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This Week's Walks - Archive

Please see the Saturday Walker's Club This Week's Walks page.

This is an archive of walks done by the Saturday Walker's Club. You should only need to use this page if the SWC website is down.

Sunday, 18 February 2024

Sunday Walk: Chorleywood to Chesham

15.8km (9.8 miles) or with shortcut, 14.2 km (8.9 miles). Difficulty 5 out of 10
A meander along the Chess Valley , a beautiful and tranquil part of the Chiltern Hills, with some panoramic views.
For lunch the walk climbs up to the village of Chenies, followed by a pleasant stretch, high along the valley rim on a permissive path. Then, just when you think it’s all over,  a bravura finish takes you up and over the hills and down into the heart of Chesham for tea.
Trains  Metropolitan line to Chorleywood from Baker Street 9:49 (or Liverpool St 9:35). Arrive at 10:32.
(You could also get a 9:57 Chilterns train from Marylebone arriving at 10:24).
Return from Chesham on the Metropolitan line at xx:00 and xx:30
Chorleywood is in tfl zone 7, Chesham in zone 9. 
Lunch: There are two possible places in Chenies.
We usually stop at the Red Lion (01923 282 722) a smart, friendly pub with a somewhat gastro menu. 
The Bedford Arms (01923 283 301) larger than the Red Lion, has recently re-opened after a lengthy refurb.
Tea: The Drawing Room Frances Yard, Chesham (01494 791 691) is a SWC favourite. There’s also a Caffe Nero, a Costa’s, at least one pub, the Queens Head, and, in the Market Square, a Mad Squirrel micropub. t=swc.81
Directions: here
Early in the walk there are sections of lane that can be flooded after heavy rain. Should that be likely, “Option A,  Short Cut to Chenies” avoids those sections.

2 comments:

Gavin said...

#9, according to the Railwayman

Alice said...

By my reckoning it was #10 - 8 on the appointed train, 1 in a car and 1 who came on a later train and caught up in the pub.

The weather was sunny and for February remarkably warm. But oh the mud. Prizes to the two walkers who walked in wellies and a different pair who brought sticks.

In the morning, the water was lapping at the edges of bridge by the cress farm. Ingenuity was shown by most who somehow managed to keep their feet dry in ankle deep mud. Made for some mirth and a Dunkirk spirit.

The trials of the morning were more than made up for by an excellent lunch at the Red Lion in Chenies. Thanks to the foresight of one of our number who booked ahead, 7 squashed round the table and managed to be fed by 1345. The 3 picnickers managed a drink so we set off more or less at the same time.

3 wise walkers peeled off before Latimer House to head for the tube at Chalfont & Latimer. Little did the hardy rump of the group know what lay ahead. Plenty of wading and mudskating. Thank goodness for the wonderful views, the company of red kites and a late afternoon light on the hill overlooking Chesham. A photographer with a tripod certainly agreed about the light.

The one who had speeded ahead managed to scoff a cake so all bar 2 got the 1700 tube from Chesham bidding farewell to the driver and one who went in search of tea