Posts tagged Chilterns

Chiltern Walks: Coleman Green and Wheathampstead

Walking through Devil’s Dyke, Wheathampstead

Start & Finish: East Lane Car Park, 13 East Lane, Wheathampstead, St Albans, AL4 8SB
Distance: 9.1 km (5.7 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 99m
Hertfordshire Way section covered: Hammonds House Farm to the River Lea: 4.15 km
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Hertfordshire Way, The Romans and Nomandsland, Devil’s Dyke and Nomansland, The Old Railway and River Lea, Lea Valley Walk
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 6, 57, Ayot Greenway
Pubs / Cafes on route: Several in Wheathampstead at the start and finish plus the John Bunyan pub at Colman Green (5.5 km in)
Map: St Albans & Hatfield Map | Hemel Hempstead & Welwyn Garden City | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 182
Links: Wheathampstead, Nomansland Common, Heartwood Forest, Devil's Dyke, Wheathampstead Station, River Lea

The Hertfordshire Way offers an incredible opportunity to circumnavigate one of England's home counties, revealing its hidden charms and surprising variety. This circular long-distance footpath, stretching around 273 km (170 miles), guides walkers through the county's most picturesque landscapes, proving that green spaces are never far, even in this area close to London. We walked the Chilterns part of the Hertfordshire Way in 15 sections over a couple of years. We used my “Greater Chilterns” definition that takes the trail from the River Lea near Wheathampstead to the River Colne near Garston. This route is one of those 15 circular walks.

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 free car park on East Lane, Wheathampstead. Be careful not to use the car park next to it that is for customers of the Bull Pub. Walk in a southerly direction down Wheathampstead High Street, continuing onto the B651 “The Hill” for approximately 2 km until you reach the corner of Nomansland Common. Take a left onto a footpath just before Drovers Lane and follow it in an easterly direction through fields, across Coleman Green Lane and into Heartwood Forest. After passing through the farm buildings at Hammonds House farm you’ll reach the Hertfordshire Way at Hammonds Lane.

Take a left onto the Hertfordshire Way, following it in an east/north-easterly direction. After ~300m leave take the footpath on the left to leave Hammonds Lane but keep on the Hertfordshire Way. Follow the edge of the woods for ~700m then take a left to leave the tree line and continue along the Hertfordshire Way across the fields to Coleman Green. Just under 1 km from Coleman Green take a right onto Devil’s Dyke Lane. You can continue along the Lane, but I highly recommend finding the path on the right running through Devil’s Dyke. This is the remains of a prehistoric defensive ditch which is generally agreed to have been part of the defences of an Iron Age settlement belonging to the Catuvellauni tribe of Ancient Britain.

At the end of Devil’s Dyke Lane cross over Marford Road and continue along Sheepcote Lane until you reach the River Lea. The river is the boundary of what I call the Greater Chilterns Area and and is the final part of this series of walks along the Chilterns part of the Hertfordshire Way. There’s one final surprise in this walk though. North of the River Lea take a left onto the Ayot Greenway. This is part of a disused railway path that connects Wheathampstead to Welwyn Garden City. We’re following a short section of it as it runs parallel to the River Lea to the remains of Wheathampstead Station. The Station is worth a visit as it’s been nicely preserved with information boards describing its history. After the station walk down Station Road to cross over the River Lea and back to the start of the walk.

Hertfordshire Way next section clockwise: Wheathampstead and Ayot St Lawrence
Hertfordshire Way next section anti clockwise: Sandridge and Heartwood Forest

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Richard gower8 November 2025Trek, Chilterns, Hertfordshire, EnglandComment

Cycling The Horton Brook and Datchet Common Brook

Part of the Chiltern Rivers Series
Cycle route start and end: Boundary of Black Park and Pinewood Studios, Fulmer
Cycle route length: 39.4 km (24.5 miles)
Cycle route elevation change: +/- 166m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Beeches Way, Shakespeare’s Way, Colne Valley Trail, Slough Arm Canal Towpath, Rowley Farm Trail
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 6, 61
Maps:
- Chiltern Hills East Map | High Wycombe, Maidenshead & Rickmansworth | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 172
- Windsor, Weybridge & Bracknell Map | Thames Path | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 160
Links: Black Park, George Green, Grand Union Canal Slough Arm, Langley, Colnbrook, Horton, Wraysbury, National Trust Ankerwyke, Sunnymeads, Datchet Common, Ditton Park, Slough, Wexham

It had been a few years since I thought that I had completed all of the Chiltern and Colne Valley rivers. Then I discovered the Horton Brook and The Datchet Common Brook on a map and needed to explore them too. Both are small and easily missed unless you’re looking out for them. They snake through fields and residential areas to the east of Slough but you can walk or cycle fairly close to them if you know where to look. Both of the brook’s sources are close to each other at Fulmer and and have confluences with the Thames near Wraysbury. This means that both can be discovered in a 40 km cycle ride, following the Horton brook from the source then the Datchet Common Brook from its confluence back to the source.

