The Rose and Crown Ivinghoe Beacon Walk

The Rose and Crown Ivinghoe Beacon Walk is a kid-friendly, lovely loop through England’s rolling countryside. However, this walk has some moderate ascents, so get ready for your heart to race at points. There’s also a super steep descent! Do note that the path can get super muddy after rain, making it essential to check the weather and wear the proper footwear before starting this walk. The exposed areas at the top of the hills may require additional layers, depending on the wind that day. You will also meander through pastures with livestock, which is something to keep in mind if you bring your pup. Expect to navigate some kissing gates as well.

One of the best things about the Rose and Crown Ivinghoe Beacon Walk in the Chilterns is the pints waiting for you at the end of the walk! The undulating scenery and lush countryside views are also notable highlights. You will also travel along two of Britain’s oldest paths: The Ridgeway and Icknield Way, for sections of this walk.

Your walk begins from Rose and Crown pub in Ivinghoe! Start with your back facing the pub door and take a left to go on Vicarage Lane. When you reach the T-junction with the historic St. Mary’s to your left and Old Vicarage to your right, you’ll take a left, following the pavement along a narrow path. Before you get to the traffic chicane, you’ll pass by the side road to Dunstable and continue along the B488. Walk along the grass verge, passing by The Warren, a quaint cottage. Right before you reach Middle Path Farm, you’ll see a waymarker to your left, marking the start of the footpath.

When you see a bridle gate, head left, meeting up with the footpath indicating The Ridgeway and Ivinghoe Beacon. Soon, you’ll reach another gate. Pass through it, walking into a pasture, where some livestock may roam the land. Take a left to go along the grass track, which will take you on a moderate, steady ascent. Get ready for views to emerge as you climb! Stop to admire Pitstone Windmill, which was built in the 1600s. Eventually, the fence on your left-hand side will end, but don’t stop when the fence stops; continue walking along the grass track. At the top of the field, the path swerves left, taking you through two fences. Look for wooden farm gates on your right, going right to pass through the bridle gate adjacent to these farm gates. Continue along the grass path, passing by a small fork as you walk. When you pass this fork, continue straight (it’ll take you along the right-hand side). Soon, you’ll reach a four-way junction, where the start of The Ridgeway awaits.

Take a left to meet up with the Ridgeway. When you reach a gate, don’t go through it, but follow the chalk path. The chalk path will have a wire fence to your right. Continue until you reach a black waymarker post indicating the direction of the Ridgeway. Keep straight—you can detour off the path if it’s too muddy, but don’t stray far from the main path. When you reach an open area, go downhill, and take a right at the gate with the Ridgeway fingerpost. Continue along the undulating chalk path until you get to the road, which you will cross. Look for a metal fingerpost and a National Trust sign for Ashridge Estate on your right. You’ll see two chalk tracks, but take the track to your left, which has a sign indicating Icknield Way to Ivinghoe Beacon. Continue along this path, which compiles ascents and descents, until you reach the top of Ivinghoe Beacon. You’ll see an information board at the summit! Marvel at the 360-views.

After basking in the vistas, with your back facing the Ridgeway information board, take a left to cross over the grass cliff. There’s the option to take the steep path down to the cattle grid, but if it’s too wet or you’re not wearing the proper footwear, go back towards the road crossing, take a right, and go along the road to the cattle grid. Upon arrival at the cattle grid, head through the gate, where an intersection awaits at the main road. Go right and walk for 98ft before crossing the road and turning left onto the footpath marked as the Two Ridges Link, which takes you through a kissing gate and into a sheep pasture. Continue to follow the path—a fence will run on your left—and when the first field comes to an end, go through another kissing gate. Swerve left and continue along the path that runs along the fence on your left.

The path will eventually take you on a descent. When you reach the fence line, take a right and go along the pasture with the fence on your left-hand side. Take another left, passing through a kissing gate, to reach a field of crops. When you get here, take a quick right and then go left, taking you along the edge of the field. The path will swerve left at the following field corner before forcing you to take another quick right towards a junction.

Turn left here to meet up with the public bridleway. Continue walking until you reach a fork near Crabtree Farmhouse, where you’ll follow the right-hand branch, which will take you by Crabtree Farmhouse. Eventually, you’ll meet up with a residential road. Continue along this road until you make it back to the Rose and Crown, where a pint awaits.

Trail Highlights

The Icknield Way

The Icknield Way is dubbed as Britain’s oldest road. People embedded their footprints along this path before Roman times. This 103.1mi long-distance path stretches from Ivinghoe Beacon in Buckinghamshire to Knettishall Heath in Norfolk. Icknield Way is littered with a collection of archaeological remnants.

Pitstone Windmill

The Pitstone Windmill harks back to the 1600s. It was primarily used for grounding flour, but an intense storm hindered this process in the 1900s. In 1937, this historical relic was donated to the National Trust, and volunteers helped fix the damage caused by the storm!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bring my dog along?

Yes, you can! But note that you may encounter livestock peppering the pastures along this walk, so keep this in mind when walking with your pup.

Where can I park?

You can park in a residential area near the Rose and Crown pub, along Ladysmith and Wellcroft Road, or by the church and village green. Please be mindful of locals when parking!

Other amazing walks in Chiltern Hills

Check out our guides to Wendover Loop, Wendover Woods, Dunstable Downs or Hurley Loop. Or see all of our Chiltern Hills walks on 10Adventures.