View to the River Thame and the Chilterns from Upper Winchendon

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Start & Finish: Waddesdon Manor Car Park, Waddesdon, Aylesbury, HP18 0JE
Distance: 11.1 km (6.9 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 160 m
Terrain: A mixture of paved estate roads, grassy footpaths, and woodland tracks across undulating farmland.
Midshires Way section covered: River Thame to Waddeston: 3.7 km
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Midshires Way, The Swan Way, Thame Valley Walk, North Bucks Way, Aylesbury Ring, Windmill Hill at Waddesdon, Bernwood Jubilee Way
Other routes touched (cycle): National Bridleway, Waddesdon Greenway
Pubs / Cafes on route: The Five Arrows, Waddesdon. Near the start and finish.
OS Trig Pillar: TP6692 - Waddesdon Hill
Map: Chiltern Hills North Map | Aylesbury, Berkhamsted & Chesham | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 181
Links: River Thame, Waddesdon Manor, Waddesdon National Trust, Waddesdon, Eythrope

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This is part of a series of short circular walks following the length of the Midshires Way in Buckinghamshire. The Midshires Way is a 225-mile (362 km) trail that journeys through the rural heart of Middle England, linking the Ridgeway National Trail at Bledlow in the south to the Trans Pennine Trail at Stockport in the north. Opened in 1994, this route traverses several counties, including Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, and Greater Manchester, following a scenic tapestry of ancient bridleways, quiet country lanes, and historic canals. In Buckinghamshire, the Midshires Way has a significant connection with the Swan's Way (often referred to as the Swan Way), a 65-mile long-distance bridleway. Essentially, the Swan's Way forms the backbone of the Buckinghamshire section of the Midshires Way, with the two routes being broadly coincident for approximately 50 miles between Salcey Forest and Bledlow. While the Swan's Way strictly adheres to bridleways to accommodate horse riders and cyclists, the Midshires Way sometimes offers alternative waymarked footpaths for walkers to avoid on-road sections.

Walking Directions

This section of the Midshires Way offers a stunning journey through the heart of the Rothschild family's historical estates in Buckinghamshire. Starting at the Waddesdon Manor car park, the route climbs gently to provide sweeping views of the Vale of Aylesbury before descending into the more intimate, tranquil landscape of the Eythrope estate. It is a walk defined by grand architectural statements, ancient trees, and the peaceful meanderings of the River Thame.

The trail transitions from the manicured elegance of Waddesdon to the secluded charm of Eythrope’s private gardens and wilderness areas. As you loop back towards the starting point, the route follows a ridge that showcases the impressive scale of the local landscape. Whether you are interested in Victorian horticultural history or simply a quiet stroll through some of the county’s finest parkland, this route delivers a perfect blend of both.

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.

• Start at the large, free Waddesdon Manor car park. Check closing times to make sure that you don’t get locked in.

• Pass by the Visitors’ Centre, where there are toilets, and walk along the main path in a westerly direction towards the manor. If you are a National Trust member you may be asked to show your membership cards but if not tell the staff that you are having a walk on the public footpaths and not entering the estate grounds.

• At 400m after the Visitors’ Centre take a road on the right to follow the Windmill at Waddesdon Walk in a southerly direction.

• After 700m you’ll reach a boulevard of trees descending from the manor down the valley to the south-east. Take a left to follow the path between the trees. Near the end of the trees, after a gate, curve to the south to reach School Lane on the hamlet of Upper Winchendon.

• Cross over Main Road to follow a driveway towards a house. Take the footpath to the left of the house, pausing at the gate to take in the views across the Thame Valley.

• Descend down the valley to reach the Bernwood Jubillee Trail before the River Thame.

• Take a left to follow the Bernwood Jubillee Trail running parallel to the River Thame on its northern bank to the gates of the Eythrope Estate. Here you’'ll take a left into the Estate but if you continue over the bridge for ~100m you’ll meet the point of the Midshires Way where you left it on Section 5. If you visit the bridge, retrace your steps back to the gates of the gates of the Eythrope Estate.

• Follow the paths along the gates of the Eythrope Estate drive, following it to the right as it curves towards the main house.

• Before the gates of the main house take a left to follow the Midshires Way in a north-westerly direction back towards Waddesdon.

• If you’re a Trig Bagger you’ll find the Waddesdon Hill Trig Pillar on a side-path just to the right of the main path approximately 2km from the where you turned left at the Eythrope House.

• Cross over Waddesdon Hill Road to take the path alongside Waddesdon Stud.

• Continue until the meet the Waddesdon Greenway then take a left to return to the Waddesdon Manor Car Park.

Points of Interest along or near to the Route

• Waddesdon Manor: A striking Neo‑Renaissance country house built for Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild in the late 19th century, Waddesdon Manor rises from the landscape like a French château. Its formal gardens, sweeping terraces, and historic aviary showcase the wealth, ambition, and artistic sensibilities of the Rothschild family.

• Eythrope Estate: A more secluded corner of the wider Waddesdon estate, Eythrope is renowned for its exceptional walled garden and for The Pavilion, the riverside house created by Alice de Rothschild. The estate has a distinctly intimate character, shaped by its focus on ornamental horticulture and its tranquil setting beside the River Thame.

• River Thame: Flowing quietly through the southern stretch of the route, the River Thame supports a rich mosaic of wildlife. Its meadows form a gentle contrast to the higher ground of the estate, with pollarded willows, wetland habitats, and seasonal wildflowers adding texture and colour to the landscape.

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Midshires Way previous section South: Hartwell and Stone
Midshires Way next section North: Waddesdon and Quainton Road (coming soon)

Flooded River Thame

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Start & Finish: Stone Village Hall, 50 Oxford Road, Stone Aylesbury, HP17 8PB
Distance: 10.1 km (6.3 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 75 m
Terrain: A mixture of quiet village lanes and open field-edge bridleways.
Midshires Way section covered: Bishopstone Road to the River Thame: 3.5 km
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Midshires Way, The Swan Way, Thame Valley Walk, North Bucks Way
Other routes touched (cycle): Aylesbury Pebble Way
Pubs / Cafes on route: The Bugle Horn at 6.3 km in.
Map: Chiltern Hills North Map | Aylesbury, Berkhamsted & Chesham | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 181
Links: Stone, Hartwell, River Thame

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This is part of a series of short circular walks following the length of the Midshires Way in Buckinghamshire. The Midshires Way is a 225-mile (362 km) trail that journeys through the rural heart of Middle England, linking the Ridgeway National Trail at Bledlow in the south to the Trans Pennine Trail at Stockport in the north. Opened in 1994, this route traverses several counties, including Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, and Greater Manchester, following a scenic tapestry of ancient bridleways, quiet country lanes, and historic canals. In Buckinghamshire, the Midshires Way has a significant connection with the Swan's Way (often referred to as the Swan Way), a 65-mile long-distance bridleway. Essentially, the Swan's Way forms the backbone of the Buckinghamshire section of the Midshires Way, with the two routes being broadly coincident for approximately 50 miles between Salcey Forest and Bledlow. While the Swan's Way strictly adheres to bridleways to accommodate horse riders and cyclists, the Midshires Way sometimes offers alternative waymarked footpaths for walkers to avoid on-road sections.

Walking Directions

This walk explores a fascinating slice of Buckinghamshire history, linking the ancient village of Stone with the grand estate of Hartwell House. The route offers a pleasing contrast between the open, agricultural landscapes typical of the Aylesbury Vale and the manicured, historic parkland of Hartwell, where you can spot 18th-century follies and a decorative bridge.

The path is generally gentle and well-marked, following a section of the long-distance Midshires Way before looping back through the quiet fields south of the River Thame. It is a walk that combines architectural interest with rural tranquillity.

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.

• Start at the Village Hall in Stone, where there’s free on-street parking and head west along A418 Oxford Road.

• Take a right onto Eythorpe Road and follow it in a north-westerly direction for 1.9 km until you cross over a tributary of the River Thame.

• After the River Thame take the footpath on the right that follows a path between the River Thame to the left and the tributary to the right.

• After ~1.5 km take a right to leave the Thame Valley Walk to stay on the North Bucks Way heading across fields in a south-easterly direction.

• When you reach the farm buildings take a right to continue along the North Bucks Way in a southerly direction.

• At Upper Hartwell Road take a left to continue along the North Bucks Way in an easterly direction to Lower Hartwell Road.

• Take a right onto Lower Hartwell Road and follow it in a southerly direction to the junction with the A418 Oxford Road. Along this road you’ll pass the Egyptian Well, an old graveyard and the fossil-encrusted outer wall of Hartwell House.

• Carefully cross over the Oxford Road and take a left to pass (or stop into) the Bugle Horn Pub.

• Follow Sedrup Lane in a south-easterly direction to the outskirts of the small village of Sedrup.

• Before the village take a right to leave the North Bucks Way and follow a path across fields that leads onto Bishopstone Road.

• Take a right onto Bishopstone Road and walk along the grass verge in a north-westerly direction all the way back to the Oxford Road at Stone.

• Take a right onto the Oxford Road to return back to the Village Hall.

Points of Interest along or near to the Route

• Stone: This historic village sits on a ridge of limestone and sand, giving it its name. The parish church of St John the Baptist dates back to 1273 and features a remarkable Norman font with intricate carvings of humans and animals.

• Hartwell House: A magnificent Grade I listed stately home that once served as the residence of the exiled King Louis XVIII of France. The parkland is dotted with 18th-century follies and monuments, many of which are visible from the public right of way. Look out for the estate walls; they are historically notable for being encrusted with fossils and rare stones.

• The Egyptian Springs: A unique folly located near Hartwell House, commissioned by Dr John Lee in the 1850s. Designed by Joseph Bonomi the Younger, it features an Egyptian-style alcove and a Greek inscription which translates to "Water is Best"—a nod to Dr Lee's support for the temperance movement.

• The Bugle Horn: Originally a farmhouse associated with the Hartwell estate, this building was converted into a pub in the 19th century. Its curved brick wall is a distinctive local landmark, said to have been built that way to prevent coaches from clipping the corner.

