If you know me, you know I love to walk.
If I can get somewhere on foot, I’ll nine times out of ten choose to do so. And during this past year of lockdowns, my daily walks were my salvation. But I’ve always especially loved walking in the country, having some idea of the route you need to take and where you need to end up, then just taking in the loveliness of the English countryside as you explore along the way. There are few things I find better for my soul.
So when this latest lockdown began to ease a bit more, my friend and I took full advantage of some unexpectedly fantastic weather. We drove about 30 minutes north of where we live into Hertfordshire to tackle a stretch of the Tring Circular walk that ends up in a forest full of bluebells – otherwise known as walkers’ heaven!
Parking at Tring station was a mild drama as the app wasn’t working and we had to phone, but once that was sorted we followed some other walkers, turning right and walking a little way up the road until we came across the sign we needed.
We’re not completely sure we ended up going the right way after this stretch that looked a bit like the King’s Road in GoT…
We found ourselves walking across fields and up what can only be described as a cliff-face, which eventually led to a forest, which we thought must be the Ashridge Forest.
We weren’t the only ones puffed out at the top of the hill, but there must be an easier route somewhere. By this point we’d committed so we persevered with the test of legs and lungs until we reached the top ð
Ending up on the lovely Ashridge Estate. We were hungry by this point so grabbed some sandwiches and drinks from the cafe and sprawled out on the grass, where everyone was out enjoying the sunshine, before following the little signs dotted around the forest pointing to the bluebell wood.
The bluebells weren’t immediately obvious but as we walked further and further in, the sea of purple soon took over.
And we found ourselves lost in trying to capture the bluebell carpet.
It was so peaceful, with only birdsong and occasional other walkers for company.
We visited in late-April, so it’s possible we were slightly early to see them out in full force.
Maybe next year we’ll aim for mid-May if we do another bluebell walk – they really are worth the trip.
We headed back through the lovely Ashridge Estate, past families picnicking and flying kites, and followed the path leading down to the quaint, picturesque village of Aldbury, full of very enviable homes.
Including this little guy who gives me Holiday vibes!
There are two country pubs in the village and at the time the lockdown rules were outdoor dining/drinking only. There was no room at the inn at our first port of call, The Greyhound. So we doubled back and found a table in the delightful garden at The Valiant Trooper, where a plate of chips, beer and G&T’s soon found us.
After some much needed R&R, we literally had no plan for the way back to the station and were winging it without really thinking about it too much. We literally just walked down a path through a field that seemed to be going in the right direction and hoped for the best!
Our faith was well-placed and it turned out to be a straightforward walk back to Tring station, so we strolled it, taking in the evening sun, ignoring how sore our feet were.
A really lovely day that we didn’t realise how much we needed.
To many more this summer! x
