View to Pen y Fan from Rhos Dirion

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Start & Finish: Gospel Pass Car Park, Capel-y-ffin, Abergavenny, NP7 7NP
Distance: 13 km (8.1 miles)
Elevation change: + / - 376m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): None
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 42
Pubs / Cafes on route: None
Map: OS Explorer OL13 Brecon Beacons National Park - Eastern area
Links: Gospel Pass, Vale of Ewyas

Rhos Dirion:

Member of: None
Parent Peak: Waun Fach
Elevation: 713m
Date climbed: 24th December 2020
Coordinates: 51° 59' 36'' N, 3° 8' 59'' W
OS Trig Pillar: TP5658 - Rhos Dirion
Links: Wikipedia / Peakbagger

Twmpa:

Member of: None
Parent Peak: Waun Fach
Elevation: 690m
Date climbed: 24th December 2020
Coordinates: 52° 2' 7'' N, 3° 6' 17'' W
OS Trig Pillar: None
Links: Wikipedia / Peakbagger

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In the third of three winter walks in the Vale of Ewyas we did a circular trek to the summits of Twmpa and Rhos Dirion.

From the free parking at Gospel Pass take the westerly path up to the summit of Twmpa, also called Lord Hereford’s Knob. Trig Baggers will be disappointed as there’s no pillar at the top. By continuing west for another 1.8 km you’ll reach the patriotically painted pillar at the top of Rhos Dirion. We were there on a cold but clear winter’s day and had a great view of Pen y Fan in the distance. After bagging Rho Dirion, retrace your steps down to the col between the two summits. Rather than climb back up to Twmpa, take a right to head in a south-easterly direction down the valley. Navigation is easy following a well worn path tracing the course of Nant Bwch.

The valley path turns into a farm track then a single-track road to Capel-y-ffin. Rather than stick to the road follow the path that curves round the side of the nose of the mountain half way up its elevation. On the southern-most point you’ll get a great view over Capel-y-ffin and the southern part of the Vale of Ewas.

Continue on the mountain pass as it curves anti-clockwise around the mountain. You’ll now be heading north back towards the Gospel Pass. After ~2 km the path will join the valley road which you can follow back to the car park.

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Misty descent to Llanthony Priory

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Start & Finish: Llanthony Priory Hotel, Llanthony, Abergavenny, NP7 7NN
Distance: 8.2 km (5.1 miles)
Elevation change: + / - 364m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Offa’s Dyke Path, Beacons Way
Other routes touched (cycle): None, although NCN 42 passes by the road entrance to Llanthony Priory
Pubs / Cafes on route: Coffee Shop at Llanthony Priory. The Half Moon Pub is near the Priory but not on the route
Trig Pillar: TP5648 - Rhiw Arw
Map: OS Explorer OL13 Brecon Beacons National Park - Eastern area
Links: Llanthony, Llanthony Priory, River Honddu, Offa’s Dyke, Vale of Ewyas

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In the second of three winter walks in the Vale of Ewyas we did a circular trek to the Rhiw Arw Trig Pillar.

From the free car parking at Llanthony Priory, take the Beacons way clockwise around the Priory. Leave the Beacons Way at the northern side of the Priory outer wall and follow the footpath signed to Hatterall Ridge as it curves round to the north-west. Keeping to this track you’ll reach the Offa’s Dyke National Trail approximately 2 km from the Priory. Take a right onto the National Trail, heading south-east. Follow Offa’s Dyke for ~2.5 km until you reach the Rhiw Arw Trig Pillar.

After the Trig Pillar continue south-east along Offa’s Dyke for just under 1 km and descend back to Llanthony Priory via The Beacons Way.

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View towards Llanthony

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Start & Finish: Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Capel-y-ffin, Abergavenny, NP7 7NP
Distance: 8.8 km (5.5 miles)
Elevation change: + / - 325m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Offa’s Dyke Path
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 42
Pubs / Cafes on route: None
Trig Pillar: TP5154 - North Daren
Map: OS Explorer OL13 Brecon Beacons National Park - Eastern area
Links: Capel-y-ffin, River Honddu, Offa’s Dyke, Vale of Ewyas

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In the first of three winter walks in the Vale of Ewyas we did an out-and-back trek to the North Daren Trig Pillar.

From Capel-y-ffin village centre, take the track to the right of St. Mary’s Chapel. Continue for ~1 km passing over the River Honddu, the Baptist church on the left and a farm on the right. When you reach the footpath sign for Offa’s Dyke, cross over the stile on the left of the track. From here follow the path at it climbs and zig zags up to to National Trail. The path uphill path was very obvious when we were there in winter but can be obscured by bracken in the summer.

