You're welcome to join us on a muddy walk this Saturday 10th October in order
to explore more of the Chiltern landscape in Buckinghamshire. A 12.5 mile
linear walk starting in Beaconsfield and ending in Saunderton, with varied
picturesque scenery and cracking good views over the colours of early autumn.
Route:
Leaving Beaconsfield station, we'll head through the wealthy suburbs and into
the wooded countryside that surrounds Forty Green. An area once known as the
scene for skirmishes between Royalists and Cavaliers in the English Civil War,
as well as location shooting for "Midsomer Murders", we'll enjoy wide sweeping
views over the Wye Valley and far beyond to Surrey before heading to the pretty
village of Penn with its commons and duckpond for an early lunch stop after
3.5 miles ...
After lunch and the twitching of net curtains in the village, we'll head into
King's Wood, following the track through the beeches as it snakes its way
downhill and carves its wooded way through the ever encroaching housing of
High Wycombe. This green thread leads us uphill and over the fields to Four
Ashes, before dropping down to the grassy meadows of Hughenden Valley.
We'll pass Hughenden Manor, once the home of Benjamin Disraeli, one of the
most popular Prime Ministers under Queen Victoria and now buried in St Michael
& All Angels church within the grounds of Hughenden Park. An enjoyable climb
uphill through the woods then takes us to the "Dizzy" heights of Downley Common
along footpaths once walked by him. Dropping down again across the sloping
meadows overlooking the wide valley, with glorious views to West Wycombe
and its notorious caves, the scene for some rather naughty goings on of the
18th C. Hellfire Club. Then, its uphill to the Dashwood Mausoleum for a stop
and stare over the surrounding scenery before passing 18th C. St Lawrence's
church. The remaining 2.5 miles is along a quiet track following the ridge
with more woodland and rural views before the final descent down to Saunderton
station and the train back to London ...
Terrain:
Hilly and muddy, with several ups and downs but only some minor steep bits.
Those expecting clean walking boots at the end might be sorely disappointed ...
Pace:
Moderate yet relaxed pace with frequent stops (especially when going uphill !).
Easy going atmosphere, perhaps not suitable for any impatient walkers ?
Lunch:
Stopping in Penn village after 12 noon, either bring your own packed lunch
or get something from the 16th C. "Red Lion" PH. We'll stop for around an hour
before getting on with the remaining 9 miles ...
Late risers can join us at the pub but you will need to make your own way
there ...
Try the 11.36 am service from London Marylebone to High Wycombe, arriving
at 11.59 am. Then catch Arriva bus service 31 to Penn, which departs at
12.15 pm and arrives at Penn at 12.40 pm (buses run every 20 mins).
Shorter Walk Options:
3.5 miles to Penn or 5.5 miles to the outskirts of High Wycombe - both options
entail catching Arriva bus service 31 to High Wycombe station.
7 miles to Hughenden plus an extra 2 miles self guided to High Wycombe station
Or do your own thing and drop out anywhere armed with O/S map Explorer 172.
Or just drop in at lunch time as mentioned above ...
Meeting Point:
BEACONSFIELD station at 10.35 am (by ticket office, over the footbridge) and
we'll go soon after the train arrives from London.
I will meet you at the station.
Getting There:
Train travellers need to catch the 10.09 am Chiltern Railways fast service
from LONDON MARYLEBONE station, destined for Bicester North.
This service arrives at Beaconsfield at 10.35 am.
Usual train service stuff (which nobody reads) can be found under:
http://www.nationalrail.co.uk
Ticketing:
Day return ticket to "SAUNDERTON", which is further down the same train line.
(If planning to drop out at High Wycombe, then its a ticket to here instead)
Getting Back:
Aiming for the 5.59 pm departure from Saunderton station back to London,
stopping at Beaconsfield 6.12 pm (for any car drivers) and arriving back
at London Marylebone at 6.47 pm. Hourly service or so ...
The "Golden Cross" PH is a few minutes walk away for those in need of
refreshments.
For any new folks to CLOG, no need to book - just turn up as you feel like it.
And we go whatever the weather may care to throw at us ... rain or shine ...
