Length: 16.9 km (10.5 miles) or 14.1 km (8.8 miles), with option to reduce both by 1 mile
Toughness: 6 out of 10 Lots of steady ups and downs to keep you awake
London Marylebone: 10-00 hrs Chilterns service to Birmingham Moor Street
Arrive Princes Risborough: 10-32 hrs
Return
Wendover to Marylebone: Chilterns services at 28 and 58 mins past the hour
Rail ticket: if still available, the best value ticket today is a Super Off-Peak day return to Aylesbury (where both branches of Chilterns Railway converge). Otherwise, to cover both branches of the Chilterns Railway, you will need a day return to Aylesbury Any Route Permitted.
This popular outing in the Chiltern Hills starts with stretch along the Icknield Way before you climb up into woodland on the Ridgeway path to Whiteleaf Cross to enjoy a panoramic view. You then drop down on the Ridgeway to the hamlet of Lower Cadsden where those opting for a shorter walk today can try to have lunch at the Plough pub (the pub where the then PM David Cameron left his daughter behind). You should arrive a little before opening time, so there is no need to rush the opening leg of the walk. The Plough's other claim to fame is it is now owned by Chinese investors following Mr Cameron taking the Chinese President Xi Jinping there for a pint when staying at Chequers: the President apparently liked the beer.
Those on the longer version of today's walk should have time (available daylight) to head to Great Kimble and back - to take lunch at the Swan, in Smokey Row.
After lunch, The Plough lunchers bypass Great Kimble and head over Grangelands Nature Reserve to walk above Chequers, the PMs retreat. The Smokey Row route also joins just before Chequers. You cross the driveway of this estate to head up the Ridgeway through light woodland. Today I suggest you do not go as far as the village of Dunsmore - Dunsmore Woods are likely to be horribly muddy - but instead stay on the Ridgeway path as it turn left to Coombe Hill and the Boer War Monument. You then drop down from this hill on the Ridgeway all the way to Wendover. Near the railway station is the Shoulder of Mutton pub, a regular SWC watering hole which also serves food all day. Further down the High Street on the left is Rumsey's Chocolaterie for those in need of a chocolate fix.
T=1.52
Walk Directions are here: L=1.52
3 comments:
Hello. I am probably doing the walk tomorrow to prices risborough, which Marcus has put on the schedule. Does that mean that Marcus will be on the walk himself? Many thanks, Debbie
Hi Debbie - I'm afraid so - I usually try to attend all walks that I post.
n=18 showed up for this TO Book One Chiltern's classic - and best I know few were disappointed with the walk. It was a w=very-mild-mostly-overcast-day-with-some-sunny-spells, and a gentle breeze which became quite strong in exposed parts, such as the viewing point above Whiteleaf Cross. The view here today was crystal clear. 4 had booked to dine at the Plough, in Lower Cadsden (do please let us know how you got on) and the rest of us headed for Smokey Row, where one of our regulars had kindly made a booking for us at the Swan pub. We duly arrived at the pub in good time, and the 8 of us booked in for lunch had a section of the pub to ourselves, which was pleasant, even if a bit of heating would have been nice. No matter - the landlord was very friendly and our meals arrived promptly - and they were very good, too - as was the draught beer. We were the landlord's only customers for the first hour or so, but then some cyclists arrived, to boost the pub's takings.
The afternoon was enjoyable and most of us opted to do the full walk, via Dunsmore Village and Dunsmore Wood, which for once was not too muddy. Infact, to my pleasant surprise, there was little mud all day and what there was was very manageable. A real bonus, as when I posted the walk I was concerned we might be in for another mudfest. On arriving at the Boer Monument on Coombe Hill, the setting sun came out - and the light was glorious as we descended the grassy way down to Wendover. A few went to Rumsey's for a chocolate fix, but most of us met up in the Shoulder of Mutton, a SWC favourite, where some had puddings - others beers or tea. Most left to catch the 16-58 hrs service whilst two of us dallied and caught the slightly delayed 17-28 hrs train back to London.
To summarise, methinks it was a lovely day's walking in the Chilterns in the best of SWC company.
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