A cairn and a stone sign marks the junction of the uphill path and Offa’s Dyke. Turn right (south-east) onto the National Trail and continue for ~1.6 km until you reach the Trig Pillar. For the return trip, retrace your steps back to the bottom of the hill where the path meets the track. Here you can take a right and follow the track back to Capel-y-ffin or take a left then a footpath shortly on the right. Here you can follow a path across a field, over a wooden bridge and onto the valley road. Take a right when you get to the road to return to Capel-y-ffin.

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Dunstable Down

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Start: Cowroast Lock, 46 Wharf Ln, Tring HP23 5RE
Finish: White Lion Pub, Watling Street, Houghton Regis, Dunstable, LU6 1RS
Distance: 21.9 km (13.6 Miles)
Elevation change: +314m / -315m. Net -1m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other Routes Touched (walk): Grand Union Canal Towpath, Rangers’ Ramble, Foresters’ Walk, Ashridge Boundary Trail, Hertfordshire Way, Icknield Way Path
Other Routes Touched (cycle): Chilterns Cycleway, Berkhamsted Route 6
Pubs / Cafes on route: Bridgewater Arms, Little Gadesden / National Trust Cafe at Dunstable Downs
Maps: OS Explorer Map (181) Chiltern Hills North and OS Explorer Map (193) Luton and Stevenage
Links: Chiltern Way (Chiltern Society), Cow Roast, National Trust Ashridge Estate, Ashridge, Little Gaddesden, Whipsnade Zoo, Whipsnade, Dunstable Downs National Trust

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For our latest Winter Solstice walk we picked up the Chiltern Way from where we left off a year ago. Cow Roast Lock at 08:00 was a bit brighter and significantly less rainy than how we left it in 2019.

As we got into the first hour of the walk Brian and I reflected on some of the changes in a weird year of Covid-19. For the first time since I started my Solstice Walks I wasn’t doing it to unwind from my usual year-end work stress. I hadn’t been to an office since mid-February, had no work-related travel and very little commuting. This gave me a chance to build in more positive daily habits and have more control over my working environment. Year-end at work was still very busy, but now I felt energised rather than exhausted.

This first half of this section of the Chiltern Way was pleasant but with fewer points of interest. Fields and woodland went by in a blur as we caught up on our recent events. The route became more interesting as we ascended out of the Gade Valley after Dagnall and up toward Whipsnade. This part of the Chiltern Way converges with the Icknield Way path that I covered a few years ago in similar damp weather and muddy terrain.

We were walking between Lockdowns 2 and 3 and food stops were few and far between. Normally the Bridgewater Arms at Little Gadesden would have been open when we arrived, but we were too early for their later opening times. The National Trust Cafe at Dunstable Downs was our main hope but the Visitor Centre and Cafe were closed. We has to make do with a pasty and a coffee from the small takeaway hatch at the back. It was drizzling and freezing so we didn’t hang around for long and continued north.

Our finish point was the White Lion Pub on the A5 north of Dunstable. This felt like the obvious target as it was the starting point of our 2nd Icknield Way trip 2 years ago. As that also covered the next section of the Chiltern Way, we’ll start again from Streatley for our next Solstice walk.

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Previous section: Walking The Chiltern Way Part 1 - Stokenchurch to Cow Roast
Next section: see Icknield Way Part 2 - Chalk Hill to Pirton (first half to Streatley follows the Chiltern Way)

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Significance: Highest peak in The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead
Member of: None
Parent Peak: Bald Hill. NHN = Bald Hill
Historic County: Berkshire (of which Walbury Hill is the County Top)
Elevation: 145m
Date climbed: 12th December 2020
Coordinates: 51° 31' 19'' N, 0° 48' 55'' W
On route of: Chiltern Way Berkshire Loop, Hurley and Ashley Hill Circular Walk, Littlewick Green, Ashley Hill and Knowl Hill Circular Walk
OS Trig Pillar: TP0903 - Ashley Hill
Map: Chiltern Hills East Map | High Wycombe, Maidenhead & Rickmansworth | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 172
Links: Wikipedia (Windsor and Maidenhead), Peakbagger, Hillbagging

The summit of Ashley Hill, the highest point in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead is in the grounds of a large house. We spent a few minutes looking for a sight of the OS Trig Pillar but there was too much hedging around the property. The green Chiltern Way footpath sign is the closest you’ll get to the summit.

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View to Robinswood, north-west of Ashley Hill

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Start & Finish: Parking spaces on north-east corner of Littlewick Green, near corner of Gilchrist Way and Jubilee Road, SL6 3RF
Distance: 9.9 km (6.1 miles)
Elevation change: + / - 135m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Chiltern Way Berkshire Loop, Wokingham Way, Hurley and Ashley Hill Circular Walk
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 4, Round Berkshire Cycle Route 52
Other Routes Touched (horse): Knowl Hill Bridleway Circuit
Pubs / Cafes on route: The Cricketers, Littlewick Green
Map: OS Explorer Map (172) Chiltern Hills East and OS Explorer Map (171) Chiltern Hills West, Henley-on-Thames and Wallingford
Links: Littlewick Green, Knowl Hill, Ashley Hill

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Having lived in Littlewick Green for about 15 years I’d walked, ran and cycled pretty much every path around there. This was a return trip after 8 years to see what had changed and for another visit to Ashley Hill.

