From the car park at Watlington Hill head for the road and turn right. Follow the road and bear right 100yds (91m) before a junction, through a wooden gate. Go diagonally right for a few paces to a second wooden gate, adjacent to a field gate. Pass through the single gate and descend through the trees. Further down the slope the curtain of trees on the right thins to reveal pleasant views of farmland. Soon more trees crowd in to obscure the view before the Oxfordshire countryside is once again glimpsed through gaps in the foliage. Along this stretch of the walk you may catch sight of deer grazing among the open pasture and trees. Continue following the path across National Trust land to join a cinder track.
Pass some brick stables and a hard tennis court before reaching a converted timber barn. Keep ahead on the drive, pass a pair of brick semis and at the next major intersection turn left through the trees. In just a few paces, as the track sweeps right, keep ahead to a gate and climb steeply. Ascend to the boundary of Watlington Park and from the higher ground there are impressive westerly views over this undulating corner of the county.
Enter woodland and turn left after several paces. Follow the path through a break in the trees and on the right is a striking view of Watlington Park. Keep ahead through the woods, bend right and continue until eventually you reach a drive. Turn left to the road and keep left, passing the former church of the Nativity, dating back to 1889 – now a private house - on the right.
Pass the Fox and Hounds pub and Christmas Common Farm and continue along the road towards Stokenchurch and Chinnor. Take the next left turning, signposted Watlington, and follow the road back to the car park at Watlington Hill.
Mention the Chilterns and the picture that springs to mind is of a long line of rolling chalk hills stretching across the Home Counties of southern England. These hills, covering parts of Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire, are quintessentially English in appearance and... character and they are an intrinsic, integral part of the landscape. But what do we really know about this glorious region of the country? The Chilterns may be known for their snaking contours, but their most scenic feature represents an unexpected blessing. The hills boast some of the finest beechwoods in the country and in wet weather or on a blistering hot summer day, the trees act as a protective canopy from the elements for those exploring the area on foot. Looming like guardians above the Vale of Aylesbury, the Chilterns are in a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) covering 308 square miles. The hills are best seen in autumn when the leaves of the beech trees turn from dark green to deep brown. Queen Victoria's favourite Despite the air of peace and tranquility that pervades the Chilterns, these hills are deceptively close to London. Trafalgar Square lies just 35 miles away. The hills are even bisected by the Metropolitan Line, which reaches to the far-flung outposts of Chesham and Amersham. The region’s close proximity to the capital has made it an obvious choice for political leaders who relish the unhurried pace of country life. Queen Victoria’s favourite Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli made his home at nearby Hughenden Manor, now the property of the National Trust. Though he died 20 years before Victoria, at the time of his passing he was one of her closest confidants. The house is Georgian, though it was given a Gothic flavour in 1862. Inside are many of Disraeli’s books and pictures, together with correspondence from Queen Victoria, who spent some time in his study following his funeral. Especially striking are the gardens at Hughenden, designed by Disraeli’s wife, Mary Anne. Red kites and rare flowers Also to be found within the region is Chequers, home to the British Prime Minister of the day. The house dates back to 1565 and was given to the nation in 1921 by Viscount Lee of Fareham. Over many decades crucial summits have been hosted here, Russian presidents have enjoyed weekend visits and countless British statesmen have made decisions of national importance within its ancient walls. Churchill, perhaps the best-known of all of its inhabitants, summed it up best with these memorable words: ‘What distinguished guests it has sheltered, what momentous meetings it has witnessed, what fateful decisions have been taken under this roof.’ More than 100,000 people live within the Chilterns AONB and there are 50 million visitors a year. One fifth of the area of the Chilterns is covered by woodland – three times the average for England. As well as the famous beechwoods, the area is renowned for its rare flowers, including the Chiltern gentian and the military orchid. From ground level glance up to the skies and you may spot red kites circling above. This striking bird of prey was reintroduced in the 1990s and today the Chilterns is home to England’s largest population.
Located at the heart of England, Oxfordshire enjoys a rich heritage and varied scenery, with Oxford’s elegant streets a highlight for visitors. The landscape encompasses open chalk downland, picturesque rivers and attractive villages, while northwest of Oxfordshire is home to the sleepy backwaters of Abingdon, Wallingford, Wantage, Watlington and Witney that reveal how Oxfordshire’s old towns evolved over the centuries.
