Berkhamsted

Introduction

Lion, a soft toy, was sad because he never gets to go on holiday with us like Sleepy Bear does. In order to resolve this, it was suggested that he should come on a day trip to Berkhamsted.

It was a very hot day (reaching over 30° C) but we brought sun cream and two bottles of cold water which should have been plenty, right? Spoiler alert: It was not plenty.

Berkhamsted Castle

The castle, which was first occupied (lorded?) by William the Conqueror’s half-brother in 1066, has been around a while and is extremely ruined. But you can run around over the grass and climb up to the keep, and there are plenty of chunks of wall still standing.

The moat looked relatively dry but I still wouldn’t fancy getting that bike.
1/500 at f8, 23mm, ISO160 51°45′48″N 0°33′31″W
Interesting bulge-y wall.
1/500 at f8, 23mm, ISO160 51°45′48″N 0°33′31″W
View down the steps from the keep hill.
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View down the unofficial route (how two of our party ascended; it’s rather steep).
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Wall section with fencing and yellow flowers.
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Part of the west tower (the tallest remaining section).
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Looking down the main well at the shadow of its metal grille.
1/250 at f8, 23mm, ISO160 51°45′51″N 0°33′33″W
Two big trees and a small tree.
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Another tree view.
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Long section of wall.
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Interestingly shaped window in the above wall.
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The West Coast Main Line runs right by the castle, which makes it very convenient for us to get to. They did knock down half the castle when they built the railway, though. Swings and roundabouts.

A lifebelt, that wall section, and the railway behind.
1/500 at f8, 23mm, ISO160 51°45′47″N 0°33′33″W

Lunch

We had a very nice lunch in an air-conditioned Italian restaurant, finishing with (in my case) two scoops of deliciously cold sorbet, before venturing out into the heat of afternoon.

Short walk

I had planned a three-mile walk, which I thought was a nice route suitable for the day. It did start with a fifteen-minute section of (quite gentle) uphill walking, though.

Very pleasant path (after the uphill bit).
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Tree by path.
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Sign by side of canal bridge.
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The second half of the walk was along the canal towpath. This substantially improved the walk in one person’s opinion, since he got to watch a canal boat going through a lock.

Old pumping station next to a lock.
1/500 at f8, 23mm, ISO160 51°46′17″N 0°35′19″W
Buildings opposite and light on the canal.
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Spiky pipe bridge.
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Leaving the canal very near the station, we arrived conveniently in time for a lovely air-conditioned train back home.

All images © Samuel Marshall. All rights reserved.