Saunderton via West Wycombe Circular T=2.3
Length: 16km (9.9miles), 5 hours walking
This walk combines a fairly easy stroll in the Chilterns through a mixture of woodland and sloping meadows, with an optional visit to Hughenden Manor and West Wycombe Caves.
Trains: Get the 1013 Marylebone - Aylesbury train to Saunderton, arriving 1055. Return trains are xx50, but the Cross Keys is a pleasant pub to while away any wait.
Lunch: Hugendon Manor National Trust with cafe & picnic area, or the pub lunchtime stop: Fullers Le De Spencer's Arms (tel 01494 535317), Downley Common 5.6 miles/9km from the start of the walk, which serves food from 12 to 3pm daily.
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Just n=6 of us assembled at Saunderton railway station for today's walk on a day of W=mostly-sunshine-and-occasional-showers-with-steady-breeze. Infact, we were most fortunate with the weather, given what had been forecasted, as we only encountered one light shower in the morning, and one in the afternoon when the sun was shining - but no rainbow. Over lunch there was a heavy hailstorm - but we were safely snug in the pub at the time.
It was nice to be walking in a small group (my preference always to mob walking) and we tackled the muddy, sodden paths through Bradenham Woods in good humour with pleasant chat. On reaching Hughenden Manor one of our ladies opted to visit former PM Disraeli's house and have lunch in the (usually) excellent NT cafeteria. We didn't see her on the walk again, so we hope she enjoyed the rest of her day.
The remaining 5 of us continued on the walk from Hughenden Manor and some thirty five minutes later we were in the pub, the Le De Spencer Arms. The pub was initially full inside so we anticipated outside dining under a canopy, which would have kept us dry (from the pending hailstorm) but it would have been a bit chilly after a while. So full marks to the pub's owners who took the trouble to make space for us inside, and then serve the five of us with good quality and filling pub grub. We lingered in the snug of the pub with post meal coffees and further half pints and it took an effort to leave and embark on the afternoon leg of the walk.
The post lunch walk was uneventful but very enjoyable and we took the easier ascent to the mausoleum above the Hellfire Caves. The onwards track beyond the church was both muddy and submerged but passable and we were back in Saunderton with ten minutes to spare before our target train - the 16-50 hrs - not enough time for tea at the Golden Cross but never mind. At the railway station we found a fast service train parked there - waiting for a broken down train ahead to moved. We were allowed to join the fast train and after an hours wait it set off, fast to Marylebone. As none of us had a pressing evening engagement we took the delay in our stride. It certainly did not spoil what had been a most enjoyable day's walking. I had forgotten how many ups and downs were along the way and the excellent variety in terrain and good views on this underrated walk.
So thanks to Pete for posting this walk today.
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