When: May 31st 2025
Where: Green Park, Reading, Berkshire
Organiser: Good Running Events
Distance: 10 km
Elevation: +/- 60m
Course: 3 km arc within Green Park and a 7 km loop of country roads either side of the M4.
Other routes touched: None
Finish time: 54 minutes, 52 seconds
Post 130 At Epsom Race Course
Start & Finish: Tattenham Corner Station, Epsom, KT18 5QD
Distance: 11.1 km (6.9 miles)
Elevation change: + / - 160 m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): None
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 22
London Coal Duty Posts: 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, (132), 133, 134, (135), 136
Pubs / Cafes on route: The Bell (just off route at 7.6 km), several in Tattenham Corner High Street
Map: Dorking, Box Hill & Reigate Map | Leatherhead & Caterham | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 146
Links: Coal Duty Posts, Tattenham Corner, Epsom Downs Race Course, Epsom Downs, Langley Vale Wood, Tadworth
Similar to the Banstead Heath Circular, this walk takes advantage of having several Coal Duty Posts in close proximity. On the 11 km walk through Epsom Downs and Langley Vale Wood you can visit posts 125 to 136. Note that post 135 is no longer visible as it’s in a private garden hidden by a large fence and bushes. Even if you’re not into bagging the Coal Posts, this is a very pleasant walk.
The route crosses the Epsom Downs Race Course on public rights of way which are occasionally closed during race events. Check before you go to make sure that the paths are open.
The start of the route is from Tattenham Corner Station where there’s also 2 car parks. From the station walk along Tattenham Crescent toward the race course then take a right onto Tattenham Corner Road heading north, The first Coal Post (132) is near the Tattenham Corner Pub. Take a left onto National Cycle Route (NCN) 22 heading in a south-westerly direction through the race course. Along this 2.2 km stretch you’ll pass posts 129, 128, 127 and 126 either on or just off the cycle route.
At Post 126 leave NCN 22 and take a right to follow the path through Langley Bottom Farm then take a left to the path that runs close to the southern edge of Langley Vale Road in a south-westerly direction. You’ll find post 125 near the junction of Langley Vale Road, Headley Road and Downs Road. Keep on the path running next to Downs Road then a left onto Headley Road to the entrance of the Langley Vale Wood Woodland Trust site.
The next 2.5 km meander through Langley Vale Wood. This was farmland purchased by the Woodland Trust in 2014 and is now one of four First World War Centenary Woods remembering those killed in the war. Its a beautiful place to walk though. Follow the paths until you reach Post 136 at the corner of Motts Hill Lane.
Take a left to follow Motts Hill Lane in a northerly direction but keep on the path when Motts Hill Lane curves to the right at (the hidden) Post 135. Keeping on the path you’ll pass Post 134 and, when the path meets Epsom Lane North, you can squeeze through the hedge for Post 133 on the eastern side of the road. Just after Post 133 you’ll see Post 130 on the opposite side of the race-course. Cross the track on the footpath to visit it. Cross back over to visit Post 131 on the small hill overlooking the race-course and then follow Royal Drive to return to Tattenham Corner Station.
Rotten Row
The Shakespeare’s Way is a 235 km / 146 mile mile long-distance path connecting Shakespeare's birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon with the Shakespeare's Globe (Theatre), Southwark, London. A 34km section of the path cuts through the Chiltern Hills National Landscape in a south-easterly direction. Our walks take in short sections of the Shakespeare’s Way and loop back to the start on other paths. The Shakespeare’s Way is reasonably well marked 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.
Start: Britwell Salome, Watlington, OX49 5LG
Finish: Grand Union Tow Path, Yiewsley, West Drayton, UB7 7XN
Distance: 59 km (36.7 miles)
Elevation change: + 665 / - 755m. Net +90m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Maps: See individual section posts linked below.
- Chiltern Hills West Map | Henley-on-Thames & Wallingford | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 171
Links: Shakespeare’s Way (LWDA), See individual section posts linked below for other links.
If you’re not up for an 59 km walk in one go, you can take in the Shakespeare’s way in 12 circular walks of between 6 and 13 km each. We chose this option, completing all 12 sections over a few years from 2020 to 2025. The advantage of this option is exploring more of the villages and side paths close to the route. After Route 12 you can follow the Beeches Way to reach Yiewsley and the end of the Chilterns Section of the Shakespeare’s Way.
