Walking in the Chilterns

35 walks in the Chiltern hills - an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

By Steve Davison

ISBN

9781786310187

Availability

Published

24 Sept 2018

Reprinted

17 Aug 2021

Edition

Second

Pages

224

Size

17.20 x 11.60 x 1.30cm

Weight

250g

Delivery & Returns

Free 1st Class postage on UK orders. European postage is £3 per item. Worldwide postage is £5 per item. If you're not happy with your purchase for any reason, we'll give you a full refund.
More information...

This guidebook to Walking in the Chilterns offers 35 of the best walks in the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The Chiltern Hills is a peaceful walking destination of chalk hills and ancient woodlands within easy reach of London. The walks in this guidebook range from 4 to 12 miles and are suitable for most walkers. GPX files available to help with navigation.

Seasons

Walking in the Chilterns is enjoyable at any time of the year. Spring and early summer are best for wild flowers; the autumn colours are spectacular; a frosty winter's day gives impressive views

Centres

The Chiltern Hills stretch between Reading, London, Aylesbury and Luton. Walks around Amersham, Dunstable, Henley-on-Thames, High Wycombe, Ivinghoe, Princes Risborough, Tring, Whipsnade and plenty more.

Difficulty

The routes range from 4 to 12 miles and cover fairly low-level terrain, and although some have several, sometimes steep, climbs and descents, they should be suitable for most walkers. GPX files available to help with navigation.

Must See

Panoramic views from the crest of the Chilterns including Ivinghoe Beacon, Coombe Hill, Whiteleaf Hill and Watlington Hill; great views, rolling hills, peaceful woods; riverside walks and picturesque villages with thatched cottages; lots of detours to cosy local pubs and historic churches included

ISBN

9781786310187

Availability

Published

24 Sept 2018

Reprinted

17 Aug 2021

Edition

Second

Pages

224

Size

17.20 x 11.60 x 1.30cm

Weight

250g

Overview

This guidebook to Walking in the Chilterns offers 35 of the best walks in the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The Chiltern Hills is a peaceful walking destination of chalk hills and ancient woodlands within easy reach of London. The walks in this guidebook range from 4 to 12 miles and are suitable for most walkers.

The walks take you on a journey through this classic Chiltern landscape that has been shaped by human activity for thousands of years, visiting interesting historic sites, colourful gardens and picture-postcard villages with thatched cottages, fascinating churches and cosy pubs. Step-by-step route directions include lots of information about all these sites along the way, and are illustrated with clear OS mapping and vibrant photographs. GPX files are available to help with navigation. There is also information on the region's rich geology, history and plantlife, as well as advice on accommodation, transport and refreshments.

The Chiltern Hills follow a line of chalk from the River Thames at Goring up to the Barton Hills just west of Hitchin, boasting great views from the north west edge and, on the south east side, a more intimate undulating landscape of rounded hills and valleys, covered in a mix of broadleaved woodland and open farmland. Despite its relative proximity to London, the region abounds in peace and tranquility, making it an idyllic destination for a day's walk in the countryside.

