Walking The London Loop and Capital Ring
London Loop in Blue, Capital Ring in Red. Base map from OpenStreetMap

London Loop in Blue, Capital Ring in Red. Base map from OpenStreetMap

The London Loop and Capital Ring are long distance circular walks around London. Both were conceived in the ‘90s and completed in the early 2000s. They pass through mostly green spaces around the capital and can easily be broken up into a series of shorter walks. Having cycled both a few years ago, I’m now returning to walk it. I’ve mostly covered the western sections and there’s a long way to go.

The list of sections below are those that I’ve planned but not necessarily completed yet. I’ve also included links to blog posts for other walks that follow or cross over parts of either the London Loop or the Capital Ring. If you would like GPX files of any of these sections please Buy Me a Coffee and let me know which section(s) you are interested in. For a limited time I would be happy to share files for all sections of either collection for 1 coffee plus any feedback on the route (corrections, changes etc.)

There’s now several guidebooks to either the Loop or the Ring. Note that the sections below and the order of them don’t necessarily match exactly to those in the guides. I use Colin Saunder’s Guides for each route and can highly recommend them for their description of the route and points of interest

The London Loop In Sections

  • London Loop Section 01: Erith Riverside to Bexley. Distance: 14.0 km. Elevation Change: +72m / -67m. Net +6m

  • London Loop Section 02: Bexley to Petts Wood. Distance: 12.5 km. Elevation Change: +134m / -67m. Net +67m

  • London Loop Section 03: Petts Wood to West Wickham Common. Distance: 15.2 km. Elevation Change: +168m / -183m. Net -15m

  • London Loop Section 04: West Wickham Common to Hamsey Green. Distance: 15.1 km. Elevation Change: +285m / -182m. Net +183m

  • London Loop Section 05: Hamsey Green to Coulsdon South. Distance: 10.2 km. Elevation Change: +119m / -201m. Net -82m

  • London Loop Section 06: Coulsdon South to Banstead Downs. Distance: 8.0 km. Elevation Change: +126m / -87m. Net +39m

  • London Loop Section 07: Banstead Downs to Ewell West. Distance: 6.6 km. Elevation Change: +23m / -114m. Net -91m

  • London Loop Section 08: Ewell West to Kingston Bridge. Distance: 12.8 km. Elevation Change: +47m / -72m. Net -25m

  • London Loop Section 09: Kingston Bridge to Hatton Cross. Distance: 16.1 km. Elevation Change: +70m / -58m. Net +12m

  • London Loop Section 10: Hatton Cross to Hayes and Harlington. Distance: 6.8 km. Elevation Change: +36m / -24m. Net +12m

  • London Loop Section 11: Hayes and Harlington to Uxbridge. Distance: 12.0 km. Elevation Change: +55m / -54m. Net +1m

  • London Loop Section 12: Uxbridge to Harefield. Distance: 7.6 km. Elevation Change: +29m / -23m. Net +6m

  • London Loop Section 13: Harefield to Moor Park. Distance: 8.7 km. Elevation Change: +116m / -91m. Net -25m

  • London Loop Section 14: Moor Park to Hatch End. Distance: 7.7 km. Elevation Change: +93m / -95m. Net -2m

  • London Loop Section 15: Hatch End to Elstree. Distance: 15.2 km. Elevation Change: +182m / -153m. Net -29m

  • London Loop Section 16: Elstree to High Barnet. Distance: 18.1 km. Elevation Change: +243m / -238m. Net +5m

  • London Loop Section 17: High Barnet to Enfield Lock. Distance: 14.8 km. Elevation Change: +95m / -176m. Net -81m

  • London Loop Section 18: Enfield Lock to Chingford. Distance: 8.1 km. Elevation Change: +110m / -71m. Net +39m

  • London Loop Section 19: Chingford to Chigwell. Distance: 7.1 km. Elevation Change: +83m / -95m. Net -12m

  • London Loop Section 20: Chigwell to Havering. Distance: 10.7 km. Elevation Change: +175m / -115m. Net +60m

  • London Loop Section 21: Havering to Harold Wood. Distance: 8.1 km. Elevation Change: +29m / -97m. Net -68m

  • London Loop Section 22: Harold Wood to Upminster Bridge. Distance: 7.3 km. Elevation Change: +46m / -64m. Net -18m

  • London Loop Section 23: Upminster Bridge to Rainham. Distance: 7.7 km. Elevation Change: +32m / -43m. Net -11m

  • London Loop Section 24: Rainham to Purfleet. Distance: 8.3 km. Elevation Change: +38m / -38m. Net 0m

Other Walks on The London Loop

London Loop and Capital Ring.pptx.jpg

The Capital Ring in Sections

  • Capital Ring Section 01: Woolwich to Falconwood. Distance: 10.6 km. Elevation Change: +158m / -95m. Net +63m

  • Capital Ring Section 02: Falconwood to Grove Park. Distance: 6.9 km. Elevation Change: +56m / -80m. Net -24m

  • Capital Ring Section 03: Grove Park to Crystal Palace. Distance: 14.2 km. Elevation Change: +151m / -120m. Net +31m

  • Capital Ring Section 04: Crystal Palace to Streatham. Distance: 6.9 km. Elevation Change: +78m / -122m. Net -44m

  • Capital Ring Section 05: Streatham to Wimbledon Park. Distance: 9.4 km. Elevation Change: +49m / -59m. Net -10m

  • Capital Ring Section 06: Wimbledon Park to Richmond. Distance: 12.0 km. Elevation Change: +132m / -148m. Net -16m