Note that these walks take you through the Chilterns Hills National Landscape. See the Walking The Beeches Way post for the continuation from Cookham to Yiewsley
Each number refers to a circular walk below. Base map: Esri Topo via RideWithGPS
Part 1: Britwell Salome and Lower Warren
Distance: 7.8 km (4.8 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 123m
Shakespeare’s Way section covered: Britwell Salome to The Ridgeway: 2.2 km
Part 2: Swyncombe and The North
Distance: 8.1 km (5 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 176m
Shakespeare’s Way section covered: The Ridgeway to Cookley Green: 3.8 km
Part 3: Swyncombe and Park Corner
Distance: 9.9 km (6.2 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 199m
Shakespeare’s Way section covered: Cookley Green to The Chiltern Way near Maidensgrove: 2.1 km
Part 4: Nettlebed, Park Corner and Maidensgrove
Distance: 8.5 km (5.3 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 159m
Shakespeare’s Way section covered: The Chiltern Way near Maidensgrove to Park Lane: 1.2 km
Part 5: Russell's Water, Pishill and Maidensgrove
Distance: 9.2 km (5.7 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 166m
Shakespeare’s Way section covered: Maidensgrove Common to farm at south Maidensgrove: 1.32 km
Part 6: Stonor and Turville Heath
Distance: 10 km (6.2 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 208m
Shakespeare’s Way section covered: Farm at south of Maidensgrove to Southend: 5.9 km
Distance: 12.3 km (7.6 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 216m
Shakespeare’s Way section covered: Southend to Hambleden: 5.4 km
Part 8: North-east Hambleden Circular
Distance: 9.7 km (6 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 145m
Shakespeare’s Way section covered: Hamble Brook to Rogues Plantation: 2.9 km
Part 9: Bovingdon Green and Shillingridge Wood
Distance: 10.9 km (6.8 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 152m
Shakespeare’s Way section covered: Rogues Plantation to Pullingshill Wood: 2.5 km
Part 10: Marlow and Harleyford
Distance: 10.2 km (6.3 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 94m
Shakespeare’s Way section covered: Pullingshill Wood to The Thames Path at Marlow: 3.4 km
Distance: 11.4 km (7 miles)
Elevation change: + / - 65m
Shakespeare’s Way section covered: The Thames Path at Marlow to Bourne End Rail Bridge: 3.4 km
Part 12: Bourne End, Cookham and Wooburn
Distance: 8.2 km (5.1 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 83m
Shakespeare’s Way section covered: Bourne End Rail Bridge to Broad Lane, Widmoor: 3.9 km
View to Turville and Fingest from the edge of Great Wood
Start & Finish: Car park next to the Stag and Huntsman, Hambleden, Henley-on-Thames RG9 6RP
Distance: 12.3 km (7.6 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 216m
Shakespeare’s Way section covered: Southend to Hambleden: 5.4 km
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): The Chiltern Way, Shakespeare’s Way
Other routes touched (cycle): Chiltern Cycleway
Pubs / Cafes on route: The Stag and Huntsman at the start and finish, The Frog at Skirmett (closed for refurbishment when we passed)
Map: OS Explorer 171: Chiltern Hills West, Henley-on-Thames and Wallingford
Links: Hambleden, Skirmett, Southend
The Shakespeare’s Way is a 235 km / 146 mile mile long-distance path connecting Shakespeare's birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon with the Shakespeare's Globe (Theatre), Southwark, London. A 34km section of the path cuts through the Chiltern Hills National Landscape in a south-easterly direction. Our walks take in short sections of the Shakespeare’s Way and loop back to the start on other paths. The Shakespeare’s Way is reasonably well marked 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.
For this walk we parked at the car park next to the Stag and Huntsman in Hambleden and took Pheasant’s Hill (lane) in a northerly direction out of the village. After approximately 300m take a footpath on the left to join the Chiltern Way and continue following it north until Shogmore Lane. Take a left then a right onto Fingest Lane. Shortly after The Frog pub in Skirmett, take the first footpath on the left and follow it until it rejoins the Chiltern Way. Take a left onto the Chiltern Way and follow it in a south-westerly direction to Drover’s Lane in Southend.
Take a right onto Drovers Lane, continuing on the Chiltern Way to connect with the Shakespeare’s Way. Take the first footpath on the left to follow both the Chiltern Way and Shakespeare’s Way back to the start in Hambleden.
Shakespeare’s Way previous section (west): Stonor and Turville Heath
Shakespeare’s Way next section (east): North-East Hambleden Circular
Early morning start in Hastings
This was a 2-day cycle adventure continuing our occasional crawl around the south-coast of England, 1 weekend at a time. We picked up where we left off the previous summer at Dover Waterfront and headed towards Brighton. As well as being well-spaced for a 50(ish) mile a day trip, the towns were also good for trains to and from London. Our main consideration was that the outbound train from London Victoria to Dover Priory has to be after 19:00 to avoid Friday evening rush-hour. It got us into Dover after dark but it was only a 10 minute cycle to the Dover Premier Inn where we were staying. There were no restrictions on the return trip from Brighton to London Victoria on the Friday.
Start: Dover Priory Station, Priory Station Approach Road, Dover CT17 9SB
Finish: Hastings Pier, 1-10 White Rock, Hastings, TN34 1JY
Distance: 97.4 km (54 miles)
Elevation change: + 602m / -609m (Net -7)
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Saxon Shore Way, North Downs Way, King Charles III England Coast Path, High Weald Landscape Trail, 1066 Country Walk
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 1, 2, 17, Cantii Way
Pubs / Cafes on route: Lots, but we stopped at Pedaler on the Port, Dover (1.5 km in), The Star, St Mary in The Marsh (40 kmi in), Brew at 32, Lydd (51 km in), The Lookout, Rye (66 km in)
OS Trig Pillar: TP4139 - Jurys Gap
Maps:
- Dover, Folkestone & Hythe Map | England Coast Path | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 138
- Romney Marsh, Rye & Winchelsea Map | Tenterden & New Romney | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 125
- Hastings & Bexhill Map | Battle & Robertsbridge | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 124
Links: Dover, Folkestone, Abbots Cliff Sound Mirror, Hythe, Royal Military Canal, Romney Marsh, St Mary In The Marsh, Lydd, Camber Sands, Rye, Whichelsea, Hastings
Our trip started at 10:30 on the Saturday after Dover Waterfront parkrun and a slow breakfast at the Pedaler on the Port cycle cafe. The 87 km route was mostly flat but bookended by steep climbs at the start and end of the day. The early climb came right after Dover town as the NCN 2 ascends Shakespeare Cliff to Capel-le-Ferne before a steep descent into Folkestone. Watch out for the Sound Mirror next to the Millennium Milepost at 8 km which gives you a good excuse for a rest around half-way through the climb.
The first part of the flat section under Radnor Cliff in Folkestone and along the Royal Military Canal is a highlight of the route. We bypassed Hythe town but, in hindsight, we would have stopped there for some food as pubs and cafes are few and far between in the marshland west of Hythe. By the time we reached St Mary In The Marsh at 40km we more than ready for a rest in The Star pub. As it happened we were too late for lunch and too early for dinner so, after a short rest, we pressed onto Lydd to have a longer rest and some good food in the cycle-friendly Brew at 32.
After Lydd it’s only 6 km back to the coast at Jury’s Gap, although the strong wind in our face made it feel like 20 km. After another pub stop in Rye we pressed on towards Hastings via the steep climb at Fairlight. After 80 km of wind I had no interest in trying to keep in the saddle and decided to push the bike up most of the hill. The steep down into Hastings was the reward, as was the warm meal and early night ahead of day 2.
