Enjoy scenic views, wooded valleys and ancient parkland on this 10km circular walk through the Chilterns. Starting in Tring, the walk takes in Dancersend nature reserve and the Ridgeway National Trail.
A
Aldbury walk
posted on 13/08/21 by BBOWT. Last update : 23/06/22
Description
(S/E) From Tring train station, follow Station Road, then High Street into Tring town centre and then follow the main route.
(1) From the High Street in Tring town centre, turn on to Akeman Street, then right on to Park Road. Staying on Park Road, 100 metres after church turn left onto footpath past back gardens. After a small area of beech (Woodland Close Wood), bear right across rough grass and turn left at the road, passing under A41 bridge. Follow the road for ¾ mile to the sunken lane at Dancersend. As the road bends left around a small pond, turn right onto the track beside the cottage.
(2) At the gate, 300 metres from the road, continue straight on to explore the chalk grassland clearings in Dancersend Nature Reserve, then return to the gate and turn right on a footpath through beech. After 100 metres, bear left on to grassy ride through the beech, larch and spruce of Bittam’s Wood. After the steep climb, pause at the bench before turning left onto the footpath. Descend through the wood to Crong Meadow, following the worn path to the left (under power lines) all the way to the road.
(3) Turn right, past the Water Works and turn left onto the footpath. (If wet, continue on road up this slope.) Climb through the wood to radio mast on the Ridgeway National Rail. Turn left and follow the Ridgeway through Pavis Wood to the road. Bear left and follow the road through Hastoe and down Church Lane.
(4) Turn left onto Marlin Hill, then after 200 metres right into Tring Park, which is managed by the Woodland Trust. Follow the broad track through a beech wood, on to King Charles’ Ride, lined with mature beech and lime trees. Pause to take in the views over Tring and Ivinghoe Beacon. After ¾ mile, bear left on the footpath downslope to the obelisk.
(5) Turn left to continue downslope to parkland. Turn right, crossing open grassland, to cross the footbridge over the A41. Follow the footpath, turn left onto Park Street and right onto Akeman Street past the Natural History Museum to the town centre. Follow High Street and then Station Road to return to the train station.(S/E)
Waypoints
- S/E : km 0 - alt. 129 m - Tring train station
- 1 : km 2.98 - alt. 137 m - Akeman Street
- 2 : km 6.37 - alt. 196 m - Gate
- 3 : km 7.31 - alt. 235 m - Water Works
- 4 : km 9.79 - alt. 220 m - Marlin Hill
- 5 : km 11.54 - alt. 202 m - Obelisk
- S/E : km 15.99 - alt. 129 m - Tring train station
Useful Information
Start : Tring train station. Postcode: HP23 5QR. Grid ref: SP 951 122
To start the walk from Tring train station, allow an extra 1.5 hours
By bus: Check www.traveline.info for information about local buses
By train: The walk can start at Tring train station, check www.nationalrail.co.uk for train times
By car: There is parking at Tring train station, in Tring town centre and limited parking at Water Works at Dancersend
By bike: There is cycle storage at Tring train station
- There are additional paths through Dancersend nature reserve to explore it further
BBOWT’s Aston Clinton Ragpits and College Lake nature reserves are near to this walk
Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.
During the walk or to do/see around
Dancersend Nature Reserve
Nestling in a sheltered Chiltern valley, this ancient woodland site was clear-felled in WWII, and replanted with beech, oak, ash and cherry interspersed with conifers. Despite this disturbance, many old woodland plants, such as yellow archangel, bluebell and stinking hellebore, have survived.
Fly orchid and white helleborine can be found under the beech canopy, and fungi, including the unusual collared earth star, punctuate the woodland floor each autumn. At the heart of the site is an area of flower-rich chalk grassland fringed with hawthorn, wayfaring-tree and dogwood. Chiltern gentian, greater butterfly-orchid and meadow clary are the stars of the annual floral display. Many butterflies, such as marbled white, ringlet and dark green fritillary, utilise the rich nectar source of these herbs.
Most of the woodland is leased to the Forestry Commission, which is gradually reducing the number of conifers to eventually recreate broadleaved woodland. The chalk grassland is grazed with a mix of hardy sheep, cattle and ponies.
Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust (BBOWT)
BBOWT relies on the support of our members to help us look after local wildlife. By joining BBOWT you can help to secure the future of special landscapes like Dancersend. Join us today!
BBOWT also manages Black, Northhill and Pavis Woods on behalf of Bucks County Council.