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Midshires Way previous section South: Ford and Michael's Peace
Midshires Way next section North: Waddesdon and Eythrope

Cloudy sky over the Chilterns. View from near Ford village

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Start & Finish: The Dinton Hermit, Water Lane, Ford, Aylesbury, HP17 8XH
Distance: 8.3 km (5.2 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 41 m
Terrain: Mostly level field-edge paths, quiet country lanes, and a short optional section through community woodland.
Midshires Way section covered: Michael’s Peace to Bishopstone Road: 3.8 km
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Midshires Way, The Swan Way, The Wychert Way, Aylesbury Ring, North Bucks Way
Other routes touched (cycle): None
Pubs / Cafes on route: The Dinton Hermit at the start and end of the walk
OS Trig Pillar: TP4919 - Moreton Farm
Map: Chiltern Hills North Map | Aylesbury, Berkhamsted & Chesham | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 181
Links: Ford, Buckinghamshire, Midshires Way

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This is part of a series of short circular walks following the length of the Midshires Way in Buckinghamshire. The Midshires Way is a 225-mile (362 km) trail that journeys through the rural heart of Middle England, linking the Ridgeway National Trail at Bledlow in the south to the Trans Pennine Trail at Stockport in the north. Opened in 1994, this route traverses several counties, including Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, and Greater Manchester, following a scenic tapestry of ancient bridleways, quiet country lanes, and historic canals. In Buckinghamshire, the Midshires Way has a significant connection with the Swan's Way (often referred to as the Swan Way), a 65-mile long-distance bridleway. Essentially, the Swan's Way forms the backbone of the Buckinghamshire section of the Midshires Way, with the two routes being broadly coincident for approximately 50 miles between Salcey Forest and Bledlow. While the Swan's Way strictly adheres to bridleways to accommodate horse riders and cyclists, the Midshires Way sometimes offers alternative waymarked footpaths for walkers to avoid on-road sections.

Walking Directions

This walk starts in the quiet hamlet of Ford, setting off into the heart of the Aylesbury Vale. The route primarily follows a scenic section of the Midshires Way, leading you through an undulating landscape of traditional English farmland. It is a fantastic choice for those looking for a peaceful journey that avoids the steeper climbs of the nearby Chiltern ridge while still offering great views of the hills in the distance.

If you are into bagging OS Trig Pillars, there’s an optional diversion into Michael’s Peace to the Moreton Farm Pillar.. 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.

• Starting at the Dinton Hermit pub in Ford, head south-east cross over Water Lane to follow the Aylesbury Ring in a south-easterly direction for 1.8 km.

• When you reach the track that connects with the Midshires Way take a left for ~750m to take the first path on the left.

• Continue along the path for ~750m to a path junction on the boundary of Michael’s Peace. If you want to visit the Moreton Farm Trig Pillar, there’s 2 entrances on the left of this section of path.

• At the path junction take a right to continue following the Midshires Way across farmland to Bishopstone Road.

• Take a left onto Bishopstone Road then take the first path on the left at #2 Bishopstone.

• Follow this path in a south-westerly direction for 2.5 km back to Water Lane and the Dinton Hermit pub.

Points of Interest along or near to the Route

• Ford: A picturesque hamlet whose name derives from the Anglo-Saxon for a stream crossing. It is home to several Grade II listed buildings and thatched cottages.

• The Dinton Hermit: This historic 17th-century country inn in Ford is named after John Bigg, the "Dinton Hermit," who was reputedly the executioner of King Charles I and lived in a cave nearby.

• Michael's Peace: A 90-acre woodland planted in the winter of 2001-2002 that features diverse tree species like oak, ash, and hazel. A central memorial stone dedicated to Michael Roads serves as the starting point for six radiating rides, providing panoramic views of six local churches and the Chilterns. Supported by the Forestry Commission, this high point has become a haven for wildlife, including skylarks, little owls, and butterflies, making it a popular destination for the local community.

• Moreton Farm Trig Pillar (TP4919): This concrete pillar is part of the historic Ordnance Survey triangulation network. At an elevation of roughly 92m, it provides a quiet marker in the Aylesbury Vale landscape.

• The Wychert Way: The route touches this unique local trail. "Wychert" is a traditional building material made of white decayed limestone and straw, unique to this small pocket of Buckinghamshire (the Haddenham/Dinton area).

• View of Coombe Hill: On clear days, look south-east. The Boer War Monument on top of Coombe Hill is often visible as a tiny spike on the horizon of the Chilterns.

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Midshires Way previous section South: Ford and Kemble Wick
Midshires Way next section North: Hartwell and Stone

Between Aston Sandford and Owlswick

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Start & Finish: The Dinton Hermit, Water Lane, Ford, Aylesbury, HP17 8XH
Distance: 11.6 km (7.2 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 58m
Terrain: Predominantly level terrain consisting of field-edge footpaths, narrow country lanes, and farm tracks across the Aylesbury Vale.
Midshires Way section covered: Longwick to Michael’s Peace: 4.3 km
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Midshires Way, The Swan Way, The Wychert Way, Aylesbury Ring, Outer Aylesbury Ring, North Bucks Way
Other routes touched (cycle): None
Pubs / Cafes on route: The Dinton Hermit at the start and end of the walk
Map: Chiltern Hills North Map | Aylesbury, Berkhamsted & Chesham | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 181
Links: Ford, Buckinghamshire, Midshires Way, Kimble Wick, Kimblewick bit, Aylesbury Vale

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This is part of a series of short circular walks following the length of the Midshires Way in Buckinghamshire. The Midshires Way is a 225-mile (362 km) trail that journeys through the rural heart of Middle England, linking the Ridgeway National Trail at Bledlow in the south to the Trans Pennine Trail at Stockport in the north. Opened in 1994, this route traverses several counties, including Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, and Greater Manchester, following a scenic tapestry of ancient bridleways, quiet country lanes, and historic canals. In Buckinghamshire, the Midshires Way has a significant connection with the Swan's Way (often referred to as the Swan Way), a 65-mile long-distance bridleway. Essentially, the Swan's Way forms the backbone of the Buckinghamshire section of the Midshires Way, with the two routes being broadly coincident for approximately 50 miles between Salcey Forest and Bledlow. While the Swan's Way strictly adheres to bridleways to accommodate horse riders and cyclists, the Midshires Way sometimes offers alternative waymarked footpaths for walkers to avoid on-road sections.

Walking Directions

This third instalment of our Midshires Way series takes us deeper into the tranquil landscape of the Aylesbury Vale. Starting in the small hamlet of Ford, this circular route offers a wonderfully flat and accessible journey through the agricultural heart of Buckinghamshire. The walk is defined by its big skies and expansive views of the distant Chiltern Hills, providing a real sense of openness as you navigate the patchwork of fields between Ford, Kemble Wick, and the fringes of Dinton.

What makes this particular section so engaging is the blend of rural solitude and hidden local history. From crossing tiny tributaries of the River Thame to passing through secluded farmsteads, the route feels like a step back in time. Whether you are following the waymarked Swan Way bridleways or the narrow tracks of the Midshires Way, the walking is easy and the atmosphere is one of complete countryside peace.

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.

• Start in the hamlet of Ford, with parking available at The Dinton Hermit or along Chapel Road.

• Head south-west out of the village along the Chapel Road, then take the footpath leading across the fields following The Wychert Way toward the south-west.

• When you reach a path junction with the Outer Aylesbury Ring at Aston Sandford, take a left to follow the field edge in a south-easterly direction.

• The route crosses a farm which was very muddy and in the process of construction. Be careful through this part.

• When you reach a track that cuts diagonally across the Outer Aylesbury Ring you’ll now be back on the Midshires Way at the point where you left of in Part 2. Take a left onto the Midshires Way, leaving the Outer Aylesbury Ring.

• Continue along the track to Stockwell Lane then take an right to follow Stockwell Lane. Take the next left onto Kimblewick Road.

• When you reach Kimblewick Village, take a left to follow an unnamed no-through-road in a north-westerly direction.

• The road will become a track and when it takes a sharp turn to the left, leave it to follow a footpath on the left through fields.

• Continue along the path in a north-westerly direction until you return back to the Dinton Hermit pub on Water Lane.
  

Points of Interest along or near to the Route

• Ford: A picturesque hamlet whose name derives from the Anglo-Saxon for a stream crossing. It is home to several Grade II listed buildings and thatched cottages.

• The Dinton Hermit: This historic pub is named after John Bigg, a legendary local recluse who lived in a cave nearby. Bigg was a Parliamentarian sympathiser during the Civil War and was famously rumoured to have been one of the executioners of King Charles I.

• Wellington Bomber Memorial: Near Ford, a poignant memorial plaque commemorates Sergeant Victor George Bailey (RAF) and Sergeant Louis Grover Martin (RCAF). Both men died when their Wellington Bomber crashed in Ford on 9th January 1944. The crash involved a larger crew, most of whom survived.

• The Aylesbury Vale Views: As you walk the level paths of the Midshires Way, keep an eye on the southern horizon. The route offers fantastic, distant views of the Chiltern Escarpment, including landmarks like Coombe Hill.

• River Thame Tributaries: The route crosses several small brooks and drainage ditches that eventually feed into the River Thame, highlighting the low-lying, fertile nature of the Vale's agricultural land.

• Kimble Wick: Part of the wider parish of Great and Little Kimble cum Marsh. It is famously the namesake of the Kimblewick bit, a type of horse bit first developed here by local farmer and showjumper Felix Oliver.

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Midshires Way previous section South: Ilmer and Longwick
Midshires Way next section North: Ford and Michael's Peace

Farmland near Sheepridge

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Start & Finish: On street parking near The Three Horseshoes pub, Treadaway Road, Flackwell Heath, HP10 9PG
Distance: 8.1 km (5 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 139m
Terrain: Field-edge paths, ancient woodland trails, quiet country lanes, and village footpaths with some moderate ascents.
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Chiltern Way
Other routes touched (cycle): None
Pubs / Cafes on route: Several in Flackwell Heath at the start and end. We stopped at The Crooked Billet, Sheepridge, 3.3 km in
Map: Chiltern Hills East Map | High Wycombe, Maidenhead & Rickmansworth | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 172
Links: Flackwell Heath, Sheepridge, Little Marlow

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This is part of a series of short circular walks in the Chilterns. This is centred around Flackwell Heath, a large village perched on a ridge overlooking the Wye Valley and takes in the small villages of Sheepridge and Fern.