Public transport options are limited, although there’s a bus stop on the A4 at the junction of Jubilee Road and Green Lane. If you’re drivin, the best places to park are by the big tree on the north-east corner of Littlewick Green or outside the Cricketers. Save the drink at the Cricketers for the end though and start the walk by heading north up Green Lane. At the end of Green Lane continue north onto Burchett’s Green Lane. Here you can either visit The Crown pub or take a short cut left through woods to avoid the village centre. Cross over Burchett’s Green Road and through the Berkshire College of Agriculture land to Honey Lane.

From Honey Lane you’ll be following the Chiltern Way Berkshire Extension through Ashley Hill woods and open fields to Warren Row. The summit of Ashley Hill, the highest point in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead is in the grounds of a large house. We spent a few minutes looking for a sight of the OS Trig Pillar but there was too much hedging around the property. The green Chiltern Way footpath sign is the closest you’ll get to the summit.

At Warren Row Road you’ll leave the Chiltern Way and join Star Lane through woods down to Knowl Hill and back to the A4. Cross the A4 and follow Knowl Hill Common road and the Knowl Hill Bridleway Circuit east back to Littlewick Green.

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Eastbourne Pier from the west

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Start & Finish: Eastbourne Pier, 3 Grand Parade, Eastbourne, BN21 3EL
Distance: 10 km (6.2 miles)
Elevation change: + / - 204m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): South Downs Way, Weald Way
Other routes touched (cycle): None
Other routes touched (run): Beachy Head Marathon
Pubs / Cafes on route: Several on Eastbourne sea front, The Kiosk at the start of the SDW, The Beachy Head pub
Trig Pillar: TP0453 - Beachy Head
Map: OS Explorer OL25 Eastbourne & Beachy Head
Links: Eastbourne, Eastbourne Pier, Beachy Head

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For me this was a walk largely designed to bag the OS Trig Pillar at the top of Beachy Head. I’d had a couple of near misses, most notably on the final stretch of the Beachy Head Marathon, but never got to touch it. The pillar is actually a very easy to get on a drive-by as it’s just behind the big pub on Beachy Head Road. It would be a shame to miss out on the walk though as it’s a South Downs classic.

This is definitely a walk of two halves with a central hill section bookended by the flat, coastal out-and back from the pier. If you just wanted to do the hilly part you can save 5k and do the big loop starting either from The Beachy Head pub or from the start of the South Downs Way on Dukes Drive. If you’ve got the time the full 10k route is well worth it and gives you a diverse “Down and Town” trip.

We started from the pier entrance on the B2106 Grand Parade with a circuit of the pier. A combination of it being December and just out of the latest Covid Lockdown meant that there was nothing going on there at the time. After the pier, follow the Promenade south, keeping to the higher path when you have an option. After ~2.5k you’ll reach the sign that marks the start of the 100 mile South Downs Way. Follow the South Downs Way up a steep hill and continue for a further 2km until you reach the cliff-edge RAF memorial. To visit the Trig Pillar walk a further 100m up hill to the north-west then retrace your steps back to the memorial.

To return, take the first footpath to the left of the memorial (as you face the sea). Descend on the steep path to the cliff edge (but not too far) and continue round heading north back to Eastbourne. When you reach the cliff edge look back to the south along the coast for a great view of Beachy Head Lighthouse. Keep the the cliff-edge path and you’ll end up back at the kiosk on Dukes Drive. From here return to the pier following the lower promenade along the top of the beach.

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Start & Finish: Pevensey Castle Car Park, Pevensey, BN24 5LF
Distance: 11.4 km (7 miles)
Elevation change: + / - 80m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): 1066 Country Walk - South Downs Link
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 2
Pubs / Cafes on route: Royal Oak and Castle (Pevensey), Pevensey Castle Tea Room, Cafe at Sharnfold Farm Near Stone Cross
Map: OS Explorer OL25 Eastbourne & Beachy Head
Links: Pevensey, Pevensey Castle, 1066 Country Walk

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Now that my brother-in-law has moved to Eastbourne this is likely to be the first of several walks we’ll be doing in the area. We chose Pevensey Castle as a good meeting point near to the town and a great start for a flat countryside walk.

From the Pevensey Castle Car park, the walk starts in the grounds of the castle. It’s an English Heritage property but you only have to pay to enter the ruins of the main part of the castle. At the south-west end of the castle grounds take a right onto High Street and cross over the B2191. Here you’ll pick up the 1066 Country Walk which you’ll follow for 3km in a westerly direction to Stone Cross.

