Length 15.5 km (9.6 miles) 4/10
I was planning another Kent walk for today but suspect it will be too damp underfoot, so how about this attractive spin on a classic Chilterns walk. The Golden Valley after Little Gaddesden is nice, the finish in Berkhamsted has good refreshment options, and this route avoids possible gloop around the Bridgewater Monument.
Travel: 1009 from Euston (Harrow & Wealdstone 1021) arriving at Tring 1051. There are 4 return trains an hour from Berkhamsted but they are not evenly spaced - approx 19, 25, 49, 55. Get a return to Tring.
Lunch: the Bridgewater Arms (tel 01442 842408) in the village of Little Gaddesden usually goes down well; it is open seven days a week and and food is served all day (November 2022) weekdays from 12 noon until 9 pm. It has comfortable internal dining areas and a very pleasant beer garden.
Near the pub is a village store, where provisions can be purchased for picnickers. A good picnic spot is the churchyard of the church in Little Gaddesden, some 400 metres or so from the pub.
Tea: Just before the railway station you come to the Crystal Palace pub on the canal, which reopened (December 2021) following refurbishment after a lengthy period of closure. Heading south-east along the canal towpath you come to the The Boat (nice outdoor veranda) and Rising Sun canalside pubs. In the centre of Berkhamsted there are further pubs and a number of tea shops.
Finally, the Berkhamsted Railway Station Cafe, in addition to serving hot drinks, doubles up as a wine shop.
Longer walk option: you could start by heading out to Ivinghoe Beacon following walk 2.5 and pick up today's route from Little Gaddesden, making a Tring greatest hits walk of about 19 km/12 miles.
T=swc.366
1 comment:
#12 walkers, a reasonable turnout on a #dull-day-with-occasional-drizzle. My attempt to find a less muddy route today was not an unqualified success, and there was at least one unfortunate tumble in the slippery conditions. Still, a good day out in the circumstances.
The group got quite spread out in the morning so I can't account for everyone, but about 7 of us picknicked at the interesting water fountain near the war memorial. We spread out again after the golden valley which was not quite as pretty as I remembered in the damp conditions. The road round Ashridge college was very busy and despite the mud it was a relief to get back into the woods on the descent to Berkhamsted. By this time I was with 4 others, and four of us headed into town where we tried Bel Cafe for welcome tea before the 1550 train.
By the way when we passed the Ashridge College we saw signs for the Bakehouse cafe "open from 8.30 daily" and wondered if that might be an alternative lunch stop - but didn't have the willpower to investigate.
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