Walking Directions

For this walk we parked on the Treadaway Road near the Three Horseshoes pub. 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.

• Start at Treadaway Road: Begin by following Treadaway Road in a north-easterly direction from near The Three Horseshoes pub until you reach the junction with Swains Lane.

• Enter the Woods: Cross the junction and take the footpath leading through the woodland in a northerly direction.

• Join the Chiltern Way: Upon reaching the M40 underpass, you have reached the Chiltern Way. Turn left to follow this trail south-west along a field edge, then through further woodland until you reach Heath End Road.

• Descent to Sheepridge: Turn right onto Heath End Road for 250m, then take the footpath on your left. Continue following the Chiltern Way as it descends along the edge of a field down to Sheepridge Lane.

• The Crooked Billet: Turn right onto Sheepridge Lane and walk south-west to reach The Crooked Billet pub, an ideal halfway stop approximately 3.3 km into the walk.

• Ascend through Woodland: After the pub, take a right off Sheepridge Lane to ascend through the woods. After roughly 800m, reach a path junction where you will turn left, leaving the Chiltern Way to descend through a mix of woodland and farmland toward Fern Lane.

• Little Marlow Cemetery: Walk through Little Marlow Cemetery to return to Sheepridge Lane. Turn left and follow the lane north until it curves; here, carefully cross over and take the footpath through the farm.

• Return to Flackwell Heath: Follow the farm path all the way back to Sedgemoor Lane. Continue north through the village via Sedgemoor Road, Hedley Road, Straight Bit, and The Common to return to the start on Treadaway Road.

Points of Interest along or near to the Route

• Flackwell Heath: The starting and ending point of your journey. Historically known for its cherry orchards, the village sits at an elevation of approximately 111 metres, providing a high vantage point before you begin your descent. The village was once the centre of the local cherry-growing industry. Look out for remaining orchards or older trees on the boundaries of the common.

• The Crooked Billet: This historic pub in Sheepridge dates back to the 16th century. It is a quintessential timber-framed Chilterns building, famously offering a traditional atmosphere that feels worlds away from the nearby busy roads.

• Little Marlow Cemetery & Parish: While the walk passes the cemetery, the village of Little Marlow itself is just to the south. The area is notable for its film history, having been used as a location for various productions, including The Vicar of Dibley.

• Ancient Hedgerows and Wooded Paths: A significant portion of the walk follows established boundary lines and sheltered tracks. These paths are typical of the ancient agricultural landscape of the area, offering a tranquil environment and a chance to spot local wildlife.

• Rolling Countryside Views: As the trail loops back toward Flackwell Heath, the elevation changes—dropping as low as 40 metres near the valley floor—provide expansive views of the surrounding hills and the patchwork of fields that define this part of the Chilterns.

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Water Wheel on North Mill Road

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Start & Finish: Longwick Stores And Post Office, Thame Road, Longwick, Princes Risborough, HP27 9SF
Distance: 8.3 km (5.2 miles). Can be shortened by ~1 km by removing the detours. See walk description.
Elevation change: +/- 37m
Terrain: Level field-edge paths, quiet country lanes, and agricultural tracks.
Midshires Way section covered: North Mill Road to Longwick: 3.6 km
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Midshires Way, Swan Way, Outer Aylesbury Ring,
Other routes touched (cycle): None
Pubs / Cafes on route: The Red Lion Longwick, just off the route at the start and end.
OS Trig Pillar: TP5612 - Red House Farm
Disused Station: Ilmer Halt
Map: Chiltern Hills North Map | Aylesbury, Berkhamsted & Chesham | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 181
Links: Longwick, Ilmer, Aylesbury Vale,

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This is part of a series of short circular walks following the length of the Midshires Way in Buckinghamshire. The Midshires Way is a 225-mile (362 km) trail that journeys through the rural heart of Middle England, linking the Ridgeway National Trail at Bledlow in the south to the Trans Pennine Trail at Stockport in the north. Opened in 1994, this route traverses several counties, including Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, and Greater Manchester, following a scenic tapestry of ancient bridleways, quiet country lanes, and historic canals. In Buckinghamshire, the Midshires Way has a significant connection with the Swan's Way (often referred to as the Swan Way), a 65-mile long-distance bridleway. Essentially, the Swan's Way forms the backbone of the Buckinghamshire section of the Midshires Way, with the two routes being broadly coincident for approximately 50 miles between Salcey Forest and Bledlow. While the Swan's Way strictly adheres to bridleways to accommodate horse riders and cyclists, the Midshires Way sometimes offers alternative waymarked footpaths for walkers to avoid on-road sections.

Walking Directions

For this walk, we set out from Longwick, a pleasant village situated in the Aylesbury Vale just north of Princes Risborough. This circular route explores the quiet, low-lying farmlands of Buckinghamshire, leading us through the small hamlet of Ilmer and offering wide, open views of the Chiltern escarpment in the distance.

The trail is largely level, making it a relaxing journey through a patchwork of fields and narrow country lanes. It captures the quintessential rural charm of this part of the county, where ancient hedgerows and slow-moving streams define the landscape. 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.

• Start in Longwick, where there’s free on-street parking near the Longwick Stores and Post Office on the A4129 Thame Road.

• Take Walnut Tree Lane in a south-westerly direction toward the edge of the village.

• When you reach the open field on the right hand side, where the Lane becomes a track, you have the option of taking a 800m out-and back diversion to bag the Red House Farm Trig Pillar. You’ll need to keep to the outside of the field to avoid damaging crops.

• After passing under the railway bridge continue in a south-westerly direction for 300m then take a path on the left. Follow this path in a south-easterly direction for 220m then take a right to head south-west.

• At the corner of the field you’ll meet the Midshires Way near a kink in the Horsenden Stream. You could take a right to follow the Midshires but you’ll have missed a very small section that connects to Part 1 of this series. For completer-finishers you can continue walking south-west to the corner of North Mill Road / Sandpit Lane where you crossed over the Horsenden Stream in Part 1. Retrace your steps back to the field-corner taking a moment to admire the old wooden water-wheel.

• Follow The Midshires Way / Swan Way in a north-westerly direction along field edges until you meet Ilmer Lane. Take a right onto Ilmer Lane to cross under the railway bridge. On the right you can see a house called The Sidings, a clue that the old Ilmer Halt railway station was once located here.

• Continue along Ilmer Lane in a north-easterly direction, cross over the A4129 Thame Road and along the track to the left of the entrance to the flower nursery.

• Approximately 300m after crossing the A4129 take the first footpath on the right to leave the Midshires Way to cross open fields in an easterly direction to Bar Lane.

• Take a right onto Bar Lane to follow it back to the start at the A4129 in Longwick Village.
  

Points of Interest along or near to the Route

• Longwick: Our starting point is a village with a long agricultural history. Local produce from this area, including watercress and willow poles, was historically exported to London markets via the nearby railway.

• Longwick Mill: Located in Longwick, this mill was part of a thriving network of local businesses that benefited from regional freight services.

• Red House Farm Trig Pillar: Sitting at an elevation of 92m, this concrete pillar (TP5612) is part of the historic Ordnance Survey triangulation network used to map the UK.

• Ilmer: A tiny, secluded hamlet known for the Grade II* listed St Peter’s Church. The name Ilmer is thought to mean "Yewmere," referring to a lake where yew trees grew.

• The Horsenden Stream: A quiet tributary that the route follows near the Red House Farm. Its gentle flow is a key feature of the low-lying Aylesbury Vale landscape.

• Ilmer Halt (Disused Station): Opened in 1929 and closed in 1963, this was one of the smallest "halts" on the Great Western Railway. The nearby house "The Sidings" marks the spot where commuters once boarded steam trains.

• Views of the Chilterns: While the walk itself remains in the vale, the elevation changes provide a fantastic perspective of the nearby ridge, including Wain Hill.

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Midshires Way previous section South: Hempton Wainhill & Bledlow
Midshires Way next section North: Ford and Kemble Wick

Muswell Hill Trig Pillar

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Start & Finish: Brill Windmill, South Hills, Brill, Aylesbury, HP18 9TQ
Distance: 7.6 km (4.7 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 125m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Terrain: Rolling hilltop ridges, open common land, geological SSSI sites, and village footpaths.
Other routes touched (walk): Bernwood Jubilee Way, Piddington Circular Walk
Other routes touched (cycle): National Byway
Pubs / Cafes on route: The Pointer, The Pheasant, both in Brill at the start and end of the walk.
OS Trig Pillars: TP0728 - Muswell Hill and (just off route) TP1632 - Brill House
Map: Oxford Map | Witney & Woodstock | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 180
Links: Brill, Brill Windmill, Muswell Hill (Buckinghamshire), Brill Tramway, Bernwood Forest.

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This is part of a series of short circular walks in the Buckinghamshire based around bagging an Ordnance Survey Trig Pillar. If you’ve searched for or stumbled across this page then you probably already know what an OS Trig Pillar is. If you don’t then this article from the Ordnance Survey is a good place to start.

The Muswell Hill Trig Pillar is right on the route but the Brill House Pillar is just off the rout to the south-east of Brill just off the Thame Road. We bagged it as a drive-by after the main walk but you could add it into the walk by walking to it, and back, when you get to Church Street. This will add an extra 800m to the total route length.

Note that Muswell Hill shouldn’t be confused with the place in London of the same name. The two places named Muswell Hill, one in London and one in Buckinghamshire, share a similar name but not a proven shared origin. London’s Muswell Hill is well documented as taking its name from a medieval healing spring known as the “Mus Well,” which attracted pilgrims. The Buckinghamshire Muswell Hill, near Brill, is historically associated with a hermitage and chapel, giving it its own religious significance, though no clear evidence links its name to a well or to the London site. While both locations have medieval religious associations, the connection between them appears to be coincidental rather than a direct naming relationship.