The Stone Cross section of the 1066 Walk is on the busy Dittons Road. It’s only for 800m though and you’ll be able to take a right back onto a footpath. After crossing the A27 Pevensey Bypass (crossing very carefully!) you’ll reach Sharnfold Farm with a Farm Shop and Cafe for a mid-point rest.

From Sharnfold Farm cross over the Hailsham road and into a large field. The path across the field wasn’t visible when we were there but it’s in a roughly north east direction crossing under the electricity lines. At the north end of the field the route follows a stream bed and through a farm into Hankham. Take a left onto Hankham Street and follow the road for 2km to Rickney.

Just before Rickney Road crosses the river and joins Rickney Lane take a footpath on the right. This follows Pevensey Haven River all the way back to Pevensey. This was extremely muddy on the day that we went so be sure to take boots if it’s even remotely damp. You’ll cross over the busy A27 for a final time before reaching Castle Road and back to the car park at the start.

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View to Little Missenden on the Chiltern Heritage Trail / South Bucks Way

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Start & Finish: The Red Lion, 1 Highmore Cottages, Little Missenden, Amersham, HP7 0RB
Distance: 9.9 km (6.1 miles)
Elevation change: + / - 104m
South Bucks Way section covered: Little Kingshill to Little Missenden: 3.47 km
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Chiltern Heritage Trail
Other routes touched (cycle): Chilterns Heritage Trail: Hampden Route
Pubs / Cafes on route: The Red Lion and The Crown Inn at the start and finish in Little Missenden. The Square and The Earl Howe in Holmer Green
Map: OS Explorer Map (172) Chiltern Hills East
Links: River Misbourne, Little Missenden, Great Kingshill, Holmer Green

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The South Bucks Way is a 37 km (23-mile) trail that promises a delightful escape for walkers and hikers. This scenic route, often overshadowed by its more famous counterparts, offers a tranquil journey through charming villages, lush countryside, and the gentle murmur of the River Misbourne. This post is part of a series of circular walks featuring the South Bucks Way. The full trail stretches from Coombe Hill near Wendover to the Grand Union Canal at Denham. Our walks take in short sections of the South Bucks Way and loop back to the start on other paths. The South Bucks Way is well sign-posted however you’ll need a map or GPX route to keep on track for the return sections of the loops. The guidance below will help but don’t use it as a fully accurate turn-by-turn guide.

From the Crown Inn in Little Missenden village centre, cross Village Road and follow the Chiltern Heritage Trail south for 2.65 km. When you reach Beaumond End Lane, cross it to take the footpath on the other side rather than continuing along the Chiltern Heritage Trail. Cross over Sheepcote Dell Road and follow the footpath across the field to reach Hogg Lane. Take a right onto Earl Howe Lane and follow it in a northerly direction through Holmer Green village. Here you pass a few pubs and cafes for a mid-walk rest.

Continue up New Pond Road, take a left onto Beech Tree Road, a right onto Watchet Lane, then take the first footpath on the left. Follow the path through fields and woods in a north-westerly direction until you reach Windsor Lane in Little Kingshill. Here you’ll connect with the end of the South Bucks Way section of Part 3. Take a right onto Windsor Lane to follow the South Bucks Way/Chiltern Heritage Trail back to the start at Little Missenden.

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Previous section (north): Walking The South Bucks Way Part 3: Great Missenden to Little Kingshill
Next section (south): Walking The South Bucks Way Part 5: Little Missenden and Shardeloes

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Start & Finish: The Red Lion, 1 Highmore Cottages, Little Missenden, Amersham, HP7 0RB
Distance: 8.1 km (5.0 miles)
Elevation change: + / - 74m
South Bucks Way section covered: Little Missenden to Shardeloes: 2.84 km
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Chiltern Heritage Trail, South Bucks Way
Other routes touched (cycle): Chilterns Heritage Trail: Hampden Route
Pubs / Cafes on route: The Red Lion and The Crown Inn at the start and end in Little Missenden and Koko’s Food Truck (2.5 km in)
Map: OS Explorer Map (172) Chiltern Hills East
Links: River Misbourne, Little Missenden, Shardeloes

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The South Bucks Way is a 37 km (23-mile) trail that promises a delightful escape for walkers and hikers. This scenic route, often overshadowed by its more famous counterparts, offers a tranquil journey through charming villages, lush countryside, and the gentle murmur of the River Misbourne. This post is part of a series of circular walks featuring the South Bucks Way. The full trail stretches from Coombe Hill near Wendover to the Grand Union Canal at Denham. Our walks take in short sections of the South Bucks Way and loop back to the start on other paths. The South Bucks Way is well sign-posted however you’ll need a map or GPX route to keep on track for the return sections of the loops. The guidance below will help but don’t use it as a fully accurate turn-by-turn guide.

