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Would Aston Hill be OK for a person who is new to the sport of 'proper' trail/ downhill mountain biking and be riding my old cross country bike .....slowly.....

Or would this be completely inappropriate?

Aston Hill has a great mix. They have a XC route of around 5 miles that is tough on the up's and downs but is fine for a xc bike and a great rush. I'm thinking of taking my girlfriend who is 6 months into biking in the next few months and I think she will be fine (she has been working on Chicksands xc) but I will take it easy with her over certain sections on the downs that are steep and twisty. Point being go with someone who has been already if you can or at least a mate.

They also have serious downhill runs, the DW3, the Black run and Ultimate Pursuits. These are best done on a bike with at least 5-6 inches of suspension and are more narlier in that order. Although I have done the DW3 and the Black on my XC bike.

Enjoy. My arm will be better in the next few months and I'd be happy to go there with you.

One thing to bear in mind. The place has changed hands recently and I can not speak to the state of the trails right now or even if it is being mangaged at all.

Main thin is Aston Hill is nearly unrideable in the wet unless you have a lot of experience as they didn't think to build any drainage into the palce or it was cost innefective who knows but I refuse to go in the wet as it is like riding on oil.

Ok i shall try to go and have a look some time in the next few weeks.
And thanks for the offer of coming too as i might take you up on that offer when your arm is better (what happened btw)

Thanks for the tip i shall bare the weather in mind when planning a trip