Walking Directions

For this walk we parked at Brill in the free parking spaces outside the historic Windmill. This circular route begins at the iconic 17th-century post mill, leading you through an undulating landscape with expansive vistas across the Vale of Aylesbury. It was Christmas Day, and we were very lucky to have a bright, sunny day for our stroll.

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.

• Start at Brill Common: Begin at the historic Brill Windmill. Walk south-west across the undulating mounds of the common, which were formed by ancient clay workings.

• Brill Village: Walk down Windmil Street in a south-easterly direction towards the village centre. Take a left onto Temple Street then a right on to a footpath that joins the Bernwood Jubilee Way. Keep on the Bernwood Jubilee Way as it traces a circle of the village, passing All Saints Church and onto The Square. After 1.4 km into the walk you’ll reach South Hills (road) where you’ll get another view of the Windmill.

• The Jubilee Way: Keep following the Bernwood Jubilee Way in a westerly direction to the B4011.

• Busy Road. Take a right onto this road to follow it in a northerly direction. Please note that there is no pavement here, so you need to be very careful of any approaching cars. Continue until you pass the signs marking the Oxfordshire/Buckinghamshire border. Just past these, take a right onto a footpath that also forms part of the Piddington circular walk.

• Muswell Hill Ascent: Follow the path north-west to begin the steady climb up Muswell Hill (Buckinghamshire). As you reach the top, you will enter the geological SSSI area.

• Private Drive: At the top of the hill, cross over the road and take the footpath on the left that follows a private drive. As you walk along the drive, look to your right and you will be able to see the trig pillar poking up over the top of the hill. When you turn the corner on the private drive, look out for the footpath on the right: there is a stile to climb over the fence.

• Panoramic Views: Take time at the summit of Muswell Hill to enjoy the 360-degree views across the Vale of Aylesbury and toward the Oxfordshire border.

• Return to Brill: After the trig pillar, keep walking in the same direction diagonally across the field to the stile in the corner. Earlier, take a left and follow the road all the way back to the Windmill to complete the loop.

Points of Interest along or near to the Route

• Brill Windmill: Built around 1685, this is one of the best-preserved examples of a "post mill" in the UK. Its timber frame is Grade II* listed and offers a direct link to the village's agricultural past.

• Muswell Hill (Buckinghamshire): A 0.2-hectare geological Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). It is significant for its early Cretaceous sandstones and ironstones, providing a window into the area’s prehistoric environment.

• The Brill Tramway Terminus: The route passes the site of Brill’s former tramway terminus. Remarkably, until 1935 this quiet hilltop was linked by the Metropolitan Railway all the way to Baker Street in central London.

• Tolkien Connection: Scholars note that Tolkien drew inspiration for the village of Bree from Brill—both linguistically (“hill‑hill”) and from his familiarity with the area during his Oxford years.

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Distance Travelled by Activity by Year

Distance in KM recorded by activity by year

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TOTAL DISTANCE IN 2025

• Run (outdoor): 273 miles / 436 km

• Cycle (Outdoor): 456 miles / 730 km

• Cycle (Zwift): 372 miles / 595 km

• Walk/Hike*: 734 miles / 1,175 km

• Total = 1,835 miles / 2,936 km

*Walk / Hike = recorded hiking & walking events, not general steps.

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Key Events in 2025

Running

• 1 x Ultra Marathon: The Lap 75k: Lake Windermere, Cumbria

• 9 x 10k running events: Danesfield Trail 10k, Nettlebed Stinger 10k, Chiltern Valley 10k, Green Park 10k, Reading 10k, Romney Marsh 10k, 3 Brewers 10k, Creative Juices 10k, Shardeloes 10k Trail, Blackpit 10k

• Other distance runs: Hardwick X-Stream Trail Run (9.5 km)

• parkruns:

  • 50 parkruns (Gold Obsessive), including 16 new locations

  • 9 parkrun volunteering occasions

  • 500 events milestone reached

  • 250 different events milestone reached

  • V50 milestone reached: 50 volunteering occasions total

  • 3 new parkrun countries: Isle of Man, Finland, Japan

  • Wilson Index up to 188; Golden Wilson up to 25

  • P Index up to 8

Trekking

• 2 new Country High Points: Snaefell (Isle of Man), Mount Fuji (Japan)

• 1 new European Island High Point: Roque de los Muchachos, La Palma, Spain … plus the Tajogiante Crater, La Palma

• Bagged the High Points of Helsinki

• 2 new Historic County Tops: Càrn Glas-choire (Nairnshire), Carn a'Ghille Chearr (Morayshire), Ben MacDui (Aberdeenshire & Banffshire)

• 1 new National Park High Point: Piper’s Wait, New Forest (disputed)

• 5 Kent Lathes High Points: Kingswood (Scray), Wrotham (Aylesford), Farthingloe (St Augustine), Paddlesworth (Shepway)

• Routes Completed: Chiltern Heritage Trail, Hertfordshire Way (Chilterns Section), Shakespeare’s Way (Chilterns Section), River Wey & Wey Navigation

Cycling

• Cycling The NCN 2 from Dover to Brighton

General Geekery

• Completed: All The London Coal Duty Posts

• Completed: All The London Trig Pillars

• 37 OS Trig Pillars Bagged, including TP4009 - Hope Farm: The UK's Most South-Easterly Trig Pillar

• 2 OS Canons on the Salisbury Baseline

• Completed: All The Elizabeth Line Stations

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Road junction at Bledlow

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Start & Finish: Lions Of Bledlow, Church End, Bledlow, Princes Risborough, HP27 9PE
Distance: 10.2 km (6.4 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 121m
Terrain: Elevated ridge-top bridleways, sheltered woodland trails, and level field-edge paths following the old railway line.
Midshires Way section covered: The Ridgeway at Wainhill to North Mill Road: 3.7 km
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Midshires Way, The Swan Way, Chiltern Way, The Ridgeway, Risborough Pink Route, Risborough Green Route
Other routes touched (cycle): Phoenix Trail, NCN 57
Pubs / Cafes on route: Lions Of Bledlow at start and end
Disused Stations: Bledlow, Bledlow Bridge Halt
Map: Chiltern Hills North Map | Aylesbury, Berkhamsted & Chesham | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 181
Links: Bledlow, The Ridgeway, Midshires Way, Horsenden

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This is part of a series of short circular walks following the length of the Midshires Way in Buckinghamshire. The Midshires Way is a 225-mile (362 km) trail that journeys through the rural heart of Middle England, linking the Ridgeway National Trail at Bledlow in the south to the Trans Pennine Trail at Stockport in the north. Opened in 1994, this route traverses several counties, including Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, and Greater Manchester, following a scenic tapestry of ancient bridleways, quiet country lanes, and historic canals. In Buckinghamshire, the Midshires Way has a significant connection with the Swan's Way (often referred to as the Swan Way), a 65-mile long-distance bridleway. Essentially, the Swan's Way forms the backbone of the Buckinghamshire section of the Midshires Way, with the two routes being broadly coincident for approximately 50 miles between Salcey Forest and Bledlow. While the Swan's Way strictly adheres to bridleways to accommodate horse riders and cyclists, the Midshires Way sometimes offers alternative waymarked footpaths for walkers to avoid on-road sections.

Walking Directions

For this first section of the Midshires Way we parked near the Lions of Bledlow Pub. The route is a figure of 8, returning to the Lions at th3 3.6 km mark. The reason for this figure of 8 shape is to use the Chiltern Way and Ridgeway to get to the start of the Midshires Way then follow the Midshires Way in a northerly direction. This northerly direction will be consistent for all walks in this series. 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.

• Starting from The Lions Of Bledlow walk along Church End (road) in a north-easterly direction then take the first footpath on the right to join the Chiltern Way. Follow the Chiltern Way in a south-easterly direction until the Upper Icknield Way.

• Take a right and follow the Upper Icknield Way in a westerly direction, connecting to the Ridgeway before entering the woods. When you reach the house at the top of the hill you are now at the start of the Midshires Way.

• Take a right to leave the Ridgeway and follow the Midshires Way down the hill back to the Lions of Bledlow. Here you’ll get a great view of the Vale of Aylesbury to the north of the Chilterns.

• Pass the Lions of Bledlow to follow Church Lane again. This time continue past the Chiltern Way footpath that you took earlier and continue to the junction with Bledlow Ridge Road and Perry Lane.

• Take a left onto Perry Lane and follow it in a northerly direction to the junction with Chinnor Road and Lower Icknield Way, Half way along Perry Road you’ll pass under a railway bridge that carries the Chinnor and Princes Risborough Heritage Railway. The old Bledlow Bridge Halt was near this bridge.

• Cross over the junction to Chapel Lane then take a right to follow Sandpit Lane. Follow Sandpit Lane in a northerly direction, crossing over the Phoenix trail, another disused railway. As you cross the Phoenix Trail look to your left to see the old Bledlow Station building.

• Continue north up Sandpit Lane to North Mill Road where you’ll cross a small bridge over the Lyde Brook. Take a right to continue along North Mill Road keeping the Lyde Brook on your right.

• Take the first footpath on the right, leaving the Midshires Way to cross over the Lyde Brook / Horsenden Stream. Follow the path across the fields to Lower Icknield Way.

• Take a right onto Lower Icknield Way, passing under the old railway bridge that carries the Phoenix Trail. On the southern side of the bridge take a left to follow the Risborough Pink Route to Horsenden. Along the way you’ll pass over the level crossing for the Chinnor and Princes Risborough Heritage Railway.

• When you reach the small village of Horsenden take a right to continue along the Risborough Pink Route back to Perry Lane. Take a left onto Perry Lane the a right onto Church End to return back to the start at the Lions of Bledlow.

Points of Interest along or near to the Route

• Bledlow Village: A quintessential Buckinghamshire village featuring flint and brick cottages and the beautiful church of the Holy Trinity.

• The Lyde Garden: Located just past the Holy Trinity Church, this "secret" water garden was created in a deep chalk sunken garden where natural springs surface.