From the Crown Inn in Little Missenden Village Centre, walk east along Highmore Cottages road, taking the South Bucks Way footpath when the road curves left toward the A413. You’ll now be on an easily navigable path parallel to the Misbourne through fields and into the Shardeloes Estate. At the entrance to the Cricket Ground take a right onto the driveway (leaving the South Bucks Way) up to Shardeloes house and look for the footpath on the left about 300m up the drive. There’s 2 paths here and you’ll need to take the right hand one heading in a south-westerly direction. This is another long, straight path with few options to get lost.

Just over 2 km from the Shardeloes Drive you’ll cross Mop End Lane and into a farmer’s field. Cross this until you meet The Chiltern Way on Toby’s Lane. Take a right onto Toby’s Lane and follow it as it descends back down to Highmore Cottages. An alternative to continuing all the way down Toby’s Lane is to take the footpath that crosses diagonally across a field to Beamond End Lane. It doesn’t save much distance or elevation but you do get a good view of the village.

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Previous section (north): Walking The South Bucks Way Part 4: Little Kingshill to Little Missenden
Next section (south): Walking The South Bucks Way Part 6: Amersham, Winchmore Hill and Penn

Where the Misbourne meets the Chiltern Line and M25

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Start & Finish: Denham Golf Club Station, Denham, Uxbridge, UB9 5EL
Distance: 4.9 km (3.0 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 67 m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): None
Other routes touched (cycle): None
Pubs / Cafes on route: None
Map: OS Explorer Map (172) Chiltern Hills East
Links: River Misbourne, Denham, Denham Golf Club Station, Baker’s Wood

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This trip was both part of our River Misbourne Circulars and our walks based around the rail and underground stations of the Chilterns. The River Misbourne runs from its source at Great Missenden, to Denham where it joins the Colne. There’s much more interesting, less-motorwayey walks on the Misbourne so this is probably one for the completists. The guidance below will help you navigate but don’t use it as a fully accurate turn-by-turn guide. Always take a map and/or a GPX route and prepare well for the weather and terrain.

From Denham Golf Club Station, follow Station Approach and the imaginatively named Middle Road and Side Road south to the Community Centre. Continue further south on a footpath along a private farm road, crossing the Misbourne. The path climbs steeply up through woods and onto Broken Gate Lane, the main road in Bakers Wood. When the lane meets Red Hill take a right and find the gate into Caps Wood. By keeping to the main path through the wood you’ll pass a Thames Water plant on the right and come out onto a noisy, ugly layby on the A413 within sight of the M25 fly-over. This isn’t a great part of the walk but it’s soon over when you take the footpath into the fields on the right before the M25.

The footpath runs parallel to the motorway for ~600 metres, crossing over the Misbourne on a narrow wooden footbridge. The area at the end of the bridge was flooded when we were there so we had to scale a farm fence to avoid a soaking. Not far along from here you’ll pass under the intersection of the Chiltern Rail line and the M25 where the Misbourne flows under both in a tunnel. After the bridges the footpath start to curve round to the right (east) and up a hill to Over The Misbourne Road. Continue along the road marveling at the oversized houses before turning right onto Slade Oak Lane. This will take you back down to Denham Golf Club station. It’s a narrow road with no pavement but fair quiet and safe enough if you watch and listen out for cars.

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Old Mill, Denham

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Start & Finish: Denham Station, Denham, Uxbridge, UB9 5ES
Distance: 4.4 km (2.7 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 20m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): South Bucks Way
Other routes touched (cycle): none
Pubs / Cafes on route: Colne Valley Cafe at the Colne Valley Regional Park Visitors’ Centre, plus 3 pubs in Denham Village
Map: OS Explorer Map (172) Chiltern Hills East
Links: River Misbourne, Denham, Denham Station, Denham Country Park, Denham Place

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This trip was both part of our River Misbourne Circulars and our walks based around the rail and underground stations of the Chilterns. The River Misbourne runs from its source at Great Missenden, to Denham where it joins the Colne. Although it’s outside of the Chiltern Hills AONB, I’ve included it in my Chiltern Walks collection as it connects two of the Chiltern rivers. The guidance below will help you navigate but don’t use it as a fully accurate turn-by-turn guide. Always take a map and/or a GPX route and prepare well for the weather and terrain.

To start this walk, exit from the south side of Denham station and take The Phygtle to Denham Village. The path ends at the gates of Denham Place where we met a couple of staff about the meaning of Phygtle. We were told that it means pig-tail, which sounds great but he was probably making it up. The only other definition that I found for the name was that it’s an old English word for a small plot of land.

At the end of The Phygtle, turn right and follow Village Road until it meets Old Mill Road at the Misbourne. Take a left off the road and onto the South Bucks Way footpath. Follow this across the golf course, past the Colne Valley Park Visitors Centre, over Denham Court Drive and into Denham Country Park. From the car park take the north-eastern path that curves round to the north between the River Colne and the Grand Union Canal.

