A Walk In The Chilterns

We revisited this walk last weekend for the first time in five years.  It is a circular walk  much of it through wooded terrain.  The last couple of miles are along the valley floor. (link to map).  The sun was shining and it really felt like spring was on its way.  We parked the car in the quaint village of Hambleden.  Leaving the village we crossed the main road and followed the footpath sign up into Ridge Wood.  We saw a herd of deer – the most we have ever seen in one group.  (The photos aren't great!)  

We continued walking now through Great Wood.  The path descended into a valley where we follow a main track.  This track used to be rough and stoney, but is now tarmacked.  We saw lots of Red Kites soaring through the air (tried to take a photo, but missed!)  The path took us back into Great Wood and then Kimble wood.  One section was extremely muddy and the going was slow as we clung to anything we could to stop us sinking and sliding.   The final climb is rewarded with views of the windmill at Turville (the village where they filmed Vicar of Dibley).  The path then descends to the road at Skirmettt.  As we descended into Skirmett we could see the swollen Hamble brook twisting below us.   There is a good pub at Skirmett – the Frog.   The walk continues along the valley floor back to Hambleden.

It’s funny, although we haven’t done this walk for many years, the route soon came back to us.       

The walk is about 10 miles in length and took us 4 hours (including a break at the pub – of course!)