Cycling the Horton Brook from the source to the confluence with the Thames

River start: Boundary of Black Park and Pinewood Studios, Fulmer
River end: Confluence with the River Thames in National Trust, Ankerwyke
River length: 19.7 km (12.2 miles)
Links: DEFRA: Horton Brook

We started our cycle trip at the north-eastern corner of Black Park at the junction of Fulmer Common Road, Alderbourne Lane and Pinewood Road. Different maps show the source of the Brook either right on this corner or a little further south along the boundary of Black Park and Pinewood Studios. I’ve been cycling and walking there for years but always thought that it was a ditch.

After ~700m from Fulmer Common Road, the Brook cuts diagonally across the Country Park to empty into Black Park Lake, emerging on the south western side near the path to the car park. After Black Park the Brook crosses under Rowley Lane and into Rowley Farm. We cycled through the farm on the Rowley Farm Trail but ended up taking a fairly convoluted route to not stay very close to the Brook. The easiest route is to follow the A420 to George Green, although be very careful here is it’s a busy dual carriageway.

After the A420 the Brook snakes through George Green, Middle Green, across Langley Park Road and under the Grand Union Canal Slough Arm. Cycling close to the Brook is pretty straightforward and there’s a nice straight section of the canal to follow. After leaving the canal at Mansion Lane you’ll cross uner the railway and take a left onto Parlaunt Road then right onto Old Slade Lane. Meanwhile, the Brook passes through a field and Ritchlings Park Golf Club. After crossing over the M4, leave the Colne Valley Trail at a footpath junction and follow a messy path initially parallel to the motorway then cutting through a field to cross over the A4 Colnbrook Bypass. Here you’ll briefly re-join the Colne Valley Trail through Colnbrook village. After Colnbrook follow Horton Road keeping the Brook and The Queen Mother Reservoir on your right. Cross over Datchet Road to follow Park Lane and onto the footpath through the lakes to Station Road.

At Station Road you can take a left heading east to the bridge where the Brook flows under and into Wraysbury Lake. According to the DEFRA site, this is where the Horton Brook ends. The Wraysbury Lakes Ditch takes water from the lake and into the Colne Brook, which itself flows into the Thames at Runnymede.

For a more interesting cycle ride we took a right onto Station Road, passing through Wraysbury High Street then took at right into Magna Carta Lane. Here you can pass through the National Trust Ankerwyke site to connect to an arm of the Horton Brook that joins the Thames to the east of Ankerycke Yew. The paths through the National Trust site are for walking so best to lock your bikes up at the parking area.

Cycling The Datchet Common Brook from the Thames to the source

River start: Fulmer Wood Lake, Slough, SL3 6AA
River end: Confluence with the River Thames near The Avenue, Sunnymeads, Wraysbury, Staines, TW19 5EY
River length: 11.3 km (7 miles)
Links: DEFRA: Datchet Common Brook

From the end of the Horton Brook return to the B376 Staines Road and take a left towards Wraysbury. At the mini roundabout continue on the B376, then take a left onto The Avenue at Sunnymeads. Look out for the bridge over the Datchet Common Brook near house #37. This is the closest you’ll get to the confluence with the Thames which is behind the houses on the western side of the road.

After the bridge, turn around and take the next left onto Acacia Avenue to Sunnymeads Station. Take the footpath on the right to climb the steps back up to Welley Road. Take a left and follow Welley Road to the junction with Datchet Road. Take a left onto Datchet Road and follow it in an easterly direction towards Datchet Common. The Brook follows the Datchet Road on the northern side, following the edge of the Queen Mother Reservoir.

Take a right onto Penn Road, a left onto New Road then a right onto Ditton Road. Take a right at the junction with Major’s Farm Road, running parallel with the M4 until you reach the footbridge. Cross the bridge over the motorway to the northern side and look out for the entrance to Ditton Park on the corner of Ridig Court Road and Ditton Park Road.

You’re now in the most enjoyable part of the ride, following the course of the Brook through Ditton Park to Upton Court Road. At the north-eastern corner of Upton Park, take Quaves Road onto Lascelles Road then take a left on the A4 Wellington Street, crossing over to the northern side where safe to do so. At the large Sainsbury’s Roundabout take the A412 heading north. After crossing over the railway line and canal you can follow the quieter residential roads that run parallel to the A412.