Although I’d been a regular visitor to the Country Park, I’d mainly used it as a base to explore the Grand Union. This was the first time that I’d walked through the interior of the park. It’s a lovely, quiet spot in an otherwise busy area. It was also extremely wet when we were there giving us an unexpected adventure of avoiding the puddle/lakes that had taken over much of the path.

Normally this route would curve round to the west on a path running parallel to the railway. A bridge over the Colne was closed at the time so we had to double back and take a diversion along the Grand Union instead (see below for details). The best ways to check the state of the bridge in advance are to either visit the Country Park website or to see if there’s a Footpath Closed sign at the other end of the path near Denham Station when you start the trip.

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Diversion

Start & Finish: Denham Station, Denham, Uxbridge, UB9 5ES
Distance: 6.0 km (3.7 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 20m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): South Bucks Way, Grand Union Canal Towpath, Colne Valley Trail
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 6, 61
Pubs / Cafes on route: Colne Valley Cafe at the Colne Valley Regional Park Visitors’ Centre, plus 3 pubs in Denham Village
Map: OS Explorer Map (172) Chiltern Hills East

With the River Colne footbridge closed, the best diversion is to leave the Country Park south of the bridge and walk north along the Grand Union Canal. This adds an extra 1.6 km / 1 mile to the overall trip length but no extra elevation. The main advantage of the diversion is that you get to see the old brick rail bridge as it crosses the canal. The main downside is that you also get to see the destruction of the HS2 works as it rips up the area a bit further along. When you reach the first road bridge, leave the canal onto Moorhall Road and head south-west back toward Denham. It’s a busy, unattractive road, especially with the HS2 works, but it’s safe enough with a pavement. Turn left onto Savay Lane then right onto the South Bucks Way and you’re back onto the Phygtle toward Denham Station.

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Gerrards Cross Golf Club

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Start & Finish: Gerrards Cross Station, Station Approach, Gerrards Cross, SL9 8PL
Distance: 6.3 km (3.9 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 49m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): None
Other routes touched (cycle): None
Pubs / Cafes on route: Several in Chalfont St Peter Village Centre and Gerrards Cross Town Centre
Map: OS Explorer Map (172) Chiltern Hills East
Links: River Misbourne, Gerrards Cross, Gerrards Cross Station, Chalfont St Peter

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This trip was both part of our River Misbourne Circulars and our walks based around the rail and underground stations of the Chilterns. The River Misbourne runs from its source at Great Missenden, to Denham where it joins the Colne.

This is the first of a set of shorter routes at the southern end of the Misbourne. The open fields of the upper part of the valley now make way for residential areas, roads and golf courses. It’s also the part where the river meets the Chiltern Line connecting Gerrards Cross, Denham Gold Club and Denham with London. The guidance below will help you navigate but don’t use it as a fully accurate turn-by-turn guide. Always take a map and/or a GPX route and prepare well for the weather and terrain.

From Gerrards Cross station take the footpath that runs parallel to the railway in a north-westerly direction. At Bull Lane you can get a good view of the railway cutting and the station. Turn right onto Bull Lane and continue north through footpaths and residential streets to Gold Hill Baptist Church. You are now at the top end of Chalfont St Peter. Descend via Gold Hill East onto Market Place until you reach the small roundabout in the village centre. Watch out for the several Heritage Plaques around the town that show old photos and information about the village.

From the village centre roundabout take a left onto high street and go through the A413 underpass. This comes out at the Chalfont St Peter Youth Centre wher you’ll take a right to follow a path that runs parallel to the A413 and the Misbourne. Just after the path joins Woodside Hill take a footpath on the left through Gerrards Cross Golf Club. On the far side of the golf course the path rejoins the Misbourne through Round Copse. You’ll soon meet a T-junction and a bridge which is as far as you can follow the Misbourne until it crosses under the M25. Take a right here and leave the river behind you as you walk east back to the A413. Cross over the A413, taking care here as its a busy dual carriageway. Once across follow a footpath that runs between back gardens, over Packhorse Road and onto Orchehill Avenue. When Orchehill Avenue curves to the right take the footpath on the left and follow it back to Gerrards Cross Station.

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Farm near Frogmore Meadows

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Start & Finish: The Cock Inn at Sarratt, Church Lane, Sarratt, Rickmansworth, WD3 6HH
Distance: 9.8 km (6 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 98m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Chess Valley Walk, Chiltern Heritage Trail, Sarratt Parish Footpath
Other routes touched (cycle): Chiltern Heritage Trails: Harding Route
Pubs / Cafes on route: The Green Dragon, Flaunden
Map: OS Explorer Map (172) Chiltern Hills East and OS Explorer Map (182) St. Albans and Hatfield
Links: River Chess, Sarratt, Sarratt Bottom, Flaunden

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This trip was both part of our River Chess Circulars of around 10 km. The River Chess runs from its source at Pednor, near Chesham, to Rickmansworth where it joins the Colne. The Chess Valley Walk is a point-to-point trail along the course of the river from Chesham to Rickmansworth stations. The guidance below will help you navigate but don’t use it as a fully accurate turn-by-turn guide. Always take a map and/or a GPX route and prepare well for the weather and terrain.

