The Chilterns Cycleway The Chilterns Cycleway Chilterns Short breaks - The southern loop Cycleway
a 170 mile circular cycle two-day 45 mile cycling break based on the southern section of the Chilterns Cycleway. This is a hilly route on quiet lanes which passes through route through the Aspectacular scenery giving you a chance to enjoy quiet woodlands, rolling Chilterns Area of chalk hills and some wonderful open views. You will pass through picturesque Outstanding Natural Beauty villages with traditional inns and past several larger attractions which are well worth exploring, from National Trust properties and West Wycombe Caves to the River and Rowing Museum in Henley.
Day 1: Princes Risborough to Henley-on-Thames via Stokenchurch 25 miles (40km)
Day 2: Henley-on-Thames to Princes Risborough via West Wycombe 20 miles (32km)
Route information: the route follows the southern section of the Chilterns Cycleway which is signposted. There are a couple of short link-routes which are not signposted as indicated on the accompanying route map.
How to get there Chilterns Cycleway Princes Risborough Station is served by (signposted) Chiltern Railways with regular trains PRINCES Link Routes RISBOROUGH from London Marylebone, Birmingham (not signposted) and Aylesbury. In general bikes can be CHINNOR carried on trains outside rush hour (from 10am to 4pm) and anytime at weekends and Public Holidays.
1 For train times and details of cycle 2 carriage call National Rail Enquiries tel 08457 484950 or visit 11 STOKENCHURCH 10 www.nationalrail.co.uk WATLINGTON 8 9 3 HIGH WYCOMBE 4 7
5
6 MARLOW
north HENLEY-ON 0 5km -THAMES 0 2mile c Crown copyright. Chilterns Conservation Board Licence no. 100044050 (2010)
an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty The Chilterns Cycleway Short breaks - The southern loop
Bike Hire Risborough Cycles, Tel 01844 345949 (not open on Sundays).
Princes Risborough There is much to see and do in this historic market town with its tempting range of shops and cafes. Why not stay over in Princes Risborough the night before your trip and get going early the next day? Pop into the Risborough Information Centre opposite Marks and Spencer to find out more about the local area, tel. 01844 274795.
Accommodation Drifters Lodge B&B, 60 Picts Lane, Princes Risborough, HP27 9DX. Tel. 01844 274 773 The Red Lion Inn, Upper Icknield Way, Whiteleaf, HP27 OLL. Tel. 01844 344476
Henley-on-Thames Famed for its Royal Regatta in July, the picturesque town of Henley has a charming centre with shops, galleries, restaurants and cafés. You can stroll along the banks of the Thames and admire the many pleasure craft or relax with a picnic in Mill Meadows. Henley has a variety of festivals, attractions and accommodation. Henley-on-Thames Visit the Tourist Information Centre in the Town Hall Tel. 01491 578034
The River and Rowing Museum is an award-winning museum in Mill Meadows devoted to the River Thames, the sport of rowing and the town of Henley. Great café. Tel. 01491 415600
Accommodation There are numerous B&Bs and hotels in Henley. Search our interactive map for a full listing www.chilternsaonb.org/cycleway or visit www.henleyaccommodation.co.uk
Bike Shop Henley Cycles, 69 Reading Road, Henley Tel. 01491 578984
Country pubs The Crown at Radnage, City Road, Radnage, Tel 01494 482301 along the way The Fox and Hounds, Christmas Common, Tel. 01491 612599 The Golden Ball, Lower Assendon, Tel. 01491 574 157 The Prince Albert pub, Frieth, Tel. 01494 881683 King William IV pub, Speen, Tel. 01494 488329 Hampden Arms, Great Hampden, Tel. 01494 488255 The Pink and Lily, Parslows Hillock, Tel. 01494 488308
an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty The Chilterns Cycleway Short breaks - The southern loop
Things to see and do All these sights and attractions are indicated on the overview map along the way 1)1 The Radnage Valley 6)6 Hambleden village The tucked-away Radnage Valley is a A short detour to Hambleden village is a maze of small lanes. It is close to where must. It has attractive brick and flint the Red Kite re-introduction plan began cottages, a medieval church and a and you are sure to see these beautiful thriving pub and shop. birds soaring above you. The Church in Radnage dates from the 13th Century and 7)7 Frieth is a beautiful village at the still has some of the original wall top of the Chilterns escarpment. The paintings. church in Frieth is noted for its Victorian stained glass and carved Radnage Valley 2)2 Aston Rowant National Nature woodwork. There are two pubs in the Reserve village. This is a beautiful chalk downland reserve managed by Natural England, with 8)8 West Wycombe village is owned by carpets of scented wildflowers in the the National Trust and contains many summer and magnificent views. Follow historic buildings. The West Wycombe the brown tourist sign to the car park Garden Centre has a lovely coffee shop where there is a bike rack so that you can and farmshop. leave your bike and explore on foot. 9)9 West Wycombe Park 3)3 Watlington Hill The mansion is managed by the National Trust chalk grassland site National Trust. It is lavishly decorated providing panoramic views over and has featured in films and TV series Watlington, a good place to see Red Kites. such as Little Dorritt, The Duchess and Cranford. Grounds and house open in 4)4 Fingest, Skirmett, and Turville summer except Fridays and Saturdays. These lovely villages are just off the Tel. 01494 755571 Chilterns Cycleway route and are all worth a visit. The popular TV series the 10 St Lawrence Church Vicar of Dibley was filmed at Turville. All Perched high up on West Wycombe Hill, three villages have popular pubs. you cannot miss this unusual church with its golden ball at the top of the 5)5 Chiltern Valley Winery and Brewery tower. (Luxters) Surrounded by beech woods and with 11 The Hell Fire Caves fabulous views over the Hambleden Open to the public seven days a week Valley, this is worth a visit. The Cellar April to October and at weekends and shop is open every day and sells wines, bank holidays November to March, café ales, liqueurs and preserves. Tel. 01491 for cream teas and sandwiches Tel. View from West Wycombe Hill 638330. 01494 533739
Further Information A Guide book is a must for anyone planning to cycle the Chilterns Cycleway. In addition to detailed maps of the route section by section, you will find route Further information about the overviews, information on what to see along the way, pubs, attractions, tea rooms Chilterns Cycleway is available from and other essential visitor information. It is available price £8.99. To order a copy www.chilternsaonb.org/cycleway call the Chilterns Conservation Board on 01844 355500.
an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty