Coombe Hill Walk

Distance: 3` miles, allow 1` to 2 hours. Difficulty: Paths may be muddy after rain. Uphill for about 1 mile. Access Information: This walk has 3 stiles, 3 kissing gates and narrow paths. It also involves a steady uphill climb. Description of route: ➔ Leave Wendover railway station and walk up to the main road. Turn right and then cross the road and over the bridge. Just after the end of the bridge take the footpath on the left. Over two stiles and then follow the path across the field to another stile.

➔ Turn right uphill along the lane. After about 80 metres turn left following the bridleway between gardens and across the field. Do not go over the stile but turn right Wendover Woods Walk through the metal gate. Follow this path uphill for about 1km. Distance: 7 miles, allow 3` to 4 hours ➔ Leave The Ridgeway by turning left, downhill and after 30 metres follow a footpath to the right and then join a Difficulty: Uphill for about 2 miles. marked horse track. Turn right and follow this track Access Information: There are no stiles on this route, but which takes you through the Woods to the main car park. 1 kissing gate (not wheelchair accessible, at the Hale into ➔ Follow the tarmac road to the left, then turn left and Wendover Woods). From Wendover along The Ridgeway to follow the wide track for ` mile, which passes picnic the Hale the paths are wide and firm (with some loose areas with barbecues to a final parking area. Keep stones) but there is a considerable uphill slope. There is an straight on following the Boddington Bank Walk. After All Ability Trail suitable for wheelchairs near Wendover 300 metres there is a piece of fitness equipment (part of Woods main car park. the fitness trail): do not turn left here – go straight on and follow the track downhill. You will eventually meet Description of route: ➔ At the top of the hill turn right onto a well-surfaced another track, turn right and join this track, continuing bridleway. When you reach the driveway with cattle grid ➔ Leave Wendover railway station by the road and turn downhill. Then carry straight on until you reach the road veer to the left slightly for a few metres and then turn left past the Shoulder of Mutton pub. Continue along at the bottom. left following the bridleway path. Follow this path Wendover High Street past the shops. Cross the road at ➔ Turn right and follow the road back to Wendover (please ignoring any smaller paths. You will eventually come out the pedestrian crossing and continue down the High take care if walking on the road). At the junction turn onto a country lane. Follow this road to the right, which Street. right and after 50m take the path will bring you to Coombe Hill car park. ➔ Just after the last shop turn between houses on your left. This brings ➔ Near the entrance to the car park on the left is a wooden right onto a footpath you back to the park at the start of gate. Go through the gate and take the middle path. (signposted “Ridgeway”), When you reach the second open area, find a gap in the which passes through gorse bushes on your left and walk through for a view a park alongside a over Chequers. Turn right and walk along the hilltop to stream – continue to the Monument. follow “Ridgeway” signs.

➔ From the Monument continue along the hilltop to the ➔ Go straight on, following The right, following The Ridgeway National Trail, passing a Ridgeway National Trail signs (which are waymarked with the walk. Follow the black Ridgeway waymark post (visible from the an acorn symbol) past the lake and church and along the stream and then on to monument) and through the kissing gates across the road. At the crossroads go straight across, up Hogtrough the Heron Path to come bridleway. Lane. out on the High Street by the Clock Tower. Turn ➔ ➔ Keep straight ahead downhill, eventually through a Continue to follow The Ridgeway, which takes the left left and walk back up kissing gate to the road. Take care crossing the road. path after Boswell’s Farm into woodland. Follow this the High Street to Turn right and follow the road downhill back to forest trail for over 1 mile gently uphill. You will the rail station. Wendover Station. eventually cross Hale Road and enter Wendover Woods.

Key

E Wendover Woods Walk 7 miles U Allow 3` to 4 hours Wendover

Coombe Hill Walk P 3` miles Allow 1` to 2 hours. Wendover Woods

{ O Public House

I Toilets Y Coombe Hill T Railway Station

T Parking Q W

R E

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butterflies can thrive. can butterflies

valley to the left of the hill. Best known as the country the as known Best hill. the of left the to valley

chalk grassland flowers and and flowers grassland chalk

is clearly visible in the in visible clearly is Estate and House Chequers 2.

and scrub are cleared so that rare rare that so cleared are scrub and

managed as a nature reserve. Trees Trees reserve. nature a as managed

owns the hill. the owns

Buckinghamshire County Council and Council County Buckinghamshire

lightning on several occasions. The National Trust Trust National The occasions. several on lightning

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It was erected in 1904 and has been damaged by damaged been has and 1904 in erected was It

men of Buckinghamshire who fell in the Boer War. Boer the in fell who Buckinghamshire of men Ivinghoe Beacon in Buckinghamshire. in Beacon Ivinghoe

Memorial to the the to Memorial Monument. Hill Coombe 1. runs 85 miles from Avebury in Wiltshire to to Wiltshire in Avebury from miles 85 runs

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– this long distance path distance long this – Trail National Ridgeway The 5.

