We have taken advantage of the wonderful September weather and spent some time cycling in our local hills - The Chilterns. Far less known than the Cotswolds, the Chilterns offer just as much with glorious villages. hidden valleys and great vistas often dotted with beech woods. We explored the Ashridge Estate recently - owned now by The National Trust but conceived originally by the Duke of Bridgewater who was responsible for constructing many of our canals.His estate lies close to the Grand Union Canal at Tring so you can combine cycling on the towpath with the excellent bike tracks within the estate. These can be downloaded from their website. Tring is just 45 minutes by train from London and if you leave by turning right out of the station you will reach the pretty village of Aldbury before a couple of miles have past. Sink a drink from the local pub to encourage you up the hill and from there on, its flat or downhill. Whether on foot or two wheels you can enjoy Ivinghoe Beacon., a great value cafe on the estate and woodland descents into Berkhamsted for a train ride home.
