DISCOVER the CHILTERNS a Guide to Spending Time in the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
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A guide to spending time in the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty DISCOVER THE CHILTERNS A guide to spending time in the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty he Chilterns Conservation Board is a statutory body set Tup to promote the conservation, understanding and enjoyment of the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty CONSERVATION BOARD The Lodge, 90 Station Road Chinnor, Oxon OX39 4HA Tel: 01844 355500 Fax: 01844 355501 Photographs provided by © Chilterns Conservation Board, e-mail: [email protected] National Trust/Graeme Cannon, British Waterways, Countryside Agency/Tina Stallard, Forestry Commission, Gerry Whitlow, Tring Town Council. website: www.chilternsaonb.org an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty WHAT'S SPECIAL DISCOVER THE CHILTERNS ABOUT THE CHILTERNS Barton-le-Clay A guide to spending time Introducing the Chilterns On the doorstep Hitchin The Chilterns is a beautiful area of The Chilterns is one of the most accessible in the Chilterns Area Dunstable of Outstanding unspoilt countryside right on London areas of countryside in the UK. Just 20 Luton and Oxford's doorsteps, just waiting miles from Oxford and 35 miles from the Natural Beauty. to be discovered. This booklet gives centre of London it offers a great day out at Whipsnade you ideas of places to visit and things the end of a short journey. With 4 railways to do, with something for everyone. lines, one Underground line and 20 Aylesbury Tring stations, plus plenty of buses, the Chilterns Wendover The Chilterns stretches from the River is very easy to reach and to travel around. Berkhamsted Hemel Hempstead Thames in south Oxfordshire through Many of its attractions are close to regular Princes Risborough St Albans Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire to bus and rail services. In addition, London Chesham Hitchin in Hertfordshire. It contains some Heathrow, Luton and Stansted airports are Amersham of the finest countryside in the UK, which all within one hour's travel. i Find out is recognised by its designation as an more about getting here on page 24. River Thames Watlington Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty West (AONB). From quiet valleys with BIRMINGHAM NORTHAMPTON Wycombe High Beaconsfield Wallingford Wycombe medieval villages to dramatic viewpoints M1 The M40 Marlow on the hilltops, leafy green woodlands to Chilterns AYLESBURY LUTON OXFORD River Thames flower-covered meadows, the Chilterns is M25 Henley-on-Thames full of treasures that are there to be M4 READING LONDON Goring enjoyed. M3 M20 SOUTHAMPTON Reading contents Introduction page 1 Wendover and Tring 14 Henley and the River Thames 4 Ashridge and Berkhamsted 16 Watlington and Ewelme 6 Dunstable and Whipsnade 18 Hughenden and West Wycombe 8 Pegsdon and Barton Hills 20 Amersham and Missenden 10 Walking, cycling & horseriding 22 Chilterns Map 12 Further information 24 Key to Ordnance Survey Explorer Maps 181 Published by the Chilterns Conservation Board 1 selection of wines and beers. Some of Wildlife and landscapes robbers, highwaymen and fugitives who Lots to do these establishments also offer The ridge of chalk hills running south hid from the law in its dense woods. Over Criss-crossed by a dense network of accommodation. If you plan to stay in the west to north east forms the backbone of time the growing wealth of nearby footpaths and the Ridgeway and Thames area there are also comfortable B & Bs, the Chilterns and provides far-reaching London improved the respectability of the Path National Trails, the Chilterns is a smart hotels, self-catering properties, views. Behind the ridge is a more intimate area as people built great houses and haven for all types of walkers. This is one caravan parks and campsites. The choice landscape of valleys and hills. Beech parks in the country. The tranquillity and of the best places in the UK to follow a is yours whether you stay in one of the woodlands are the natural cathedrals of beauty of the Chilterns has attracted circular walk in beautiful countryside well local towns or villages or in the depths of the Chilterns, carpeted by bluebells in famous writers and artists away from busy roads, with plenty of the countryside. i Further sources of spring and turning burnished gold and red and in more recent times refreshment on offer in local country information on food and accommodation in autumn. Red kites, the spectacular bird popstars and actors to pubs. If you enjoy cycling you can get are given on page 24. of prey re-introduced in the 1990s, are a make their home here. away from it all on bridleways and quiet familiar sight as they soar overhead. In lanes. Why not see the countryside from some valleys you will find clear, sparkling Lots to see a different perspective and