Take a left onto Church Lane then a right onto Wexham Park Lane. Look out for the bridge over the Brook at Valley End at the bottom of the hill. Shortly after Valley End, at a curve in the road, take the footpath on the left called Gallions Lane and follow it in a northerly direction. The Brook will now be on your left running through Wexham Park Golf Course. Just before the end of Gallions Lane take a right to follow the path running parallel to Rowley Lane to the end at Black Park Lane. Follow Black Park Lane in a northerly direction to the end at Fulmer Common Road. When you meet the Shakespeare’s Way and Beeches Way that join from the left you’re now as close as you’ll get to the source of the Datchet Common Brook at Fulmer Wood Lake.

Take a right onto Fulmer Common Road to return to the start of the cycle ride at the north-eastern corner of Black Park

Red = Cycle Route, Green = Datchet Common Brook, Blue = Horton Brook

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Richard gower26 October 2025Cycle, NCN, Canal, Thames, Chilterns, Colne Valley, National Trust, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, EnglandComment

Chiltern Walks: Sandridge and Heartwood Forest

Edge of Heartwood Forest, towards Childwickbury

Start & Finish: Nomansland Parking, Ferrers Lane, St Albans, AL4 8EG
Distance: 12.3 km (7.7 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 106m
Hertfordshire Way section covered: Chilwickbury to Hammonds House Farm: 5.5 km
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Hertfordshire Way, The Romans and Nomandsland, Ver Valley Walk
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 6
Pubs / Cafes on route: Several pubs and a cafe in Sandridge at 8 km in.
Map: St Albans & Hatfield Map | Hemel Hempstead & Welwyn Garden City | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 182
Links: Childwickbury, Sandridge, Heartwood Forest, Nomansland Common

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 free parking area on Nomansland Common off Ferrers Lane. Take the footpath heading west from the parking area and, after approximately 800m, take the southern footpath through the woods towards Round Wood. Keep heading in a south westerly direction along the field edge until you reach the railway embankment. Take a right to follow the right hand edge of the railway until you reach Ayres End Lane. Take a left to pass under the railway line, then the first path on the right to follow a path that bypasses Ayres End Lane and joins the Ver Valley Walk.

Follow the Ver Valley Walk in a south westerly direction. Carefully cross over the A1081 Harpenden Road and take a right into Childwickbury. Here you’ll join the Herfordshire Way. Take a left in Childwickbury village to follow the Hertfordshireway back to the A1081 Harpenden Road. Turn right onto the A1081 then carefully cross over to follow the Hertfordshire Way in an easterly direction to Sandridge.

Sandridge village is a good place to stop for a rest at 8 km in. There’s a few pubs and a cafe so it’s well-served for a small village. After Sandridge continue to follow the Hertfordshire Way in a north-easterly direction until you reach the junction with the Romans and Nomansland trail at Hammonds House farm. Leave the Hertfordshire Way here and follow the Romans and Nomansland trail in a north-westerly direction through the farm. Eventually you’ll cross the Wheathampstead Road back onto Nomansland Common and the final short section back to the car park.

Hertfordshire Way next section clockwise: Coleman Green and Wheathampstead
Hertfordshire Way next section anti clockwise: St Albans and Childwickbury

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Richard gower11 October 2025Trek, Chilterns, Hertfordshire, EnglandComment

Chiltern Walks: St Albans and Childwickbury

Start & Finish: Verulamium Car Park, 39 St Michael's Street, St Albans, AL3 4SW. Alternative parking and public transport options in St Albans
Distance: 14.3 km (8.9 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 122m
Hertfordshire Way section covered: Redbournbury to Childwickbury: 10.6 km
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Hertfordshire Way, Ver Valley Walk, River Ver Trail
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 6
Pubs / Cafes on route: Many in St Albans Town Centre
Map: St Albans & Hatfield Map | Hemel Hempstead & Welwyn Garden City | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 182
Links: Redbournbury, St Albans, Childwickbury, River Ver, Gorhambury Estate

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 Verulamium Car Park on the western edge of the town. The location is great for the walk but it’s also expensive. There’s other parking and public transport options in St Albans though.

Most of this walk is in the countryside to the north of the city, however there’s a “bonus” loop of 2.5 km that takes in St. Alban’s Cathedral, Fishpool Street and Verulamium Park. It’s worth doing but if you want to skip it the main section of the walk is around 11.5 km. My advice is to do the main section first then have a rest in one of the city’s pubs and cafes then do the small loop before returning to the car park.