• Holy Trinity Church: A 12th-century church that has remained largely unchanged since the 13th century. It features a prominent tower with a peal of eight bells and a nave with columns dating back to approximately 1200.

• Bledlow Cross: A large cross cut into the chalk turf on the north slope of Wain Hill. Although often overgrown, it is a significant local landmark dating back to at least the late 1700s.

• Bledlow Station: Now a private residence, this station was built in 1863 by the Wycombe and District Railway Company and absorbed into Isambard Kingdom Brunel's Great Western Railway in 1867. At its peak, it was a vital hub for local industries: importing rags for paper production at Bledlow Lower Mill and exporting finished goods, watercress, and willow poles to London markets. Though closed to passengers in 1967 due to the Beeching Act, the line served a freight depot in Thame until 1991.

• Bledlow Lower Mill: Formerly known as Saunderton Lower Mill, this site harnessed the power of the Horsenden Stream to produce paper from linen and cotton rag. The mill's overshot waterwheel can still be seen today.

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Midshires Way next section North: Ilmer and Longwick

A winter’s day in Bisham Wood

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Start & Finish: The Golden Ball Pub and Kitchen, 2 Golden Ball Lane, Maidenhead, SL6 6NW
Distance: 6.9 km (4.3 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 77m
Terrain: Quiet village lanes, woodland tracks through ancient beech woods, and field-edge footpaths.
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Maidenhead Boundary Walk, Maidenhead Millennium Walk, Maidenhead Commons Trail, The Chiltern Way Berkshire Loop
Other routes touched (cycle): Round Berkshire Cycle Route
OS Trig Pillar: TP5638 - Resr Mount Hill (On private property and not visible from the public right of way)
Pubs / Cafes on route: The Golden Ball at the start and finish
Map: Chiltern Hills East Map | High Wycombe, Maidenhead & Rickmansworth | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 172
Links: National Trust Maidenhead and Cookham Commons. Cookham Dean, Bisham Woods, Cookham, Kenneth Grahame, Wind in the Willows

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This circular route offers a delightful journey through the rolling landscape of Berkshire and the edges of the Chilterns. The trail takes you through a beautiful combination of ancient woodland and open commons, providing a real sense of peace as you move between the sheltered forest tracks and elevated village paths. It is a perfect choice for those who enjoy a varied landscape within a relatively compact distance.

Walking Directions

For this walk we parked on Golden Ball Lane near the pub of the same name. 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.

• Start at The Golden Ball: Begin at the pub on Golden Ball Lane and head east. Cross over Winter Hill Road to continue onto Malders Lane.

• Enter the Old Brick Works: Shortly on your right, enter the National Trust Old Brick Works. Follow the trail down to the pond, circling it to the east before taking the exit path on the right that runs along its eastern edge back up to Malders Lane.

• Cross to the Fields: Turn right on Malders Lane for approximately 150m. At the junction of the Maidenhead Boundary and Millennium walks, take a left to head north across the open field.

• Long Lane Crossing: Upon reaching the driveway at the 2km mark (Copas Brothers property), turn right and follow it to Long Lane. Cross directly over to Spring Lane and continue north.

• Village Navigation: Turn left onto Pudseys Close. Follow this west, cross Church Road, and traverse the village green to reach Hollybush Lane.

• Into the Woods: Cross Bigfrith Lane onto Hackett Lane. Follow it to the very end where it enters the ancient canopy of Bisham Woods.

• The Woodland Loop: Follow the main tracks in an anti-clockwise curve. You will pass through High Wood and Inkydown Wood before entering Park Wood and finally Goulding Wood.

• The Return: The path exits the southern corner of Goulding Wood onto Marlow Road. Turn right to return to the junction with Golden Ball Lane.

• Finish: Complete the circular route back at The Golden Ball pub for refreshments.
  
  

If you’re feeling adventurous and a bit tresspassy you could bag the Resr Mount Hill OS Trig Pillar. It’s next to the top of the reservoir on Thames Water Property. The locked gate to the driveway up to it is off Pudseys Close. We had a look but decided not to risk it that day.

Points of Interest along or near to the Route

• National Trust Old Brick Works: A hidden gem of industrial archaeology. These former clay pits now form a peaceful woodland area and pond, managed for wildlife.

• Cookham Dean: This picturesque village is the start and end of your journey. Known for its historic charm and as the childhood home of Kenneth Grahame, the author of The Wind in the Willows, it sets a classic English tone for the walk.

• Bisham Woods: A significant portion of the route passes through these ancient woods. They are designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and offer a stunning canopy of beech and oak trees, particularly vibrant during the autumn months.

• Quarry Wood: As you transition through the woodland areas, you will pass through sections of Quarry Wood. These slopes provide atmospheric walking paths and occasional glimpses through the trees toward the Thames Valley.

• Winter Hill: Although the main trail stays largely within the woods and village fringes, the route skirts the area near Winter Hill, offering potential for expansive views across the River Thames toward Marlow.

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View to Old Amersham from the edge of Parsonage Wood

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Start: Old Amersham Market Hall, 19 Market Square, Amersham, HP7 0DG
Finish: Chesham Underground Station, Station Approach, Chesham HP5 1DH, United Kingdom
Distance: 5.7 km (3.5 miles)
Elevation change: +93m / -76m. Net - 17m
Terrain: Town pavements, field-edge footpaths, ancient woodland trails through Chesham Bois, and parkland tracks.
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): South Bucks Way, Chiltern Heritage Trail, Chess Valley Walk, Chiltern Link
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 57, Chiltern Heritage Trail Hampden, Harding and Milton Routes
Pubs / Cafes on route: Many in Amersham and Chesham. We like Seasons at the start in Old Amersham
Map: Chiltern Hills East Map | High Wycombe, Maidenhead & Rickmansworth | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 172
Links: Amersham, Chesham Bois, Chesham, River Misbourne, River Chess, Chalk stream.

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This is part of a series of short walks in the Chilterns. This point-to-point route, often referred to as a "Two Rivers Walk" link, offers a delightful exploration of the Misbourne and Chess Valleys. It connects the historic market town of Old Amersham with the surrounding countryside, providing a mix of riverside paths, open meadows, and gentle hillside tracks. It is a fantastic option for those who enjoy historic architecture alongside their nature fix. You can return to the start by Underground and an additional 1 kilometre walk at the end.

Walking Directions

For this walk we parked at Old Amersham, specifically near St Mary’s Church or the public parking area off The Broadway. 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.

• Start at Market Square: From the Old Amersham Market Hall, walk north through the grounds of St Mary’s Church to reach Rectory Drive.

• Climb the Hill: Turn right, then left at the cemetery wall. Follow the path up the hill with the field on your right; stop at the edge of the woods to enjoy the classic Chilterns view back toward the town.

• Through the Woods: Continue through the woodland to the north-western corner. Follow Rectory Hill road under the railway bridge.

• Hervines Park: Turn left onto Longfield Drive, then take the footpath on the right to cross the open space of Hervines Park.

• Chesham Bois: Cross Hervines Road and continue north-east. Turn right on Copperkins Lane, then left onto Chesham Lane. Instead of the pavement, follow the quieter parallel paths through Chesham Bois Woods.

• Descent to Chesham: Near the top of the hill, take Maryhall Lane (left), which becomes a footpath curving north-east through fields.

• Town Arrival: Enter Chesham via Fuller’s Close (near Chesham United FC) and follow Fullers Hill down to Germain Street.

• Finish at the Station: Cross into Market Square, walk up the High Street, and turn right onto Station Road to reach Chesham Underground Station.

• Return to Old Amersham: We took the Underground to Chalfont and Latimer then changed to take another Underground to Amersham. From here we retraced the first kilometre of the Two Rivers Walk back to Market Square in Amersham.

Points of Interest along or near to the Route

• Old Amersham High Street: Before or after your walk, take a moment to admire the timber-framed buildings and the 17th-century Market Hall. The town has a rich history as a "Metroland" hub and a popular filming location.

• St Mary’s Church, Amersham: A beautiful 12th-century flint church. Look for the Drake Chapel, which contains monuments to the local Drake family who lived at nearby Shardeloes.

• River Misbourne: The walk follows sections of this rare chalk stream. These streams are a unique feature of the Chilterns, known for their clear water and supporting specialised wildlife.

• Hervines Park: A large open space popular with locals. The path here offers a transition from the suburban feel of Amersham-on-the-Hill to the more rural Chiltern countryside.

• Chesham Bois Common: The route brushes past the edge of this serene wooded common, which is particularly atmospheric in the autumn months with its canopy of beech and oak.

• Chesham Bois Woods: These ancient woods are part of the local history of the Chilterns' "bodgers" (wood-turners). The canopy is primarily beech, typical of the region.

• Chesham Links: As the route nears its northernmost point, it provides easy access to the outskirts of Chesham. This section offers a slightly different character as it transitions from the broad Misbourne valley toward the residential fringes of the town, allowing walkers to see the connectivity between these two historic Chiltern settlements.

• The River Chess: Upon arriving in Chesham, you meet the second of the "Two Rivers". Like the Misbourne, it is a rare chalk stream, home to water voles and brown trout.

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The vineyard near Pump Lane

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Start & Finish: Marlow Bottom Village Hall, 63 Marlow Bottom, Marlow, SL7 3NA
Distance: 8.6 km (5.3 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 160m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Chiltern Way
Other routes touched (cycle): None
Pubs / Cafes on route: Rebellion Tap Yard (1.3 km in), The Three Horseshoes at 2.9 km was shut down when we passed it. There’s several shops near the start.
Map: Chiltern Hills East Map | High Wycombe, Maidenshead & Rickmansworth | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 172
Links: Marlow Bottom, Hollyhill Wood Stupas

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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.

For this walk we parked at Marlow Bottom Village Hall near the footpath leading up to into Hunts Wood. This circular route offers a wonderful blend of valley views and tranquil woodland. After Hunts Wood the route climbs steadily toward the north near Handy Cross, passing through a vineyard and crossing The Chiltern Way.

