This figure of 8 walk in the Chilterns takes in the historical village of West Wycombe, the village of Bradenham and the Hughenden Manor estate. Please feel free to bring along a Christmas jumper too!
Walk details
Starting from the top of West Wycombe Hill, we will head out through some woodland, with views of the Saunderton valley and Chiltern Line railway track to be seen on the right.
After a while, we will descend into Bradenham with a brief visit to Bradenham Manor, mostly used now by accountancy firm Grant Thornton for internal training courses. We will then carry on through Great Cookshall Wood where just after the farm buildings, we should have some great views back towards West Wycombe Hill.
Eventually, we will arrive in the Hughenden estate, best known for being the country home of Victorian Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli. After a brief peep at the house, we will then turn back and head towards Downley along the bottom of Echo Valley. After crossing the cricket pitch, we will enter the West Wycombe Estate before arriving back at the middle of the figure of 8 and heading down the valley back towards West Wycombe.
We will reach the road that goes up to the car park before climbing West Wycombe Hill up to the Mausoleum where there should be some lovely views overlooking the Chiltern Valley. We will then return to the car park via St Lawrence’s Church.
Travel details
By public transport, take the 10:45 link40 bus from High Wycombe, alighting at West Wycombe Village Hall, and walk from there to the start point. If travelling from Reading, take the 800 bus from Friar Street at 09:15 and change in High Wycombe. This is quite a lengthy bus journey, so car sharing may be a preferable alternative if possible.
There is a car park at the top of West Wycombe Hill where there should be plenty of space and where we will start. Please take care if following your sat nav as the postcode will take you to a residential area nowhere near the car park! When turning right off the A40, make sure you take another immediate right up Church Lane and follow to the car park.
Notes
- If you or someone else from your household has COVID-19 symptoms, please do not attend.
- Please be considerate to other path users and step aside to let people past – and don’t forget to say ‘hi’ or ‘thanks’!
- Please bring a packed lunch and a drink.
- It might be muddy – please wear suitable footwear.
- If it’s a rainy day, please bring waterproofs.
- Please feel free to contact the leader with queries about the walk, or if you are delayed on the day.
Booking details
- Do not turn up for the walk without booking, else we will have to turn you away.
- Book a place on this walk by completing this Google Form. Booking will open the Wednesday evening before the walk.
- If you have any queries, please email walkbookings@berkshirewalkers.co.uk.