Start: Hastings Pier, 1-10 White Rock, Hastings, TN34 1JY
Finish: Brighton Station, Queens Road, Brighton and Hove, Brighton, BN1 3XP
Distance: 72 km (44.7 miles)
Elevation change: +507m / -475m (Net +32m)
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Motoring Heritage Trail, 1066 Country Walk, Wealdway, South Downs Way, Vanguard Way, Sussex Ouse Valley Way, Newhaven-Brighton Clifftop Path, Greenwich Meridian Trail
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 2, 21, 90, Cuckoo Trail, Prime Meridan Cycle Route
Pubs / Cafes on route: Lots, but we stopped at Pevensey Starbucks (17.5 km in), Arlington Tea Garden (31.5 km in), The Ark, Newhaven (54.3 km in) and a chip shop near the beach in Brighton.
Maps:
- Hastings & Bexhill Map | Battle & Robertsbridge | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 124
- Eastbourne & Beachy Head Map | Newhaven, Seaford, Hailsham & Heathfield | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map OL25
- Brighton & Hove Map | Lewes & Burgess Hill | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map OL11
Links: Hastings, Bexhill-on-Sea, Pevensey, Cuckoo Trail, South Downs National Park, Alfriston, Seaford, Newhaven, Peacehaven, Rottingdean, Brighton
With no parkrun to work around we set off early along the Hastings to Bexford seafront with the aim of finding breakfast around 15km in. After passing several sea-side places that weren’t quiet open we settled for a Starbucks next to a petrol station in Pevensey. Not the nice coastal stop like we found in Walmer on the previous trip but it did the job.
Our original plan for this second day was to come off the NCN s at Pevensey, sticking to the coast through to Eastbourne then crossing the South Downs through Jevington. In the end we decided to stick to the NCN 2 through Polegate, Arlington and Alfriston. Although it takes a wide path away from the coast, it’s an interesting route through pretty villages.
After the South Downs section the NCN 2 took us back to the coast at Seaford. We were on familiar territory having visited Peacehaven, Rottingdean and Brighton on previous cycle trips.
Our final section took us along the coast to Brighton Pier with a quick stop near the beach for chips before heading north to the station to get the train back to London. The next section will likely be in 2026 with a return to Brighton for the next section to Poole.
Day 1 in red, day 2 in blue
Dotting the UK's National Cycle Network are over 1,000 unique markers known as the Millennium Mileposts. Unveiled in 2000, these cast-iron sculptures are more than just waymarkers. Designed by four artists, one from each nation of the UK, they celebrate the diversity of the cycling routes. These artistic mileposts come in various shapes and can be found in both bustling towns and scenic landscapes, adding a touch of artistic charm to a cycling adventure.
Here’s the 26 Mileposts that I spotted on the 2 day cycle trip. The first 22 were on Day 1 and the final 4 were on day 2.
When: May 18th 2025
Where: Chiltern Valley Winery & Brewery, Old Luxters, Henley-on-Thames, RG9 6JW
Organiser: Racing Line Running
Distance: 10 km
Elevation: +/- 167m
Course: 8 km loop of farms and woodland to the west of the Winery 7 Brewery with a 1 km out-and-back from the start/finish. Mostly farm track, woodland paths. Hilly
Other routes touched: Chiltern Way, Shakespeare’s Way
Finish time: 1 hour, 1 minute, 57 seconds
Ascent of Latterbarrow
When: May 10th 2025
Start and Finish: Low Cunsey Farm, Cunsey, Far Sawrey, Ambleside, LA22 0LU
Organiser: The Lap
Distance: 77km (47 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 2681m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Windermere Shore Footpath, Windermere West Shore, Dales Way, West Windermere Way
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 6, 637. Lakes and Dales Loop
Other routes touched (run): Rothay Park parkrun
Summits: Latterbarrow, Loughrigg Fell, Wansfell Pike, Wansfell, Baystones, Orrest Head, Brant Fell, Gummer’s How
OS Trig Pillars: TP4549 - Loughrigg Fell, TP3536 - Gummers How
Map: The English Lakes: South-Eastern Area Map | Windermere, Kendal & Silverdale | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map OL7
Finish time: 14 hours, 51 minutes, 24 seconds
Links: Lake Windermere, Graythwaite Estate, Far Sawrey, Skelwith Bridge, Ambleside, Troutbeck, Windermere (Town), Newby Bridge, Finsthwaite
This was my 14th Ultra and my 5th with my friend Mark. It was also my first big Ultra since the 100k Race To The Castle in 2021. Since then I’d had a few years of local 50k Ultras, waiting for another big one to excite me. After another friend had completed The Lap the previous year and loved it, I signed up straight away.
The Lap is a 75km circuit of Windermere, England’s largest lake. It takes a scenic, hilly route away from the lake with some tough climbs paid back by some great views. With the climbs, I found it hard to estimate what my finish time would be so I decided that finishing would be good enough and coming in before dark would be amazing.
As we arrived at the basecamp for the 06:00 start, the sun was coming up over the hills to the east of the lake. As usual at the start-line, I reminded myself not to get over excited and start too quickly. I need not have worried as the narrow country lanes and single-track through woods kept everyone at a slow, often walking, pace.
After the first feed station at Far Sawtry the pack was more spread out and we could speed up. Latterbarrow was the first climb at 11 km with a short steep climb up to the monument then an equally steep down. Shortly after the descent I saw road signs to Ambleside and decided that we were making very good time and would be there by our target of 09:30. I was wrong. I had forgotten that the route veers away from the lake at its north-west corner and climbs Loughrigg Fell before descending to Ambleside. It was at the second feed station at Skelwith that I realised we were actually an hour behind plan. It was also now getting hot and we still had the 2 big climbs to do. The new plan was “forget the plan”.
The northern section of the route has the 3 big climbs, Loughrigg Fell at 335m elevation and Wansfell at 487m. By Lake District standards, they’re both easy fells to walk but on an Ultra on a hot day they were killers. By the time we were down from Wansfell at the Troutbeck half-way feed-station, most of my running ability was gone.