take a boat The Chilterns Area of chalk streams which are home to trout trip on the Thames or the Grand Union The rich natural and Outstanding Natural Beauty and in places the rare water vole, Canal. cultural heritage of the otherwise known as Ratty from Wind in i Further information on walking and In 1965, 833 square kilometres of the Chilterns means there the Willows. cycling can be found on pages 22-23. Chilterns countryside were designated as are lots of attractions to suit all interests. an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. From steam railways to grand houses, History and culture There are 41 AONBs in England and fascinating nature reserves, charming Wales and they belong to the same family For thousands of years the Chilterns has villages and interactive museums there is as National Parks. AONBs and National provided a home, or a bolthole, to people something for everyone. As this booklet Parks together represent the finest of all kinds. In medieval times its shows you don't have to go far to find countryside to be found in the UK. The countryside was known as the hangout of plenty to visit. Chilterns is nationally protected for us all to enjoy, but at the same time we all have a responsibility to look Good eating and sleeping after it and minimise our impact Whatever your budget and taste buds so that it remains unspoiled you will find a good meal in the Chilterns. for future generations. There is a wide range of eating For more information visit opportunities from high quality i www.chilternsaonb.org restaurants to tasty pub grub and ethnic cuisine. In particular, the Chilterns is well- If you would like to help conserve the blessed with characterful country pubs Chilterns you can join The Chiltern Society serving imaginative food and a good www.chilternsociety.org.uk Tel 01494 771250 2 3 HENLEY AND THE RIVER THAMES he historic River Thames forms Hambleden Boat trips Hambleden Valley the southern boundary of the B480 Brook You can enjoy the Chilterns from a A classic Chilterns valley, the beautiful Chilterns as it slips past green 181 Hambleden T A4130 different perspective by taking a boat trip Hambleden Valley is 3 miles from Henley. meadows and flows through a gap in the A4155 on the Thames. Daily scheduled river You can reach it on foot via the Chilterns chalk ridge at Goring. The picturesque cruises leave from the centre of Henley Country ‘Thames and Chilterns Walk’ historic town of Henley sits on its banks. Greys Court HENLEY- during April-September inclusive. You can from Henley, or during the summer you Famed for its Royal Regatta in July, ON-THAMES B481 also hire motor cruisers and rowing boats can take a boat down the Thames to Henley has lots of attractions to explore Rowing Museum in Henley and do your own thing. Hambleden Lock. You can see red kites all year round and forms a great base for Sonning i Scheduled river cruises: Hobbs of soaring overhead and walk alongside the visiting the Chilterns countryside and Common Henley, www.hobbs-of-henley.com sparkling Hambleden Brook. The village enjoying the river. River Thames Tel 01491 572035 of Hambleden has attractive brick and Salter's Steamers www.salterbros.fsnet. flint cottages, a medieval church and a Henley-on-Thames River & Rowing Museum, co.uk Tel 01865 243421 thriving pub and shop. Henley has a charming centre full of Henley Boat hire: Hobbs of Henley (see above) i Thames and Chilterns Walk: shops, galleries, restaurants and cafes. This award-winning museum in the www.chilternsaonb.org/henleywalk From the centre you can stroll along the meadows beside the Thames has three banks of the Thames and admire the main galleries devoted to the River many pleasure craft or relax with a picnic Thames, the sport of rowing and the town in Mill Meadows. Henley has a wide of Henley. It also has a spectacular walk- range of accommodation from B&Bs to through attraction on the Wind in the smart hotels. Willows, written by Kenneth Grahame i www.visit-henley.org.uk who was inspired by the nearby river. The Museum has regular special exhibitions and events. Walking i www.rrm.co.uk Tel 01491 415600 The Thames Path National Trail provides gentle walking for all abilities along the edge of the Thames from the centre of Greys Court Henley into beautiful countryside. There This Tudor House is owned by the are also a number of promoted circular National Trust and was the scene of walks from Henley that enable you to Jacobean court intrigues in the 17th enjoy the woods and valleys of the century. It has beautiful restored gardens Chilterns at first hand. and a maze. i Thames Path National Trail: i www.nationaltrust.org.uk www.nationaltrail.co.uk Tel 01491 628529 Tel 01865 810224 Promoted walks: www.chilternsaonb.org 4 www.chilternsaonb.org 5 WATLINGTON AND EWELME A40 olling countryside dotted with M40 Aston Aston Rowant National contains the grave of Jerome K Jerome, farms, hidden valleys, attractive Rowant author of Three Men in a Boat.