As the spring season blossoms, nature awakens with the beauty of bluebell waves rolling through the Ashridge Woods. Every year, locals and visitors flock to the woods during this short-lived, magical season to take part in the renowned Ashridge Bluebell Walk. Join us as we explore this captivating experience, from the stunning scenery to the enchanting aroma of wildflowers filling the aromatic air. Here, you’ll learn why the Ashridge Bluebell Walk deserves its spot on your hiking bucket list. Come prepared to be amazed as you discover the natural beauty of the Ashridge woodlands!
As the Bluebell season is in full swing, it is time to discover another bluebell spot accessible from London. This time, we are heading to the Chilterns near Tring for a walk through the carpet of blue and purple on the Ashridge Estate’s woodlands, passing by the Manoir d'Ashridge for a coffee stop and climbing to the top of the Monument de Bridgewater for breathtaking vistas of the area.
Contenu connexe: Best Walks in the Chilterns
Logistics of the Ashridge Bluebell Walk
Distance9,1 miles (14,6 km)
Total Montée: 528 ft (161 m)
Point culminant : 787 pieds (240 m)
Point le plus bas : 407 pieds (124 m)
Durée : 3 heures et 50 minutes
Difficulté: Intermédiaire
Comment s'y rendre:
- Direct train from London Euston to Tring Station. The journey takes 35 to 45 minutes depending on the train you take.
- Il s'agit d'une promenade circulaire, vous pouvez donc réserver un billet aller-retour à la journée.
Ce qu'il faut emporter :
- Comfortable clothing and footwear. Please note that woodland paths can get muddy so make sure you wear waterproof shoes
- Backpack with water and snacks
- Packed lunch if you don’t want to buy from the National Trust Cafe or the Ashridge House Cafe
- Rain cover if the weather is grey
- Headcover, sunscreen and sunglasses if the sun is out even though the path is mainly through woodlands
Où manger
- Le Lévrier, Aldbury, Hertfordshire
- La Boulangerie, Ashridge House, Hertfordshire
- Monument Café, National Trust, Hertfordshire
Highlights of the Ashridge Bluebell Walk
- Domaine d'Ashridge
- Monument de Bridgewater
- Manoir d'Ashridge
- Parcours de golf d'Ashridge
- Ashridge Bluebell Woods
The Ashridge Bluebell Walk
So now we’ve covered the basics, let’s get to the walk.
Tring
We start our walk at Tring Train Station. The station is far from the city centre, which is quite unusual. But this is for a good reason. The politician Lord Brownlow, who lived at Ashridge, wanted to preserve the Estate from train tracks and imposed a change of location from the original plan.
Tring was settled in the Bronze Age as shown by artefacts uncovered in the region. It fell under Roman domination and was linked to London by the Roman road Akeman Street. Later, the town was conquered by the Normans. During medieval times, it was granted a market by King Edward II in 1315. Among the town’s landmarks figure the National Trust Ashridge Estate, where our walk takes us today, and Pendley Manor, which is now a hotel.
Aldbury
Come out of the train station and walk up Station Road. When the street bends to the right, you find a footpath going straight ahead across fields. Take this footpath and as you get to a crossing, turn right to start your descent towards Albury.
As you arrive at the village of Albury, you come face to face with St John the Baptiste‘s Church. We don’t know when the Church was initially erected, but the building was in place by the thirteenth century. It went through changes over the centuries, including an extension on the side of the Church to allow space for a meeting room.
Walk past the church and you arrive at the pond in the centre of the village. Around it, you find the local post office, and the Grey Hound pub, which is an ideal spot if you want to have a coffee break sitting at a table outside basking in the morning sun.
Leave Aldbury and start your ascent towards Ashridge Estate.
Domaine d'Ashridge
Welcome to Ashridge Estate!
The Estate is located a stone’s throw away from the iconic Balise Ivinghoe, which was once an Iron Age hillfort, protecting the area from potential attacks.
Originally a monastery founded by the nephew of King Henry III in 1283, the estate became a Royal residence of Henry VIII after the dissolution of the monasteries. The Estate went through many different owners over the centuries, including some notorious families such as the Bridgwaters, Brownlows and Rotchilds.
During WWI, the Estate was requisitioned for the purpose of training troops and during WWII, a convalescent home and a maternity ward were established on the site.
