Walking in England - The Chilterns.
Greensand Ridge, Clifton Hampden, Wittenham Clumps and Hill Fort, Shillingford and Dorchester Abbey Walks in The Chilterns - England.
3Locks-Old Linslade-GreenSand Ridge-Great Brickhill-3Locks This 11 mile circular walk takes you along the Grand Union Canal, then into the woodland of Rushmere Park (with it's Redwoods), down to a small pleasant lake to stop for a sandwich, then along via the GreenSand Ridge to Great Brickhill and finally back along the Grand Union to the pub at the 3 Locks. The walk is not very hilly but note that in the winter it can be very cold and windy out along here - of the 4 times we have walked this we have been lucky enough to be snowed on 3 times and rained on the other time. The map relevant to this walk is OS Explorer 192. The walk starts from a car park where the Soulbury road meets the A4146 at grid reference [ SP 89220 28290 ].
Leave the car park and turn right to go over the bridge and then right again onto the towpath of the Grand Union Canal. Follow the canal along going under two small bridges and eventually the church at Old Linslade comes into view ahead of you. Climb the steps by the bridge to get onto the road (if you go right and across the bridge you can visit the nice church next to Old Linslade Manor - it is well worth a diversion from the main walk) and then go left - just after the road crosses a narrow bridge (this is the second bridge) over a stream take a small path in the hedgerow on the right and follow this as it heads diagonally up across the field to the far corner by the tree line - you have now joined the Greensand Ridge Walk. Continue into the woods and stay on this pleasant path as it wanders through the woods to eventually arrive back on the road at Rushmere.
Carry on up this now very
wide track through the woods to arrive at another main cross track** marked to Scotsgrove Park 1/2 Mile.
Go right here and walk down to reach a track junction by a concreted area, go left taking the
climbing path - the path levels out more and there is a coral wooden
fence now on the left. Eventually arrive at a gate, go on through and stay ahead
as the path soon drops down to meet a path on the left, take this path to carry on down to the lake.
There are quite a few paths round here and you can walk round the
lake - for the purposes of our walk instructions we went anti-clockwise. When
you are nearly round the like there is an old brick boating house to look at -
then a little further on the path splits with one path going on round the lake.
There are two bench seats here which are ideally placed to stop for a
picnic/drink. At the previously mentioned path junction go straight ahead to
walk through pine trees - there are several smaller ponds and boggy areas on the
left. The path rises up a little to meet the original inbound path.
Turn right and walk back up the track to reach the track junction** again, turn right to continue walking along the GreenSand Ridge and to eventually join a small dirt road at Vane. Continue along this small road to a junction, go right and then as the road bends take the marked path going off to the left into the woods. Continue on this narrow, enclosed and sandy path - the path joins a wide track - always stay in the same direction through more woodland to eventually walk down to reach farm gates which is where you finally leave the Greensand Ridge Walk - Rammamere Farm is directly ahead. Go through the gates and then go half left to cross a stile on a bank at the field corner - follow this path up the field and as it levels off look out for and cross a double stile in the hedgerow on the left - this can be quite obscured but it is located just after passing a nearbye telegraph pole.
Go left in front of the church on the small road - after a short distance go through a gate on the right and then soon over a stile into open ground - the path is quite obscure but simply go half right to walk down hill gradually merging with a very old stone and brick wall on your right.. As you reach the bottom of the slope continue over the stiles and then the path turns right with woods now on the right - this green path soon comes to a field edge, go half left across it to reach a road with Westfield Farm opposite. Turn left and continue along the road - passing over a river with several weirs - to arrive a the Grand Union canal. Go down to the canal towpath and turn left - continue along the towpath eventually passing Stoke Hammond Lock and walk back to the start point at the 3 Locks.
Clifton Hampden - Wittenham Clumps and Hill Fort - Shillingford - Dorchester
- Clifton Hampden. Another circular walk this time of just over 14 miles - the walk starts by
the River Thames then crosses countryside to Long Wittenham - continues up to
the hill fort at Castle Hill and the Clumps themselves then onto Shillingford.
From there its over to the Roman Town of Dorchester with it's Abbey and finally
back down to the River Thames for a walk back to the start.
The walk is basically quite flat with only a couple of short ascents by the Hill Fort and
Wittenham Clumps. The walk starts from the large (and at time of writing
free) parking area opposite the Barley Mow pub (by Clifton Hampden bridge).
