Aspley Woods, Buckinghamshire day walk
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Enjoy the magic of Aspley Woods, a place of serenity, beauty, mystery and adventure. Take a casual amble and explore part of the 326ha conifer plantation and semi-ancient natural woodland that lies in north Buckinghamshire. Twisting forest trails wind their way between the trees, joining bridleways and linking the local (and very posh) villages of Woburn Sands, Bow Brickhill and Aspley Guise, where pretty little tea shops offer fairy cakes and fancies to fuel your fun and empty your pockets. This is no simple tramp in the woods, they probably enforce vagrancy laws around here.
Picking up from the railway station, our 10 mile walk will take us around the southern slopes of the heath, over the hill through the forest and then along the edges of the forest to the town of Woburn. The locals scowl at peasants around these parts, so be sure to clean your boots and wear your best smile when we break for lunch.
The return journey will take us back uphill, through the forest again, passing the bike track where you may see some serious MTB action from the local lads. For those into biking I am planning an off-road cycling adventure here later this season (although without the 15ft jumps), so come scope it out.
Skirting the picturesque village of Aspley Guise and back into the forest, our walk will pass through Danesborough Camp, an Iron Age hillfort that is hidden to all but the keenest eye. We then make a descent towards Bow Brickhill, the Wheatsheaf pub, and the end of the journey.
What to bring
Winter has come! Be sensible about your choice of clothing:
Bring a small rucksack for your lunch and kit.
Wear some good solid boots or decent walking shoes, it will be muddy underfoot.
Wear some comfortable walking socks.
Bring some clean shoes to change into (especially if we stop at one of the cafes).
Expect the potential for rain and wear quick drying walking trousers and bring a waterproof jacket that you can fold down into your rucksack.
You may start off cold, but will soon warm up, so wear layers of clothes.
Bring water and some energy food (chocolate, sweets etc.).
If you carry important medicines, please let me know privately.
Food & drink
There are shops in Woburn but don't expect a convenience store, this is a village where everything gets delivered.
We aim to stop for light refreshments, but you should bring a packed lunch for the walk and we will stop at one of the many picnic spots in the forest.