Princes Risborough-Lacey Green Windmill Walk with path checking.

We will pass the public toilets at the Horns Lane Public Car park at the start of the walk. 

This is part of my "Lacey Green Loops" series of walks around our group's "adopted" parish of Lacey Green.  As Footpaths Officer for Chilterns Weekend Walkers I plan to walk every right of way in the parish during the year to check for any issues -  this is our local contribution towards the national Ramblers aim of improving the whole path network.   

So as well as having an enjoyable walk, we may stop to carry out light clearance of any encroaching vegetation - feel free to bring secateurs (and maybe gardening gloves) and/or a stout stick for nettles - and pick up any litter we find en route (I will bring some litter pickers). 

Our objective today is to visit the Chiltern Society's restored Lacey Green Windmill (https://www.laceygreenwindmill.org.uk/) which will be open from 2pm as part of National Mills Day - suggested minimum donation £3.00 per adult. 

This walk is 8.0 miles, with 660 ft (200m) of ascent, including one quite steep section so bring walking poles if you use them.  There are short sections of walking along minor roads.  Leisurely to moderate pace, with the occasional stop to cut back vegetation. There are a mix of stiles and gates on this walk.

We will start walking from Princes Risborough along a section of the Ridgeway National Trail, before turning off and beginning to climb steeply up the wooded edge of Windsor Hill and to the hamlet of Parslow's Hillock.  We will pass the (sadly recently closed) Pink and Lilly pub (once frequented by World War One poet Rupert Brooke ). From there we will head towards Speen along Lily Bottom Lane, before turning in the direction of Lacey Green, arriving at the village hall around 1.30pm where we will eat packed lunches, having completed 5 miles and almost all the climbing!  The small Lacey Green Community Shop (Londis) is here, and also The Black Horse pub (https://www.theblackhorselg.co.uk/) as another option. 

After lunch we will visit the nearby Lacey Green Windmill (open from 2pm) to look at the displays downstairs, and - for those happy to undertake the "fairly steep steps and ladders" - explore the windmill itself.  There are portable toilet facilities on site here.  Depending on demand, we will aim to spend around 30 - 45 mins here, before starting the 3 mile descent back down to Princes Risborough, aiming to arrive back at the car park for 4.00 pm.

Well behaved dogs are allowed.

Walk Leader: Andrew L