(see numbers on map) on numbers (see A coach left here each day in Victorian times for the ‘Old the for times Victorian in day each here left coach A

Features of interest: interest: of Features quite different to other beech forests. beech other to different quite Robert Louis Stevenson and Rupert Brook have stayed here. stayed have Brook Rupert and Stevenson Louis Robert

place and as a result the wood is very dark and mysterious, and dark very is wood the result a as and place – built about 1620. Oliver Cromwell, Oliver 1620. about built – Pub Lion Red . 11

for firewood for centuries. This practice no longer takes longer no practice This centuries. for firewood for

dowry to Henry VIII. VIII. Henry to dowry

fascinating atmosphere. The beech trees here were coppiced were here trees beech The atmosphere. fascinating

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pottery and a flint scraper. flint a and pottery

grazing animals. Finds have included a bronze dagger, bronze a included have Finds animals. grazing

Age inhabitants. In the past the hill was cleared of trees for trees of cleared was hill the past the In inhabitants. Age

excellent vantage point and defensive position for its Iron its for position defensive and point vantage excellent

Situated on top of the hill, the fort would have provided an provided have would fort the hill, the of top on Situated

was occupied during 1st century BC, but probably earlier. probably but BC, century 1st during occupied was

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Chilterns (265m). The Woods are managed by Forest by managed are Woods The (265m). Chilterns

as red kites and firecrests and the tiny muntjac deer. muntjac tiny the and firecrests and kites red as

Prime Minister’s country home. You might also see rare birds such birds rare see also might You home. country Minister’s Prime

are amazing views of the Vale of Aylesbury and Chequers, the Chequers, and Aylesbury of Vale the of views amazing are

ancient beech woods, carpets of bluebells and wild flowers. There flowers. wild and bluebells of carpets woods, beech ancient

These two walks take you to the top of the Chiltern Hills, through Hills, Chiltern the of top the to you take walks two These

and fantastic views of the Chilterns countryside. Chilterns the of views fantastic and

minutes walk from Wendover station you can enjoy the fresh air fresh the enjoy can you station Wendover from walk minutes

Just a 45 minute train ride from London Marylebone and a few a and Marylebone London from ride train minute 45 a Just About the walk the About

Visitor Information This is one of a series of walks through the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It mainly follows Chilterns Country Wendover is a small historic market town at the foot of the rights of way most of which are waymarked as follows: Chiltern Hills. The town has a range of shops, pubs, Path waymarking restaurants and accommodation to suit most tastes and budgets. There is an information centre (01296 696759, ‘yellow arrow’ Footpaths (walkers only) e-mail [email protected]) or visit ‘blue arrow’ Bridleways www.visitbuckinghamshire.org (horseriders, cyclists and walkers) Views of the Vale Walks Public toilets are located in the High Street car park. ‘red arrow’ Byways (open to all traffic)

There are no toilets or refreshments on the Coombe Hill Please be considerate in the countryside - keep to walk, though there is often an ice-cream van in Coombe Hill public rights of way, and leave farm gates as you find them. car park on busy weekends or during the summer. On the Please keep dogs under close control. Wendover Woods Walk there are public toilets and usually If you have enjoyed this walk there are many other an ice-cream vendor in Wendover Woods main car park. wonderful walks in the Chilterns area including Chilterns Country walks from Tring rail station, Saunderton rail station and Henley rail station - call 01844 271300; The Ridgeway How to get to the start National Trail www.nationaltrails.gov.uk; walks in the Chilterns www.chilternsaonb.org; walks in Wendover is located off the A413, five miles south of Buckinghamshire www.buckscc.gov.uk; Or buy Ordnance Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. Survey Explorer Map 181 and make your own walk By train: Wendover is easily reached by rail and the walk www.ordsvy.gov.uk starts from the station. Chiltern Railways run direct services The Chiltern Hills were designated as an Area of Outstanding from London Marylebone (45mins). Trains also call at Natural Beauty (AONB) in 1965. This is in recognition that Harrow-on-the-Hill (connections with London Underground the Chilterns countryside is amongst the finest in England Metropolitan Line), Rickmansworth, Chorleywood, Chalfont and Wales. The Chilterns Conservation Board is the body & Latimer (connection for Chesham), Amersham, Great charged with protecting the AONB. Call 01844 271300 or Missenden, Stoke Mandeville and Aylesbury. For train times www.chilternsaonb.org. and fares call National Rail Enquiries on 08457 484950. The Chiltern Society is a charity working to protect and Coombe Hill Walk: By bus: Bus service 54 links Wendover (Clock Tower) with promote the Chilterns. To join or for details of guided 3.5 miles, allow 1` to 2 hours Aylesbury, Monday to Saturday, every 30 minutes (not walks call 01494 771250 or www.chilternsociety.org.uk evenings). Bus service 161 runs on Sundays and Bank If you, or a member of your community would Wendover Woods Walk: Holidays only, linking Aylesbury, Wendover, Aston Clinton, 7 miles, allow 3`to 4 hours Tring and Marsworth. For bus times call Traveline 0870 like this leaflet produced in another language 6082608. or format (large print or audio cassette), please contact the Chilterns Conservation Board. Start and Finish: By cycle: There is cycle parking at Wendover rail station Wendover and in the High Street.

Parking: On Sundays use the car park off Wendover High www.chilternrailways.co.uk www.chilternsaonb.org Street. On other days this is 2 hour parking only. There is a £3 charge if you wish to use the railway station car park (if you buy a rail ticket to a nearby station). It is also possible www.countryside.gov.uk www.chilternsociety.org.uk to follow these walks from the car parks at Coombe Hill (free) and Wendover Woods (£2).