Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire & Berkshire

German Forest walk at Hughenden

Disraeli's 'German Forest' | © National Trust / Hugh Mothersole

This 1.5-mile walk explores the dark evergreen woods inspired by Benjamin and Mary Anne Disraeli's visits to the Northern Bohemian forests on the German/Czech border. The walk includes a mix of woodlands and gently rolling valleys with views across a mixture of grazed and ploughed fields divided by hedgerows.

Near to

Hughenden

Start point

Hughenden visitor welcome kiosk. Grid ref: SU860955.

Trail information

View route

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Difficulty*

Full trail

DistanceMiles: 1.5 (km: 2.4)

Duration1 hour

Dog friendly**

*Most of the walk is on soft and surfaced footpaths. For further details, please see Terrain section.
**Dogs are welcome. For further details, please see section marked Facilities.

Waymarkers

To help you to follow this walk, please look out for the purple waymarker arrows.

Address
Hughenden, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, HP14 4LA
Directions via Google Maps
By train
The nearest station is at High Wycombe (2 miles).
On foot
1.5 miles (2.4km) north of High Wycombe. Footpaths head into the estate from surrounding villages including Hughenden Valley, Downley and Naphill. Hughenden Manor is 0.5 mile (0.8km) uphill from the main road (A4128).
By bus
Arriva 300 is the regular bus service between High Wycombe and Aylesbury. The bus stops at the entrance to the drive at Hughenden Manor.
Cycling
Hughenden is accessible by bicycle from High Wycombe and the surrounding villages. Please see OS Explorer map 172.
By road
1.5 miles (2.4km) north of High Wycombe in the direction of Kingshill and Hughenden Valley. Exit 4 from M40, then A404 towards High Wycombe, and then follow signs to Eden Shopping Centre, then A4128 to Great Missenden. Post code: HP14 4LA.
Dogs
Dogs are welcome to be off lead around the woodland but please return them to a lead when walking close to cattle and sheep. Please do not allow your dog to frighten other people or chase wildlife.
Car park
Car parking at Hughenden's main car park is included in admission to the manor and gardens. There is an alternative car park at Hughenden Church (not available during services).
Toilet
There are public toilets at Hughenden's stableyard.
Café
Café at the stableyard.
Picnic area
Benches and other places to picnic can be found in the picnic orchard and in Echo Valley. Please take your litter home with you.
Total stages: 9
Total stages: 9
Start point
Hughenden visitor welcome kiosk. Grid ref: SU860955.
Stage 1
From the visitor welcome kiosk, retrace your steps towards the main car park. At the T-junction of paths by the Dew Pond, turn left. There is a purple waymarker on a post. After about 25m turn right along a more or less level path at another purple waymarker .
Stage 2
The National Trust Rangers at Hughenden have recently been clearing diseased ash trees on this path. The gaps this has created allow views across Echo Valley towards Manor Farm and the D'Israeli Monument. Continue on relatively the level path through the German Forest for another 500 metres until you reach a crossing of five paths.
A glimpse of the D'Israeli Monument
In the distance on Tinker's Hill and above the outbuildings of Manor Farm, you catch a glimpse of a commemorative monument that was designed by Edward Buckton Lamb to the memory of Isaac D'Israeli (1766–1848). He was a successful literary critic and historian, and the father of Benjamin Disraeli. The monument was commissioned as a 'surprise' gift from Benjamin Disraeli's wife Mary Anne.
View across open countryside with a glimpse of the D'Israeli Monument | © National Trust / Hugh Mothersole
Stage 3
At the junction of paths, take the first path on the left that heads downhill. (This path can be very rutted in places as it is used by vehicles for forestry work.) Ignoring any crossing paths and bearing left at a fork after 50m, follow this path until it reaches the base of the slope and meets a bridleway running along the bottom of the valley.
The Disraelis' German Forest
The walk takes you through Hughenden's German-inspired woodland. Disraeli and his wife Mary Anne visited Northern Bohemia and were enchanted by the forests there. On returning to Hughenden they set about creating their own German forest where they could enjoy an evening stroll. Along the path, the evergreen trees provide a splendid realisation of Disraeli's vision of Northern Bohemia. The yews, other conifers and laurels planted among the native beech trees create year-round interest.
Disraeli's 'German Forest' | © National Trust / Hugh Mothersole
Stage 4
Turn left on to the bridleway and follow it along the bottom of the valley towards a field gate 100m away.
Stage 5
Turn left off the bridleway just before the field gate, following the footpath uphill between the trees. At the T-junction, turn right along an open path which skirts the lower edge of Hanging Wood. On your right you can get a good view of the D'Israeli Monument and of Echo Valley towards High Wycombe. In spring and summer look out for the colourful wildflower banks on both sides of the path.
Echo Valley
Echo Valley is a typical Chiltern dry valley that was carved from the chalk during the Ice Age, about half a million years ago. Now you can sit and enjoy the view with sheep and cattle grazing the fields. Alongside the path you will find a bank that we carefully manage so an abundance of wild flowers flourish. These include wild strawberries, milkwort, dog violets, marjoram, buttercups and large clumps of primroses, Disraeli's favourite flower. The flowers attract many species of butterfly and bee.
Banks alongside the path are carefully managed to encourage a wide range of wild flowers. | © National Trust
Stage 6
Continue straight ahead along the path into an area of woodland, keeping to the main path.
Stage 7
On reaching a wooden signpost, follow the route ahead and uphill towards Hughenden Manor and tea-room.
Stage 8
On reaching the top of a short, steep slope, follow the narrow sunken road ahead of you between flint walls. Please take care as vehicles use this road. You will soon reach a junction of roads and paths with the gates to Hughenden Manor and its gardens on your right, and the stableyard and walled garden on your left.
Hughenden Manor
The manor is best known as the former home of the great Victorian statesman and author Benjamin Disraeli. Hughenden provides a fascinating glimpse into the private world of one of the most colourful and charismatic characters of his age. You can also discover the secret wartime history of 'Operation Hillside' where secret maps were made for the RAF. Alternatively, relax in the gardens, browse in the shop, or enjoy some refreshments in the Stable Café.
Stage 9
When you are ready to continue, take the road that curves uphill to the left of the stableyard, with the apple orchard picnic area on your left, to reach the visitor welcome kiosk.
End point
Hughenden visitor welcome kiosk. Grid ref: SU860955.
Trail map
Trail map for the German forest walk at Hughenden | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
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High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, HP14 4LA

01494755565

hughenden@nationaltrust.org.uk

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Near to

Start point

Trail information

Difficulty*

Full trail

Waymarkers

Getting here

Facilities

Terrain and elevation

Trail route

Total stages: 9

Total stages: 9

Start point

Stage 1

Stage 2

Point of interest

Stage 3

Point of interest

Stage 4

Stage 5

Point of interest

Stage 6

Stage 7

Stage 8

Point of interest

Stage 9

End point

Trail map

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