For the main section of the route, exit the car park on the western side onto St Michael’s Street then take a right onto the A4147 Hemel Hempstead Road. It’s a busy route into the city but the pavement is safe enough and it’s a short distance. After the roundabout carefully cross over and take the first lane on the left heading into farmland in a north-westerly direction. Follow this path through fields, woods and a golf course to the small village of Childwickbury.

Continue through Childwickbury until you reach the A1081 Harpenden Road. Take a left onto the A1081 and follow the pavement for 1.2 km then take a left onto Beesonend Lane. Follow the lane for 2 km in a south-westerly direction until you reach a T-junction with a path that runs parallel to the river Ver. Take a left to follow this path in a southerly direction to the A5183 Redbourn Road.

Cross over the road and enter a gate into the Gorhambury Estate. Follow the path through the estate until you reach the A4147 Hemel Hempstead Road. Cross over the road to return to St Michael’s Street and the car park. Note that Gorhambury is a private estate with permissive paths running through it. The gate from the A5183 was locked when we were there so we had to take a less interesting diversion along the A5183. Check their website linked about for details of any closures.

Hertfordshire Way next section clockwise: Sandridge and Heartwood Forest
Hertfordshire Way next section anti clockwise: Redbourn and Redbournbury

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Richard gower4 October 2025Trek, Chilterns, Hertfordshire, EnglandComment

Chiltern Walks: Redbourn and Redbournbury

Start & Finish: Free car park on West Common, Redbourn, St Albans AL3 7ND
Distance: 9 km (6 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 74m
Hertfordshire Way section covered: Redbourn to Redbournbury: 4 km
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Hertfordshire Way, Chiltern Way, Ver Valley Walk, River Ver Trail
Other routes touched (cycle): Nickey Line
Pubs / Cafes on route: The Cricketers of Redbourn at start and end
Map: St Albans & Hatfield Map | Hemel Hempstead & Welwyn Garden City | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 182
Links: Redbourn, Redbournbury, Redbournbury Mill, River Ver, Nickey Line

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 free car park on West Common near the cricket club. Walk along the tree-lined avenue in a south-westerly direction then take a right onto Flamsteadbury Lane. Take a left onto Ben Austins (road) and then a right onto the footpath next to house number 13. When you reach the field corner take a left to follow the Hertfordshire Way in a south-westerly direction along the field-edge. Keep following both the Very Valley Walk and Hertfordshire Way to pass through the grounds of St Mary’s Church, across Hemel Hempstead Road and onto the Nickey Lane disused railway.

Take a left onto the Nickey Line and follow it for 1.8 km until you reach a path junction just after crossing over the River Red. Take right at this path junction to leave the Nickey Line to stay on the Hertfordshire Way. Follow the Hertfordshire Way in a south-easterly direction for 2.6 km as it runs parallel to the River Ver. Approximately 0.5 km south of the Redbournbury Watermill leave the Hertfordshire Way to cross over the River Ver into a cow field. There’s a section of stepping stones where you can cross an arm of the Ver after the footbridge.

Cross the cow field and over the A4183 Redbourn Road then onto Punchbowl Lane. Follow Punchbowl Lane in a south-westerly direction for 3.3 km then take the footpath on the right to follow the Ver Valley Walk across fields in a northerly direction. Keep on the Ver Valley Walk heading north for approximately 3 km back to the start at West Common.

Hertfordshire Way next section clockwise: St Albans and Childwickbury
Hertfordshire Way next section anti clockwise: Flamstead and Redbourn

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Richard gower27 September 2025Trek, Chilterns, Hertfordshire, EnglandComment

Chiltern Walks: Flamstead and Redbourn

Start & Finish: Free car park on West Common, Redbourn, St Albans AL3 7ND
Distance: 11.4 km (7 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 98m
Hertfordshire Way section covered: Flamstead to Redbourn: 4.2 km
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Hertfordshire Way, Chiltern Way, Ver Valley Walk, River Ver Trail
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 57
Pubs / Cafes on route: The Spotted Dog or The Three Blackbirds in Flamstead at 6.5 km in and several options in Redbourn at the start and end.
Map: St Albans & Hatfield Map | Hemel Hempstead & Welwyn Garden City | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 182
Links: Flamstead, Redbourn, River Ver

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 free car park on West Common near the cricket club. Walk along the tree-lined avenue in a north-easterly direction to Redbourn High Street. Cross over onto Watersend Road, following the River Ver Trail as it runs parallel to the River Ver. After 5km you’ll reach the M1 junction. This isn’t a pleasant section and be careful as you navigate the motorway underpass and cross the roundabout on the western side. Once across the junction you’ll be back into quieter farm and woodland on the 1 km section to Flamstead. You’re now over half way into the route and it’s a good chance to stop for a rest in either the Spotted Dog or Three Blackbirds.

