Length: 20.0 km (12.4 mi), 5 out of 10
T=swc.140
"This walk combines some of the finest elements of the Chiltern Hills, while having very little overlap with other walks in the area. After leaving Wendover the walk rises into woods, then passes along fields to get to the picturesque green in The Lee, a conservation area village. From there it continues through woodland and the beautiful Lee Common. After crossing some more fields, the afternoon section then leads entirely through woods right up to the outskirts of Wendover: it re-joins the Ridgeway for a while and then descends steeply off the escarpment down an ancient Holloway. Only to rise again, on forest tracks with some magnificent panoramic views , until getting to the highest point of the walk in the middle of Wendover Woods. From there the route to Wendover meanders through the woods, passing a wildlife hide and an ancient hill-fort site, before descending steeply to the plains."
Trains: Get the 1027 Aylesbury Vale parkway train from Marylebone (Harrow-on-the-hill 1039) arriving 1116. Returns are xx57.
Lunch: The Cock and Rabbit, The Lee, 7.3 km (4.6 mi) from the start of the walk. This is under new ownership, and has been redeveloped. It apparently has a cafe and limited food offering from 12 midday. The Swan seems to be closed.
Tea: The Shoulder of Mutton near the station and various cafes.
2 comments:
The 2 at the station waited a bit in case there were any more . No. Just another two doing the same walk independently.
So they set off and, miracle of miracles, encountered a n=3 rd waiting at the corner. It w=started-cloudy-and-cool-but-got-hotter A pleasant walk especially the cooler morning with lots of greenery. Foxgloves in the wood were at their best .
We mulled over taking Shortcut 1 but seeing how the Old Swan was probably “closed” we went on the 5.1 km loop via the Lee.
Pleased to see the Cock and Rabbit is open. The restaurant bit is being rebuilt and food consisted of burgers from the BBQ, which 2 enjoyed. A pleasant interlude spent in the garden.
And guess what, readers, The Old Swan is open too. There’s a big sign outside saying so. (Though not Wednesdays or Thursdays). We didn’t go in and Mr Tiger wasted no time in telling the others that was 5.1 km he didn’t have to have done. He was still banging on about it in Wendover. But if truth be told he quite enjoyed it anyway.
It was getting hotter and the group availed themselves of shortcut 2 and later dodged the circuit round Bodington Hill. (Maybe that could be flagged as a shortcut?)
The Gruffalo has returned to Wendover Woods but these days he has to sit down.
Got to W with a bit of a wait for the train so had to drop in the Shoulder of Mutton. Had to, didn’t we.
An enjoyable day.
Pete, As this lovely walk had such a (surprisingly) poor attendance and The Old Swan is open again, could you consider putting it on again soon,please? I guess the more obvious charms of Seaford won the day yesterday. Thank you.
Post a Comment