Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire & Berkshire

Woodcock Wood walk at Hughenden

Woodland trees either side of a path. — Woodcock Wood at Hughenden | © Hugh Mothersole

This leisurely walk takes you on a short loop around typical Chiltern farmland and woodland on the Hughenden estate. You'll walk through the peaceful Woodcock Wood to a viewpoint that takes in the Chilterns countryside and Hughenden Valley village. The route back goes along ‘Coffin Path’, named after the ancient road that was used for taking the parishioners of Naphill on their final journey to the church in Hughenden.

Near to

Hughenden

Start point

Start at the visitor welcome kiosk. Grid Ref SU860955

Trail information

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Difficulty*

Accessibility**

Full trail

DistanceMiles: 1.2 (km: 1.92)

Duration 30 mins

Dog friendly***

*Mostly level walk across variety of gravel and grass surfaces. For further details, see section marked Terrain.
**Mainly level walk with one steep section. For further details, see section marked Access.
***Dogs should be kept on a lead near livestock. For further details, see section marked Facilities.

Look out for blue waymarker arrows

This walk is waymarked with blue marker arrows at all main changes of direction.

Address
Hughenden Manor, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, HP14 4LA.
Directions via Google Maps
Cycling
Hughenden is accessible by bicycle from High Wycombe and the surrounding villages. Please see OS Explorer map 172.
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.
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 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. HP144LA. SATNAV: the nearest postcode is HP144LA. Latitude: 51.653686, Longitude: -0.75919585.
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 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 in site at the stableyard.
Café
National Trust cafe 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.
The walk is mainly on the level, taking in a range of gravel and grass surfaces and paths. There is one steep section in the centre of Woodcock Wood and only a few gates to open. There are no stiles. The paths can be very muddy in winter or following wet weather. In places, look out for projecting tree roots in the path. Stout walking shoes or walking boots are recommended in wet conditions or after heavy rain.

The walk is way-marked with blue marker arrows at all main changes of direction.
Total stages: 7
Total stages: 7
Start point
Start at the visitor welcome kiosk. Grid Ref SU860955
Stage 1
From the visitor welcome kiosk, retrace your steps towards the main car park. At the junction of paths by the Dew Pond take a sharp right in front of the pond until you reach the road. Turn left towards the car park for 50 metres before turning right onto a path, with a small plantation of young fruit trees on your left. Follow the blue and red arrows downhill into Woodcock Wood.
Stage 2
On entering the woods, continue ahead downhill for 50metres. Take care as the path is deeply rutted in places. At a junction of paths turn sharp left. Follow the blue arrows along the gentle woodland path, until it descends to a crossing path in a distinct dip. Continue up the other side and straight ahead, along the meandering woodland path, until you reach a metal gate that leads out of the wood. This path can be muddy, particularly in the winter.
Stage 3
Go through the gate at the edge of the wood and walk diagonally (half-left) across the corner of the field to another gate about 100 metres away. From this vantage point you are quite likely to see red kites soaring overhead and you will see distant views over the Chilterns countryside. The village in the valley to your right is Hughenden Valley.
Stage 4
Go left through the gate and follow the fence line on your right hand side.
Stage 5
On reaching a crossing track, turn left. You are now on the Coffin Path. Continue along the path, between tall hedges and farmland, until you reach the entrance to the main car park. These fields are farmed by our tenant farmers, so please take care when large scale farm machinery is being used.
The Coffin Path
Naphill has no parish church of its own but falls in the Parish of Hughenden. This ancient road was used for transporting the parishioners of Naphill on their final journey to the churchyard of St Michael and All Angels in Hughenden, either carried on the shoulders of their friends or (for the larger members of the village) on the back of a horse-drawn cart. Look out for hedgerow birds such as wrens, various finches and yellowhammers. You may also see kestrels, sparrowhawks and partridges. The track almost certainly follows the line of a Saxon field boundary.
Stage 6
On reaching the car park, turn right and taking great care, cross the car park towards the ‘All Visitors’ sign to return to the visitor welcome kiosk.
Stage 7
Turn left and head downhill through the woodland to return to the visitor welcome kiosk. Here, there is a new adventure playground for younger children as well as a large picnic area in the orchard. A café, shop and toilets are also available at the Stable Yard.
Hughenden Manor
Hughenden 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. Here, you can relax in the elegant gardens, visit the Stableyard Café and find a gift in the shop.
The south facade at Hughenden Manor, Buckinghamshire | © National Trust Images/Hugh Mothersole
End point
Visitor welcome kiosk
Trail map
Woodcock Wood walk map | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
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