  • Capital Ring Section 07: Richmond to Osterley Lock. Distance: 7.8 km. Elevation Change: +44m / -33m. Net +11m

  • Capital Ring Section 08: Osterley Lock to Greenford. Distance: 9.3 km. Elevation Change: +50m / -45m. Net -5m

  • Capital Ring Section 09: Greenford to South Kenton. Distance: 9.2 km. Elevation Change: +137m / -120m. Net +17m

  • Capital Ring Section 10: South Kenton to Hendon Park. Distance: 10.7 km. Elevation Change: +134m / -108m. Net +26m

  • Capital Ring Section 11: Hendon Park to Highgate. Distance: 9.4 km. Elevation Change: +99m / -70m. Net +29m

  • Capital Ring Section 12: Highgate to Stoke Newington. Distance: 9.1 km. Elevation Change: +42m / -112m. Net -70m

  • Capital Ring Section 13: Stoke Newington to Hackney Wick. Distance: 6.7 km. Elevation Change: +26m / -48m. Net -22m

  • Capital Ring Section 14: Hackney Wick to Royal Albert Dock. Distance: 8.4 km. Elevation Change: +31m / -33m. Net -2m

  • Capital Ring Section 15: Royal Albert Dock to Woolwich. Distance: 6.2 km. Elevation Change: +30m / -25m. Net +5m

Other Walks on The Capital Ring

Other Resources

More London Adventures

Richard gowerTrek, Canal, Railway, Disused Railway, Underground, Thames, London, Middlesex, EnglandComment
London's Coal Duty Posts

Having set myself the challenge to visit all Greater London High Points and all Trig Pillars in London, I’m going one step further. This is my new mission to visit all of the over 200 London Coal Duty Posts that are still standing. If you’re not familiar with what these are, Martin Nail’s website is the best place to start.

As of the January 2021 I’ve visited 26 posts and plaques on previous walking and cycling trips. With the Covid lockdown looking like it will go on for it a bit, it may take me a while longer to visit the rest.

In the meantime, here’s some trips that visit some of the posts and my more-or-less accurate map of the Coal Post Boundary

More London posts

Richard gowerCycle, Trek, Canal, Railway, Thames, London, England, Middlesex, Colne Valley, Coal Duty PostComment
Greater London High Points

Greater London is divided into 32 local authority districts called Boroughs plus the City of London. Living relatively close to the edge of London it was natural that I would want to visit all 33 high points. Much like the UK County Tops some feel like a proper summit and others are unremarkable points in flat areas.

Westerham Heights on the Kent border is the high point of both Bromley and the whole of Greater London. It’s also a very short walk from Betsom’s Hill, the Kent County Top. Other than their elevations neither are particularly interesting though. You’ll need to visit Sanderstead Plantation in Croydon for the highest point that actually feels like a hill.

Prior to April 1st 1994 the Greater London high point was on the north-eastern slope of Botley Hill. A boundary change moved this point to Surrey where Leith Hill is higher.

Hampstead Heath, the high point of Camden is also the high point of the old County of London Administrative County. This area came into being with Local Government Act 1888 which split some Historic Counties into new Administrative Counties. The Administrative Counties have since been replaced by the metropolitan and non-metropolitan counties plus Greater London.

High Holborn, the high point of The City of London, is not a borough but an English Ceremonial County

As you would expect with high points, several are marked with OS Trig Pillars. Sanderstead Plantation in Croydon has a Trig Pillar nearby at Selsdon Park but it’s not at the summit. Pole Hill, in Waltham Forest is the highest point of a Greater London Borough that has a Trig Pillar on the summit.

By the end of 2021 I had completed the high points of all Greater London Boroughs. Click on the links in the list below to see details on each one. I still have the remaining Trig Pillars and Summits >100m to complete. Let me know if you spot any mistakes in the data below and I’ll donate £1 per correction to one of my causes.

London’s High Points and OS Trig Pillars

Greater London Boroughs High Points

Sanderstead Plantation

Pole Hill, Waltham Forest

Pole Hill, Waltham Forest

Bushey Heath, Harrow

London’s Natural High Points vs its Buildings & Structures

Westerham Heights was the highest point in London until the completion of The Shard in 2012. The Observation Deck at the Shard is at 244m, just 1m lower than Westerham Heights. When 22 Bishopsgate was completed in 2020, it relegated Westerham Heights to 3rd place.

At the time of writing there’s now 17 buildings and structures in London with heights between those of Westerham Heights and Sanderstead Plantation, London’s 2nd highest Borough High Point

Parent Peaks of The Greater London Boroughs

The Parent Peaks of the London Borough High Points have a distinct north/south split. All High Points north of the Thames have Haddington Hill in the Chilterns as their parent. Botley Hill in Kent is the parent for all London High Points south of the Thames. The Nearest Higher Neighbour, according to Peakbagger also keeps to this north/south split with the exception of Heston The Vale.

The graphic below shows the Borough High Points in descending order from left to right with peaks north of the river on the top half and south of the river on the lower half.

More London posts

More County Tops

Richard gowerTrek, UK County Tops, Trig Pillar, London, Middlesex, EnglandComment
2020 in numbers

2020: The year of Zwift:

My mileage per activity type in 2020

My mileage per activity type in 2020

TOTAL DISTANCE IN 2020

  • Run (outdoor): 502 miles (803 km)

  • Run (Zwift): 50 miles (80 km)

  • Cycle (Outdoor): 352 miles (563 km)

  • Cycle (Zwift): 2,452 miles (3,923 km)

  • Trek: 687 miles (1,099 km)

  • Total = 4,043 miles (6,470 km)

Trek = recorded hiking & walking events, not general steps.