Mark and I stayed mostly together until Gummers How, the final climb at 57 km. Mark is faster than I am so I generally lose him by the half way point. I often gain a bit of time at feed-stations as I don’t like to stop for long which gives me a bit of distance before Mark catches up with me again. Mark did a great job of encouraging me to run a few extra times rather than speed walk. That probably shaved up to 2 minutes off my total time.
My low-point of the route was a long stretch after Windermere of very similar-looking plantation and not many people around. Mark and I re-connected for the ascent of Gummer’s How. By the time we met Timea, our support crew for the day, we were both a bit tired and grumpy. I was still recovering from a cold and any running was now giving me a headache. Timea saved us with a pasty and some painkillers and we were back on the route.
Timea met us several times on the early evening southern section of the route greatly helping my motivation. After Newby Bridge the route turned back to the north for the final 10 km to the finish line. Although behind my “optimistic” plan, I had some new energy and felt that I could reach the finish before dark. I crossed the finish line at 20:51, well before dark and under 15 hours. Mark very kindly finished 18 minutes ahead of me so that he could be ready to video my finish.
It was in the top 3 most difficult Ultras that I’ve done but also in the top 3 most enjoyable.
When: April 27th 2025
Where: Nettlebed, Oxfordshire
Organiser: Nettlebed Stinger
Distance: 10 km
Elevation: +/- 183m
Course: 7 km loop of farms and woodland to the south of Nettlebed with a 1.5km out-and-back from the start/finish. Mostly farm track, woodland paths. Hilly
Other routes touched: N/A
Finish time: 1 hour, 3 minutes, 27 seconds
North Downs Way near Chevening
Start: The Velo Barn, Unit 1, Betsoms Farm, Pilgrims Way, Westerham TN16 2DS
Finish: Otford Memorial Hall, 28A High St, Otford, Sevenoaks, TN14 5PQ
Distance: 12.8 km (7.9 miles)
Elevation change: +128m / -225m. Net -97m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Berry’s Green Circular Walk, Darent Valley Path
Other routes touched (cycle): None
Pubs / Cafes on route: The Velo Barn at the start of the route, Rose & Crown Sevenoaks (10 km in), several in Otford High Street
OS Trig Pilllar: TP4287 - Knockholt Beeches
Map: Sevenoaks & Tonbridge Map | Royal Tunbridge Wells & Westerham | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 147
Guidebook: The North Downs Way National Trail from Farnham to Dover (Cicerone)
Links: Chevening, Otford
This is the eighth of a series of short point-to-point walks along the North Downs Way. The full trail is a long distance path stretching from Farnham in Surrey to Dover in Kent. Our walks took in short sections of 10 km to 13 km which we did with a friend over the course of a couple of years when our schedules coincided. The North Downs Way is well sign-posted however I highly recommend taking a map or GPX route to keep you on track. The Cicerone book on the trail is a great guide to the points of interest along the way.
Our original plan was to only walk the first seven sections covering Surrey before the driving from home started getting to long. It was only when I was completing my quest to bag all OS Trig Pillars within the M25 that I realised that I needed to do one final section and get the Knockholt Beeches Trig Pillar to complete the set.
Picking up from the Velobarn at Westerham Heights we continued east along the North Downs Way. This was a bright, sunny day in mid-April and a nice change from the gloominess of the previous section that we did nearly 18 months ago. The first 5 km of this section stays high on the ridge with great views to the south across open fields. At around 4.7 km you can take a very minor diversion to the north of the trail to find the Trig Pillar hiding in a bush along a field fence-line.
Shortly after the Trig Pillar the trail enters Cooper’s Wood. Watch out for the cutting in the trees where you can see down to Chevening House, the official country residence of the British Foreign Secretary. You can also get a good view of the estate as the trail descends out of the woods, across farmland to Sundridge Road. When we were there in April 2025 a diversion was being put in place to cut off part of the route that follows Sundridge Road. We chose not to take it, prefering to stick to the route that we had on the map. In hindsight I wish we had taken the diversion as there’s no pavement on some of the road and very fast cars wizzing by.
Shortly after crossing over the A21 on Morrants Court Road you’ll reach the Rose and Crown at the 10 km point. It’s the first pub to stop for a rest on this section. The final 3 km after the Rose and Crown also follows the Darent Valley Path into Otford. This is a pretty village with some well kept old buildings and several information boards detailing its history.
Previous Section (west): Walking The North Downs Way Part 7: Gangers Hill to Westerham Hill
Woodbridge Crossing, Guildford
Start: Worplesdon Station, Woking, GU22 0RN
Finish: Guildford Station, Guildford GU1 4UT
Distance: 11.9 km (7.4 miles)
Elevation Change: +/- 52m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other Routes Touched (walk): Wey Navigation Footpath, The Fox Way
Other Routes Touched (cycle): Surrey Cycleway
Cafe / pubs on route: The Olive Tree (2.5 km in), The Row Barge (9.1 km in), Cafe at National Trust Dapdune Wharf (just off route at 11 km in), many in Guildford Town Centre at end
Map: Guildford & Farnham Map | Godalming & Farnborough | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 145
Links: Wey Navigation, River Wey, River Wey and Godalming Navigations (National Trust), Worpledon, National Trust Dapdune Wharf, Guildford
This is the seventh of a series of short circular walks along the River Wey and the Wey Navigation canal in Surrey. 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.
In a change to the circular routes of previous sections, this one is a station-to-station walk with a train connection between them. We parked near Guildford Station and took the train one stop north to start the walk at Worplesdon Station. From Worplesdon Station entrance walk north to meet Prey Heath Road and take a right. You’ll now be on the Fox Way which you’ll follow in an easterly direction until you reach the Wey Navigation between Sutton Green and Fell Hill. Note that the Fox Way isn’t well sign-posted so a map or GPX route is important here.
