Valentines Drive to Amersham

Circular Route from Amersham (approx. 140 miles, 3½ hours)
Several turnings are easy to miss. I've highlighted these in the notes below.
Take extra care on the single carriage roads if overtaking - some of them are a little deceptive, with hidden dips.

Drive start point: Tesco Car Park, Amersham Old Town, Buckinghamshire
1	From the car park take a right turn at the roundabout and head through Amersham Old Town (straight ahead at the mini roundabouts) and out the other side.
2	At the major roundabout turn right to join the A413 heading towards Great Missenden. Along the A413 we take a minor diversion through Little Missenden (left turn off the A413). This is a really pretty village, please drive carefully through the narrow streets and watch out for horses & riders! Rejoin the A413 turning left and heading towards Great Missenden.
3	At a roundabout just before Great Missenden turn right onto the B485 heading to Chesham. This is quite a steep road!
4	Once in Chesham, follow the roundabouts around the town centre (A416). Just after a motorbike shop on the left take a right turn onto the B4505 to Bovingdon. Note: this is an easy turning to miss! Up another steep hill I'm afraid.
5	Close to Bovingdon we join the A4251 (towards Bourne End/ Berkhampstead) and cross the A41 (take care not to join the A41). Drive through Berkhampstead (be careful with which lane you are in).
6	Another turning to watch out for! After Berkhampstead, but before NorthChurch we turn right onto the B4506 towards Aldbury/Dagnell/ Whipsnade.
7	Follow this road for several miles. The next turning is easy to miss! Turn right onto the B4540 signposted to Whipsnade Zoo. Carry on through Kensworth Common and on to the A5.
8	Turn right and head south on the A5, across the M1 J9 and onto the A5183. Close to Redbourn take a left turn onto the B487. This road takes us to the A1081. We may stop at the pub just before this called the White Horse for lunch, or eat in Harpenden or St Albans - we can decide today.
9	Turn right onto the A1081 and head towards St Albans.
10	Especially tricky turn!!!! Just before reaching St Albans centre the road bends right and we want the turning on the left (the road doubles back on itself a bit) with the Cricketers Pub (I think) on the corner. This is the B651 towards Sandridge/Wheathampstead.
11	Follow this road (probably the highlight of the drive) all the way to Hitchin turning onto the B656 towards the end. Close to Hitchin at the roundabouts we need to take the A602 left (Luton) and A505 left (Aylesbury) so that we get to the B655 to Barton-le-Clay.
12	Follow this road to the A6 and turn right (North) towards Bedford. Join the A507 turning left and heading towards Ampthill and beyond. This becomes the A4012 and goes past Woburn (quite a nice road).
13	When you get to the A5, turn left and head south towards Dunstable until you reach the A505. Turn right (west) onto the A505. After a few miles, turn left (south) onto the B488 towards Horton. This is the second highlight of the drive.
14	When you reach the junction in Ivanhoe you need to do a left then right turn to stay on the B488. Follow this road to Tring where you join the A41 south. Take the exit for the A416 (Chesham/ Amersham) and follow this all the way back into Amersham. If we're early enough we can park up in the Old Town and go for tea/coffee.