Wendover Circular (Coombe Hill Ending) T=2.1
Length: 20.2 km (12.5 mi) 7 out of 10 (Shorter options are available)
"This energetic walk serves as a fine introduction to the Chiltern Hills, first passing through woodland, then descending into hidden vales and fields before emerging out onto the Chiltern escarpment above Princes Risborough at a spot that commands panoramic views of the countryside below."
Do not hang about on the platform, but assemble outside the station.
Note that there is an early diversion for HS2 works, which involves following a fenced in route around the first field.
Covid-19: Please pre-register with Eventbrite here to avoid delays on starting, to conform with group walking regulations & minimise hassle for me! (no obligation to go on the walk). On the walk, social distance, minimise contact with gates etc and keep to small groups.
Trains: 09.27 Aylesbury train from Marylebone (Harrow-on-the-Hill 09.39) arriving Wendover 10.15. Return trains: xx.26 and xx.56.
Lunch: Picnic or The Red Lion Whiteleaf, which according to their Facebook page: "The Marquee is up and we have socially distanced seating for nearly 100 people outside. No bookings necessary". You will, of course, need to conform with pub rules.
Tea: Some options in Wendover including The Shoulder of Mutton by the station, who announce their garden is open.
6 comments:
I will be taking the 957 train and doing the 8 mile shortcut via cross coppice.
Doing shortcut but getting the advertised train. Why split the group so soon? We'll be in groups of no more than 6 anyway.
My train is half an hour later than the advertised train. Happy to walk on my own. No worries.
A worrying number of strange walkers on the train turned out to be a ramblers group. 7 of us gathered outside the station to be joined by 2 car drivers who had got mixed up with the ramblers & with 1 on a later train made n=10 in all. As an organised group, after a quick reminder to maintain distance, we 9 headed off smartly to get ahead of wherever the other group was going. Within about 10 minutes we were clearly going to be a fast & moderate group with one person being between the two. So this is a report on 4 moderate walkers. We decided to stay high rather than descend to the pub & had a picnic on Whiteleaf Hill and its lovely view in the w=sunshine. After Pulpit Hill, we managed to join up with the late start walker and finish the walk together.
The Shoulder of Mutton was only serving bookings, despite having empty tables. We made do with café Istanbul across the road - friendly service, uncomfortable chairs - before getting the 1556.
n=9 I think. We split up as soon as we left Wendover Station with the faster walkers soon outpacing the followers who were never seen again. Four of us, at least, did the full walk (though two, in the best traditions of SWC, "explored an alternative route" after lunch before eventually finding our way back on track), and one other a variation on it. Four of us stopped at the surprisingly quiet Red Lion in Whiteleaf for a drink (no food being served there at present). The weather was w+sunny-and-warm and the Chilterns as lovely as ever with some fine views over the Aylesbury plain.
Thanks to Pete for scheduling this classic. The standard ending is a bit dull so must tackle Coombe Hill next time. The Plough is open at the weekends and will do food. First come, first served policy. Plenty of outdoor tables.
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