Richard gowerRun, Cycle, Trek, ZwiftComment
Bowsey Hill: Wokingham High Point

Significance: Highest peak in the Unitary Authority of Wokingham
Member of: N/A
Parent Peak: Butser Hill. NHN = Ashley Hill
Historic County: Berkshire (of which Walbury Hill is the County Top)
Elevation: 142m
Date “climbed”: 31st December 2020
Coordinates: 51° 30' 55'' N, 0° 50' 20'' W
On route of: NCN 4, Round Berkshire Cycle Route
Map: OS Explorer Map (171) Chiltern Hills West, Henley-on-Thames and Wallingford
Links: Wikipedia (Wokingham), Peakbagger, Hillbagging

I’d bagged the high point of Wokingham several times without realising. It’s on a wide trail through the woods, passed by NCN 4 and the Round Berkshire Cycle Route. Nothing to mark the top but a nice place to pass through on a walk or cycle ride.

Richard gowerTrek, UK County Tops, Berkshire, EnglandComment
Round Berkshire Cycle Route - Maidenhead Loop
View to Danesfield House from Crazies Hill

View to Danesfield House from Crazies Hill

Start & Finish: Maidenhead Bridge, Bridge Road, Maidenhead, SL6 8DW
Distance: 44.3 km (27.5 Miles)
Elevation change: +/- 311m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other Routes Touched (walk): Maidenhead Boundary Walk, Thames Path, The Wokingham Way, The Chiltern Way Berkshire Loop
Other Routes Touched (cycle): NCN 4, 61, Chilterns Cycleway Link
Other Routes Touched (horse): Knowl Hill Bridleway Circuit
Pubs / Cafes on route: several on Cookham High Street
Maps:
- OS Explorer Map (160) Windsor, Weybridge & Bracknell
- OS Explorer Map (171) Chiltern Hills West, Henley-on-Thames and Wallingford
- OS Explorer Map (172) Chiltern Hills East
Links: Round Berkshire Cycle Route, Maidenhead, Fifield, White Waltham, Knowl Hill, Crazies Hill, Burchett’s Green, Pinkney’s Green, Cookham

Next section: Round Berkshire Cycle Route - Windsor Loop

This is the first in a series of short trips to tackle the Round Berkshire Cycle Route in smaller sections. The full route is 140 miles from Lambourne in the west to Datchet in the east. I’ll probably do the whole route in a single trip one day, but for now I’m happy to break it into smaller sections. See the leaflet about the route for descriptions of the main points of interest.

The Maidenhead Loop was the obvious place for me to start as I grew up there and knew the lanes well. I chose the Thames bridge at Maidenhead as the starting point. There’s some free on-street parking near there and it’s a short ride from both Maidenhead and Taplow train stations.

The route is fairly well signposted with the white-on-blue route 52 numbering. I would still take a GPS or a map though as it’s easy to miss a sign. I found that out the hard way when I’d turned off my GPS to save power near Hurley and missed the turn up to Burchett’s Green.

The part to take particular attention to is the Alternative Link between Fifield and Crazies Hill. This is the part that takes you off the larger circular route to make it a smaller loop. The split is just after you pass the Fifield Inn pub on Fifield Road. Take a right on the B3024 heading west rather than east towards Windsor. The convergence with the main route is at a crossroads at Crazies Hill. The larger route will meet you from the left from Highfield Lane and you’ll take a right onto Rose Lane heading north-east.

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Richard gowerCycle, NCN, Berkshire, EnglandComment
Twmpa & Rhos Dirion Circular Walk
View to Pen y Fan from Rhos Dirion

View to Pen y Fan from Rhos Dirion

Start & Finish: Gospel Pass Car Park, Capel-y-ffin, Abergavenny, NP7 7NP
Distance: 13 km (8.1 miles)
Elevation change: + / - 376m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): None
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 42
Pubs / Cafes on route: None
Map: OS Explorer OL13 Brecon Beacons National Park - Eastern area
Links: Gospel Pass, Vale of Ewyas

Rhos Dirion:

Member of: None
Parent Peak: Waun Fach
Elevation: 713m
Date climbed: 24th December 2020
Coordinates: 51° 59' 36'' N, 3° 8' 59'' W
OS Trig Pillar: TP5658 - Rhos Dirion
Links: Wikipedia / Peakbagger

Twmpa:

Member of: None
Parent Peak: Waun Fach
Elevation: 690m
Date climbed: 24th December 2020
Coordinates: 52° 2' 7'' N, 3° 6' 17'' W
OS Trig Pillar: None
Links: Wikipedia / Peakbagger

In the third of three winter walks in the Vale of Ewyas we did a circular trek to the summits of Twmpa and Rhos Dirion.

From the free parking at Gospel Pass take the westerly path up to the summit of Twmpa, also called Lord Hereford’s Knob. Trig Baggers will be disappointed as there’s no pillar at the top. By continuing west for another 1.8 km you’ll reach the patriotically painted pillar at the top of Rhos Dirion. We were there on a cold but clear winter’s day and had a great view of Pen y Fan in the distance. After bagging Rho Dirion, retrace your steps down to the col between the two summits. Rather than climb back up to Twmpa, take a right to head in a south-easterly direction down the valley. Navigation is easy following a well worn path tracing the course of Nant Bwch.

The valley path turns into a farm track then a single-track road to Capel-y-ffin. Rather than stick to the road follow the path that curves round the side of the nose of the mountain half way up its elevation. On the southern-most point you’ll get a great view over Capel-y-ffin and the southern part of the Vale of Ewas.

