Ivinghoe Beacon Trail - Saturday 3 May

Join us as we head to the Chilterns where we will explore fields and forests on our way to the high point of Ivinghoe Beacon. With views stretching as far as the English Midlands, the beacon lit here provided, over the centuries, speedy communication across the country in times of crisis. The beauty of the area is such that in the 1960s it was frequently used as an outdoor location for action-adventure television shows including 'The Avengers' and 'The Saint'.

Our hike will take us along the Ridgeway, a trail located at the top of the steep scarp slope of the Chilterns that has been in use since the stone age. Along the way we shall find Grim's Ditch, an ancient fortification dating back to before the arrival of Romans.

On our return we shall pass by the Bridgewater Monument, built in honour of a duke whose Lancashire canal was the earliest of its kind and made him the richest noble in the country.

We will also walk through the woods of the Ashridge Estate, famed for having some of the largest displays of bluebells anywhere in the south of England.

Meeting place: Euston Railway Station - in the centre of the station, in front of the outlets marked as 12-13-14 on the station map - see the following link: CCS0723844574-001_London Euston Map 2023 It's not far from platforms 7 and 8.

Meeting time: 10.00AM (for 10.39 train)

Price: £5. Please pay before the trip using the secure PayPal link (you will be automatically taken to PayPal when you RSVP YES). London-Tring standard rail fare is £22.20 return - one third off for railcard users or Group Save (you can team up for a minimum of three people for this on the day.)

Distance: 16 km/10 miles

Hike level: easy to medium (you need to be reasonably fit to participate in this activity)

Expected return to London: 7PM (please commit yourself for a full day)

Things to bring: water, packed lunch, waterproof clothing, hiking boots, sunscreen or hat