The most interesting part of the hike traverses Hollyhill Wood. Within this section, you'll encounter a truly unexpected and serene site: a series of Tibetan Stupas (also known as *Chortens*). These monuments, appearing as white, domed structures with golden spires, add a unique spiritual dimension to the Buckinghamshire countryside. These stupas were hand-built in the late 1990s by Michael and Tina Choules following a visit to Tibet.

As you loop back, you'll pass through quiet woodland then back into Marlow Bottom with a final climb through Hunts Wood. If you’re tired at the end you can avoid the Hunts Wood section and continue along Marlow Bottom Road to the start.

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Near Wycombe Heights

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Start: The Village Green, Chalfont Saint Giles, HP8 4QF
Finish:
Distance: 23.3 km (14.5 Miles)
Elevation change: +376m / -389m. Net -13m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other Routes Touched (walk): Chiltern Way, Red Walk, Chiltern Heritage Trail, South Bucks Way, The Chiltern Way Berkshire Loop
Other Routes Touched (cycle): Chiltern Heritage Trail Milton Route,
Pubs / Cafes on route: Merlins Cave (at the start), The Red Lion, Coleshill (5.7 km in), The Potters Arms, Winchmore Hill (7.4 km in), The Stag, Flackwell Heath (just off course at 16.2 km in), The Crooked Billet, Sheepridge (17.6 km in)
Map: Chiltern Hills East Map | High Wycombe, Maidenshead & Rickmansworth | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 172
Links: Chiltern Way (Chiltern Society), Chalfont St Giles, Coleshill, Winchmore Hill, Flackwell Heath, Marlow Bottom

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This is the seventh of a series of point to point walks on the Chiltern Way. The full trail is a 177 miles (285 km) long distance path around the Chiltern Hills National Landscape. My friend Brian and I have been doing a section a year on or around the Winter Solstice since 2019. At the current rate we plan to be finished in December 2027. The Chiltern Way is well sign-posted however you should take a map or GPX route to keep on track and be prepared for all weathers. This post isn’t intended as a fully accurate turn-by-turn guide.

There is a quiet, poetic symmetry to the Winter Solstice that a simple calendar date can’t quite capture. This year, the 7th occasion of my annual trek with Brian, we managed to bookend the day with almost mathematical precision. We stepped out into the pre-dawn chill exactly 20 minutes before the sun broke the horizon, and we crossed the finish line in Marlow Bottom exactly 20 minutes before it dipped away again. We didn’t just walk the trail; we occupied the day. We claimed every minute of the year's shortest light.

It felt like a hard-earned reward from the universe after a busy fourth quarter. In years past, the "Solstice Walk" has often been a battle of attrition. We’ve been caught out by the elements: weathering thunder, lightning, and the kind of driving December rain that turns a path into a psychological test. But 2025 offered a rare truce. The air was crisp and bright, the kind of cold that keeps you moving but doesn't bite through your layers. Despite a week of heavy rain leading up to the walk, the trails were surprisingly forgiving—a mix of firm ground and tarmac that allowed us to look up at the scenery rather than down at our boots.

As we walked, our conversation followed its own familiar, geological strata—a four-phase evolution we’ve refined over several years of miles. We were laughing at the structure of our own friendship, acknowledging the predictable patterns our brains fall into.

The morning began with Phase 1: the "Essential Download." We bridged the gaps in life, work, and family that had grown since the summer, reflecting heavily on my 50th year and the vibrant memories of my recent trip to Japan. But as the sun climbed higher, we transitioned into Phase 2: Technology. While previous years’ conversations were a discussion of home automation and gadgets, this year was dominated by experimentation with AI.

We wove a long, meta-discussion about the role of Gemini and other models in our creative lives, including the writing of this website. I shared my philosophy: using AI to "get the ball rolling" and handle the heavy lifting of deep research, but never letting it sit in the driver's seat. It was a conversation that actually prompted me to use Gemini to dictate the first version of this post during a post-walk session in the hot tub—capturing the "raw" story while the muscles were finally relaxing.

Phase 3: The cultural exchange of Brian’s book lists and our movie reviews was punctuated by an incredible stroke of "pub luck." In a tradition often marred by "Closed" signs and ill-timed breaks, this year was different. We reached The Stag in Flackwell Heath at 12:00 sharp, just as the key was turning in the lock.

We were the first souls through the door, beating even the chef to the pub. We decided to lean into the comfort, stretching our lunch to a full hour as the "Stag Special" burgers did the heavy work of refueling our systems. The ease of the morning's walk meant we were already two-thirds of the way through our route, and that "ahead of the clock" feeling turned a simple pit stop into a celebration. We followed it up with a short, 2km hop to The Crooked Billet in Sheepridge, a classic, old-fashioned spot that felt like a relic of a different century. A small drink there served as the perfect transition into our final stage.

Phase 4 is always the most tactical. It’s when the conversation shifts from the cerebral to the physical—calculating kilometers, measuring the remaining daylight, and eyeing the finish line. The final 7km stretch toward Marlow Bottom was straightforward and serene, bathed in that low-hanging winter sun that turns the Chilterns into a gallery of gold and grey.

We finished exactly as we started: in the twilight. Having walked the literal span of the day, we reached our destination with 20 minutes of light to spare. It was a perfect 7th chapter to a tradition that, much like our conversations and our pace, only seems to find more rhythm with age.

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Previous section: Walking The Chiltern Way Part 6 - Shrub Hill Common to Chalfont St. Giles
Next section: Walking The Chiltern Way Part 8: Marlow Bottom to Maidensgrove. Blog post coming in December 2026

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View to Rushett Farm airstrip from the Coal Post on the north edge of Ashtead Woods

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View fullsize

The Coal Post Boundary compared with the current Greater London Boundary and the M25

Not content with visiting all of the Greater London High Points and OS Trig Pillars in London, I set myself the mission to visit all of the over 200 London Coal Duty Posts that are still standing.

The London Coal Duty Posts mark a fascinating chapter in the capital's history of taxation and urban development. Erected primarily in the 1860s, these posts denote the irregular boundary, roughly 12 to 18 miles from central London, where a tax was levied on coal (and for a period, wine) entering the Metropolitan Police District. This ancient duty, which dates back to the 17th century, was a vital source of income for the Corporation of London, initially intended to fund the rebuilding of the city after the devastating Great Fire of 1666.

The purpose of these posts was to provide clear, visible markers of where the duty became payable, ensuring that no one could feign ignorance of the tax. With the advent of canals and railways in the 19th century, which brought coal into London through new routes, it became necessary to extend the collection points beyond the traditional river Thames entry. Approximately 280 posts were installed along roads, railways, and canals, and remarkably, over 200 of them still survive today, many of them now Grade II listed buildings. While the duty was generally not collected at the posts themselves (this was usually handled by transport companies or coal merchants), the posts served as an undeniable physical demarcation of the chargeable zone.

Though the coal duties were finally abolished in 1890, these unassuming markers remain a tangible link to London's past. The funds raised from these taxes played a significant role in financing numerous crucial public works and improvements across the growing metropolis. Projects such as the construction of the Thames Embankment, the Holborn Viaduct, and the freeing of several Thames bridges from tolls were all beneficiaries of this revenue. So, the next time you encounter one of these distinctive posts, take a moment to appreciate its subtle but profound historical significance – a small piece of iron that helped shape the modern fabric of London.

If you want to find out more about the Coal Duty Posts I highly recommend visiting Martin Nail’s website. It’s an amazingly thorough documentation of the history, location and conditions of the posts. Rather than reproduce anything here, my post below contains my own photos, notes and links to Coal Post themed walks and cycle trips that I have done. I’ve used Martin’s Coal Post numbering and where there’s a link to a specific post it goes to the relevant page on Martin’s website.

If you spot any errors on this page or have new information about any of the posts that I have missed please contact me or comment below. I’ll donate £1 to one of the outdoor causes that I support for every edit made.

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The North-East: Posts 1 to 31.

Anti-clockwise from Dagenham to the A1(M). The first 6 posts (#s 0a to 0f) are missing. Coal Post #1 is the first extant post north of the Thames in the east. Scroll down to the Notes section at the bottom of this page for details of missing photos.

1

2

3

4

6

7

8

9

11

12

13

14

15

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

The North-West: Posts 33 to 83

Anti-clockwise from the A1(M) to the River Thames at Staines. Scroll down to the Notes section at the bottom of this page for details of missing photos.

33

34

35

36

37

38

39

40

41

43

44

45

46

47

48

49

51

52

53

54

55

57

58

59

60

218

62

65

66

67

68

69

70

72

73

74

75

77

78

81

82

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The South-West: Posts 84 to 164

Anti-clockwise from the River Thames at Staines to Hooley. Scroll down to the Notes section at the bottom of this page for details of missing photos.

84

85

86

87

88

89

90

91

92

93

94

96

97

98

99

100

100b

102

103

104

105

106

107

108

109

110

113

114

115

116

117

118

119

120

121

122

123

124

125

126

127

128

129

130

131

132

133

134

136

137

138

139

140

141

142

143

144

144a

145

146

147

148

149

150

151

152

153

154

155

156

157

158

159

160

161

162

163

164

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The South-East: Posts 165 to 217

Anti-clockwise from the River Thames at Staines to Hooley. Scroll down to the Notes section at the bottom of this page for details of missing photos.

166

167

168

169

171

172

174

175

176

177

178

179

180

181

183

184

185

186

187

188

189

190

191

192

193

194

195

196

198

199

200

201

202

203

204

205

207

208

209

210

211

212

213

214

217

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The Final Coal Duty Post at Erith

Although I visited most of the posts in a fairly random order, I saved the final extant and in-place post to the end. I had unknowingly cycled past it years before on the London Loop ride. It’s very easy to miss though as the post is off the path on a grassy peninsula next to the confluence of the rivers Darent and Thames.

To access it, park at the corner of Burnett Road and Ness Road and take the footpath running in a south easterly direction to the footpath running along the river Darent. This path forms part of the London Loop, Cray Riverway Path and the National Cycle Network Route 1. Take a left to follow the path towards the Thames. When you reach the confluence, leave the path to carefully walk down the grassy part where you’ll find the pillar

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The Randoms

Kiln Lane Boundary Marker

Gravesend Obelisk

Medway Obelisk

Here’s a few other posts and markers related to the Corporation of London that are not in Martin’s List of Coal Duty Posts:

• Kiln Lane Boundary Marker: Located next to Coal Duty Post #208 near Bexley.

