Cookham Circular - in search of The Bounty

Date: Sunday 25th March 2012
Route: Cookham Circular via Bisham Wood, Winter Hill and the Thames Path
Distance: 7 miles

For our last walk before we head off to Scotland and along the 95-mile West Highland Way, we chose a relatively easy, favourite route - and were lucky enough to have yet another beautiful sunny day to walk on.

The walk comes from the first Time Out Book of Country Walks and is described (in more wintry circumstances) in this previous blog post. Luckily, the latest version of the book doesn't bother with the side-trip to Bisham (which just seemed to entail crossing a busy road), although there is an extension proposed along to Boulter's Lock and Maidenhead, which could be good if you're on the train and not driving.

The first section of the walk is through Cookham, past the house where artist Stanley Spencer worked, up a gentle hillside of brassicas and into Bisham Wood, where a broad bridleway follows the edge of the escarpment, with the Thames and great views of Marlow down to the left.

Once out of the woods the views get even better, from Winter Hill, home of Kenneth Grahame, author of The Wind in the Willows. The path descends slowly towards the Thames, which you then follow all the way back to Cookham, with Spade Oak (home to a great pub and Enid Blyton) visible on the other side of the river and the fantastic Bounty pub an essential stopping-off point en route.

The Bounty is one of our favourite pubs encountered in the course of walking - as well as actively encouraging walkers, dog-owners and families, there are plenty of tables outside which are always packed on a sunny day, a great selection of beers from the nearby Rebellion brewery, generous/ hefty portions of food and an eclectic and entertaining music policy. The only way to get to the pub is by foot or by boat but it is well worth the effort.

This walk is straightforward and not overly strenuous, includes beautiful views, an easy riverside path and a fantastic pub - doesn't get much better than this, this close to London!

PS no, I'm not sure about why there is a wigwam in the woods either - looks good though!

Walking near Dorking - vines, views and Polesden Lacey

Date: Saturday 24th March 2012

Route: Box Hill & Westhumble Circular via Polesden Lacey

Distance: 7.5 miles

Although we walked this route (no. 14 in the Time Out Book of Country Walks Volume 2) five years ago, I had little more than a hazy memory of a good walk with a big section through a vineyard when we set off today.

It was great to discover that this is a beautiful walk, with at least three really picturesque places to stop and picnic on a sunny day. Also worth noting that it's a lot easier to drive there on the M25 rather than going through Kingston etc and getting stuck in traffic (definitely one to remember next time!).

The walk starts off from Box Hill & Westhumble station, with views of Box Hill dominating the first part of the walk. As well as playing a big part in Jane Austen's Emma, Box Hill will be in the news this summer when the Olympic Cycling Road Race will take place there. 

The path crosses the National Trust's Chapel Farm Fields, across fields and up a track through woods past the idyllically situated Tanners Hatch Youth Hostel, then on to a hilltop with the first view of historic house Polesden Lacey across the valley. The house on the hillside boasts great views across the countryside and was home to many glamorous house parties in the early 1900's.

From the hilltop the path descends towards the house, passing under a wooden bridge and a more impressive thatched bridge (see photo). Leaving the house behind, the path heads back into woodland, passing along a yew-lined road and eventually emerging into the open Steers Field, a beautiful hillside with views down over Dorking, the surrounding countryside and even to the South Downs (on a clearer day than today).

Most of the remainder of the walk is on the easy-to-follow North Downs Way, passing the solid church of St Barnabas, Ranmore before entering the Denbies Wine Estate, the biggest vineyard in England, with vines covering the hillsides and a Visitor Centre and tearoom,

I would love to do this walk again in a few weeks' time when the bluebells are all out and it will be even more attractive, but I would recommend this walk at any time of year and look forward to walking it again, whatever the time of year. 



Henley in the sunshine

Date: Sunday 11th March 2012
Route: Hambleden to Henley then back along the Thames and over Medmenham Lock
Distance: 9.8 miles

Since this a walk that I've blogged about a couple of times (and walked so often that we don't even look at the directions in the Time Out Book of Country Walks Volume 1 any more!), there isn't much to say about today that hasn't been said before.

Previous blog entries are at http://stileguru.blogspot.com/2012/01/first-walk-of-2012-ouch-henley-and.html and http://stileguru.blogspot.com/2011/01/walk-1-hambleden-circular-via-henley.html

A beautiful walk on a beautiful day - very difficult to think of a better way to spend a sunny Sunday.

Wycombe Wanderers

Date: Saturday 10th March 2012
Route: Saunderton Circular via West Wycombe
Distance: 9.9 miles

This walk isn't for anyone who is deterred by hills or mud, but it is one that we keep coming back to, as it has a lot going for it - just the right amount of fields, hillsides and woodland, some interesting sights (Disraeli's house Hughenden Manor, the Dashwood Mausoleum and the Hellfire Caves), a good lunch stop and great views across the countryside.

This is the 3rd walk from the Time Out Book of Country Walks Volume 2 and starts off from the station at Saunderton, on the road between High Wycombe and Princes Risborough. The initial section is across and alongside fields and very popular with ramblers and dog walkers.

After passing Bradenham Manor the route leads you uphill into the first of many woodland sections and follows an easy grassy path through trees. Once past the houses on the outskirts of Naphill, it's more woodland, this time on a bridleway that is the muddiest section of the walk (see photo above!). We've done this walk a few times and it has only been dry underfoot once (later in the year).

There is more (less muddy) woodland to follow, crossing Flagmore Wood and Woodcock Wood, to arrive at the car park for Hughenden Manor. This National Trust property is the former home of Benjamin Disraeli and has its own second-hand bookshop, as well as a cafe serving good food made from locally sourced ingredients, with seating both inside and in the courtyard (definitely a nice place to take a break on a sunny day).

After lunch the walk continues through more woodland and then across rolling hillsides with great views across to the Dashwood Mausoleum on the hillside, which provides the last climb of the walk. From the Mausoleum there is a straight and easy-to-follow downhill path back through wooded areas and along the road back into Saunderton.

Although we started walking in a slight mist, the sun broke through and made this one of the finest walking days of the year. With lots of bird life, including skylarks, partridges, pheasants and (unseen but definitely audible) woodpeckers, plus squirrels and even a tiny mouse curled up on the path, it definitely felt as though spring was in the air.

A highly recommended walk (though possibly with a pair of gaiters unless you want to end up with very muddy trousers!).