Berkhampstead
By car: A4/M4, M25, A41 (Turn off at exit after Hemel Hempstead).
Plenty of free parking around Berkhamsted Station.
By train: The 09.24 from Euston to Berkhamsted, West Midlands Trains.
Frequent trains for the afternoon return.
The alternative Southern Rail route from Clapham Junction,Olympia and Shepherds Bush will not be operating on July 18th.
Turn left at the bottom of the steps from the platform to get to the Castle side.
Route: The walk starts with a long incline from Berkhamsted Castle to the celebrated Common where Graham Greene is said to have tried Russian roulette with an army revolver. It then drops into the Golden Valley, one of the most beautiful places in all of the Chiltern Hills. The return is via woodland and the Ashridge Golf Course (where the waiting list for membership is 30 years) and another fine area of the Common with commanding views. There is one longish afternoon climb, all the rest quite flat.
Lunch: The garden of The Bridgewater Arms, Little Gaddesden HP4 1PD www.greeneking-pubs.co.uk If wet, tables for six indoors. Owing to the continuing Covid19 restrictions, we will need to confirm numbers and place food orders by 11am on Friday 16th July. Menus to be circulated a few days in advance. There is an excellent PO general store next to the pub for soft drinks and other stuff.