You’ll reach the Wey Navigation at the marshy island where section 6 left the canal. Cross over to the eastern side of the canal and take a right heading south. From here the rest of the route is very simple with 8.5 km of towpath walking all the way back to Guildford Station. When you get to the Woodbridge Crossing (as featured on the banner photo above), around 11 km in, it’s worth taking a short diversion over the footbridge to the National Trust property at Dapdune Wharf. There’s exhibitions about the Wey Navigation, a cafe and and old barge.
Previous section (north): Walking the River Wey Part 6: Newark Lane and Send
Next section (south): Walking the River Wey Part 8: Guildford to Godalming (Blog post coming soon)
When: March 16th 2025
Where: Danesfield, Buckinghamshire
Organiser: Onerace Events
Distance: 10 km
Elevation: +/- 188m
Course: Single hilly loop around Pullingshill Wood, Rogues Plantation and Rotten Row with a short out-and back section at the start and end from Danesfield School.
Other routes touched: Shakespeares’s Way, Chiltern Way
Finish time: 1 hour, 8 minutes, 58 seconds
View to the Chess from the Latimer Estate
The Chiltern Heritage Trail is a 83 km (52 mile) circular long-distance footpath in Buckinghamshire. Created as a Millennium project, this trail links the towns and parishes within the district, offering stunning scenery, charming villages, and points of historical interest. Along the way it passes through Chesham, Latimer, Chorleywood, the Chalfonts, Amersham, Penn, the Missendens and Chartridge. We completed the trail in a series of shorter circular walks.
Recommended start points:
- Chesham Underground Station (51°42'19"N 0°36'40"W)
- Chalfont St Giles High Street (51°37'56"N 0°34'13"W)
- Chalfont St Peter High Street (51°36'26"N 0°33'24"W)
- Seer Green Railway Station (51°36'35"N 0°36'28"W)
- Old Amersham High Street (51°39'59"N 0°36'60"W)
- Great Missenden Railway Station (51°42'13"N 0°42'33"W)
Distance: 82.9 km (51.9 miles)
Elevation change: +/-933m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Maps:
- Chiltern Hills North Map | Aylesbury, Berkhamsted & Chesham | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 181
- Chiltern Hills East Map | High Wycombe, Maidenshead & Rickmansworth | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 172
Links: Chiltern Heritage Trail (LDWA), See individual section posts linked below for other links.
If you’re not up for an 83 km walk in one go, you can take in the Chiltern Heritage Trail in 17 circular walks of between 7.5 and 13 km each. We chose this option, completing all 17 sections over a few years from 2020 to 2025. The advantage of this option is exploring more of the villages and side paths close to the route
Each number refers to a circular walk below. Base map: Esri Topo via RideWithGPS
Route 1: Ashley Green and Whelpley Hill
Distance: 10.5 km (6.5 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 113m
Chiltern Heritage Trail Section Covered: Chesham Vale to Orchard Leigh: 6.5 km
Route 2: Orchard Leigh and Botley
Distance: 6.9 km (4.3 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 58m
Chiltern Heritage Trail Section Covered: Orchard Leigh to Tyler’s Hill: 3.4 km
Route 3: Chesham & Tylers Hill
Distance: 9.3 km (5.8 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 84m
Chiltern Heritage Trail Section Covered: Tylers Hill to Lower Bois: 4.49 km
Route 4: Chesham & Bois and Wychfield Spring
Distance: 7.8 km (4.8 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 166m
Chiltern Heritage Trail Section Covered: River Chess at Lower Bois to Blackwell Hall Lane: 4.4 km
Route 5: Latimer and Codmore Wood
Distance: 7.7 km (4.8 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 120m
Chiltern Heritage Trail Section Covered: Blackwell Hall Lane to Stoney Lane: 3.2 km
Route 6: Little Chalfont and Latimer
Distance: 7.5 km (4.7 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 91m
Chiltern Heritage Trail Section Covered: Latimer to Carpenters Wood: 3.3 km
Route 7: Phillipshill Wood and Hanging Wood
Distance: 9.1 km (5.7 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 101m
Chilterns Heritage Trail Section Covered: Carpenters Wood to Newland Gorse: 3.5 km
Route 8: Chalfont St Giles and Newlands Park
Distance: 8.6 km (5.3 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 75m
Chiltern Heritage Trail Section Covered: Newland Gorse to Chalfont Common: 4.6 km
Route 9: Chalfont St Peter, Seer Green and Chalfont St Giles
Distance: 13.1 km (8.1 miles)
Elevation change: + / - 124 m
Chiltern Heritage Trail Section Covered: Chalfont St Giles to Hodgemoor Wood: 10.3 km
Route 10: Amersham and Coleshill
Distance: 11.5 km (7.1 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 118m
Chiltern Heritage Trail Section Covered: Bottrells Lane to Amersham: 5.2 km
Route 11: Amersham, Winchmore Hill and Penn
Distance: 12.5 km (7.8 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 119m
Chiltern Heritage Trail Section Covered: Coleshill to Toby’s Lane: 8.1 km
Route 12: Little Kingshill and Little Missenden
Distance: 9.9 km (6.1 miles)
Elevation change: + / - 104m
Chiltern Heritage Trail Section Covered: Beamond End Lane to Little Kingshill Recreation Park: 6.2 km
Route 13: Great Missenden and Little Kingshill
Distance: 9.2 km (5.7 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 114m
Chiltern Heritage Trail Section Covered: Little Kingshill Recreation Ground to Buryfield Car Park: 4.4 km
Route 14: Great Missenden and Ballinger
Distance: 9.8 km (6 miles)
Elevation Change: +/- 113m
Chiltern Heritage Trail Section Covered: Buryfield Car Park to Ballinger Common: 3 km
Route 15: Lee Common and Ballinger
Distance: 7.5 km (4.6 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 65m
Chiltern Heritage Trail Section Covered: Ballinger Common to Chartridge: 5.2 km
Route 16: Chartridge, Asheridge and Buckland Common
Distance: 9.5 km (5.9 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 97m
Chiltern Heritage Trail Section Covered: Hightree Wood to Buckland Common: 5.1 km
Route 17: Cholesbury and Asheridge
Distance: 11 km (6.8 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 103m
Chiltern Heritage Trail Section Covered: Blue Ball Braziers Lane to Ramscote Lane: 7.8 km
If you have completed the Chiltern Heritage Trail walking routes there’s also 3 cycling routes in the area. Each route is a circuit so can be started at any point, however Amersham New Town is an obvious base. Amersham has a direct rail and Underground connection to London and good parking options.