Bridgwater Monument
As you arrive at the top of the hill, you come face to face with a 108-foot (33 m)-tall Greek-style column with a giant copper vase at the top. This is the Monument de Bridgewater.
One of the most remarkable owners of the Estate was Francis Egerton, 3rd Duke of Bridgewater. The Duke pioneered the establishment of the first Canal in Britain, linking Worsley to Manchester. He passed away in 1803 and the Bridgewater Monument was built in 1832 in his memory by his descendants.
Climg the 172 steps spiral steps all the way to the top where you can admire the breathtaking vistas over the region. On a clear day, you can see Wembley Stadium et le Shard from afar.
After the climb, heads towards the woods to see the bluebells.
Bluebell Woods
Ashridge Estate is a great place to head to for a bluebell walk and wander around the blue and purple carpeted woods. However, there are a few things you need to know to make the most of your day out on the estate’s woodlands.
The Bluebell season runs from early April to late May. The prime time to see bluebells in full bloom is during the last week of April and the first week of May.
The reason for the bluebell season to be so short is that bluebells need light to grow. Therefore they have a very short window to make the most of the sunlight after the rainy and grey winter and before the trees’ leaves grow large enough to create a canopy preventing the sunray to hit the ground.
Contenu connexe: Chemin de fer Bluebell
Dockey Wood. Situated on the North West corner of the Estate, Dockey Wood is the best place to see bluebells in Ashridge. The spot is so popular that the National Trust charges a fee on some dates to access the woods in order to limit the number of visitors and protect the bluebells.
Whilst strolling through the woods, remember that bluebells are protected by law. It is forbidden to pick or unroot them and you must stick to the designated footpaths to avoid walking on them and destroying them.
Video: Learn how the National Trust is protecting bluebells at Dockey Wood
Manoir d'Ashridge
As you leave the woodland area, you step into the open fields of the Ashridge Golf Course, founded in 1932. Pass through the golf course, sticking to the designated footpath and watching out for gold balls. Walk past the Club House and head towards the woods on the top of the golf course. Once on the other side, you arrive on Monument Lane. Look to your left and see Manoir d'Ashridge perfectly aligned with the Monument de Bridgewater on your right.
Ashridge was an abbey and became one of Henry VIII’s residences after the dissolution of the monastery. This is where Princess Elizabeth I was raised and lived until she was arrested in 1554 by her half-sister Mary I when the latter ascended to the throne.
The House then became private property, the first owner being Sir Thomas Egerton, Queen Elizabeth I’s Lord Keeper. It went through many different owners over the years until it was requisitioned during WWI and turned into a rehabilitation centre. During WWII, the house became a hospital one more time as well as a maternity ward.
After the war, the house found a new purpose as a school for girls, then a management college in 1959. Finally in 2015, became the main campus of the Hult International Business School as well as a venue for weddings and conferences. The house and the gardens are open to the public to visit. Please note that the National Trust does not run the House but it is privately owned.
No time to visit? Not a problem. Head to the courtyard for a bite and a drink at the Bakehouse.
Heading back to Tring
After stopping by the Ashridge House, walk back through Monument Lane all the way to the tower where we started. On the left-hand side of the column, you find the National Trust visitor centre where you can find a souvenir shop with bluebell-based products such as scented candles, public toilets and a cafe. If you haven’t had your lunch yet at the Bakehouse, this spot is also a good alternative to grab a bite before heading back to the station.
After the break, retrace your steps to Tring Railway Station, passing by Aldbury and the cow field before reaching Station Road.
Have a safe trip back to London!
Carte de la promenade des jacinthes d'Ashridge
Do you want to do the same walk and see the bluebells at Ashridge Estate? Download the GPS map of the walk by clicking on the button below. You can learn how to upload the map onto your navigation app by checking my step-by-step guide ici.
Final Thoughts on the Ashridge Bluebell Walk
The Ashridge bluebell walk offers visitors a unique experience to take in the wonderful views of nature. With its wide variety of flowers and trees, the walk is an impressive sight to behold. Visitors not only get to enjoy the beauty of the flowers but also learn the history of the Bridgewater Monument and the Ashridge House. The walk is a great way to spend a day in the springtime, and it’s also a great opportunity to connect with friends and family.
And you, what is your favourite bluebell walk? Let me know in the comments below.
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