Continue on the mountain pass as it curves anti-clockwise around the mountain. You’ll now be heading north back towards the Gospel Pass. After ~2 km the path will join the valley road which you can follow back to the car park.

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Richard gowerTrek, Mountain, Trig Pillar, Brecon Beacons, National Park, Brecknockshire, WalesComment
Llanthony Priory and Rhiw Arw Trig Pillar Circular Walk
Misty descent to Llanthony Priory

Misty descent to Llanthony Priory

Start & Finish: Llanthony Priory Hotel, Llanthony, Abergavenny, NP7 7NN
Distance: 8.2 km (5.1 miles)
Elevation change: + / - 364m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Offa’s Dyke Path, Beacons Way
Other routes touched (cycle): None, although NCN 42 passes by the road entrance to Llanthony Priory
Pubs / Cafes on route: Coffee Shop at Llanthony Priory. The Half Moon Pub is near the Priory but not on the route
Trig Pillar: TP5648 - Rhiw Arw
Map: OS Explorer OL13 Brecon Beacons National Park - Eastern area
Links: Llanthony, Llanthony Priory, River Honddu, Offa’s Dyke, Vale of Ewyas

In the second of three winter walks in the Vale of Ewyas we did a circular trek to the Rhiw Arw Trig Pillar.

From the free car parking at Llanthony Priory, take the Beacons way clockwise around the Priory. Leave the Beacons Way at the northern side of the Priory outer wall and follow the footpath signed to Hatterall Ridge as it curves round to the north-west. Keeping to this track you’ll reach the Offa’s Dyke National Trail approximately 2 km from the Priory. Take a right onto the National Trail, heading south-east. Follow Offa’s Dyke for ~2.5 km until you reach the Rhiw Arw Trig Pillar.

After the Trig Pillar continue south-east along Offa’s Dyke for just under 1 km and descend back to Llanthony Priory via The Beacons Way.

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Richard gowerTrek, Mountain, Trig Pillar, Brecon Beacons, National Park, Monmouthshire, WalesComment
North Daren Trig Pillar from Capel-y-ffin Out-and-Back Walk
View towards Llanthony

View towards Llanthony

Start & Finish: Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Capel-y-ffin, Abergavenny, NP7 7NP
Distance: 8.8 km (5.5 miles)
Elevation change: + / - 325m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Offa’s Dyke Path
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 42
Pubs / Cafes on route: None
Trig Pillar: TP5154 - North Daren
Map: OS Explorer OL13 Brecon Beacons National Park - Eastern area
Links: Capel-y-ffin, River Honddu, Offa’s Dyke, Vale of Ewyas

In the first of three winter walks in the Vale of Ewyas we did an out-and-back trek to the North Daren Trig Pillar.

From Capel-y-ffin village centre, take the track to the right of St. Mary’s Chapel. Continue for ~1 km passing over the River Honddu, the Baptist church on the left and a farm on the right. When you reach the footpath sign for Offa’s Dyke, cross over the stile on the left of the track. From here follow the path at it climbs and zig zags up to to National Trail. The path uphill path was very obvious when we were there in winter but can be obscured by bracken in the summer.

A cairn and a stone sign marks the junction of the uphill path and Offa’s Dyke. Turn right (south-east) onto the National Trail and continue for ~1.6 km until you reach the Trig Pillar. For the return trip, retrace your steps back to the bottom of the hill where the path meets the track. Here you can take a right and follow the track back to Capel-y-ffin or take a left then a footpath shortly on the right. Here you can follow a path across a field, over a wooden bridge and onto the valley road. Take a right when you get to the road to return to Capel-y-ffin.

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Richard gowerTrek, Mountain, Trig Pillar, Brecon Beacons, National Park, Brecknockshire, WalesComment
Walking The Chiltern Way Part 2 - Cow Roast to Chalk Hill
Dunstable Down

Dunstable Down

Start: Cowroast Lock, 46 Wharf Ln, Tring HP23 5RE
Finish: White Lion Pub, Watling Street, Houghton Regis, Dunstable, LU6 1RS
Distance: 21.9 km (13.6 Miles)
Elevation change: +314m / -315m. Net -1m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other Routes Touched (walk): Grand Union Canal Towpath, Rangers’ Ramble, Foresters’ Walk, Ashridge Boundary Trail, Hertfordshire Way, Icknield Way Path
Other Routes Touched (cycle): Chilterns Cycleway, Berkhamsted Route 6
Pubs / Cafes on route: Bridgewater Arms, Little Gadesden / National Trust Cafe at Dunstable Downs
Maps: OS Explorer Map (181) Chiltern Hills North and OS Explorer Map (193) Luton and Stevenage
Links: Chiltern Way (Chiltern Society), Cow Roast, National Trust Ashridge Estate, Ashridge, Little Gaddesden, Whipsnade Zoo, Whipsnade, Dunstable Downs National Trust

For our latest Winter Solstice walk we picked up the Chiltern Way from where we left off a year ago. Cow Roast Lock at 08:00 was a bit brighter and significantly less rainy than how we left it in 2019.

As we got into the first hour of the walk Brian and I reflected on some of the changes in a weird year of Covid-19. For the first time since I started my Solstice Walks I wasn’t doing it to unwind from my usual year-end work stress. I hadn’t been to an office since mid-February, had no work-related travel and very little commuting. This gave me a chance to build in more positive daily habits and have more control over my working environment. Year-end at work was still very busy, but now I felt energised rather than exhausted.