• Gravesend Obelisk: Unknown whether this is related to coal duty.

• Medway Obelisk: On the Thames and Medway Canal to mark the jurisdiction of the Cities of London and Rochester for the collection of dues

Comment below or contact me if you know of any other pillars, posts or markers related to the Corporation of London boundary.

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Coal Duty Posts in Museums

• Coal Duty Post 5 is now at Valence House Museum, Dagenham. It was moved to the museum following road widening in 1960. It is currently outside the museum to left of the front door.

• Coal Duty Post 63. In Museum of London reserve collections. Originally at the side of Springwell Lane in parapet of Drayton Ford Bridge. Removed in 1923 and in current ownership since 1965. I contacted the Museum in summer 2025 to enquire about visiting the stone but at the time it was not available to see it.

• Coal Duty Posts 74 and 75 are now on display at the Chiltern Open Air Museum in Chalfont St. Giles. They were removed in 1982 in advance of construction of the M25 motorway and have been at the museum since 1998.

• Coal Duty Post 83, also known as The London Stone, is now on display at Spelthorne Museum in Staines, It was first moved in 1986 and has been at the museum since 2004; it was replaced at its original location by a replica.

CDP 5 - Valance House Museum

CDP 74 - Chiltern Open Air Museum

CDP 75 - Chiltern Open Air Museum

CDP 83 - Replica at Staines

CDP 83 - Spelthorne Museum

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Blog posts including the London Coal Duty Posts

• 45, 46: Walking The Ebury Way

• 49,50,51: Walking The London Loop: Stanmore Common to South Oxhey

• 52 to 55: Walking The London Loop: South Oxhey to Hill End

• 59, 62: Chiltern Walks: Rickmansworth Three Rivers Circular

• 60, 65, 66: Walking The Colne Valley Trail

• 69: Walking The Beeches Way

• 84 to 95: Cycling The River Ash and Thames Path Circular

• 91 to 93: Walking the River Wey Part 1: Weybridge and Desborough Island

• 117 to 120: Chessington Countryside Walk

• #125 to 136: Epsom Downs and Langley Vale Wood Circular Walk

• 137 to 155: Banstead Heath Circular Walk

• 151, 152: Walking The North Downs Way Part 5 - Betchworth to Merstham

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Notes

• #5 has been relocated to the outside of the Valance Museum. See the section on Coal Duty Posts in Museums.

• #10 is inaccessible but, according to coaldutyposts.co.uk, is visible from the train.

• #16 is shown as extant on coaldutyposts.co.uk but I couldn't find it when visited in March 2025. Possible road widening or just overgrown?

• #17 is missing.

• #32 is missing. See this article for an interesting story about it.

• #42 is listed on coaldutyposts.co.uk as “On railway land but visible from road”. I couldn’t see it when visited in 2025.

• #50 is listed on coaldutyposts.co.uk as “On railway land but visible from public footpath on opposite side of railway” I couldn’t see it when visited in 2025.

• #51 is also the highest point of of the London Borough of Hillingdon.

• #56 is missing.

• #218 is out of sequence with the anti-clockwise numbering of the other post. Located between #60 and #62

• #61 is listed on coaldutyposts.co.uk as “On private land but visible from permissive footpath on other bank of river”. I couldn’t see it when visited in 2020.

• #63 is now in the reserve collection of the Museum of London

• #64 is on a Private Road. I decided not to visit.

• #71 is missing.

• #79 is on private land. I decided not to visit.

• #95 is listed on coaldutyposts.co.uk as “In grounds of Middle Thames Yacht Club at N side of Sunbury Lock Ait”. I visited in April 2025, assisted by 2 members of the Sunbury Yacht Club but couldn't find it and they couldn’t remember seeing it before. Maybe now missing?

• #111 is listed on coaldutyposts.co.uk as “On railway land but visible from Stokesheath Road”. I couldn’t see it when visited in 2025.

• #112 is listed on coaldutyposts.co.uk as “In garden of house but visible from road”. I couldn’t see it when visited in 2025.

• #135 is listed on coaldutyposts.co.uk as “In garden of house but visible from road”. New high fence installed. Not visible when visited in 2025.

• #170 is listed on coaldutyposts.co.uk as “On railway land but visible from road”. I couldn’t see it when visited in 2025.

• #197 is listed on coaldutyposts.co.uk as “On railway land but visible from Crown Close”. I couldn’t see it when visited in 2025.

• #206 is listed on coaldutyposts.co.uk as “On railway land but visible from public footpath on opposite side of railway”. I couldn’t see it when visited in 2025.

• #216 is listed on coaldutyposts.co.uk as “On railway land but visible from public footpath”. I couldn’t see it when visited in 2025.

• I’ve not listed any Coal Duty Posts on this page that were identified as missing on coaldutyposts.co.uk. These are mostly identified with a letter after the number (e.g. 66a). The exceptions are posts identified as missing on coaldutyposts.co.uk but don’t have a letter after the number (e.g. 71) which I’ve noted above.

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More London blog posts

City of London Boundary Walk

Cycling The Capital Ring

Cycling The London Loop

London Borough Tri-points

London's High Points

London's Protected Views

parkrun: LonDone

Walking The London Loop and Capital Ring

Walking The River Fleet

Walking The Roman London Wall

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Near Flamstead

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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.

Beyond the stunning rural vistas, the Hertfordshire Way is a journey through history and charming local life. The route intentionally keeps mostly to the quiet countryside but thoughtfully incorporates visits to a handful of attractive, historic villages and two major centres: the county town of Hertford and the ancient city of St Albans, with its stunning cathedral and Roman heritage. Along the path, you'll encounter a mix of landscapes, from the fringes of the Chiltern Hills near Tring, to the wide views around Royston, and the peaceful valleys further east.

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. The part of the trail that runs through the Chiltern Hills National Landscape (formerly “AONB”) is much shorter and runs from Markyate to Berkhamsted.

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Point to Point: Walking the Hertfordshire Way in the Chilterns

Start: River Lea crossing near Wheathampshead, AL4 8NJ
Finish: River Colne crossing near Garston, WD25 9AW
Distance: 81.5 km (51 miles)
Elevation change: + 874m / - 893m. Net -19m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Maps:
- St Albans & Hatfield Map | Hemel Hempstead & Welwyn Garden City | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 182
- Chiltern Hills North Map | Aylesbury, Berkhamsted & Chesham | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 181
See individual section posts linked below for other links.

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Walking the Hertfordshire Way in the Chilterns in 15 walks

If you’re not up for a 82 km walk in one go, you can take in the Hertfordshire Way in the Surrey Hills in 15 walks of between 8 and 14 km each. We chose this option, completing all 15 sections over 4 years from 2021 to 2025. The advantage of this option is exploring more of the villages and side paths close to the route.

As the complete Hertfordshire Way is a circular route you can walk it in either direction. The roundels on the route show whether you’re heading clockwise or anti-clockwise on either side of the footpath posts. For our short walks linked below we did a mix of clockwise and anti-clockwise and I’ve indicated the direction in the list below. If want to complete them in a consistent direction you’ll need to reverse the route for some of them.

Each number refers to a circular walk below. Base map: Esri Topo via RideWithGPS

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Section 1: Coleman Green and 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

• Hertfordshire Way Direction: Clockwise

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Section 2: Sandridge and Heartwood Forest

• 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

• Hertfordshire Way Direction: Clockwise

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Section 3: 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

• Hertfordshire Way Direction: Clockwise

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Section 4: 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

• Hertfordshire Way Direction: Clockwise

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Section 5: 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

• Hertfordshire Way Direction: Clockwise

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Section 6: Flamstead and Markyate

• 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

• Hertfordshire Way Direction: Clockwise

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Section 7: Great Gaddesden and Gaddesdon Row

• 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 Babies Wood: 4 km

• Hertfordshire Way Direction: Clockwise

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Section 8: 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

• Hertfordshire Way Direction: Clockwise

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Section 9: (Ashridge Boundary Trail Route 2) Ashridge Golf Club and Moneybury Hill

• Start & Finish: Ashridge National Trust Car Park, Aldbury, Berkhamsted, HP4 1LU

• Distance: 8.2 km (5.1 miles)

• Elevation change: +/- 94m

• Hertfordshire Way section covered: Pitstone Common to east of Ashridge House: 4.9 km

• Hertfordshire Way Direction: Clockwise

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Section 10: 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

• Hertfordshire Way Direction: Both

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Section 11: 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

• Hertfordshire Way Direction: Anti-clockwise

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Section 12: Berkhamsted Castle and Common

• Start & Finish: Berkhamsted Station, HP4 2AJ

• Distance: 10.4 km (6.5 miles)

• Elevation change: +/- 119m

• Hertfordshire Way section covered: Berkhamsted Common to Berkhamsted Castle: 4 km

• Hertfordshire Way Direction: Anti-clockwise

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Section 13: 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

• Hertfordshire Way Direction: Anti-clockwise

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Section 14: Boxmoor to 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

• Hertfordshire Way Direction: Anti-clockwise

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Section 15: Kings Langley to Aldenham

• Start: King’s Langley Station, Station Road, Kings Langley, WD4 8LF

• Finish: St. John The Baptist Church, Church Lane, Radlett, Watford, WD25 8BE

• Distance: 10.4 km (6.5 miles)

• Elevation change: +126m / -119m. Net +7m

• Hertfordshire Way section covered: King’s Langley to Aldenham: 10.4 km

• Hertfordshire Way Direction: Anti-clockwise

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Crossing The River Colne

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Start: Kings Langley Station, Station Road, Kings Langley, WD4 8LF
Finish: St John the Baptist Church, Church Lane, Aldenham, WD25 8BE
Distance: 10.4 km (6.5 miles)
Elevation change: +126m / -119m. Net +7m
Terrain: Field-edge paths, woodland trails through Bricket Wood, and estate tracks.
Hertfordshire Way section covered: Kings Langley to Aldenham: 10.4 km
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Hertfordshire Way, Abbey Line Trail, St. Bernard’s Way, Manor Stroll
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 6, 61
Pubs / Cafes on route: None
Map: St Albans & Hatfield Map | Hemel Hempstead & Welwyn Garden City | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 182
Links: Hertfordshire Way, Kings Langley, Bricket Wood, River Colne, Aldenham, St John The Baptist Church, Aldenham

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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, which is larger than the Chiltern Hills National Landscape, 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.