The 3 routes are:
Milton Route, named after John Milton who was an English Poet and Civil Servant.
Distance: 42km / 26 miles. Elevation Change: +/- 391m
Hampden Route, named after John Hampden, who was an early parliamentarian.
Distance: 41km / 25.5 miles. Elevation Change: +/- 352m
Harding Route, named after Thomas Harding who was burnt at the stake in 1532 for possessing a Bible when this was still forbidden.
Distance: 40 km / 24.8 miles. Elevation Change: +/- 385m
Click here for more information on the Chiltern Heritage Trail cycle routes.
When: March 9th 2025
Where: Hardwick Village, Buckinghamshire
Organiser: Bearbrook Running Club
Distance: 9.5 km
Elevation: +/- 100m
Course: Undulating, muddy single lap route through farmland near Hardwick village. 4 crossings of the stream, 2 ditch crossings and 2 stiles.
Other routes touched: None
Finish time: 1 hour, 2 minutes, 17 seconds
In the woods near Tylers Hill
Start & Finish: The Crown Pub, Blackwell Hall Lane, Ley Hill, Chesham, HP5 1UY
Distance: 6.9 km (4.3 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 58m
Chiltern Heritage Trail Section Covered: Orchard Leigh to Tyler’s Hill: 3.4 km
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Chiltern Heritage Trail
Other routes touched (cycle): Chiltern Heritage Trail Harding Route
Pubs / Cafes on route: The Crown at the start and finish, Hen & Chickens (1.7 km in)
Map: Chiltern Hills North Map | Aylesbury, Berkhamsted & Chesham | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 181
Links: Botley, Ley Hill
This is part of a series of short circular walks in the Chilterns. It’s a part of a series of 17 walks that, between them, cover the 83 km of the Chiltern Heritage Trail. Created as a Millennium project, this trail links the towns and parishes within the district, offering stunning scenery, charming villages, and points of historical interest. 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.
For this walk we parked opposite the Crown Pub in Ley Hill. From the pub walk north along Blackwell Hall Lane for 100m, then find the footpath to the right-hand side of the Ley Hill Methodist Church. Follow this path in a westerly direction for ~1km to Tylers Hill Road. Cross the road and continue on the path diagonally through the field to the south-western corner. In the next field take a sharp right to follow the field-edge path to Bottom Lane. Follow Tyler’s Hill Road to Botley Road and take a right at the Hen & Chickens junction.
Shortly up Botley Road take a left into a farm entrance and follow the footpath north to Lye Green Road. Take a right onto Lye Green Road then a right onto the first footpath. Follow this path as it curves up in a north-easterly direction, crossing over Rushmere Lane and into another field. Approximately 0.5 km after Rushmere Lane you’ll reach a path junction where you’ll take a right onto a farm heading in a south-easterly direction. Follow this path for ~1 km, reconnecting with the Chiltern Heritage Trail half-way. Take a right onto Chesham Road then a left on a path at the road bend, keeping on the Heritage Trail. Follow the Chiltern Heritage Trail all the way back to the Crown pub at Ley Hill.
Chiltern Heritage Trail next section clockwise: Chesham & Tylers Hill
Chiltern Heritage Trail next section anti-clockwise: Ashley Green and Whelpley Hill
Footpath north of Ashley Green
Start & Finish: King Charles pub, Chesham Road, Chesham, HP5 3PF
Distance: 10.5 km (6.5 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 113m
Chiltern Heritage Trail Section Covered: Chesham Vale to Orchard Leigh: 6.5 km
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Chiltern Heritage Trail
Other routes touched (cycle): Chiltern Heritage Trail Harding Route
Pubs / Cafes on route: The King Charles at start and end, The Golden Eagle, just off route at 4 km in
Map: Chiltern Hills North Map | Aylesbury, Berkhamsted & Chesham | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 181
Links: Ashley Green, Whelpley Hill
This is part of a series of short circular walks in the Chilterns. It’s a part of a series of 17 walks that, between them, cover the 83 km of the Chiltern Heritage Trail. Created as a Millennium project, this trail links the towns and parishes within the district, offering stunning scenery, charming villages, and points of historical interest. 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.
For this walk we parked at the King Charles pub on the A416 and walked in a northerly direction up the small unnamed road that’s on the southern end of the pub car park. Take a left into the private road (with public right of way) leading to Pressmore Farm. Follow the footpath through the farm to Vale Road. Cross over the road to continue to follow the path in a north-westerly direction. You’re now on the Chiltern Heritage Trail. Continue for ~600m then, before the Chiltern Heritage Trail takes a left up the hill, take the footpath on the right to climb the hill on the northern side, then take a right to follow the path back to Vale Road.
Take a left onto Vale Road, then take the first lane on the right opposite the Black Horse Inn. Continue on the Chiltern Heritage Trail as it snakes through farmland to Hog Lane in Ashley Green. Take a right onto Hog Lane, cross over the A416 and pick up the Heritage Trail again heading in an easterly direction. Approximately half a mile from Ashely Green there’s a fork in the path where you need to take the right hand path heading south-east.
When you reach Whelpley Hill cross through the small estate and onto Whelpley Hill Road. Take a right onto a footpath heading in a south-westerly direction, leading to Grove Lane. After 1km you’ll reach a path junction where you’ll leave the Heritage Trail and take the path that leads in a north-westerly direction to Grove Lane. Cross over Grove Lane and take the path to Two Dells Lane. Take a left then the first footpath on the right to cross through fields back to the A416 and the King Charles pub.
