08/02/20 - Chiltern Chain Walk - Stage 4 - Pitstone Hill

Distance - 12.5 Miles
Geocaches - 5
Walk Inspiration
Pub - The Robin Hood, Tring
Previous Stages - Stage 1, Stage 2, Stage 3


Tring must have one of the handiest railway stations for the Rambler. The shortest of walks and you are out onto the magnificent Ridgeway, climbing gently to the escarpment highs for views and a real sense of remoteness.

300m to the Ridgeway - Sidetracked Geocache Available

Climbing the Ridgeway - ignoring distractions

Ridgeway Views

Walking in the South East

Excellent walking, heading North to Incombe Hole, before circling through Clipper Down to walk under the Bridgewater Monument - the starting place for Stage 3.

Aldbury is the next Joy.   I had choices for post walk refreshment - here or Wiggington. However, arriving at the Station at 8:34am, I knew I couldn't time either of them for opening hours. Don't worry, Blogfans, I still have a suitable plan.

Aldbury - looking pretty through the trees

And it doesn't disappoint

Its picture perfect place of English Village Harmony.   A large pond, reflecting the pretty buildings - two pubs - the posher looking Greyhound or the more down to earth and excellently named Valiant Trooper and a busy general stores, where a high concentration of muggle shoppers stopped Geocaching.

Very pretty and used for several film and TV locations - I'll look out for it next time I watch Bridget Jones II.  Well worth the walk back uphill into the woods.

Heading west, I cross the canal at Cow Roast - the pub looking most forlorn, encased in metal fencing and no doubt awaiting demolition.   The Greyhound at Wittington is just opening at 12:01pm but not quite offering enough appeal to convince me to ignore the Good Beer Guide Tick awaiting me at the other side of Tring Park.

Tring Park - A detour from the original route - but there are GBG Ticks to be had in town

A quick walk up Tring High Street - dominated by an impressive Church and the closing stages of a farmer Market and I am in the Robin Hood.

Tring Church

The Robin Hood

Perfectly functional local pub - with all the expected Fullers range available. You know you are in good hands when the ESB is served in the ceremonial chalice.

And there's more for the discerning beer tourist.   Tring Brewery is housed in a farmhouse a short stroll away.  The shop provides amble stocks of Side Pocket for a Toad and refillable growlers.

Tring Bewery

Get your refillable growlers

A good half hour of road walking back to the Station and another excellent leg of the Chiltern Chain Walk completed.