Table of Contents

CONTENTS

Map key

Overview map

Introduction

Geology

Plants and wildlife

Brief history

Where to stay

Getting to and around the Chilterns

Food and drink

Walking in the Chilterns

Maps

Waymarking, access and rights of way

Using this guide

1 North of Luton

Walk 1 Harlington and Sharpenhoe Clappers

Walk 2 Barton-le-Clay, Hexton and Barton Hills

Walk 3 Pirton and Pegsdon Hills

2 Dunstable to Berkhamsted

Walk 4 Whipsnade, Studham and the Dunstable Downs

Walk 5 Ivinghoe Beacon, Ivinghoe and Pitstone

Walk 6 Grand Union Canal, Pitstone Hill and Aldbury

Walk 7 Grand Union Canal and Tring Park

Walk 8 Great Gaddesden

Walk 9 Berkhamsted, Nettleden and Little Gaddesden

3 Wendover to Stokenchurch

Walk 10 Cholesbury and Hawridge

Walk 11 Wendover and The Lee

Walk 12 Wendover, Ellesborough, Chequers and Coombe Hill

Walk 13 Whiteleaf Hill and Great Kimble

Walk 14 Bledlow and Radnage

Walk 15 Lacey Green, Speen and Bryant’s Bottom

Walk 16 Great Hampden

Walk 17 Great Missenden and Chartridge

4 Amersham to High Wycombe

Walk 18 Chenies, Latimer and the River Chess

Walk 19 Little Missenden, Penn Wood and Penn Street

Walk 20 Hughenden, Bradenham and West Wycombe

Walk 21 Penn and Coleshill

5 Watlington and Nettlebed

Walk 22 Christmas Common and Watlington Hill

Walk 23 Turville, Skirmett and Fingest

Walk 24 Pishill and Stonor

Walk 25 Pishill, Cookley Green and Russell’s Water

Walk 26 Ewelme and Swyncombe

Walk 27 Checkendon and Stoke Row

Walk 28 Hailey and Grim’s Ditch

Walk 29 Nettlebed and Nuffield

Walk 30 Greys Green, Rotherfield Greys and Greys Court

6 Along the Thames

Walk 31 Hambleden, Medmenham and the River Thames

Walk 32 Henley-on-Thames and Middle Assendon

Walk 33 South and North Stoke and Grim’s Ditch

Walk 34 Goring-on-Thames and Cray’s Pond

Walk 35 Whitchurch Hill and Mapledurham

Appendix A Route summary table

Appendix B Useful contacts

Maps

Maps

The Ordnance Survey (OS) offer two series of maps: the 1:50,000 (2cm to 1km) Landranger series and the more detailed 1:25,000 (4cm to 1km) Explorer series. The OS maps covering the Chilterns AONB are:

Landranger: 165, 166, 174 (for very small parts of walks 27 and 34) and 175 Explorer: 171, 172, 181, 182, and 193

This guide features extracts of the OS 1:50,000 Landranger series, , increased to 1:40,000 for greater clarity, but it is advisable to always carry the relevant Explorer map with you when walking.

Updates

November 2023

Diversions - Walks 12 and 17

Walk 12 – Page 87

Temporary footpath closure due to HS2 works; this affects the route after leaving Wendover

This path closure is valid until 31/03/26 (this date may be extended)

Route description

Walk up the High Street and Pound Street, passing Station Approach on the right. After crossing the bridge continue along road (pavement) for 500 metres past houses to a footpath on the right. Turn sharp right along this and follow the path diversion, which soon swings left and continues to a junction at SP 858 078. Turn left along the enclosed path, following the Aylesbury Ring route. Continue southwest through paddocks separated by gates before bearing right along an old field boundary towards Wellwick Farm.

Just before the cottages turn left and then right, continue north-westwards between the large barn (left) and cottages (right). Go through the gate and bear half-left across two fields, passing just right of Wellwick House and later following the left-hand fence. Cross the stile and keep ahead over another stile, then continue through the middle of two fields to a cross-path junction.

Walk 17 – Page 110

Temporary footpath closure due to HS2 works; this affects the route near Great Missenden

This path closure is valid until 27/02/26 (this date may be extended)

Route description

With the car park entrance behind you, head south south-east along the left edge of the grassy area, following the South Bucks Way. Keep ahead past houses and a school to reach a green (The Square). Turn left and go through two underpasses (A413 and B485), then head steeply uphill to a lane.

Turn right (SP 899 017) along the lane and keep left at the split to reach a road (Frith Hill). Cross over and turn left uphill following the pavement for 1km to a crossroads in South Heath. Turn left along Potter Row (signposted for The Lee) for 600m – care required as there is no pavement. At a signed crossing path, shortly after passing a house (Bud Cottage) on the right, turn right through a gate (SP 905 024) into the field, where the path splits; now continue on main route.

GPX files with the diversions have been uploaded.

July 2020

Temporary footpath closure due to HS2 – Walk 17

Valid until October 2020 (this may be extended)

This temporary right of way closure affects the route near Great Missenden

Amended route description, P110

Turn right (SP 899 017) along the lane to the road, cross over and turn left following the pavement for 1km to a crossroads in South Heath. Turn left along Potter Row (signposted for The Lee) for 600m – care required. Turn right through a gate (SP 905 024) into the field, where the path splits (now continue on main route).

Alternatively, follow the diversions given on official notices posted in the area.

Reviews

We do not yet have any reviews for this book

If you would like to send us a review then please use our contact form. They will be published here shortly.

Downloads

Walking in the Chilterns - GPX File

Steve Davison

Steve Davison is a writer and photographer who has written a number of books, including eight guidebooks published by Cicerone. He has also written articles for a range of outdoor magazines and other publications. A keen hill walker for most of his life, with interests in nature, geology and the countryside, Steve is a qualified Mountain Leader and has also previously worked as a part time outdoor education instructor. He has been a member of the Outdoor Writers and Photographers Guild for a number of years. Find out more about him at www.steve-davison.co.uk.

View author profile