Walking Directions

We parked at the end of the route at Aldenham and took an Uber to the start of the walk at Kings Langley station. You can also do it by a combination of a bus to Bushey and a train to Kings Langley but it was a mid-winter’s day and we were short on time. 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.

1. Station Departure: Exit from the eastern side of Kings Langley station and walk north past the car park to reach Egg Farm Lane.

2. M25 Crossing: Take a right to follow the lane up the hill and over the M25.

3. Field Paths: At 1.5 km into the walk, you will reach a path junction at the corner of a field. Take a left to follow the field-edge path in a north-easterly direction.

4. Love Lane: Take a right onto Bedmond Road, then a left onto Love Lane. Continue heading east as Love Lane transitions into a path crossing open fields.

5. Chequers Lane: Keep following the Hertfordshire Way until you reach Chequers Lane.

6. Under the A405: Briefly follow Chequers Lane in an easterly direction, then take the first path on the right heading south to High Elms Lane. Take a left to follow High Elms Lane to the A405 North Orbital Road, then take a right to find the underpass to cross safely.

7. M1 Crossing: Follow Bucknalls Lane in an easterly direction, crossing over the bridge above the M1.

8. Bricket Wood: Near the end of Bucknalls Lane, before it becomes Oaks Path, take a right to stay on the Hertfordshire Way through Bricket Wood and into the Munden Estate.

9. Munden Estate: Once in the estate, look for the path on the right cutting diagonally in a southerly direction. This leads you to a footbridge over the River Colne.

10. The Finish: After crossing the river, continue following the Hertfordshire Way for another 1.7 km until you reach St John the Baptist Church in Aldenham Village.

Points of Interest along or near to the Route

• Kings Langley Palace & Priory: This village was the site of a significant 13th-century royal palace and a Dominican priory founded in 1308. It served as a seat of government for Edward III during the Black Death and is the burial place of Edmund of Langley, the 1st Duke of York. Although this is not directly on the route you can visit the location before you start the walk.

• The Ovaltine Factory Façade: A famous local landmark, the listed Art Deco façade dates back to approximately 1923. While the factory has been converted into housing, the striking exterior remains a testament to the village's industrial heritage. Although this is not directly on the route you can visit the location before you start the walk.

• Bricket Wood Common: This 70-hectare Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) is a diverse natural habitat located south of the village. It offers a mix of woodland and heathland that provides a distinct change in scenery as you navigate towards the Munden Estate.

• The Munden Estate & River Colne: The route cuts diagonally through this historic estate, leading to a footbridge over the River Colne. This river serves as the eastern boundary for the "Greater Chilterns" and provides a picturesque crossing point before the final stretch.

• St John the Baptist Church, Aldenham: Your finishing point is this 750-year-old church, which likely stands on the site of an even earlier Saxon building. The church and village are so quintessentially English that they have frequently featured in films and television programmes, including the Coldplay music video for "Life in Technicolor II"

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Hertfordshire Way next section clockwise: Chiltern Walks: Boxmoor and Kings Langley

River Brent at the Wharncliffe Viaduct

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Start: Brentham Allotments, Lynwood Rd, London, W5 1JL
Finish: Kew Bridge Road, Brentford, TW8 0FJ
Distance: 15.4 km (9.6 miles)
Elevation change: +64m / -83m. Net -19m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Capital Ring, Thames Path
Other routes touched (cycle): C40, Grand Union Canal Towpath
Pubs / Cafes on route: Hanwell Zoo Cafe (7.3 km in), several at Brentford Lock (12.5 km in), One Over The Ait at the end.
Map: London South Map | Westminster, Greenwich, Croydon, Esher & Twickenham | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 161
Links: Brent River and Canal Society (BRCS), River Brent Park, Hanwell Zoo, Wharncliffe Viaduct, River Brent, Grand Union Canal, Brentford Dock, Brentford, Kew Bridge

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In the heart of West London, Ealing is famed for its leafy suburbs and Victorian charm. But for those seeking a true escape, look no further than the Brent River Park Walk. This green corridor, tracing the meandering path of the River Brent, offers a surprisingly wild and tranquil journey right on your doorstep.

The Brent River Park is the result of dedicated campaigning by the Brent River and Canal Society (BRCS) to protect the river valley. The resulting linear park stretches for approximately 7 km within the Borough of Ealing, encompassing about 400 hectares of green space.

Starting near Greenford and winding its way south towards Hanwell and the Grand Union Canal, the path connects several major open spaces, creating an uninterrupted haven for both wildlife and people. As you walk, you'll traverse a varied landscape—from formal parks like Pitshanger Park and Brent Lodge Park to stretches of wilder, almost rural-feeling woodland and meadows.

The walk is much more than just a riverside path; it's a journey past local history and nature. Here are a few highlights you can look forward to:

• Brent Lodge Park and the Hanwell Zoo: A perfect detour for families, Brent Lodge Park is home to a small, popular zoo, locally known as "The Bunny Park."

• The Grand Union Canal: The path eventually converges with the Capital Ring and the Grand Union Canal Walk, where you can watch the colourful narrowboats navigate the locks, notably the flight near Hanwell.

• The Wharncliffe Viaduct: In Hanwell, keep an eye out for the magnificent Wharncliffe Viaduct, an impressive brick structure designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, carrying the Great Western Main Line over the valley.

The route is well-signposted, often sharing its way with sections of the Capital Ring, making navigation straightforward and allowing for flexible starting and finishing points.

As a flat, easy walk, you can do it all in a day, however we split it into 2 smaller walks of approximately 8 km with Hanwell Zoo as the split point. There’s a small free car park next to the Zoo on Church Road. Hanwell Station is on the Elizabeth Line and close to this mid-point of the route too. Although the river and the path end at the Thames we continued along the Thames Path to complete the walk at Kew Bridge Station.

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Walking through Devil’s Dyke, Wheathampstead

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Start & Finish: East Lane Car Park, 13 East Lane, Wheathampstead, St Albans, AL4 8SB
Distance: 9.1 km (5.7 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 99m
Terrain: Field-edge paths, ancient earthworks at Devil's Dyke and riverside trails along the Lea.
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: Hertfordshire Way,, Wheathampstead, Nomansland Common, Heartwood Forest, Devil's Dyke, Wheathampstead Station, River Lea

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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.

Walking Directions

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. 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.

• 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.

Points of Interest along or near to the Route

• Devil’s Dyke: This impressive Iron Age earthwork is thought to have been the original capital of the Catuvellauni tribe before they moved to Verulamium. It is a rare surviving example of pre-Roman defensive ramparts.

• John Bunyan’s Chimney: At Coleman Green, you will find the ruins of a cottage chimney where John Bunyan, author of The Pilgrim’s Progress, is said to have stayed and preached.

• Wheathampstead Station (Abbey Line): Although the station closed in 1965, the platform has been partially restored and features a statue of George Bernard Shaw, who was a frequent traveller on this line.

• St Helen’s Church: Located in the heart of Wheathampstead, this church dates back to at least 1280, though it is believed an earlier Saxon church occupied the site.

• The River Lea: The trail follows sections of the Lea, a historic chalk stream that has shaped the valley’s landscape and supported local milling for centuries.

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

If you’ve searched for or stumbled across this page then you probably already know what an OS Trig Pillar is. If you don’t then this article from the Ordnance Survey is a good place to start.

Over 6,000 Trig Pillars were erected across the country from 1936 to 1962. The first known person to have visited all of them was Rob Woodall who completed his 14-year personal quest in April 2016. At the time of writing this I’ve also been visiting Trig Pillars for over 14 years but so far I’ve bagged less than 5%. While I don’t have the need to bag them all, I’d be happy with an “interesting 10%”. These would include all of the pillars on the UK County Tops and, as it’s close to home, all of South East England. After a geeky pub conversation somewhere in Scotland after a County Top climb, I also took an interest in the extremes: the oldest, the newest, the furthest north, east, south and west. This post shows the results of my research so far into what are those extreme Trig Pillars.

Let me know if you have any corrections to the information on this page or any suggestions for other extreme Trig Pillars. I’ll donate £1 to one of the outdoor causes that I support for any edit made.

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Trig Pillar Compass Club

The spreadsheet below shows the same Trig Pillars as in the map above. Note that those highlighted in yellow are ones that I’m less confident in. Comment below if you can confirm or correct any of these.

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Other Extremes

• First Trig Pillar installed: TP0256 - Cold Ashby, Northamptonshire. Installed on April 18th 1936. See article

• Last Trig Pillar installed: TP6459 - Thorny Gale, Cumbria. Installed on 4th June 1962.

• Highest Trig Pillar: TP1289 - Ben Nevis, Scotland. 1,344m elevation. See blog post.

• Lowest Trig Pillar: TP4449 - Little Ouse, Norfolk. -1m elevation.

• Most Remote: TP6131 - St Kilda. 35miles north west of North Uist in the Western Isles.

• Longest time missing (England): TP4355 - Langstone - 78 years. Destroyed August 1945 by erosion & refound in shingle more or less intact Aug 2023.

• Longest time missing (Wales): TP7409 - Crug Yr Afan - 70 years. Destroyed in June 1937 and its remains were rediscovered in November 2006.

• Longest time missing (Scotland): TP5490 - Polloktown - 43 years.

• Most travelled from original location: TP3015 - Eastwood moved from Rayleigh Essex to Diss in Norfolk.

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Thanks to Mark Brace and Ross Lockley for their contributions to this page.

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Edge of Heartwood Forest, towards Childwickbury

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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

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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 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.

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