This walk starts at the Cock Inn at Sarratt where there’s parking for customers. Having a drink or a meal there is a good idea as there’s very few other parking options nearby. From the Cock Inn cross over New Road and find the footpath gate behind the Church Of The Holy Cross. This is the point where the return path meets, so be careful here to take the left hand path. Follow this path down to the River Chess at Sarratt Bottom. When you meet the Chess Valley Walk, take a right and follow the path for ~ 2km to Chenies Hill road. Look for a small footpath gate in the farm wall and take the path north as it ascends to Martins Top Farm. Continue north as the path curves around the farm and up to Flaunden Villge. Take a right onto Flaunden Hill road and continue north-west until the Chiltern Way junction. Take a right off the road onto the Chiltern Way and follow this all the way back to the church at Sarratt.

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View to the Chess from the Latimer Estate

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Start & Finish: Latimer Village Centre, Church Lane, HP5 1TY
Distance: 7.7 km (4.8 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 120m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Chess Valley Walk, Chiltern Heritage Trail
Other routes touched (cycle): Chilterns Cycleway
Pubs / Cafes on route: none
Map: OS Explorer Map (172) Chiltern Hills East
Links: Latimer, River Chess

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This trip was both part of our River Chess Circulars of less than 10 km. The River Chess runs from its source at Pednor, near Chesham, to Rickmansworth where it joins the Colne. The Chess Valley Walk is a point-to-point trail along the course of the river from Chesham to Rickmansworth stations. The guidance below will help you navigate but don’t use it as a fully accurate turn-by-turn guide. Always take a map and/or a GPX route and prepare well for the weather and terrain.

This walk starts at Latimer Village, although we found that the best parking was on the left hand side of the Church Lane between the village and Latimer Place. From the village take the Chess Valley Walk on a westerly direction. The path keeps to higher ground giving you a good view across the valley and down to the river. After ~3 km, the path meets Latimer Road. Here you’ll leave the Chess Valley Walk to take Bunns Lane on a steep ascent towards Pinner Green. The path will join White End Lane at the end of which take a left and continue north-east up Blackwell Hall Lane for ~300m, taking a footpath on the right. This path descends though Codmore Wood and fields for just over 1 km before you rejoin Church Lane for the final stretch back to Latimer.

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Panorama from Coombe Hill

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Start & Finish: Wendover Station, Station Approach, Wendover, P22 6BT
Distance: 7.3 km (4.5 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 139m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): The Ridgeway, Outer Aylesbury Ring, South Bucks Way, Coombe Hill Orange Trail, Low Scrubs Orange Trail
Other routes touched (cycle): Chilterns Cycleway
Pubs / Cafes on route: Several in Wendover High Street
Map: OS Explorer Map (181) Chiltern Hills North
Links: Wendover, Wendover Station, Coombe Hill, Bacombe Hill, Coombe Hill National Trust

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This trip was both part of our walks based around the rail and underground stations of the Chilterns. The guidance below will help you navigate but don’t use it as a fully accurate turn-by-turn guide. Always take a map and/or a GPX route and prepare well for the weather and terrain.

At Wendover station there’s 2 options to exit, either across the footbridge across the station and the A413 into the Cricket Ground or take a right from the main entrance and right again onto Pound Street / Ellesborough Road. Both options meet on Ellesborough Road where you can take the Ridgeway as it climbs up Bacombe Hill.

At ~2 km from the station you’ll reach the Coombe Hill Monument. This is a 260m pillar, built in 1904, in memory of 148 men from Buckinghamshire who died in the Second Boer War. On a clear day you can see for miles across the Vale of Aylesbury to the north. From the monument follow the Coombe Hill Orange Route south to the National Trust car park. Continue along the southern perimeter of Bacombe Hill Woods, decending onto Bacombe Lane. At South Street you can either take a left for the fastest route back to the station or cross over onto Chapel Lane for a small loop of Heron Stream and the High Street.