This first half of this section of the Chiltern Way was pleasant but with fewer points of interest. Fields and woodland went by in a blur as we caught up on our recent events. The route became more interesting as we ascended out of the Gade Valley after Dagnall and up toward Whipsnade. This part of the Chiltern Way converges with the Icknield Way path that I covered a few years ago in similar damp weather and muddy terrain.

We were walking between Lockdowns 2 and 3 and food stops were few and far between. Normally the Bridgewater Arms at Little Gadesden would have been open when we arrived, but we were too early for their later opening times. The National Trust Cafe at Dunstable Downs was our main hope but the Visitor Centre and Cafe were closed. We has to make do with a pasty and a coffee from the small takeaway hatch at the back. It was drizzling and freezing so we didn’t hang around for long and continued north.

Our finish point was the White Lion Pub on the A5 north of Dunstable. This felt like the obvious target as it was the starting point of our 2nd Icknield Way trip 2 years ago. As that also covered the next section of the Chiltern Way, we’ll start again from Streatley for our next Solstice walk.

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Previous section: Walking The Chiltern Way Part 1 - Stokenchurch to Cow Roast
Next section: see Icknield Way Part 2 - Chalk Hill to Pirton (first half to Streatley follows the Chiltern Way)

Richard gowerTrek, Chilterns, Buckinghamshire, Herefordshire, Bedfordshire, EnglandComment
Ashley Hill: Windsor and Maidenhead High Point

Significance: Highest peak in The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead
Member of: None
Parent Peak: Bald Hill. NHN = Bald Hill
Historic County: Berkshire (of which Walbury Hill is the County Top)
Elevation: 145m
Date climbed: 12th December 2020
Coordinates: 51° 31' 19'' N, 0° 48' 55'' W
On route of: Chiltern Way Berkshire Loop, Hurley and Ashley Hill Circular Walk, Littlewick Green, Ashley Hill and Knowl Hill Circular Walk
OS Trig Pillar: TP0903 - Ashley Hill
Map: Chiltern Hills East Map | High Wycombe, Maidenhead & Rickmansworth | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 172
Links: Wikipedia (Windsor and Maidenhead), Peakbagger, Hillbagging

The summit of Ashley Hill, the highest point in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead is in the grounds of a large house. We spent a few minutes looking for a sight of the OS Trig Pillar but there was too much hedging around the property. The green Chiltern Way footpath sign is the closest you’ll get to the summit.

Richard gowerTrek, UK County Tops, Berkshire, EnglandComment
Littlewick Green, Ashley Hill and Knowl Hill Circular Walk
View to Robinswood, north-west of Ashley Hill

View to Robinswood, north-west of Ashley Hill

Start & Finish: Parking spaces on north-east corner of Littlewick Green, near corner of Gilchrist Way and Jubilee Road, SL6 3RF
Distance: 9.9 km (6.1 miles)
Elevation change: + / - 135m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Chiltern Way Berkshire Loop, Wokingham Way, Hurley and Ashley Hill Circular Walk
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 4, Round Berkshire Cycle Route 52
Other Routes Touched (horse): Knowl Hill Bridleway Circuit
Pubs / Cafes on route: The Cricketers, Littlewick Green
Map: OS Explorer Map (172) Chiltern Hills East and OS Explorer Map (171) Chiltern Hills West, Henley-on-Thames and Wallingford
Links: Littlewick Green, Knowl Hill, Ashley Hill

Having lived in Littlewick Green for about 15 years I’d walked, ran and cycled pretty much every path around there. This was a return trip after 8 years to see what had changed and for another visit to Ashley Hill.

Public transport options are limited, although there’s a bus stop on the A4 at the junction of Jubilee Road and Green Lane. If you’re drivin, the best places to park are by the big tree on the north-east corner of Littlewick Green or outside the Cricketers. Save the drink at the Cricketers for the end though and start the walk by heading north up Green Lane. At the end of Green Lane continue north onto Burchett’s Green Lane. Here you can either visit The Crown pub or take a short cut left through woods to avoid the village centre. Cross over Burchett’s Green Road and through the Berkshire College of Agriculture land to Honey Lane.

From Honey Lane you’ll be following the Chiltern Way Berkshire Extension through Ashley Hill woods and open fields to Warren Row. The summit of Ashley Hill, the highest point in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead is in the grounds of a large house. We spent a few minutes looking for a sight of the OS Trig Pillar but there was too much hedging around the property. The green Chiltern Way footpath sign is the closest you’ll get to the summit.

At Warren Row Road you’ll leave the Chiltern Way and join Star Lane through woods down to Knowl Hill and back to the A4. Cross the A4 and follow Knowl Hill Common road and the Knowl Hill Bridleway Circuit east back to Littlewick Green.

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Richard gowerTrek, Trig Pillar, Berkshire, EnglandComment
Eastbourne Pier and Beachy Head Circular Walk
Eastbourne Pier from the west

Eastbourne Pier from the west

Start & Finish: Eastbourne Pier, 3 Grand Parade, Eastbourne, BN21 3EL
Distance: 10 km (6.2 miles)
Elevation change: + / - 204m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): South Downs Way, Weald Way
Other routes touched (cycle): None
Other routes touched (run): Beachy Head Marathon
Pubs / Cafes on route: Several on Eastbourne sea front, The Kiosk at the start of the SDW, The Beachy Head pub
Trig Pillar: TP0453 - Beachy Head
Map: OS Explorer OL25 Eastbourne & Beachy Head
Links: Eastbourne, Eastbourne Pier, Beachy Head

For me this was a walk largely designed to bag the OS Trig Pillar at the top of Beachy Head. I’d had a couple of near misses, most notably on the final stretch of the Beachy Head Marathon, but never got to touch it. The pillar is actually a very easy to get on a drive-by as it’s just behind the big pub on Beachy Head Road. It would be a shame to miss out on the walk though as it’s a South Downs classic.

