7 Great Walks In Buckinghamshire
Getting out to explore the countryside on foot is a treat in Buckinghamshire – the county is home to a good chunk of the Chiltern Hills National Landscape and a long stretch of the Thames Path, along with several lovely country estates to explore.
To help you decide where to go, we’ve come up with this list of 7 great walks in Buckinghamshire to try out. There’s something here for everyone, whether you’re local, looking for walks within easy reach of London or visiting the area for a while.
If you’re planning a break in the area, camping and glamping are fabulous ways to take in more of the area’s scenery. Pitchup’s collection of Buckinghamshire campsites includes everything from simple grass pitches to stylish shepherd’s huts, with plenty of options for families and dog owners.
See all campsites in Buckinghamshire
Cliveden
Thames-side walks and boating
The National Trust’s Cliveden estate has several walking trails for all ages and abilities, from the 1.5-mile blue trail designed for families to a route that takes in steep inclines and panoramic views over the Thames from the chalk cliffs that overlook the estate. It's a place where you can really tailor your walk to your preferences, exploring formal gardens, wandering down tree-lined avenues or walking through riverside woodland.
If you want to bring a bit more variety to your day out, there are lots of other activities to tag on to your walk, including tours of the grand house itself (on selected days only; book in advance) or time spent with the kids in the play den and maze. Or how about doing as the Victorians did and heading out on the river? Skippered cruises are available to take you along one of the most scenic stretches of the Thames, while more energetic visitors hire canoes or rowing boats to propel themselves along.
Little Marlow
A walk for all the family
If you’re heading out into the countryside with the kids, the Little Marlow Walk is a good pick for a family walk. This three-mile circular route starts at Bourne End railway station, heading out through meadows and then back along a scenic path along the Thames. The route is flat, there are no stiles to climb over and dogs are welcome, so the whole family can lace up their trainers and head out together.
The River Thames Spade Oak Lake is a nice place to stop en route – there’s good wildlife-spotting here, and there’s a picnic area for mid-walk refreshments. If you’ve got more energy, take the longer six-mile version of this route, which heads out into Bloom Wood and returns via the pubs of Little Marlow.
Hambleden circular
Villages, woods and riverside views
Want pretty villages, woodlands and riverside paths all in one walk? The six-mile loop from Hambleden Mill to Henley-on-Thames has it all – making this surely one of the best circular walks in the Chilterns. It starts in the lovely village of Hambleden, which has attractive flint and brick houses and a 14th-century church (it’s also been featured in a few films and TV series, including Sleepy Hollow and Band of Brothers).
Most of the first half of the walk goes along the Thames Path, taking in Hambleden Weir, Hambleden Lock and Temple Island along the way. Later there’s a climb that rewards you with lovely views down over the river before taking you back down through fields to a couple of nice village pubs in Aston or back in Hambleden.
Coombe Hill and Chequers
Fabulous Chiltern Hills landscapes
For a more challenging circular walk, try the seven-mile Coombe Hill and Chequers trail put together by the National Trust. This moderately hard trail is all about the classic Chiltern Hills landscapes, with chalk grasslands and woodlands making up the surroundings for your walk. With Coombe Hill, Beacon Hill and Pulpit Hill on the trail, there’s a fair bit of climbing to be done, but the reward is some magnificent views across Aylesbury Vale and look down into the Chequers estate, the Prime Minister’s country retreat.
If seven miles sounds a bit too long, try the shorter 3.5-mile Coombe Hill Woodland Walk. As the name suggests, there’s just the one hill on this trail through sheltered beech woodlands, so you can still get some of those views in.
Hughenden
History, gardens and acres of parkland to explore
Formerly the home of Queen Victoria’s favourite Prime Minister, Benjamin Disraeli, Hughenden is another of those grand estates where you can design a walk that suits your own interests and abilities. There are three colour-coded trails here, each of them just a mile or two long, but there’s much more to wander in the 680 acres of parkland. Climb the slopes for rewarding views from the top, and look out for red kites and rare butterflies in the beech woods or chalk grasslands.
If you don’t fancy roaming far, stay closer to the house to explore the Italianate formal gardens, the walled garden and the apple orchard while learning about the estate’s fascinating history. A café is on hand for weary walkers, and there’s a natural play area where kids can run off some energy.
Hughenden is one of our favourite Buckinghamshire gardens – if you’d like to find out more and see our other top choices, see the list of Buckinghamshire’s best gardens.
Wendover Woods
Wonderful family walks
With a selection of easy walking trails of various lengths, plus play areas and a daring Go Ape adventure course, Wendover Woods is an excellent location for a family walk in Buckinghamshire. Trails here range from a three-mile woodland path to an easy-access walk that’s suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs, allowing everyone to get out and see some of the glorious Chiltern Hills scenery.
If the kids need a bit of encouragement to get out and about, try the Play Trail or see if you can find the Gruffalo lurking in among the trees. You could also try the promise of a treat in the café at the end of your walk.
For more family-friendly days out nearby, check out our ideas for things to do with the kids in Buckinghamshire.
Ivinghoe Beacon
The best views of the Chilterns
It may not be the highest hill in the area, but Ivinghoe Beacon is said by many people to have the best views in the Chiltern Hills. It’s said that you can see six counties from the top, but even if you can’t manage quite that many the view across Aylesbury Vale is quite magnificent and well worth climbing a little way for.
Part of the Ashridge Estate, the chalk grassland around Ivinghoe Beacon is particularly rich in wildlife, so it’s a great place to spot birds and insects in summer. There’s historical interest too, in the form of an Iron Age hill fort and several Bronze Age remnants. Ivinghoe Beacon features on several walking routes of varying lengths, but this three-mile circular walk makes a good moderately challenging introduction to the area.
Places to stay in Buckinghamshire
If you’re visiting Buckinghamshire, choosing a campsite or other outdoor accommodation can be a great way to have an affordable break, and will help you immerse yourselves in the county’s wonderful countryside. Whether you’d like to stay at the budget end of things with a simple grass pitch (from around £20 a night) or soak up the views from the private hot tub outside a luxury pod, Pitchup has a great range of options available.