Chiltern Hills OS Trig Pillars

Boxing Day 2019 saw the completion of my mission to find all of the Trig Pillars in the Chilterns. I used my broader definition of the Chilterns which extends beyond the boundaries of the AONB to the banks of the Thames, Lea and Colne. I also kept it to those that were accessible without trespassing, damaging crops or fences or scaring animals. That definition is somewhat subjective though as some that I’ve listed as accessible are just off the public right of way. Looking at the logs, there’s others who have successfully bagged ones I’ve listed as inaccessible but I’ve taken a more risk-averse approach, missing out on 7 pillars. As with my Chilterns Rivers adventures this has taken me to some stunning countryside that I wouldn’t have seen otherwise.



Notes to Map Key:

  • Green shaded area is the Chiltern Hills AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty)

  • Peach shaded area is the “Greater Chilterns Area”, bordered by the River Thames to the South and West, the River Lea to the North East and the River Colne to the East.

  • Green Triangles show accessible Trig Pillars: either on a public right of way or just off and accessible with care.

  • Yellow Triangles show inaccessible Trig Pilars: those on private property and not accessible without land-owners’ permission.

  • Red Triangles show destroyed or missing Trig Pillars.

  • Letters and numbers before each Trig Pillar name below refer to the grid reference in the map above.


Accessible Trig Pillars in the Greater Chilterns Area


Inaccessible Trig Pillars in the Greater Chilterns Area

Inaccessible Trig Pillars in the Chiltern Hills AONB


Destroyed Trig Pillars in the Greater Chilterns Area

Destroyed Trig Pillars in the Chiltern Hills AONB