Length: 27.6 km (17.2 mi)
Ascent/Descent:
458 m; Net Walking Time: ca. 6 ¼ hours
Toughness:
8 out of 10
OR
SWC Walk 191a –
Haddenham Circular (omitting Brill)
Length: 20.1 km (12.5 mi) [the route splits from the main walk after 7.7 km]
Ascent/Descent:
300 m; Net Walking Time: ca. 4 ½ hours
Toughness:
5 out of 10
Take
the 10.10 Bicester Village train from Marylebone, arriving Haddenham
& Thame Parkway at 10.50
Return
trains: xx.13 (52
mins journey time) and xx.38 (40
mins journey time), then 20.08, 20.39, 20.44, 21.37…
“This
is a long and strenuous – but very rewarding – walk through the pleasant
rolling countryside of the north westerly parts of Aylesbury Vale, just north
of The Chilterns, with some far views on clear days. 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 wide circular route
to return south on a different route back through the Thame Valley to
Haddenham.
The
lunch stop is in any one of two charming pubs in the ancient hilltop village of
Brill. A short loop around the village, providing far views into five counties,
passes its well-preserved windmill in a prominent position on Brill Common,
before a long descent from this steep-sided village follows.
There
are a few ascents throughout the walk at regular intervals, with the third one
– up to lunch in Brill – the longest, as the walk links a total of four hilltop
villages and crosses one other hill chain. It also contains several arable
field crossings.”
This
short walk cuts out the beautifully located hilltop village of Brill, but still
provides some fine far views across the rolling landscape and to the Chilterns.
Lunch:
The Pointer (12.1 km/7.5 mi,
food to 17.00);
The Pheasant (12.9 km/8.0 mi,
food to 17.00);
The Hundred of Ashendon (on the short walk: 11.5 km/7.2
mi, food to 15.00), which has been awarded the Michelin Bib Gourmand 2016 and
2017 for its cuisine. They also serve sandwiches and more traditional dishes
from a Bar Snack Menu.
Tea: The
Rising Sun, en-route to the station, part of the Oak Taverns
mini-chain.
For
walk directions, map, height profile, photos and gpx/kml files
click here.
T=swc.191
3 comments:
Anyone interested in this walk?
regards,
SP
Apologies for earlier erroneous train time, post now corrected
A meagre n=3 came out for this undulating excursion in very good walking weather, namely w=sunny-with-passing-clouds-later-overcast. Views as good as always, field crossings a doddle due to well-cleared paths and firm ground, although plenty more acreage under the plough this year, with a high percentage of broad beans. Not pretty.
Very nice lunch indeed at The Pointer, Brill, which has gone even more upmarket (apparently featuring in the Sunday Times Top 100 Restaurants in Britain recently). They also do rooms now in a building opposite.
17.38 train after all that.
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