Chiltern Heritage Trail next section clockwise: Orchard Leigh and Botley
Chiltern Heritage Trail next section anti-clockwise: Cholesbury and Asheridge
The Vale
Start & Finish: The Blue Ball, Braziers End, Asheridge, Chesham, HP5 2UX
Distance: 11 km (6.8 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 103m
Chilterns Heritage Trail Section Covered: Blue Ball Braziers Lane to Ramscote Lane: 7.8 km
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Chiltern Heritage Trail
Other routes touched (cycle): Chiltern Heritage Trail Harding Route
Pubs / Cafes on route: The Blue Ball at start and end, The Full Moon (4.1 km in)
Map: Chiltern Hills North Map | Aylesbury, Berkhamsted & Chesham | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 181
Links: Asheridge, Cholesbury, Hawridge, Bellingdon
This is part of a series of short circular walks in the Chilterns. It’s a part of a series of 19 walks that, between them, cover the 83 km of the Chiltern Heritage Trail. Created as a Millennium project, this trail links the towns and parishes within the district, offering stunning scenery, charming villages, and points of historical interest. 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.
For this walk we parked at the Blue Ball pub on Braziers End Road. From here walk along Braziers End in a north-westerly direction, crossing over Oak Lane, until reaching a path junction just south of Cholesbury Lane. Take a right to continue along the Heritage Trail into Cholesbury village via Cholesbury Lane. Take a right onto Ray’s Hill (road) before the Full Moon Pub and keep an eye out for the old windmill on your left.
Before Ray’s Hill (road) curves to the left, take the left-hand footpath to keep on the Heritage Trail heading in a south-easterly direction. Continue for 3.5 km through The Vale until you a junction of Ramscote Lane. Leave the Heritage Trail here to take a right, ascending up the hill. Take the first path on the right to path through Ramscoat Wood in a northerly direction until reaching Ramscote Lane again. Take a left onto Ramscoat Lane and follow it to a path that runs between The Old Brickworks and Bloomfield Copse. Take a left onto this path to Chesham Road. Take a right onto Chesham Road then take the path on the left between 2 houses. Follow the paths in a south-westerly direction to return to the start at the Blue Ball.
Chiltern Heritage Trail next section clockwise: Ashley Green and Whelpley Hill
Chiltern Heritage Trail next section anti-clockwise: Chartridge, Asheridge and Buckland Common
Ascending from Chartridge to Asheridge
Start & Finish: Chartridge Village Hall, Chartridge, Chesham, HP5 2TN
Distance: 9.5 km (5.9 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 97m
Chilterns Heritage Trail Section Covered: Hightree Wood to Buckland Common: 5.1 km
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Chiltern Heritage Trail, Chiltern Way
Other routes touched (cycle): Chiltern Heritage Trail Harding and Hampden Routes
Pubs / Cafes on route: The Blue Ball (1.4 km in)
Map: Chiltern Hills North Map | Aylesbury, Berkhamsted & Chesham | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 181
Links: Chartridge, Asheridge, Buckland Common
This is part of a series of short circular walks in the Chilterns. It’s a part of a series of 17 walks that, between them, cover the 83 km of the Chiltern Heritage Trail. Created as a Millennium project, this trail links the towns and parishes within the district, offering stunning scenery, charming villages, and points of historical interest. 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.
For this walk we parked outside Chartridge Village Hall and walked along The Bungalow (road) in a south-easterly direction. Take the path on the left before the Chartridge Mission Church and follow the Heritage Trail in a north-easterly direction until you reach Braziers End (road). Take a left to follow Braziers End (road) until it starts to curve to the right at Ashotts Lane. Leave the road at follow the footpath heading to the north-west. Keep on the Heritage Trail, crossing over Oak Lane until you get to a path junction in a corner of a field south of Cholesbury Lane.
At the path junction leave the Heritage Trail by taking the left hand path heading in a westerly direction. Take a right onto Oak Lane then take the first footpath on the left to follow the Chiltern Way in a south-westerly direction. Approximately 1 km from Oak Lane you’ll reach a path junction at the south-western edge of some woodland. Take a left to follow the inner edge of the woodland. The path will take a sharp turn to the left to meet another path along a field edge. Take a right to follow the path heading south to Arrewig Lane. Take a right onto Arrewig Lane, following it south to Chartridge Lane. Take a left onto Chartridge Lane then the first footpath on the right to cut across fields and rejoin the Heritage Trail. Stay on the Heritage Trail to return to Chartridge Village Hall.
Chiltern Heritage Trail next section clockwise: Cholesbury and Asheridge
Chiltern Heritage Trail next section anti-clockwise: Lee Common and Ballinger
The start of the South Bucks Way at the Coombe Hill Monument
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.
Start: Coombe Hill Monument via Coombe Hill Car Park, Coombe Hill, Lodge Hill, Aylesbury, HP17 0UR
Finish: Grans Union Canal via Denham Country Park, Denham Court Drive, Denham, Uxbridge UB9 5PG
Distance: 37 km (23 miles)
Elevation change: + 251m / - 461m. Net -210m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Pubs / Cafes on route: See individual section posts linked below.
Maps:
- Chiltern Hills North Map | Aylesbury, Berkhamsted & Chesham | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 181
- Chiltern Hills East Map | High Wycombe, Maidenshead & Rickmansworth | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 172
Links: South Bucks Way (LDWA), See individual section posts linked below for other links.
If you’re not up for an 37km walk in one go, you can take in the South Bucks Way in 10 circular walks of between 6 and 13 km each. We chose this option, completing all 10 sections over a few years from 2020 to 2024. The advantage of this option is exploring more of the villages and side paths close to the route
Each number refers to a circular walk below. Base map: Esri Topo via RideWithGPS
Part 1: Coombe Hill and Little Hampden
Distance: 8.6 km (5.3 miles).
Elevation change: +/- 139m
South Bucks Way Section Covered: Coombe Hill to Little Hampden: 3.71 km
Part 2: Little Hampden and Great Missenden
Distance: 11.2 km (7.0 miles).
