SWC Walk 191a –
Haddenham Circular (omitting Brill)
Length: 20.1 km
(12.5 mi) [longer walk possible, see comments below]
Ascent/Descent: 300 m; Net Walking Time: ca. 4 ½ hours
Toughness: 5 out of 10
Take the 09.05 Oxford Parkway train from Marylebone,
arriving Haddenham & Thame Parkway at 09.40
Return trains: XX.13 and XX.38 hours
(53 and 40 minutes journey time respectively)
This is a walk through the pleasant rolling countryside
of the north westerly parts of Aylesbury Vale, between the Chilterns and the Cotswolds,
with some fine views. The walk first crosses the Thame Valley north of
Haddenham and then passes through the area of the ancient Bernwood Royal
Hunting Forest on a circular route to return south on a different route
through the Thame Valley back to Haddenham. There are a few minor ascents throughout
the walk at regular intervals, as the walk links some hilltop villages and crosses
one other hill chain.
The lunch pub is the The Hundred of Ashendon (11.5
km/7.2 mi), which has just been awarded the Michelin Bib Gourmand 2016 for its
cuisine. They also serve sandwiches and more traditional dishes from a Bar
Snack Menu though. A table has been booked. For tea, the Little Italy Espresso Bar in Haddenham village is the café
option (open until 16.30), while The
Rising Sun en-route to the station is the pub option.
For walk directions, map, height profile,
and gpx/kml files click here.
T=swc.191.a
L=swc.191
5 comments:
addendum: with this early train, fast walkers can of course tackle the full walk (27.6 km/17.2 mi, 8/10 rating, 6 1/4 hours of walking - assuming 5 km/h on the flat) and still finish in daylight. pub lunch would be in one of the two splendid pubs in Brill...
Looking forward to doing this walk. Anyone else?
I will come along :)
N=18
W=Perfect_sunny_winters_day!
16 off the train at Haddenham & Thame Parkway. 2 (including the walk-poster!) were fractionally late for the suggested train but managed to catch up with the group up by lunch.
The morning was a lovely wander across fields and valleys. Despite recent heavy rain the potentially dubious river crossing was perfectly navigable and the ground was generally firm enough under foot to be able to look UP and enjoy the stunning views.
6 scampered off on the extension to Brill (where lunch at the The Pointer was apparently very good). The remaining group headed to Ashendon, where 2 had a picnic at the church, and the rest devoured a delicious lunch at The Hundred of Ashendon Inn. The food was so good most of us opted for dessert before our afternoon of admiring even more beautiful views.
The Rising Sun (en-route ro the station) was the pub of choice for post walk drinks. The majority reached it well before sunset, then we all had a bit of a mad-dash for the 17:38 train back to London.
Thanks for a fab day everyone!
Post a Comment