This is definitely a walk of two halves with a central hill section bookended by the flat, coastal out-and back from the pier. If you just wanted to do the hilly part you can save 5k and do the big loop starting either from The Beachy Head pub or from the start of the South Downs Way on Dukes Drive. If you’ve got the time the full 10k route is well worth it and gives you a diverse “Down and Town” trip.

We started from the pier entrance on the B2106 Grand Parade with a circuit of the pier. A combination of it being December and just out of the latest Covid Lockdown meant that there was nothing going on there at the time. After the pier, follow the Promenade south, keeping to the higher path when you have an option. After ~2.5k you’ll reach the sign that marks the start of the 100 mile South Downs Way. Follow the South Downs Way up a steep hill and continue for a further 2km until you reach the cliff-edge RAF memorial. To visit the Trig Pillar walk a further 100m up hill to the north-west then retrace your steps back to the memorial.

To return, take the first footpath to the left of the memorial (as you face the sea). Descend on the steep path to the cliff edge (but not too far) and continue round heading north back to Eastbourne. When you reach the cliff edge look back to the south along the coast for a great view of Beachy Head Lighthouse. Keep the the cliff-edge path and you’ll end up back at the kiosk on Dukes Drive. From here return to the pier following the lower promenade along the top of the beach.

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Richard gowerTrek, Coast, South Downs, National Park, Sussex, EnglandComment
Pevensey Castle and Hankham Circular Walk
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Start & Finish: Pevensey Castle Car Park, Pevensey, BN24 5LF
Distance: 11.4 km (7 miles)
Elevation change: + / - 80m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): 1066 Country Walk - South Downs Link
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 2
Pubs / Cafes on route: Royal Oak and Castle (Pevensey), Pevensey Castle Tea Room, Cafe at Sharnfold Farm Near Stone Cross
Map: OS Explorer OL25 Eastbourne & Beachy Head
Links: Pevensey, Pevensey Castle, 1066 Country Walk

Now that my brother-in-law has moved to Eastbourne this is likely to be the first of several walks we’ll be doing in the area. We chose Pevensey Castle as a good meeting point near to the town and a great start for a flat countryside walk.

From the Pevensey Castle Car park, the walk starts in the grounds of the castle. It’s an English Heritage property but you only have to pay to enter the ruins of the main part of the castle. At the south-west end of the castle grounds take a right onto High Street and cross over the B2191. Here you’ll pick up the 1066 Country Walk which you’ll follow for 3km in a westerly direction to Stone Cross.

The Stone Cross section of the 1066 Walk is on the busy Dittons Road. It’s only for 800m though and you’ll be able to take a right back onto a footpath. After crossing the A27 Pevensey Bypass (crossing very carefully!) you’ll reach Sharnfold Farm with a Farm Shop and Cafe for a mid-point rest.

From Sharnfold Farm cross over the Hailsham road and into a large field. The path across the field wasn’t visible when we were there but it’s in a roughly north east direction crossing under the electricity lines. At the north end of the field the route follows a stream bed and through a farm into Hankham. Take a left onto Hankham Street and follow the road for 2km to Rickney.

Just before Rickney Road crosses the river and joins Rickney Lane take a footpath on the right. This follows Pevensey Haven River all the way back to Pevensey. This was extremely muddy on the day that we went so be sure to take boots if it’s even remotely damp. You’ll cross over the busy A27 for a final time before reaching Castle Road and back to the car park at the start.

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Richard gowerTrek, English Heritage, Sussex, EnglandComment
Walking The South Bucks Way Part 4: Little Kingshill to Little Missenden
View to Little Missenden on the Chiltern Heritage Trail / South Bucks Way

View to Little Missenden on the Chiltern Heritage Trail / South Bucks Way

Start & Finish: The Red Lion, 1 Highmore Cottages, Little Missenden, Amersham, HP7 0RB
Distance: 9.9 km (6.1 miles)
Elevation change: + / - 104m
South Bucks Way section covered: Little Kingshill to Little Missenden: 3.47 km
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Chiltern Heritage Trail
Other routes touched (cycle): Chilterns Heritage Trail: Hampden Route
Pubs / Cafes on route: The Red Lion and The Crown Inn at the start and finish in Little Missenden. The Square and The Earl Howe in Holmer Green
Map: OS Explorer Map (172) Chiltern Hills East
Links: River Misbourne, Little Missenden, Great Kingshill, Holmer Green

The South Bucks Way is a 37 km (23-mile) trail that promises a delightful escape for walkers and hikers. This scenic route, often overshadowed by its more famous counterparts, offers a tranquil journey through charming villages, lush countryside, and the gentle murmur of the River Misbourne. This post is part of a series of circular walks featuring the South Bucks Way. The full trail stretches from Coombe Hill near Wendover to the Grand Union Canal at Denham. Our walks take in short sections of the South Bucks Way and loop back to the start on other paths. The South Bucks Way is well sign-posted however you’ll need a map or GPX route to keep on track for the return sections of the loops. The guidance below will help but don’t use it as a fully accurate turn-by-turn guide.

From the Crown Inn in Little Missenden village centre, cross Village Road and follow the Chiltern Heritage Trail south for 2.65 km. When you reach Beaumond End Lane, cross it to take the footpath on the other side rather than continuing along the Chiltern Heritage Trail. Cross over Sheepcote Dell Road and follow the footpath across the field to reach Hogg Lane. Take a right onto Earl Howe Lane and follow it in a northerly direction through Holmer Green village. Here you pass a few pubs and cafes for a mid-walk rest.