Elevation change: +/- 200m
South Bucks Way Section Covered: Little Hampden to Great Missenden: 5.19 km
Part 3: Great Missenden and Little Kingshill
Distance: 9.2 km (5.7 miles).
Elevation change: +/- 114m
South Bucks Way Section Covered: Great Missenden to Little Kingshill: 3.3 km
Part 4: Little Kingshill and Little Missenden
Distance: 9.9 km (6.1 miles).
Elevation change: +/- 104m
South Bucks Way Section Covered: Little Kingshill to Little Missenden: 3.47 km
Part 5: Little Missenden and Shardeloes
Distance: 8.1 km (5.0 miles).
Elevation change: +/- 74m
South Bucks Way Section Covered: Little Missenden to Shardeloes: 2.84 km
Part 6: Amersham, Winchmore Hill and Penn
Distance: 12.5 km (7.8 miles).
Elevation change: +/- 119m
South Bucks Way Section Covered: Shardeloes to Amersham Market Square: 1.2 km
Part 7: Amersham and Coleshill
Distance: 11.5 km (7.1 miles).
Elevation change: +/- 118m
South Bucks Way Section Covered: Amersham Market Square to Rushcroft Wood: 4.0 km
Part 8: Chalfont St. Peter, Seer Green and Chalfont St. Giles
Distance: 13.1 km (8.1 miles).
Elevation change: +/- 124 m
South Bucks Way Section Covered: Rushcroft Wood to Chalfont St. Peter: 4.3 km
Part 9: Gerrards Cross to Denham
Distance: 10.4 km (6.4 miles).
Elevation change: +81 / -116. Net -35m
South Bucks Way Section Covered: Chalfont St Peter to Denham Station: 7.6 km
Part 10: Denham Village and The Grand Union Canal
Distance: 6.2 km (3.9 miles).
Elevation change: +/- 29m
South Bucks Way Section Covered: Denham Station to the Grand Union Canal: 2.3 km
Between Chartridge and Ballinger Bottom
Start & Finish: The Cock and Rabbit Inn, The Lee, Great Missenden, HP16 9LZ
Distance: 7.5 km (4.6 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 65m
Chilterns Heritage Trail Section Covered: Ballinger Common to Chartridge: 5.2 km
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Chiltern Heritage Trail, The Chiltern Link
Other routes touched (cycle): None
Pubs / Cafes on route: The Cock and Rabbit Inn at start and finish
Map: Chiltern Hills North Map | Aylesbury, Berkhamsted & Chesham | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 181
Links: xx
This is part of a series of short circular walks in the Chilterns. It’s a part of a series of 17 walks that, between them, cover the 83 km of the Chiltern Heritage Trail. Created as a Millennium project, this trail links the towns and parishes within the district, offering stunning scenery, charming villages, and points of historical interest. 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.
For this walk we parked near the Cock and Rabbit Inn and followed Lee Clump Road in a north-easterly direction. After 700m take a right onto Oxford Street and follow it all the way to Ballinger Road. Take a left onto Ballinger Road then take the first footpath on the right to follow the Heritage Trail in an easterly direction to the village of Chartridge. Take a right on to Cogdells Lane and follow it for 400m to a path junction. Here you have a choice of continuing down into the valley or taking a right to follow the top of the valley. Either route re-connects at the Chiltern Link Path at Ballinger Bottom.
Take a left onto Ballinger Road and follow it in a southerly direction to Ballinger Common. Take a right onto Blackthorne Lane where you’ll be back on the Hertiage Trail, following it all the way back to the start at the Cock and Rabbit.
Chiltern Heritage Trail next section clockwise: Chartridge, Asheridge and Buckland Common
Chiltern Heritage Trail next section anti-clockwise: Great Missenden and Ballinger
Start & Finish: On-street parking around junction of Bois Lane, Green Lane, Woodside Avenue, HP6 5LN
Distance: 7.8 km (4.8 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 166m
Chiltern Heritage Trail Section Covered: River Chess at Lower Bois to Blackwell Hall Lane: 4.4 km
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Chiltern Heritage Trail, Chess Valley Walk
Other routes touched (cycle): Chiltern Heritage Trail Hampden Route
Pubs / Cafes on route: None. Small convenience store on Bois Lane near start and end
Map: Chiltern Hills North Map | Aylesbury, Berkhamsted & Chesham | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 181
Links: Chesham Bois, River Chess
This is part of a series of short circular walks in the Chilterns. It’s a part of a series of 17 walks that, between them, cover the 83 km of the Chiltern Heritage Trail. Created as a Millennium project, this trail links the towns and parishes within the district, offering stunning scenery, charming villages, and points of historical interest. 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.
For this walk we parked on Bois Lane and walked along it in an north-easterly direction. Take a right onto Holloway Lane, next right onto St Leonards Road then right onto the footpath that descends through Blackwell Shrubs to pass under the rail line. Continue to Latimer Road and cross over to follow Blackwell Hall Lane, crossing over the River Chess. At Blackwell Farm Cottages continue along Blackwell Hall Lane, leaving the Chiltern Heritage Trail.
When Blackwell Hall Lane takes a sharp right you can either continue along it or take the footpath on the left to take a short-cut across the fields. Either way you’ll end up on Burns Lane, leading to Green Lane. Follow Green Lane in a westerly direction for ~1.7 km then take a left onto Pump Lane heading south.
When you reach Latimer Road again, cross over and take a right onto the Chess Valley Walk. Take the first footpath on the left to cross the River Chess and pick up the Chiltern Heritage Trail again, heading south. Take a right onto Bois Moor road, then a left to cross under the rail line. Continue in a south-westerly direction ascending through Bois Wood to North Road. Take a left onto the road to follow it to Bois Lane then take a left to return to the start.
Chiltern Heritage Trail next section clockwise: Latimer and Codmore Wood
Chiltern Heritage Trail next section anti-clockwise: Chesham & Tylers Hill