At the junction of Flamstead High Street and Chapel Road you’ll pick up the Hertfordshire Way heading south along Trowley Hill Road. Approximately 0.5 km south of the Three Blackbirds you’ll take a footpath on the left as Trowley Hill Road curves to the west. Continue along the Hertfordshire Way initially in a southerly direction then curving towards the east. You’ll cross over the M1 again, but this time it’s a lot easier as it’s over a traffic-free bridge. Continue along the Hertfordshire Way back to the start at West Common, Redbourn.

Hertfordshire Way next section clockwise: Redbourn and Redbournbury
Hertfordshire Way next section anti clockwise: Flamstead and Markyate

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Richard gower23 August 2025Trek, Chilterns, Hertfordshire, EnglandComment

Chiltern Walks: Flamstead and Markyate

Approaching Flamstead with rain clouds behind

Start & Finish: Flamstead Recreation Ground, St Albans AL3 8BS
Distance: 12 km (7.5 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 135m
Hertfordshire Way section covered: Babies Wood to Flamstead: 4.3 km
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Hertfordshire Way, Chiltern Way, Ver Valley Walk
Other routes touched (cycle): Chilterns Cycleway
Pubs / Cafes on route: The Spotted Dog or Three Blackbirds at the start in Flamstead. Several in Markyate, just off route at 2.8 km
Map: St Albans & Hatfield Map | Hemel Hempstead & Welwyn Garden City | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 182
Links: Flamstead, Markyate

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 free parking at Flamstead Recreation Ground off Hollybush Lane. From pick up the Hertfordshire Way on a footpath heading west, just south of Friendless Lane. Follow the path onto Friendless Lane then take a path on the right to cross farmland in a north-westerly direction to Markyate.

The Hertfordshire Way takes a loop around Markyate following Pickford Road and Buckwood Road then takes a southerly course across fields to Roe End Lane. Take a right onto Roe End Lane then a left onto a track to reach Beechwood Park Drive. Shortly after Beechwood Park School take a right to cross fields and woodland in a southerly direction until you meet the Chiltern Way at Gaddesden. Take a left onto the Chiltern Way and follow it in a north-easterly direction back to Flamstead.

Hertfordshire Way next section clockwise: Flamstead and Redbourn
Hertfordshire Way next section anti clockwise: Great Gaddesden and Gaddesdon Row

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Richard gower7 June 2025Trek, Chilterns, Hertfordshire, EnglandComment

Walking The Shakespeare's Way: The Chilterns Section

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.

Point to Point: Britwell Salome to The Grand Union Canal at Yiewsley

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.

Walking The Shakespeare’s Way Chilterns Section in 12 Circular Routes

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

Part 7: Southend and Skirmett

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

Part 11: Marlow Donkey

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

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Richard gower27 May 2025Trek, Chilterns, Thames, National Trust, Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Colne Valley, EnglandComment

Chiltern Walks: Southend and Skirmett

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

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

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Richard gower26 May 2025Trek, Chilterns, Buckinghamshire, EnglandComment

Ales & Trails Chiltern Valley 10k

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

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Richard gower18 May 2025Run, 10k, Chilterns, Buckinghamshire, EnglandComment

Nettlebed Stinger 10k

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

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Richard gower27 April 2025Run, 10k, Chilterns, Oxfordshire, EnglandComment

Walking The Rowley Farm Trail

Start & Finish: Car Park at Black Park Country Park, Black Park Road, Slough, SL3 6DS
Distance: 5.9 km (3.7 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 43m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Beeches Way, Shakespeare’s Way
Other routes touched (cycle): Beeches Cycleway
Pubs / Cafes on route: Four Seasons Cafe, Black Park at start and end.
Map: OS Explorer Map (172) Chiltern Hills East and OS Explorer Map (160) Windsor, Weybridge & Bracknell
Links: Black Park

This is part of a series of short circular walks in the Chilterns. 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.

This is a short, flat walk around the perimeter of Rowley Farm to the west of Black Park Country Park. We went at the end of April when the bluebells were out, making this a pleasant Spring walk. From the car park look out for the first Rowley Farm Trail roundel to the right of the road entrance. Follow the path to Black park Road then cross over Rowley Lane to enter the woods. You’re now on the main part of the trail.

The Trail is well sign-posted so navigation is fairly easy. There’s a couple of things to look out for though.

