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Chilterns Countryside
Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire & BerkshireRolling hills, distant views, chalk grassland, and acres of woodland to explore
Chilterns Countryside, c/o Hughenden estate, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, HP14 4LA
Important notice
Access to Watlington Hill by car: The road will be closed from Christmas Common to Greenfield from the 13th October for 15 weeks.
- Car park
All sites have steep slopes and rough paths. Coombe Hill: surfaced paths suitable for wheelchairs.
- By road
- Coombe Hill
Free parking is available but it does get busy at weekends so please arrive early to avoid disappointment. Nearest postcode is HP17 0UR.
Bradenham Estate
Free parking is available in Bradenham village (HP14 4HF) There are parking spaces opposite the cricket pavilion in the village. There's also a small NT car park located on Smalldean Lane (HP27 0PR) which is 1.5 miles north of Bradenham village.
Watlington Hill
Pay and display parking (free to NT members) is available in the National Trust car park at the top of Hill Road. For SatNav users, please use postcode OX49 5HS.
- By train
- Coombe Hill
The nearest railway station is Wendover, on the Chiltern line. Follow the ridge way long distance footpath to Coombe Hill (west of Wendover)
Bradenham Estate
Nearest train station to the Bradenham Estate is Saunderton, on the Chiltern line, 1 mile from the village.
Watlington Hill
Nearest train station to Watlington Hill is Henley-on-Thames (10 miles away)
- Cycling
- See local cycle routes on Sustrans website
Chilterns Countryside, c/o Hughenden estate, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, HP14 4LA
Highlights
Bradenham Estate
Farmland views and beech woodlands surrounding a village green. See the 11th-century church and 17th-century (private) manor house.
Coombe Hill
The highest viewpoint in the Chilterns with a Boer War monument. Chalk grassland with wildflowers and butterflies. Natural play area.
Watlington Hill
Area of rare chalk grassland, especially good for watching red kites flying overhead. Iconic, triangular chalk white mark and woodland.
Things to see and do
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Things to see and do in the Chilterns Countryside
Discover the countryside sites of the Chilterns. Find the best viewpoints, walk through ancient woodland or pick a quiet spot to watch for wildlife.
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Visiting Coombe Hill in the Chilterns Countryside
Explore the walking trails, play area and wildlife of Coombe Hill, the highest point in the Chiltern Hills.
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Visiting Bradenham in the Chilterns Countryside
Discover scenic Bradenham. Look for wildlife and hidden archaeology in the ancient woodland or set out to explore the picturesque village.
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Visiting Watlington Hill in the Chilterns Countryside
The wonderful views, rich chalk grassland and downland of Watlington Hill make it a perfect place for walks and wildlife spotting.
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Visiting Aston Wood and Juniper Bank in the Chilterns Countryside
Discover Aston Wood and Juniper Bank in the Chiltern Hills. These woodland sites are ripe for exploring, with wildlife to spot and trails to follow.
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Things to see at Pulpit Hill Iron Age fort in the Chilterns Countryside
Explore the ancient remains of a hidden Iron Age hillfort in this atmospheric woodland.
Outdoor activities
Trail
Low Scrubs: A walk back in time
Explore the atmospheric woodland of Low Scrubs, encountering relics of its ancient past from as far back as the early Iron Age, on this short waymarked walk.
Trail
Beacon Hill, Juniper Bank and Aston Wood walk
Explore the Aston Rowant National Nature Reserve, along with the National Trust woodlands at nearby Juniper Bank and Aston Wood.
Trail
Watlington Hill and the Wormsley Estate walk
This is a long and fairly challenging walk taking you around Watlington Hill, Pyrton Hill, Cowleaze Wood and the Wormsley Estate.
Trail
West Wycombe ridges and bottoms walk
Discover the ups and downs of the valleys that carve their way through the Chiltern Hills on this challenging circular trail, which starts from West Wycombe and explores the surrounding woodland, farmland, and villages.
Top trails
Trail
Coombe Hill and Chequers trail
Enjoy a moderately energetic circular walk from Coombe Hill, taking in views across the Aylesbury Vale. You'll wander through woodlands, past rare chalk grassland and the pretty village of Ellesborough.
Trail
Hambleden Mill to Henley-on-Thames circular river walk
This circular Thames walk takes in a historic watermill, the Henley Regatta course, views across the Thames Valley and quiet stretches of river with the chance to spot wildlife.
Trail
Coombe Hill Woodland Walk
Follow this gentle circular trail in the Chilterns through beech woodland to the top of Coombe Hill, with far-reaching views from its summit.
Trail
Chiltern Hills three-in-one walk
Discover a challenging 8½-mile scenic walk linking three National Trust places in the Chiltern Hills: West Wycombe, Bradenham and Hughenden. Longer and shorter routes can be completed depending on your choice.
Trail
Bradenham beech woods walk
Enjoy a classic Chilterns landscape and find out more about the history of this part of the world on the Bradenham beech woods walk.
Trail
Hambleden Valley, Turville and Fingest
Explore the wooded valleys of the Chiltern Hills on this 9.5-mile circular walk, passing through some of the area's prettiest villages.
Trail
Watlington Hill short walk
This walk offers memorable views over the Vale of Oxford and Chiltern Escarpment, as well as abundant wildlife and birdlife amongst the site's chalk grassland and woodland habitats.
Trail
Hambleden and Pheasant’s Hill trail
Visit rural hamlets, stroll through beech woods and enjoy views across the Hambleden Valley on the Hambleden and Pheasant’s Hill trail.
Upcoming events
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About Chilterns Countryside
Situated in the picturesque Chiltern Hills, this group of popular beauty spots offers fabulous walking opportunities. Pleasant day long walks with a pub stop can take you through the intimate landscape of woods, farms and hamlets that make up much of the Chilterns.
The largest sites include Coombe Hill near Wendover, which has far-reaching views over Aylesbury Vale. Bradenham Estate, between West Wycombe and Princes Risborough, is a pretty village and patchwork of woodland and chalk grassland. Watlington Hill and Woods is at the top of an escarpment where red kites and ravens soar and play over views of Oxfordshire stretching into the distance.
Smaller sites worth exploring include Pulpit Hill and Low Scrubs near Wendover, and Aston Wood and Juniper Bank near Stokenchurch.
History
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History of the Chilterns Countryside
The countryside of the Chiltern Hills is steeped in history. Explore the past of some of our sites, from royal visits to ancient hillforts.
Our work
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Our work in the Chilterns countryside
Find out more about our work to manage ancient woodlands, hedgerows and meadows to create a diverse habitat that enables a wide variety of wildlife to thrive.
Support us
Volunteer with us
Search for live volunteering opportunities, or register your interest with Chilterns Countryside.