Turn right out of the car park to head back towards the bridge - after a few metres a path on the right takes you off the road and heads on
down to the River Thames. Follow the river bank (going away from the bridge) and cross two more fields to reach a path junction - turn right
going inland - this path can be quite wet and boggy initially but is much dryer after a while and becomes a wide hedge lined green track. Continue along to eventually reach a track junction, turn right and head on to and past New Barn Farm - to
eventually arrive at Long Wittenham.
At the road junction turn left - shortly the road bears right - take a path on the left on the bend
and follow this to Hill Farm and then onto a road - turn right and follow this
small road along to the Wittenham Clumps car park on your left. Walk on up to
the Hill Fort and have a look round as you wish, then head over to the Clumps and enjoy them too.
From the top of the clumps looking north you can see Little
Wittenham and it's church some way below and to the right Dorchester Abbey is clearly visible. Leave the Clumps going down the steeper side and heading
directly towards Little Wittenham - as the hill starts to flatten take a path
going off to the right alongside a hedgerow which goes into Little Wittenham Woods - stay on this
wide path though the woods and then eventually out into fields always keeping in
the same basic easterly direction and passing LowerHill Farm on your left.
The path turns left to immediately reach a small road, turn right and
continue past Shillingford Farm to reach the main road. Turn left and continue
along the main road - look out for and take a path on the left (still marked
Thames Path) and take this down towards the river.
Turn
right and head in a westerly direction along the river bank - Dorchester and
it's Abbey are now clearly visible more or less in front of you. At a small foot
bridge leave the river and head north to reach the Dorchester road, turn left
and cross the really long bridge to enter the village - as you cross the bridge
look out for a small and very picturesque Catholic Church quite hidden in the
trees on the left. Take note of a small road on the left going sharply back just
as you leave the bridge - this will be the next part of the walk but first of
course Dorchester Abbey is ahead of you and certainly worth a look round - also
there is a pub here should a drink be required. Walk back to the main road and
take the previously mentioned small road - this soon passes the Catholic Church
now on the left - a really nice building and well worth a few minutes diversion.
Continue past the Church and almost immediately go right into Wittenham Lane to pick up a path
(marked to Wittenham Clumps) - go past several houses and then on reaching
open ground Dyke Hills are now ahead of you - walk over to the mounds and turn
right alongside them now with a fence on your left. At the end of Hills the path goes diagonally left
down via high hedgerows towards the river - as it comes out
into open ground the Thames is now visible in front of you - half way across the
field the path splits - take the left fork to go to Little Wittenham Bridge i.e.
don't yet head towards the lock. Cross the bridge and walk along the small road
to visit Little Wittenham's delightful little church - and also it's welcome
seat - from where you get a good view of the Clumps again.
Walk back down to and cross the bridge, but now turn left to go over to Day's Lock. Cross the lock and the
weir and then turn right to walk back the three miles along the Thames bank to reach Clifton Hampden Bridge and
the original starting point.
Hiking instructions using The Ridgeway for circular walks in Southern England including Chequers, Hill Forts and Ivinghoe Beacon.
The walks use The Ridgeway to make circular walks of between 5 and 15 miles. Other walks include National Trails such as the Oxfordshire Way, Icknield Way and the South Bucks Way as well as parts of Grim's Ditch and The Thames Path. GPS readings are OSGB British Grid and shown in [ ]s and are in easterly and northerly order. Entering the correct Grid Letters into your GPS is important - the first walk uses SP grid letters.
Wormsley Estate including part of The Ridgeway. Take the A40 heading from Stokenchurch towards
Oxford and turn left at the signpost marked Christmas Common - the road
crosses the M40 and then after about 1 mile you will see Cowleaze Woods on
your left - where there is ample parking.
We have walked round this area so many times and I don't believe we have once failed to have the pleasure
of watching lots of the red kites wheeling around above us, also there are frequent sightings
of buzzards, kestrels and other birds of prey too.
With the road in front of you go right
through the parking area and as you get to the end just before the grassed
picnic area turn left to cross the road and take a lane/gravel track (Hill
Road) opposite. This track winds down through woods (Rowant Nature reserve
is either side of you) and eventually flattens out in an open area with
the M40 visible on your right - continue straightish on with Hill Farm on
your right and shortly afterwards arrive at
a major cross track - this is were The Ridgeway crosses. Turn left and now follow this
ancient trail as it wanders through open countryside for a while and then
dives into woodland. Just keep following this trail until the next
cross-junction (which is in fact a metal road and also the Oxfordshire Way).