After 1.4 km the trail takes a right to take a boundary route of Wexham Park Golf Course, Wexham Street and a path on the northern edge of Wexham Park hospital. If you’re looking for a shorter walk you can avoid this section by continuing south on Gallions Lane instead of turning right onto the golf course.
The southern section that crosses fields near Rowley Lake can get wet after rain so wear boots and fast-drying trousers in damp conditions.
There’s a short section in the final 1 km that’s runs on Rowley Lane before taking the path up to the northern side of Black Park Lake. Be careful on this section as there’s no pavement and cars can often go fast here.

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Richard gower21 April 2025Trek, Chilterns, Buckinghamshire, EnglandComment

Chiltern Walks: Great Gaddesden and Gaddesden Row

Crossing the River Gade at Great Gaddesden

Start & Finish: Hemel Hempstead Garden Centre, Piper's Hill, Great Gaddesden, Hemel Hempstead, HP1 3BY
Distance: 9.1 km (5.7 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 116m
Hertfordshire Way section covered: Great Gaddesden to the Babies Wood: 4 km
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Hertfordshire Way, Chiltern Way
Other routes touched (cycle): Chilterns Cycleway
Pubs / Cafes on route: Hemel Hempstead Garden Centre cafe at the start and end
Map: Chiltern Hills North Map | Aylesbury, Berkhamsted & Chesham | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 181
Links: Great Gaddesden, Gaddesden Row, River Gade, Gaddesden Place

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 Hemel Hempstead Garden Centre off Piper’s Hill (road). It’s for customer parking but if you visit the cafe or buy something from the shop and come back before closing time they’re unlikely to mind. The actual start of the walk is at the corner of Piper’s Hill (road) and Church Meadow (road). Just to the south-west of this corner you’ll find a small lane on the left heading in a south-easterly direction. Follow this to cross over the River Gade and the B440 Leighton Buzzard Road. Be very careful on this road as the crossing is on a corner and cars can pass by very fast.

Once over the B440 follow the Chiltern Way in a north-easterly direction through the grounds of Gaddesden Place. If it looks familiar to you it’s because it’s been the location of many films and TV series. Stay on the Chiltern Way until you reach the small hamlet of Gaddesden Row. Shortly after Gaddesden Row leave the Chiltern Way to follow a path heading in a north-westerly direction along the left hand edge of Newland’s Wood and Babies Wood to join the Hertfordshire Way at Beechwood Lane. Be careful here as it’s also the corner of a Hertfordshire Way junction where you have 2 options to follow it. Take the left hand option to follow it in a westerly direction along Dean Lane.

About half-way along Dean Lane take the footpath on the left to keep on the Hertfordshire Way in a southerly direction to Jockey End. Take a left onto Gaddesden Row (road) then a right to follow the Hertfordshire Way in a south-westerly direction back to Great Gaddesden. Again, be careful when crossing back over the B440. After crossing back over the River Gade you’ll reach Church Meadow (road). Follow this in a southerly direction to return to the start.

Hertfordshire Way next section clockwise: Flamstead and Markyate
Hertfordshire Way next section anti clockwise: Great Gaddesden and Ashridge

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Richard gower5 April 2025Trek, Chilterns, Hertfordshire, EnglandComment

Chiltern Walks: Great Gaddesden and Ashridge

Start & Finish: Hemel Hempstead Garden Centre, Piper's Hill, Great Gaddesden, Hemel Hempstead, HP1 3BY
Distance: 9.3 km (5.8 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 153m
Hertfordshire Way section covered: Great Gaddesden to the Ashridge Estate: 4 km
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Hertfordshire Way, Ashridge Boundary Trail,
Other routes touched (cycle): Chilterns Cycleway, Iknield Way Riders Route
Pubs / Cafes on route: Hemel Hempstead Garden Centre cafe at the start and end
Map: Chiltern Hills North Map | Aylesbury, Berkhamsted & Chesham | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 181
Links: Great Gaddesden, Ashridge Estate, Nettleden

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 Hemel Hempstead Garden Centre off Piper’s Hill (road). It’s for customer parking but if you visit the cafe or buy something from the shop and come back before closing time they’re unlikely to mind. The actual start of the walk is at the corner of Piper’s Hill (road) and Church Meadow (road). Walk up Church Meadow in a northerly direction then continue as it curves round in an anti-clockwise direction. Near the end of Church Meadow take the footpath on the right after house #20 to follow the Hertfordshire Way in an west / north-westerly direction.

The Hertfordshire Way will join St Margaret’s Road near the entrance to the Amaravati Buddhist Monastery. Continue along the road keeping the monastery on your left. Just over 1 km along St Margaret’s Road take a path on the left to cross a field to the bottom of a valley, take a right to follow the valley bottom path to reach Nettleden Road. Cross over the road to pass through a small patch of woodland to join the Ashridge Boundary Trail. At this point leave the Hertfordshire Way to follow the Ashridge Boundary Trail heading south.

