A 20s and 30s Ramblers group.
A 9.5 mile circular and quite hilly walk featuring ancient woodlands and iconic landmarks, exploring the wonders of the Chiltern Hills around West Wycombe.
Advance booking is not required, but if you plan on attending this walk, please indicate this on Meetup if you can (see Website link), so others can see that there will be plenty of people going.
Walk details
We start our walk from the National Trust car park at the top of West Wycombe Hill, heading along the top of a ridge through Hearnton Woods. After descending steeply through woodland and fields, we soon start climbing up the other side of the valley towards the village of Piddington. We pass through Jane’s Wood, along Piddington Lane, eventually reaching Wheeler Common. It’s then through farmland and more woodland tracks to Studley Green.
Skirting around the edge of Beacon’s Bottom we enter Bottom Wood nature reserve where we will stop for lunch. This 35 acre ancient woodland dates back to before 1600 and is home to over 700 different species of plants and animals. As I found during the recce, it is also home to quite a lot of mud!
There may be the opportunity to stop for a quick drink at the Dashwood Roadhouse in Piddington after lunch – however this will be subject to there being sufficient room in the garden (and the weather).
After a few more ups and downs it’s back to West Wycombe and the final steep climb up to the Dashwood Mausoleum and the start point. This Mausoleum was built in 1765 on the site of an Iron Age Hill Fort and stands on top of West Wycombe Hill next to the Church of St Lawrence. The tower of the Church, which is capped with a golden ball, rises behind the Mausoleum and together they form one of the most famous landmarks in Britain.
Travel details
By public transport
Unfortunately there is no public transport available to this walk. Feel free to use either our Facebook group (members only) or the comments section on the Meetup event page to arrange lifts – there are often members who are happy to help!
By car
Free parking is available in the National Trust car park at the top of West Wycombe Hill at the end of the West Wycombe Hill Road.
Notes
West Wycombe Hill car park