Carry straight on along the Ridgeway until you see a kissing gate on your left which has
"The Ridgeway" signpost (if you reach the metal road you have gone too far) - go through
the gate - now you have some wooden steps in front of you but don't use these - instead
turn left heading around the hill on a sunken path which then starts to climb fairly easily
upwards - continue on up the hillside now with lovely views to your left and after a
little while you will see Pyrton House down below you.
It eventually becomes a grassy track which goes through small recently planted trees - when it bears right you
soon pass a monument (urn?) and then here go slightly left and the path
then continues on passing a walled garden on your left and arrives at a
private road. Go right just a little way and then left over a stile into a
field, cross this field, then cross another small private road and yet
another field and arrive onto a grassy track.
Turn left and follow this track as it goes through a small copse and then follows a field edge to become a wider
track which eventually arrives at a metal road - Wormsley Estate is on your left. Continue straight on along the
tarmac road until you come to some houses - having passed a thatched yellow cottage take the footpath
which goes off to the left. This path winds up through woods for some distance and becomes a grassy
track after a while - after it more or less flattens out you will find a cross track - take the path
going left down through woods - cross a field with Lower Vicar's Farm below and then on your right. Passing
to the left of the buildings you arrive at a small road, turn left and after a few metres look for a gap
in the hedge on the right with a stile - this path takes you up and across the field towards the wood edge (Cowleaze Woods).
Enter the woods and continue straight on through the woods with a field on your right - this will bring
you back through the picnic area and to the car park.
Below Pulpit Woods - Whiteleaf Hill - Pulpit Hill Fort - Chequers. This circular walk of around 5 miles is just right to get your legs going since it includes 3 moderate climbs (total climb around 1800 feet), takes in bits of The Ridgeway, Whiteleaf Hill, Pulpit Hill and it's Hill Fort and a view of Chequers. There is hardly any road to walk - just forest paths and tracks - and also really great views of the surrounding countryside. There are loads of paths and tracks around this area with quite a few not on any map so the route description is unfortunately quite long - the use of a map (O.S. Explorer 181 Chiltern Hills North) before and during the walk is still quite a good idea. Take the A4010 heading from Princes Risborough to Aylesbury and about half a mile after crossing the Askett/Lower Cadsen roundabout just before reaching Great Kimble the road dips - on the right you will see a cottage and a quite long lay-bye - park here. [ SP 82536 05815 ]
The walk starts on a track which passes on the left side of the cottage - stay on this track and eventually go right over a stile when you reach a black-painted signpost pointing to The Ridgeway and Pulpit Hill - follow The Ridgeway as it goes out into more open countryside - the path goes beneath Pulpit Woods high up on the left and eventually reaches a wide set of cross tracks by a large farm gate. Turn right on the cross track and almost immediately left to continue on The Ridgeway as it goes through bushes for a few yards and then comes out into a field - follow the path diagonally across the field to the trees - continue into the trees and take the stepped path down to the Cadsen Road. [ SP 82487 04710 ]
Go left to take this path uphill - there are houses on your left and woods on your right. At a junction take the second path on the right (signposted Icknield Way) to go steeply
up to the top of Whiteleaf Hill (where there are great views of the surrounding countryside and of course the cross from here).
Turn left back onto The Ridgeway passing through a gap in a wooden fence and continue along and
eventually steeply down through Giles Woods. The path flattens out a little and when you reach a cross path turn right to
leave The Ridgeway - this narrow path splits after a few yards - take the right
fork and walk steeply up through the woods - simply stay on this path until it
eventually drops down onto a green track. Turn left and stay on the track until
you reach another set of cross tracks. Go right onto a path which immediately
forks - take the right fork and go up yet again into woods - continue along
until you reach a path going off to the left - take this path and follow it to
reach yet another fork - go left until this path joins a cross path - turn right
and walk down to a main track below. Cross the stile and take this wide track
left as it goes up and out of the dip - now follow this track to the road.
Cross the road onto the car park entrance track and go immediately right up the signposted path - go left when it forks and head
up into the woods via a stile - the path reaches a green track going right - take this track and follow it until it joins another green crossing track.
Turn sharp left and now follow this track along as it heads towards
Pulpit Hill Fort. Ignore any tracks and paths joining - also continue past
both Pulpit Hill Fort signs - to reach the far side of the fort at a path
junction. Turn right and follow the path staying on the edge of the steep
drop on your left (however it is worth diverting right to go and have a
good look round the fort).
