Stage 6
Turn sharp right here, almost turning back on yourself, and follow the path uphill. When this meets the road, turn left and continue along the road to the front of Ashridge House. Feel free to walk on the grass for safety.
Ashridge House
This imposing gothic mansion was commissioned around 1800 by Francis, the 'Canal Duke' who earned the family their vast fortune. He had employed Brown, 30 years earlier, to work on the parkland. With the longest frontage of any house in England, he was showing off his wealth and status, though he died long before it was finished. It was styled to look like the medieval monastery that was pulled down to make room. It is now a private business school, occasionally open to visitors.
Stage 7
Continue along the road in front of the house until you come to a right-hand fork with a barrier across to stop vehicles. Nip around the barrier, following the purple 'Bridgewater Monument and Visitor Centre' sign. (If you are following the short route, turn right at the barrier and follow the treeline round the Great Lawn to reach Step 4, then follow the route to return to the Golden Valley and the Gaddesden Green car park.)
Stage 8
For the long walk keep straight on, up the track.
Stage 9
Where this path touches the corner of a field is one of the best places to see deer on the estate. Continue straight on.
The Old Park
The fallow deer at Ashridge are direct descendants of the herd brought from France over 600 years ago. Originally a farmed herd, they now roam free. You may notice some tree planting in the field. As part of ongoing restoration work we're replacing 200 ancient trees that were killed by ploughing in the 1940s. Our ambition is to return the park to its glory days and, eventually, reinstate the medieval ride that swept through the view and take down the modern fences.
Stage 10
You have now reached Thunderdell Lodge: the black and white chequered gatekeeper's house, by the side of the main road. Notice the gates that would always have been closed to keep the deer in. Cross carefully and turn right, following the path along the edge of the road until you reach the bottom of Monument Drive. Follow the drive back towards the Bridgewater Monument.
End point
Ashridge visitor centre, grid ref: SP971131
Trail map
Route map for In the footsteps of 'Capability' Brown walk | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
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Moneybury Hill, Ringshall, Near Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, HP4 1LT

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ashridge@nationaltrust.org.uk

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Near to

Start point

Trail information

Difficulty*

Full trail

Getting here

Facilities

Terrain and elevation

Trail route

Total stages: 10

Total stages: 10

Start point

Stage 1

Stage 2

Point of interest

Stage 3

Point of interest

Stage 4

Stage 5

Point of interest

Stage 6

Point of interest

Stage 7

Point of interest

Stage 8

Stage 9

Point of interest

Stage 10

End point

Trail map

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