Continue up New Pond Road, take a left onto Beech Tree Road, a right onto Watchet Lane, then take the first footpath on the left. Follow the path through fields and woods in a north-westerly direction until you reach Windsor Lane in Little Kingshill. Here you’ll connect with the end of the South Bucks Way section of Part 3. Take a right onto Windsor Lane to follow the South Bucks Way/Chiltern Heritage Trail back to the start at Little Missenden.

Richard gowerTrek, Chilterns, Buckinghamshire, EnglandComment
Walking The South Bucks Way Part 5: Little Missenden and Shardeloes
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Start & Finish: The Red Lion, 1 Highmore Cottages, Little Missenden, Amersham, HP7 0RB
Distance: 8.1 km (5.0 miles)
Elevation change: + / - 74m
South Bucks Way section covered: Little Missenden to Shardeloes: 2.84 km
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Chiltern Heritage Trail, South Bucks Way
Other routes touched (cycle): Chilterns Heritage Trail: Hampden Route
Pubs / Cafes on route: The Red Lion and The Crown Inn at the start and end in Little Missenden and Koko’s Food Truck (2.5 km in)
Map: OS Explorer Map (172) Chiltern Hills East
Links: River Misbourne, Little Missenden, Shardeloes

The South Bucks Way is a 37 km (23-mile) trail that promises a delightful escape for walkers and hikers. This scenic route, often overshadowed by its more famous counterparts, offers a tranquil journey through charming villages, lush countryside, and the gentle murmur of the River Misbourne. This post is part of a series of circular walks featuring the South Bucks Way. The full trail stretches from Coombe Hill near Wendover to the Grand Union Canal at Denham. Our walks take in short sections of the South Bucks Way and loop back to the start on other paths. The South Bucks Way is well sign-posted however you’ll need a map or GPX route to keep on track for the return sections of the loops. The guidance below will help but don’t use it as a fully accurate turn-by-turn guide.

From the Crown Inn in Little Missenden Village Centre, walk east along Highmore Cottages road, taking the South Bucks Way footpath when the road curves left toward the A413. You’ll now be on an easily navigable path parallel to the Misbourne through fields and into the Shardeloes Estate. At the entrance to the Cricket Ground take a right onto the driveway (leaving the South Bucks Way) up to Shardeloes house and look for the footpath on the left about 300m up the drive. There’s 2 paths here and you’ll need to take the right hand one heading in a south-westerly direction. This is another long, straight path with few options to get lost.

Just over 2 km from the Shardeloes Drive you’ll cross Mop End Lane and into a farmer’s field. Cross this until you meet The Chiltern Way on Toby’s Lane. Take a right onto Toby’s Lane and follow it as it descends back down to Highmore Cottages. An alternative to continuing all the way down Toby’s Lane is to take the footpath that crosses diagonally across a field to Beamond End Lane. It doesn’t save much distance or elevation but you do get a good view of the village.

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Richard gowerTrek, Chilterns, Buckinghamshire, EnglandComment
Chiltern Walks: Denham Golf Club and Bakers Wood
Where the Misbourne meets the Chiltern Line and M25

Where the Misbourne meets the Chiltern Line and M25

Start & Finish: Denham Golf Club Station, Denham, Uxbridge, UB9 5EL
Distance: 4.9 km (3.0 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 67 m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): None
Other routes touched (cycle): None
Pubs / Cafes on route: None
Map: OS Explorer Map (172) Chiltern Hills East
Links: River Misbourne, Denham, Denham Golf Club Station, Baker’s Wood

This trip was both part of our River Misbourne Circulars and our walks based around the rail and underground stations of the Chilterns. The River Misbourne runs from its source at Great Missenden, to Denham where it joins the Colne. There’s much more interesting, less-motorwayey walks on the Misbourne so this is probably one for the completists. 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.

From Denham Golf Club Station, follow Station Approach and the imaginatively named Middle Road and Side Road south to the Community Centre. Continue further south on a footpath along a private farm road, crossing the Misbourne. The path climbs steeply up through woods and onto Broken Gate Lane, the main road in Bakers Wood. When the lane meets Red Hill take a right and find the gate into Caps Wood. By keeping to the main path through the wood you’ll pass a Thames Water plant on the right and come out onto a noisy, ugly layby on the A413 within sight of the M25 fly-over. This isn’t a great part of the walk but it’s soon over when you take the footpath into the fields on the right before the M25.

The footpath runs parallel to the motorway for ~600 metres, crossing over the Misbourne on a narrow wooden footbridge. The area at the end of the bridge was flooded when we were there so we had to scale a farm fence to avoid a soaking. Not far along from here you’ll pass under the intersection of the Chiltern Rail line and the M25 where the Misbourne flows under both in a tunnel. After the bridges the footpath start to curve round to the right (east) and up a hill to Over The Misbourne Road. Continue along the road marveling at the oversized houses before turning right onto Slade Oak Lane. This will take you back down to Denham Golf Club station. It’s a narrow road with no pavement but fair quiet and safe enough if you watch and listen out for cars.