The path eventually goes through a gap in a wire fence
and reaches a cross path, turn right and follow this a short distance to
then take a small path on the left - follow this down through the trees to
reach a fence. Cross over and turn immediately right down with the fence
on your right - Chequers comes into view and the path ends by a metal gate
[SP 83560 05432]. (If you want a better view of Chequers go through
the gate and continue right along The Ridgeway for a while - unfortunately
the left side of the path has been lined with cut up railway track sunk
into concrete, presumably to protect the prime minister (currently named
Blair) from killer sheep, rabbits or cows... - visibly extremely ugly and
a poor way to treat one of our National Trails.)
At the gate turn left and follow the edge of the
woods - when you get near to a very large tree in front of you turn
left across the grass and soon drop down to a stile - cross this and then
take the right hand grassy path - follow this across the field and then
left round it's edge to eventually arrive at a stile. Turn right - then go
right again where the path forks leaving The Ridgeway and follow this path
back to a stile. Turn right and go back down the original outbound track
to the original start.
Marsworth Lock - Ivinghoe Beacon - Tring - Marsworth Lock. This circular walk starts off next to the Grand Union at Marsworth reservoirs, goes across fields to then climb up to the Beacon, then on to Tring using The Ridgeway and a little bit of Grims Ditch and finally back along the Grand Union to Marsworth - so the middle part involves several fairly short but quite steep climbs and the rest of it is fairly flat. The trip is about 12 miles in all and makes for a really good walk with lots of countryside and canal boats and really good views all on offer - our photos were taken in the winter so not too much foliage or light around but in the Spring, Summer and early Autumn the woods and paths etc. are really lovely to walk through. Also don't forget to bring some bread along for the poor starving ducks - it's surprising they can actually fly since they are so podgy..
This walk starts at the large car park by the reservoirs at Marsworth (on the B489) [ SP 91971 14077 ]. Walk back to and cross the road, go right to now go over the hump back bridge - then walk down the steps to the Grand Union Canal. Turn right (i.e. don't go back under the bridge) and head off along the tow path - passing lots of canal boats and with the smell of burning coal fires and probably food wafting around from the moored barges. Continue along the bank until you come to a bridge - go up and over the bridge to go back down onto the tow path on the other side. Continue along the tow path eventually passing some locks - when you have walked under the railway bridge cross over the canal on a swing bridge several hundred metres further on. The path goes virtually straight ahead away from the swing bridge - just keep going passing fields and then a wooded area to eventually arrive at a road.
Ivinghoe's very large church is slightly to
the left ahead of you - cross the road and go over to the church and perhaps have
a look round it. Leave the church via a small iron gate - turn right and
shortly take a very small road on the left which goes down between some old cottages
and houses to arrive at a junction by a pub. Turn right and as the road
ends go straight ahead on a bridleway - this is another really nice part of the
walk - the hedge rows are full of birds etc.. The path continues virtually
straight ahead - passing a golf club on the left and eventually passing a
cottage on the right - now the path is a wide track and this takes you
eventually to a road. Just as you reach the roadside take a marked path on
your right which goes along just on the edge of a field and with the road
on your left. The path turns sharply right
(marked Two Ridges Walk) and goes off across fields alongside a fence on
your right to eventually reach another fence -
then it turns sharply left
and continues alongside a fence but now climbing heavily - simply follow
this path to eventually reach a road (the B489 in fact) - Beacon Hill is
directly ahead of you. Cross the road and then shortly go left onto a
small road - just after the cattle grid take a very very steep path on the left
which goes straight up the hillside - this will get your knees going OK.
At the top on a clear day there are really good views of the surrounding
countryside as well as the various reservoirs - there also several tumulus to have a walk around up here.
This is one end of our famous Ridgeway National Trail though there is nothing in the way of signs to tell you this -
(Ivinghoe is below you on the right). Head south on it back down the hill to arrive back at the small road
[ SP 96039 16324 ] - cross the road and continue on up The Ridgeway
(now marked (an acorn) as such) at first on steep grassy slopes and then eventually at
the top of the climb into woods - now heading in a south westerly direction.
As you leave the woods go down some wooden steps and at a track junction turn right and at the next junction turn left - this is still all marked as The Ridgeway. Continue on the track between high hedgerows - at the next cross track turn right (this is still The Ridgeway) to walk down to the road - go right along the road and walk on down to Tring railway station. Go over the railway bridge and continue up the road - just before the canal bridge leave The Ridgeway and take steps on the right leading down onto the Grand Union Canal towpath [SP 94784 12123 ]. Turn right and now simply follow the canal back to the car park at Marsworth.
For other walks in England which involve or incorporate English National Trails including The Ridgeway, The Oxfordshire Way, The Icknield Way and The South Bucks Way as well as parts of Grim's Ditch, The Thames Path and the Oxford Canal please check our English Walks Guides.
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