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Cows grazing on Chorleywood Common

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Start & Finish: Rickmansworth Station, WD3 1QY
Alternative start with car parking at: Chorleywood Common, WD3 5EG
Distance: 9.4 km (5.8 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 100m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Chess Valley Walk
Other routes touched (cycle): none
Pubs / Cafes on route: The Black Horse Pub, Chorleywood Common
Map: OS Explorer Map (172) Chiltern Hills East
Links: Rickmansworth, Rickmansworth Station, River Chess, Chorleywood

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This trip was both part of our River Chess Circulars and our walks based around the rail and underground stations of the Chilterns. The River Chess runs from its source at Pednor, near Chesham, to Rickmansworth where it joins the Colne. The Chess Valley Walk is a point-to-point trail along the course of the river from Chesham to Rickmansworth stations. The guidance below will help you navigate but don’t use it as a fully accurate turn-by-turn guide. Always take a map and/or a GPX route and prepare well for the weather and terrain.

From Rickmansworth station the route follows the first (or last!) 4 kilometres of the Chess Valley Trail. The confluence with the River Colne is to the south of the station and you can pass over it on the Rickmansworth Three Rivers Circular walk. After the M25 crossing you’ll leave the Chess Valley Walk and continue up Solesbridge Lane to Chorleywood Common. Solesbridge Lane is quite narrow with no pavement so a diversion around Chess Way and Wyatt’s Road is recommended. Once over the A404 keep to the paths alongside Dog Kennel Lane until you reach the rail line. Footpaths through the woods to the south side of the rail line will take you back to Rickmansworth.

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View from High Spring Woods south to Shardeloes

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Start & Finish: Amersham Station, Amersham, HP6 5FG, Buckinghamshire
Distance: 8.3 km (5.2 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 75m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Chiltern Heritage Trail, South Bucks Way
Other routes touched (cycle): Chilterns Cycleway, Milton Route, Hampden Route
Pubs / Cafes on route: Seasons Cafe, Old Amersham plus others in Old and New Amersham town centres
Map: OS Explorer Map (172) Chiltern Hills East
Links: Amersham, Amersham Station, Martyr’s Memorial, River Misbourne

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This trip was both part of our River Misbourne Circulars and our walks based around the rail and underground stations of the Chilterns. The River Misbourne runs from its source at Great Missenden, to Denham where it joins the Colne. The guidance below will help you navigate but don’t use it as a fully accurate turn-by-turn guide. Always take a map and/or a GPX route and prepare well for the weather and terrain.

This walk starts at Amersham Station in Amersham New Town and also passes through Old Amersham. The New Town sits at the top of the hill with the Chess Valley to the North and the Misbourne Valley to the South. An unexpected find for us was the Martyr’s Memorial on the edge of a field near Station Road. Per the description on the monument: “In the shallow depression at a spot 100 yards left of this monument seven protestant men and one woman were burnt to death at the stake. They died for the principles of religious liberty, for the right to read and interpret the holy scriptures and to worship God according to their consciences as revealed through God’s holy word. Their names shall live forever.”

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Descending to Chesham on the Chilterns Heritage Trail

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Start & Finish: Chesham Station, Chesham. HP5 1DA
Alternative Car Parking at: Star Yard Car Park, Parsonage, Lane, Chesham, HP5 1EP
Distance: 9.3 km (5.8 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 84m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Chess Valley Walk, Chiltern Heritage Trail
Pubs / Cafes on route: Several in Chesham Town Centre
Map: OS Explorer Map (181) Chiltern Hills North
Links: Chesham, Chesham Station, Tylers Hill, River Chess

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This trip was both part of our River Chess Circulars and our walks based around the rail and underground stations of the Chilterns. The River Chess runs from its source at Pednor, near Chesham, to Rickmansworth where it joins the Colne. The Chess Valley Walk is a point-to-point trail along the course of the river from Chesham to Rickmansworth stations. The guidance below will help you navigate but don’t use it as a fully accurate turn-by-turn guide. Always take a map and/or a GPX route and prepare well for the weather and terrain.

This walk takes in the first 3 kilometers of the Chess Valley Walk before a steep uphill section to Pinner Green. The final 2 km joins the Chiltern Heritage Trail as it descends back to Chesham station.

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Grand Union Canal near Croxley Green

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Start & Finish: Cassiobury Park Car Park, Gade Avenue, Watford, WD18 7LG
Distance: 10.1 km (6.3 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 84m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Grand Union Canal Towpath, Whippendell Circular Walks
Pubs / Cafes on route: Cafe In The Park at Cassiobury
Map: OS Explorer Map (172) Chiltern Hills East
Links: Cassiobury Park, Whippendell Wood, Croxley Green, Croxley Station, Watford Station

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This trip was both part of our walks based around the rail and underground stations of the Chilterns. On this one we explored the canal and green spaces around the Metropolitan Line spur to Watford. Croxley and Watford stations are only 2 km apart and not an exciting walk if you take the roads. The Grand Union Canal is a better option for walking the first kilometre then you can branch off onto the River Gade as you get into Watford Town. The much more interesting part of the trip is the section through Cassiobury Park and over the canal into Whippendell Woods. These both used to be part of the Cassiobury Estate.

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