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Richard gowerTrek, Chilterns, Colne Valley, Railway, Buckinghamshire, EnglandComment
Chiltern Walks: Denham Village and Country Park
Old Mill, Denham

Old Mill, Denham

Start & Finish: Denham Station, Denham, Uxbridge, UB9 5ES
Distance: 4.4 km (2.7 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 20m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): South Bucks Way
Other routes touched (cycle): none
Pubs / Cafes on route: Colne Valley Cafe at the Colne Valley Regional Park Visitors’ Centre, plus 3 pubs in Denham Village
Map: OS Explorer Map (172) Chiltern Hills East
Links: River Misbourne, Denham, Denham Station, Denham Country Park, Denham Place

This trip was both part of our River Misbourne Circulars and our walks based around the rail and underground stations of the Chilterns. The River Misbourne runs from its source at Great Missenden, to Denham where it joins the Colne. Although it’s outside of the Chiltern Hills AONB, I’ve included it in my Chiltern Walks collection as it connects two of the Chiltern rivers. 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.

To start this walk, exit from the south side of Denham station and take The Phygtle to Denham Village. The path ends at the gates of Denham Place where we met a couple of staff about the meaning of Phygtle. We were told that it means pig-tail, which sounds great but he was probably making it up. The only other definition that I found for the name was that it’s an old English word for a small plot of land.

At the end of The Phygtle, turn right and follow Village Road until it meets Old Mill Road at the Misbourne. Take a left off the road and onto the South Bucks Way footpath. Follow this across the golf course, past the Colne Valley Park Visitors Centre, over Denham Court Drive and into Denham Country Park. From the car park take the north-eastern path that curves round to the north between the River Colne and the Grand Union Canal.

Although I’d been a regular visitor to the Country Park, I’d mainly used it as a base to explore the Grand Union. This was the first time that I’d walked through the interior of the park. It’s a lovely, quiet spot in an otherwise busy area. It was also extremely wet when we were there giving us an unexpected adventure of avoiding the puddle/lakes that had taken over much of the path.

Normally this route would curve round to the west on a path running parallel to the railway. A bridge over the Colne was closed at the time so we had to double back and take a diversion along the Grand Union instead (see below for details). The best ways to check the state of the bridge in advance are to either visit the Country Park website or to see if there’s a Footpath Closed sign at the other end of the path near Denham Station when you start the trip.

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Diversion

Start & Finish: Denham Station, Denham, Uxbridge, UB9 5ES
Distance: 6.0 km (3.7 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 20m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): South Bucks Way, Grand Union Canal Towpath, Colne Valley Trail
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 6, 61
Pubs / Cafes on route: Colne Valley Cafe at the Colne Valley Regional Park Visitors’ Centre, plus 3 pubs in Denham Village
Map: OS Explorer Map (172) Chiltern Hills East

With the River Colne footbridge closed, the best diversion is to leave the Country Park south of the bridge and walk north along the Grand Union Canal. This adds an extra 1.6 km / 1 mile to the overall trip length but no extra elevation. The main advantage of the diversion is that you get to see the old brick rail bridge as it crosses the canal. The main downside is that you also get to see the destruction of the HS2 works as it rips up the area a bit further along. When you reach the first road bridge, leave the canal onto Moorhall Road and head south-west back toward Denham. It’s a busy, unattractive road, especially with the HS2 works, but it’s safe enough with a pavement. Turn left onto Savay Lane then right onto the South Bucks Way and you’re back onto the Phygtle toward Denham Station.

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Richard gowerTrek, Chilterns, Colne Valley, Railway, Buckinghamshire, England, MiddlesexComment
Chiltern Walks: Gerrards Cross and Chalfont St Peter
Gerrards Cross Golf Club

Gerrards Cross Golf Club

Start & Finish: Gerrards Cross Station, Station Approach, Gerrards Cross, SL9 8PL
Distance: 6.3 km (3.9 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 49m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): None
Other routes touched (cycle): None
Pubs / Cafes on route: Several in Chalfont St Peter Village Centre and Gerrards Cross Town Centre
Map: OS Explorer Map (172) Chiltern Hills East
Links: River Misbourne, Gerrards Cross, Gerrards Cross Station, Chalfont St Peter

This trip was both part of our River Misbourne Circulars and our walks based around the rail and underground stations of the Chilterns. The River Misbourne runs from its source at Great Missenden, to Denham where it joins the Colne.

This is the first of a set of shorter routes at the southern end of the Misbourne. The open fields of the upper part of the valley now make way for residential areas, roads and golf courses. It’s also the part where the river meets the Chiltern Line connecting Gerrards Cross, Denham Gold Club and Denham with London. 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.

From Gerrards Cross station take the footpath that runs parallel to the railway in a north-westerly direction. At Bull Lane you can get a good view of the railway cutting and the station. Turn right onto Bull Lane and continue north through footpaths and residential streets to Gold Hill Baptist Church. You are now at the top end of Chalfont St Peter. Descend via Gold Hill East onto Market Place until you reach the small roundabout in the village centre. Watch out for the several Heritage Plaques around the town that show old photos and information about the village.

From the village centre roundabout take a left onto high street and go through the A413 underpass. This comes out at the Chalfont St Peter Youth Centre wher you’ll take a right to follow a path that runs parallel to the A413 and the Misbourne. Just after the path joins Woodside Hill take a footpath on the left through Gerrards Cross Golf Club. On the far side of the golf course the path rejoins the Misbourne through Round Copse. You’ll soon meet a T-junction and a bridge which is as far as you can follow the Misbourne until it crosses under the M25. Take a right here and leave the river behind you as you walk east back to the A413. Cross over the A413, taking care here as its a busy dual carriageway. Once across follow a footpath that runs between back gardens, over Packhorse Road and onto Orchehill Avenue. When Orchehill Avenue curves to the right take the footpath on the left and follow it back to Gerrards Cross Station.

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Richard gowerTrek, Chilterns, Colne Valley, Railway, Buckinghamshire, EnglandComment