Follow the Ashridge Boundary Trail for ~3 km until Highridge Farm Camping then take a left to reach Nettleden Road. Take a right onto Nettleden Road then a left onto Pipers Hill. Follow Pipers Hill in a north-easterly direction all the way back to Great Gaddesden.

Hertfordshire Way next section clockwise: Great Gaddesden and Gaddesdon Row
Hertfordshire Way next section anti clockwise: Ashridge Boundary Trail Section 2

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Richard gower22 March 2025Trek, Chilterns, Hertfordshire, England, National TrustComment

Chiltern Walks: Boxmoor and Kings Langley

Start: Hemel Hempstead Station, London Road, Hemel Hempstead, HP3 9BQ
Finish: Kings Langley Station, Station Road, Kings Langley WD4 8LF
Distance: 12.8 km (7.9 miles)
Elevation change: +154m / - 175m. Net -21m
Hertfordshire Way section covered: Bovingdon to Kings Langley: 10 km
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Chiltern Way, Grand Union Canal Circular Walk Kings Langley - Hemel, Hertfordshire Way, Red Walk
Other routes touched (cycle): Grand Union Canal Towpath
Pubs / Cafes on route: The Bell Inn Bovingdon (3.9 km in), several in Kings Langley, just off route at the end.
Map: St Albans & Hatfield Map | Hemel Hempstead & Welwyn Garden City | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 182
Links: Hemel Hempstead, Boxmoor, Bovingdon, Kings Langley

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.

Unlike most our walks on the Hertfordshire Way this is a point-to-point walk rather than a circular. The start and end are at railway stations on the same line so it’s a quick train journey to get from the start to the end. We parked at Kings Langley Station and got the train to the start at Hemel Hempstead. Check train times in advance for any delays or cancellations.

From Hemel Hempstead Station we took the southern exit and walked along the path that connects to the Chiltern Way. Take a left onto the Chiltern Way to continue walking south. After 800m leave the Chiltern Way to take the Red Walk path on the right towards Bovingdon. Once in Bovingdon you’ll have reconnected with the Hertfordshire Way which you’ll follow in an anti-clockwise direction all the way to Kings Langley Station.

Hertfordshire Way next section clockwise: Berkhamsted and Bourne End
Hertfordshire Way next section anti clockwise: Kings Langley to Aldenham

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Richard gower15 March 2025Trek, Chilterns, Hertfordshire, Canal, EnglandComment

Walking The Chiltern Heritage Trail

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.

Point to Point: The full Chiltern Heritage Trail

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.

Walking The Chiltern Heritage Trail in 17 Circular Routes

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

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

Cycling The Chilterns Heritage Trails

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.

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Richard gower11 March 2025Trek, Chilterns, Buckinghamshire, EnglandComment

Chiltern Walks: Cow Roast and Berkhamsted Common

Start & Finish: Free parking by the Cow Roast Recreation Ground, Tring, HP23 5RE
Distance: 11.9 km (7.3 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 140m
Hertfordshire Way section covered: Tom’s Hill to Berkhamsted Common: 3 km
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Chiltern Way, Grand Union Canal Circular Walk Berkhamsted-Tring, Hertfordshire Way, Ashridge Boundary Trail, Rangers Ramble
Other routes touched (cycle): Grand Union Canal Towpath, Chilterns Cycleway, Berkhamsted 6 Circular
Pubs / Cafes on route: The Artisan at the start and finish
Map: Chiltern Hills North Map | Aylesbury, Berkhamsted & Chesham | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 181
Links: Cow Roast, Berkhamstead Common, Berkhamsted

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 free parking spot next to the recreation ground at Cow Roast. Cross over the A4251 Trig Road to reach Cow Roast Lock. Cross over the canal and follow The Chiltern Way along Wharf Lane. Take the path on the left to continue on the Chiltern Way crossing over the railway footbridge and climb the hill into the Ashridge Estate. When you meet the Hertfortshire Way take a right to follow it for 3 km into Berkhamsted Common.

Once you’re 5km into the walk from Cow Roast lock take a right to leave the Hertfordhshire Way to follow the Ashridge Boundary Trail in a southerly direction. When you reach Northchurch Lane, leave the Boundary Trail to take a path on the left towards Bridle Lane. Follow Bridle Lane onto Billet Lane then cross the railway line and over the Grand Union Canal. Once on the southern side of the canal follow the tow path in a westerly direction back to the start at Cow Roast.