--
to explore more of the Chiltern landscape in Buckinghamshire. A 12.5 mile
linear walk starting in Beaconsfield and ending in Saunderton, with varied
picturesque scenery and cracking good views over the colours of early autumn.
Route:
Leaving Beaconsfield station, we'll head through the wealthy suburbs and into
the wooded countryside that surrounds Forty Green. An area once known as the
scene for skirmishes between Royalists and Cavaliers in the English Civil War,
as well as location shooting for "Midsomer Murders", we'll enjoy wide sweeping
views over the Wye Valley and far beyond to Surrey before heading to the pretty
village of Penn with its commons and duckpond for an early lunch stop after
3.5 miles ...
After lunch and the twitching of net curtains in the village, we'll head into
King's Wood, following the track through the beeches as it snakes its way
downhill and carves its wooded way through the ever encroaching housing of
High Wycombe. This green thread leads us uphill and over the fields to Four
Ashes, before dropping down to the grassy meadows of Hughenden Valley.
We'll pass Hughenden Manor, once the home of Benjamin Disraeli, one of the
most popular Prime Ministers under Queen Victoria and now buried in St Michael
& All Angels church within the grounds of Hughenden Park. An enjoyable climb
uphill through the woods then takes us to the "Dizzy" heights of Downley Common
along footpaths once walked by him. Dropping down again across the sloping
meadows overlooking the wide valley, with glorious views to West Wycombe
and its notorious caves, the scene for some rather naughty goings on of the
18th C. Hellfire Club. Then, its uphill to the Dashwood Mausoleum for a stop
and stare over the surrounding scenery before passing 18th C. St Lawrence's
church. The remaining 2.5 miles is along a quiet track following the ridge
with more woodland and rural views before the final descent down to Saunderton
station and the train back to London ...
Terrain:
Hilly and muddy, with several ups and downs but only some minor steep bits.
Those expecting clean walking boots at the end might be sorely disappointed ...
Pace:
Moderate yet relaxed pace with frequent stops (especially when going uphill !).
Easy going atmosphere, perhaps not suitable for any impatient walkers ?
Lunch:
Stopping in Penn village after 12 noon, either bring your own packed lunch
or get something from the 16th C. "Red Lion" PH. We'll stop for around an hour
before getting on with the remaining 9 miles ...
Late risers can join us at the pub but you will need to make your own way
there ...
Try the 11.36 am service from London Marylebone to High Wycombe, arriving
at 11.59 am. Then catch Arriva bus service 31 to Penn, which departs at
12.15 pm and arrives at Penn at 12.40 pm (buses run every 20 mins).
Shorter Walk Options:
3.5 miles to Penn or 5.5 miles to the outskirts of High Wycombe - both options
entail catching Arriva bus service 31 to High Wycombe station.
7 miles to Hughenden plus an extra 2 miles self guided to High Wycombe station
Or do your own thing and drop out anywhere armed with O/S map Explorer 172.
Or just drop in at lunch time as mentioned above ...
Meeting Point:
BEACONSFIELD station at 10.35 am (by ticket office, over the footbridge) and
we'll go soon after the train arrives from London.
I will meet you at the station.
Getting There:
Train travellers need to catch the 10.09 am Chiltern Railways fast service
from LONDON MARYLEBONE station, destined for Bicester North.
This service arrives at Beaconsfield at 10.35 am.
Usual train service stuff (which nobody reads) can be found under:
http://www.nationalrail.co.uk
Ticketing:
Day return ticket to "SAUNDERTON", which is further down the same train line.
(If planning to drop out at High Wycombe, then its a ticket to here instead)
Getting Back:
Aiming for the 5.59 pm departure from Saunderton station back to London,
stopping at Beaconsfield 6.12 pm (for any car drivers) and arriving back
at London Marylebone at 6.47 pm. Hourly service or so ...
The "Golden Cross" PH is a few minutes walk away for those in need of
refreshments.
For any new folks to CLOG, no need to book - just turn up as you feel like it.
And we go whatever the weather may care to throw at us ... rain or shine ...
&*
start__dateTime(10th October at 10:09am)
end__dateTime(10th October at 6:47pm)
