Hughenden's Monument walk

Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire & Berkshire

The Disraeli Monument at Hughenden, Buckinghamshire | © National Trust/Hugh Mothersole

This is a short 2-mile linear return walk with moderate hill climbs that takes in the monument at Hughenden. 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.

Near to

Hughenden

Start point

Start at the visitor welcome kiosk. Grid Ref SU860955

Caution traffic

Some sections of the walk feature lanes and roads. Take care when crossing roads or walking along lanes on this walk.

Address
Hughenden Manor, 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 by the entrance to the drive at Hughenden Manor. This is a request stop. Take care crossing the busy A4128 Valley Road. From here walk uphill to the left of St Michael and All Angels church, through the gate to the left of the cattle grid, and then follow the road up to the Stableyard.
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. Follow signs to Eden Shopping Centre, then A4128 to Great Missenden. HP14 4LA.
SATNAV: the nearest postcode is HP14 4LA
Dogs
Dogs are welcome to be off lead around the woodland but please return them to a lead and keep under close control when walking near 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 your admission to the manor and gardens. Grid Ref: SU859957. There is an alternative car park at Hughenden Church (not available during services).
Toilet
There are public toilets at the stableyard.
Café
National Trust café at the stableyard.
Picnic area
Benches and other places to picnic can be found in the picnic orchard. Please take your litter home with you.
Total stages: 12
Total stages: 12
Start point
Start at the visitor welcome kiosk. Grid Ref SU860955
Stage 1
From the visitor welcome kiosk, follow the main path downhill with the orchard picnic area on the right, past the Stableyard on your left to the gated entrance to Hughenden Manor. Turn right along a road with flint walls on both sides for about 50m until you reach the edge of the woods. Take care of occasional traffic along this short road.
Stage 2
Follow the orange waymarker arrow into Manor Wood down a steep slope. Notice the tunnel entrance on the right. 80m after entering the wood you reach a crossing path.
Stage 3
Turn sharp left along a level path through Manor Wood. After 180 metres, on an uphill section, you come to a metal fence to the left of the path. Behind the fence you can see glimpses of Hughenden Manor at the top of the slope on your left.
Sunlight on beech leaves in Manor Wood at Hughenden, Buckinghamshire | © National Trust Images/Chris Lacey
Stage 4
Continue uphill until the path flattens out. You begin to see yew trees in the woodland. A path joins from the left 70m past the end of the metal fence.
Stage 5
Follow the path running gently downhill between an avenue of yew trees, parallel to another metal fence on the edge of Hughenden Park on your left. After 150m turn left on a small path to look at the pet cemetery on the other side of the fence.
Stage 6
Return to the path you were on and continue for 60m until you reach gates and a junction of paths in the corner of Hughenden Park.
Stage 7
Go through a gap to the right of the metal gates, following the orange waymarker arrow, then after 25 metres at a T-junction by Middle Lodge, turn right onto a wide track Look out for ground disturbed by rabbit warrens in the bank on the right. Continue until you come to a metal gate that leads onto Coates Lane.
Stage 8
Taking care of traffic on this sometimes busy road, cross the road then turn left for 25m to reach a metal kissing gate.
Stage 9
Go through the gate then follow the public footpath uphill between until you reach a kissing gate. On the hill to your left you can see Disraeli’s Monument.
Stage 10
Go through the gate then turn left and follow the path uphill through Tinker's Wood until you reach a metal gate on the left.
Stage 11
Follow the orange waymarker arrow through the gate and then to the monument. There is a bench immediately on your left after the gate and from here you get an uninterrupted view, with Manor Farm to your left, Hughenden Manor straight ahead.
The Disraeli Monument
The 50ft 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. It is an outlying feature designed to draw the eye from various parts of the pleasure garden and parklands across the valley to the wider landscape. The views from the monument towards Hughenden Manor are among the best on the estate. It is not unusual to see red kites and buzzards soaring above this peaceful vantage point.
The Disraeli Monument at Hughenden, Buckinghamshire | © National Trust/Hugh Mothersole
Stage 12
After enjoying the views, retrace your path back to Hughenden Manor, taking great care on the steep slopes. This return path is also marked by orange waymarker arrows. (For a less steep, but longer route back, return through the entrance gate to the Monument. Go straight ahead and then immediately bear left, following a relatively level path for 400 metres through Little Tinker’s Wood. On reaching a junction of paths, turn right downhill until you reach the gate at Stage 10, then retrace your steps back to the Manor.) When you get back to Hughenden Manor why not visit the House, browse the second hand bookshop and gift shop, or enjoy some well-deserved refreshments at the Stableyard café.
End point
The visitor welcome kiosk. Grid Ref SU860955
Trail map
Trail map of the monument walk at Hughenden, Buckinghamshire | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
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