Monument walk at Hughenden
This is a short linear, there-and back walk of 2 miles with moderate hill climbs. A special gift from Mary Anne to her husband Benjamin Disraeli, the monument was commissioned in honour of Disraeli's father. Overlooking Hughenden estate, the view from the monument is one of the best in the area.
To help you to follow this walk, please look out for the orange waymarker arrows.
Map
Start:
Start at the visitor welcome kiosk. Grid Ref SU860955
1
From the visitor welcome kiosk, follow the main path downhill past the stableyard to the gated entrance to Hughenden Manor. Turn right at the gates along a road with flint walls on both sides. Take care as cars do use this road.
2
Continue down the lane for a short distance until reaching the edge of the woods. With the Ice House on your right, follow the path into Manor Wood down a steep hill bending to the right. Check out the Second World War Tunnel.
Hughenden Second World War Tunnel
The tunnel was dug into the hill when Hughenden was a top secret mapping base during WWII. The tunnel may have been used as an air-raid shelter, but its purpose is uncertain. Today it is a home for bats.
3
Turn left at the crossroad after 50 metres, and then keep left at the next fork.
Manor Wood
Beech woodlands such as Manor Wood are a common sight in the Chilterns and were a popular choice for the local furniture industry
4
After 50 metres you reach a black metal fence to your left along the edge of the West Bank gardens, follow the fence for about 120 metres. Glimpses of Hughenden Manor are visible on the hill above you on the left.
5
Follow the path down an avenue of yew trees parallel to the metal fence on the edge. After about 50 metres, where the path forks, carry straight on between an avenue of yew trees running parallel to the metal fence on the edge of the park to your left.
Disraeli loved the laurel and the yew. The land here is very suitable for yew trees as the soil is poor and sits on a chalk base.
6
Just in front of the metal fence, at the top edge of the parkland, you will find a small pet cemetery created by Coningsby, nephew of Disraeli.
Pet Cemetery
Coningsby Disraeli, the nephew of Benjamin and heir to Hughenden Manor, erected these tombstones for his beloved dogs as was the fashion in Victorian times.
7
When the path comes to the corner of the park turn right in front of the metal gates.
8
Follow the track downhill away from the park for 25 metres until reaching a T junction. Turn right away from Middle Lodge down the track to the road. Notice the rabbit warren on the bank to your right.
9
Go through the metal gate on to Coates Lane. TAKE CARE HERE AS THIS ROAD CAN BE BUSY. Turn left then immediately right through the kissing gate and follow the public footpath uphill towards Downley and Tinkers Wood.
10
Follow the path through a metal gate into Tinker's Wood and take the path on the left.
Tinker's Wood
A coin found in these woods came from the time of King Offa (757-796). His wife belonged to the family which descended from Geoffrey De Clyntone on whom Henry I bestowed Hughenden Manor.
11
Climb up the hill until reaching a metal gate to the left through which you should see the monument.
12
Go through the gate towards the monument. After viewing it and enjoying the views, retrace your path back to Hughenden Manor. This return path is also marked by orange waymarker arrows.
The D’Israeli Monument
The 50 ft high monument was commissioned by Mary Anne in 1852 as a surprise present for her husband. It was designed by Edward Buckton Lamb and commemorates Disraeli’s father Isaac (1766-1848) who was a successful literary critic and historian. Mary Anne had the monument located on top of Tinker’s Hill opposite the Manor, an outlying feature designed to draw the eye from various parts of the pleasure garden and parklands across the valley to the wider landscape. Equally, the views from the monument towards Hughenden Manor are amongst the finest on the estate. It is not unusual to see red kites and buzzards soaring above this peaceful vantage point. It was Benjamin Disraeli who changed the spelling of his surname, removing the apostrophe to anglicise his name.
End:
Visitor welcome kiosk