Ivinghoe Beacon

Ivinghoe Beacon is within the Ashridge Estate at the northern point, and we thought to list it separately as many people visit just for the beacon. The beacon is 233 m (757 ft) above sea level, and from the top, on a clear day, you have excellent views over the Chilterns Hills. In the distance, you will see Dunstable Downs and, to the right, Wipsnade Zoo and the chalk lion on the hillside.

Dogs are very welcome, but you may have wildlife roaming free, so take note of local signs typically at the gates and put your dogs on leads when requested.

Ivinghoe Beacon is a very important chalk grassland, forming part of the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). It marks the start of the Ridgeway National Trail, where the ancient route travels 139km (87 miles) through The Chilterns and North Wessex Downs AONBs, finishing at Overton Hill.

A nice 3km circular grassland walk from the car park takes you and your dog to the top of the beacon, along the ridge and down through the valley before moving back upwards to the car park. Our Ivinghoe Beacon video on this page was taken on this walk and as you can see it was not the best of sunny days.

For the more energetic, you can walk down through the Ashridge Woods to the monument and grab a drink at the cafe.

There is parking at the beacon, although this has no facilities other than an ice cream van on nice weather days.