Walking Pages Banner Heading
bookshop trails locations factfile walking events home page

Walking in Buckinghamshire

Buckinghamshire, a county of delightfully varied landscape, sits astride the beech covered Chiltern Hills which effectively divide it's northern and southern areas. The Chilterns are designated an AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty). The grandeur of a dramatic scarp along the north-west edge contrasts with landscape of a more intimate nature in the south; woods, hedge-rows, deep valleys and charming villages. To the north of the Chilterns lies the Vale of Aylesbury, a rich well irrigated agricultural region with clay soils and many dairy farms. Here the county town of Aylesbury has retained some of the character of a market town within it's historic centre. The narrow alleyways and courtyards around the market square, church street and the churchyard of St. Mary's provide a pleasant stroll.

To the north of the Vale of Aylesbury lies the valley of the Great Ouse River and the original county town of Buckingham. It was Alfred the Great who made Buckingham a county town in 888AD, a distinction it retained until 1725 when, during a period of decline after a terrible fire, it lost out to Aylesbury. Nevertheless the old town has charm and is worth a visit; it also provides a good base for walking in The Claydons, a particularly quiet and lovely area just south of Buckingham.

To the south of the Chilterns are the Thames and Colne valleys where the Buckinghamshire border is crowded by the urban sprawl of Slough and Maidenhead. Villages and towns in the south of the county are London commuting communities but many have retained an authentic Chiltern character. With the exception of the Thames valley most of southern Buckinghamshire comprises the low chalk ridge of the Chiltern Hills, famous for glorious beechwoods. Cool and shady in summer with a canopy of dense green foliage, and providing a stunning blaze of flaming russets and golds in autumn, it's no surprise that the Chiltern's many footpaths are a walker's paradise. In springtime too, when the woodland floor is carpeted in bluebells, and shafts of sunlight create a blue mist, the Chilterns are a joy to walk.

Hambleden - Hambleden is a pretty Chilterns village which gives the impression of being stuck in a time warp. It's not surprising therefore that TV and film producers have been drawn to it with Disney's '101 Dalmations' and TV's 'As Time Goes By' and 'Midsomer Murders' amongst its credits. The village green is enclosed by Georgian houses, including the rectory, and old cottages have been transformed into village shops. There is still a village pump under tall chestnut trees in the centre of the square.The fourteenth century church of St Mary the Virgin dominates its surroundings.

OS Maps: Explorer™ 171

A Walk from Hambleden [SU 785865]
This walk takes you through the village and up into magnificent beech woods. A few climbs are rewarded with extraordinary views, including the valley below and the Thames. Look up and you may catch a glimpse of a red kite, recently reintroduced to the area. From Hambleden the route heads roughly north through Great Wood towards Upper Woodend Farm and then through Gussetts Wood to Luxters Farm. This is a Vineyard and Brewery which you can visit to learn about the wine maiking process and also taste the wines. (must book ahead tel: 01491 638330). The route retuns to Hambleden in part following the Chiltern Way.
Best Pub for this walk
Stag and Huntsman, Hambleden Tel: 01491 571227 (Good Pub Guide)
Handsome brick and flint pub 400 years old and near to the river. Offers an extensive menu of wholesome pub grub. There is an extensive garden and a modern restaurant.
This walk is fully described in the guidebook 'Pub Walks for Motorists - Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire' by Nick Corble

 

 

When you buy from Walking Pages your complete satisfaction, peace of mind and security are our main priority. Our on-line bookshop is one of the longest established on the internet. We have been serving walkers on line for over six years and have built our reputation on reliable service. Go to our bookshop by clicking on the 'Books' navigation button or one of the walking guide links throughout the site and you will be transferred to our secure server, confirmed by the golden padlock on your browser. Should you decide to purchase you will be tranferred to HSBC plc. secure e-payments for credit card transactions, giving you absolute confidence in your card security. Full information about our terms of trading is provided at the bookshop.

SecurityMetrics for PCI Compliance, QSA, IDS, Penetration Testing, Forensics, and Vulnerability Assessment

© Copyright 2000 to 2011 Walking Pages Ltd. and its associates. All rights reserved

Holiday Cottages


Click here to go to our Buckinghamshire bookshop where you can purchase the titles shown below


Buckinghamshire Dog Walkers Guide
ISBN 9781846742279


100 Walks in Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire
ISBN 1861261020


Adventurous Pub Walks in the Chilterns
ISBN 9781846741883


Best Walks in the Chilterns
ISBN 0094765200


The Chilterns - 25 Walks
ISBN 0114957274


Waterside Walks in the Chilterns
ISBN 9781846740770


Pub Walks in the Chilterns
ISBN 9781846741326


Pocket Pub Walks in the Chilterns
ISBN 9781853069628


Village Walks in the Chilterns
ISBN 1853064971


The Chilterns - Short Walks
ISBN 0711720878


Walking Close to Milton Keynes
ISBN 9781907669224


Chilterns and Thames Valley Walks
ISBN 0711706743


Drive and Stroll in Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire
ISBN 9781853069741


Walks into History Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire
ISBN 1853068500


Pub Walks for Motorists Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire
ISBN 9781853068980


50 Walks in Berkshire and Buckinghamshire
ISBN 074953334X