In the Chilterns, the mosaic of fields, hedges, woods, sunken lanes and streams creates an intimate landscape of enormous variety and charm. Prehistoric trackways such as the Ridgeway and the Iron Age forts scattered along the hills give a sense of the ancient history of the Chilterns. Sunken lanes climbing steep hills, the remains of medieval woodland and commonland and ancient hedgerows marking parish boundaries are ancient features you may come across on any walk.

Whatever time of year you visit there is something to enjoy. Wander through a Chilterns beechwood at the end of April and marvel at the carpets of bluebells beneath the spring green leaves. The Ashridge Estate near Berkhamsted or Ipsden Heath in south Oxfordshire are among the best of the Chilterns’ bluebell woods. In June open grassland sites such as Aston Rowant near Watlington or the Barton Hills north of Luton are covered in orchids and other chalk-loving flowers. Autumn sees the woods turning dramatic shades of red, gold and orange, especially after a long, hot summer. Crisp winter months are the best time to see the red kites, re-introduced to the area over 10 years ago, as they soar over woods and fields and even people’s back gardens! For thousands of years people and goods have travelled along the natural highway provided by the hills.

Today, the extensive network of footpaths and bridleways that criss-crosses the area is well-used by walkers. Getting out of the towns and onto the well-signposted paths is one of the best ways of appreciating the beauty and tranquillity of this lovely countryside.  Across the whole area there are promoted walking routes which you can follow using individual printed guides and rights-of-way markers. The routes vary from 1.5 miles to 10 miles and there are ones to suit all abilities from keen walkers to those with limited mobility. Some of the walks start and finish at train stations and town centres, making it easier to enjoy a day out without the car. Within a relatively short distance you can enjoy both the drama of a viewpoint on the hills and the peace of a quiet valley far from traffic. Most local towns have information centres stocking plenty of leaflets on local walks.

For those who appreciate a longer hike there are two long distance routes in the Chilterns: the Ridgeway and Thames Path National Trails. The Ridgeway follows the spine of the hills, ending at Ivinghoe Beacon near Tring. This is an ancient route, in use for around five thousand years by people travelling from South West England to East Anglia. Today it provides several days of very enjoyable walking through the Chilterns, with plenty of opportunities to stop at country pubs for refreshment. Along the southern boundary of the Chilterns the Thames Path National Trail provides gentle walking and lovely vistas of the Thames Valley.

While in the area you will probably spend time in one of the local towns such as Henley, High Wycombe, Wendover or Tring. These offer plenty of opportunities to do some shopping, eat at a good restaurant or visit the local Tourist Information Centre. Outside the towns the area is dotted with charming villages, built out of local brick, flint and timber. Places such as Lilley and Aldbury in Hertfordshire, Cholesbury and Turville in Buckinghamshire and the memorably-named Christmas Common in Oxfordshire all have great character and, perhaps more importantly, great pubs serving local beer and tasty food. There are some well-established countryside sites with plenty of space for walks and picnics as well as toilet and information facilities. Dunstable Downs in Bedfordshire, the National Trust Ashridge Estate in Hertfordshire, Wendover Woods in Buckinghamshire and the Warburg Wildlife Reserve in Oxfordshire are all attractive and popular sites. If you fancy some history there are a number of interesting places to visit. Hughenden Manor, near High Wycombe, was the home of the Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli and has been restored to its Victorian elegance by the National Trust. Chequers, the country residence of Prime Ministers since the 1920s, is not open to the public but its landscaped grounds can be seen from the Ridgeway National Trail. Other large houses include Greys Court near Henley-on-Thames and the ornate Waddesdon Manor near Aylesbury, both National Trust properties. If you plan to stay overnight there are comfortable B&Bs, inns offering accommodation and a number of hotels. The historic Red Lion in Wendover was frequented by Oliver Cromwell and the George Hotel in Wallingford is a former 16th century coaching inn.

Visit the websites below to find out more about local accommodation:

www.visitbuckinghamshire.org

www.visitbedfordshire.org 

www.southoxon.gov.uk

www.herts.co.uk

For more information on the Chilterns, promoted walks and downloadable walk leaflets visit www.chilternsaonb.org Author Claire Forrest Chilterns Conservation Board.  Information provided by the Walking World website.