Happy 25th Anniversary

It takes a tenacious couple to buy a pub in a tiny hamlet in the middle of a forest in a region that is not bursting with visitors.

Last night we gathered in the hamlet of Frithsden to congratulate owners Becky and David on their 25th anniversary of their charming gastropub, the Alford Arms.

The sunken Roman Road, or Spooky Lane with devils bridge as it’s known locally.

The valley on the edge of the wood

It can be a cliché that pubs are widely regarded as the hub of our communities, a place where mates meet up, families and friends feast and weary walkers tell tall stories.

Last night was all about community and friendship with so many reasons to celebrate a successful business. Congratulations to Becky and David for ensuring their business has a well deserved place in our naturally outstanding Chiltern Hills.

Anglo-Saxon in origin, Frithsden means ‘valley on the edge of the wood’. The hamlet grew around the tenant farmers and workers for the surrounding Ashridge estate and became famous for the black “caroon” cherry trees which grew in abundance locally. Cherries were once synonymous with the region and you can walk through the scraggly remains of the orchard over the road from the pub. The hamlet decreased in size and importance during the 19th century, when there was a chapel, a tiny school and an infamous alehouse called the Tyrants Arms that stood on the site of The Alford Arms.

A network

I first visited the Alford Arms as a weary cyclist who had planned an arduous route to ensure our lunch stop was in Frithsden. That was before we moved to the Chilterns over 20 years ago and happily have continued my friendship with Becky and David through our Chilterns Tourism Network.

One of the aims of the network is to encourage and promote collaboration between local food producers and the hospitality sector. Becky and David have been great advocators and were the first pub to put Campfire Gin on their bar - another local business embracing all that the Chilterns stand for.

Happy 25th anniversary!

Driving through the deep Ashridge forest, beneath a bright frosty winter sky, past the illuminated Ashridge House, slowing down for the deer and ruts in the road, all this a mere 20 minutes from home. What a pleasure!

The cliché is true, pubs are the beating heart of our communities because they not only offer visitors’ insight in the customs, food and local legends - real and imaginary, but it’s where the locals like to gather and socialise. When was the last time you visited your local pub?

Links you will need

Don’t just take my word it, head over to this gastropub set in a beautiful wooded valley with a warm welcome and fireside classic decor. Alford Arms menu

At just under 6 km (3.7 miles) , this Frithsden circular route will take around two hours to complete at a steady pace.

The Ashridge Estate is full of ancient trees, rolling chalk downlands and lush meadows in an area of outstanding natural beauty. There are many options to enjoy this amazing landscape.

I have walked past the Amaravati Buddhist Monastery many times, en route between Nettleden, Frithsden and Ashridge, but have never gone in. I never thought to sit quietly in the gardens or even visit the temple for peaceful reflection.