Hertfordshire Way next section clockwise: Aldbury & Ashridge
Hertfordshire Way next section anti clockwise: Berkhamsted Castle and Common

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Richard gower8 March 2025Trek, Chilterns, Hertfordshire, Canal, England, National TrustComment

Chiltern Walks: Berkhamsted and Bourne End

The Grand Union between Berkhamsted and Bourne End

Start & Finish: Berkhamsted Station, Station Approach, Berkhamsted, HP4 2AR
Distance: 11.9 km (7.3 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 144m
Hertfordshire Way section covered: Berkhamsted to Bushfield Road: 5.8 km
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Grand Union Canal Circular Walk Berkhamsted-Tring, Hertfordshire Way
Other routes touched (cycle): Grand Union Canal Towpath, Chilterns Cycleway, Berkhamsted 6 Circular
Pubs / Cafes on route: Lots in Berkhamsted Town Centre, plus 3 on the Grand Union Canal within the first 1 km. The Anchor and The White Horse (3.7 km in)
Map: Chiltern Hills North Map | Aylesbury, Berkhamsted & Chesham | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 181
Links: Berkhamsted, Grand Union Canal, Bourne End

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 Berkhamsted Station and picked up the Hertfordshire Way heading east along the Grand Union Canal. Follow the canal towpath for 3.3 km then cross over it on the Sharpes Lane bridge. Continue along Sharpes Lane in a southerly direction to the A4251 London Road and take a left onto it toward Bourne End. Take the footpath on the right opposite Bourne End Village Hall to continue along the Hertfordshire Way in a southerly direction.

After ~2km from leaving the London Road you’ll reach Hempstead Road where you’ll leave the Hertfordshire Way. Take a right off Hempstead Road onto a footpath that crosses the golf course in a roughly westerly direction to Upper Bourne End Lane. Take a left onto the lane then first right onto another path that heads in a north-westerly direction across fields to cross over the Bourne Gutter stream. Shortly after crossing the stream follow the path that heads north over the A41 and leads back to the A4251 London Road. Take a left to return to Berkhamsted Town Centre. Take a right onto Lower Kings Road to return to the station.

Hertfordshire Way next section clockwise: Berkhamsted Castle and Common
Hertfordshire Way next section anti clockwise: Boxmoor to Kings Langley

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Richard gower1 March 2025Trek, Chilterns, Hertfordshire, Canal, EnglandComment

Chiltern Walks: Aldbury & Ashridge

Start & Finish: Tring Station, Tring, HP23 5QR
Distance: 7.8 km (4.8 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 138m
Hertfordshire Way section covered: Pitstone Common to Tom’s Hill: 6.15 km
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Grand Union Canal Circular Walk Berkhamsted-Tring, The Ridgeway, Hertfordshire Way, Chiltern Way, Ashridge Boundary Trail, Foresters Walk, Rangers Ramble
Other routes touched (cycle): Chilterns Cycleway, Tring 5 Circular, Berkhamsted 6 Circular
Pubs / Cafes on route: Church Farm Cafe (1.5 km in), The Greyhound (1.7 km in), Poppies Cafe (1.8 km in), Ashridge National Trust Cafe (2.7 km in)
Map: Chiltern Hills North Map | Aylesbury, Berkhamsted & Chesham | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 181
Links: Aldbury, Ashridge Estate, Ashridge National Trust Estate, Tring Station

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 Tring Station then followed the Ridgeway along station road for 300m to where the Hertfordshire Way crosses the road. Take a left to follow the Hertfordshire Way in a north easterly direction to Aldbury. This a a classic Chiltern Village that’s featured in several films and TV shows. There’s also a good selection of places to stop for a drink. My favourite is the Church Farm cycle cafe.

After Aldbury continue along the Hertfordshire Way up the hill and into the National Trust Ashridge Estate. At around 250m past the National Trust cafe and visitors’ centre leave the Hertfordshire Way to take a right onto the Rangers Ramble. Follow this in a southerly direction until you reach the Hertfordshire Way again. Take a right to to follow the Hertfordshire Way out of the National Trust Estate and back to Trig Station.

Hertfordshire Way next section clockwise: (Ashridge Boundary Trail Route 2) Ashridge Golf Club and Moneybury Hill
Hertfordshire Way next section anti clockwise: Cow Roast and Berkhamsted Common

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Richard gower16 February 2025Trek, Chilterns, National Trust, Hertfordshire, EnglandComment

Chiltern Walks: Orchard Leigh and Botley

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

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Richard gower8 February 2025Trek, Chilterns, Buckinghamshire, EnglandComment