From the car park at Watlington Hill head for the road and turn right. Follow the road and bear right 100yds (91m) before a junction, through a wooden gate. Go diagonally right for a few paces to a second wooden gate, adjacent to a field gate. Pass through the single gate and descend through the trees. Further down the slope the curtain of trees on the right thins to reveal pleasant views of farmland. Soon more trees crowd in to obscure the view before the Oxfordshire countryside is once again glimpsed through gaps in the foliage. Along this stretch of the walk you may catch sight of deer grazing among the open pasture and trees. Continue following the path across National Trust land to join a cinder track.
1 of 4
Pass some brick stables and a hard tennis court before reaching a converted timber barn. Keep ahead on the drive, pass a pair of brick semis and at the next major intersection turn left through the trees. In just a few paces, as the track sweeps right, keep ahead to a gate and climb steeply. Ascend to the boundary of Watlington Park and from the higher ground there are impressive westerly views over this undulating corner of the county.
2 of 4
Enter woodland and turn left after several paces. Follow the path through a break in the trees and on the right is a striking view of Watlington Park. Keep ahead through the woods, bend right and continue until eventually you reach a drive. Turn left to the road and keep left, passing the former church of the Nativity, dating back to 1889 – now a private house - on the right.
3 of 4
Pass the Fox and Hounds pub and Christmas Common Farm and continue along the road towards Stokenchurch and Chinnor. Take the next left turning, signposted Watlington, and follow the road back to the car park at Watlington Hill.
Mention the Chilterns and the picture that springs to mind is of a long line of rolling chalk hills stretching across the Home Counties of southern England. These hills, covering parts of Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire, are quintessentially English in appearance and... character and they are an intrinsic, integral part of the landscape. But what do we really know about this glorious region of the country? The Chilterns may be known for their snaking contours, but their most scenic feature represents an unexpected blessing. The hills boast some of the finest beechwoods in the country and in wet weather or on a blistering hot summer day, the trees act as a protective canopy from the elements for those exploring the area on foot. Looming like guardians above the Vale of Aylesbury, the Chilterns are in a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) covering 308 square miles. The hills are best seen in autumn when the leaves of the beech trees turn from dark green to deep brown. Queen Victoria's favourite Despite the air of peace and tranquility that pervades the Chilterns, these hills are deceptively close to London. Trafalgar Square lies just 35 miles away. The hills are even bisected by the Metropolitan Line, which reaches to the far-flung outposts of Chesham and Amersham. The region’s close proximity to the capital has made it an obvious choice for political leaders who relish the unhurried pace of country life. Queen Victoria’s favourite Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli made his home at nearby Hughenden Manor, now the property of the National Trust. Though he died 20 years before Victoria, at the time of his passing he was one of her closest confidants. The house is Georgian, though it was given a Gothic flavour in 1862. Inside are many of Disraeli’s books and pictures, together with correspondence from Queen Victoria, who spent some time in his study following his funeral. Especially striking are the gardens at Hughenden, designed by Disraeli’s wife, Mary Anne. Red kites and rare flowers Also to be found within the region is Chequers, home to the British Prime Minister of the day. The house dates back to 1565 and was given to the nation in 1921 by Viscount Lee of Fareham. Over many decades crucial summits have been hosted here, Russian presidents have enjoyed weekend visits and countless British statesmen have made decisions of national importance within its ancient walls. Churchill, perhaps the best-known of all of its inhabitants, summed it up best with these memorable words: ‘What distinguished guests it has sheltered, what momentous meetings it has witnessed, what fateful decisions have been taken under this roof.’ More than 100,000 people live within the Chilterns AONB and there are 50 million visitors a year. One fifth of the area of the Chilterns is covered by woodland – three times the average for England. As well as the famous beechwoods, the area is renowned for its rare flowers, including the Chiltern gentian and the military orchid. From ground level glance up to the skies and you may spot red kites circling above. This striking bird of prey was reintroduced in the 1990s and today the Chilterns is home to England’s largest population.
Located at the heart of England, Oxfordshire enjoys a rich heritage and varied scenery, with Oxford’s elegant streets a highlight for visitors. The landscape encompasses open chalk downland, picturesque rivers and attractive villages, while northwest of Oxfordshire is home to the sleepy backwaters of Abingdon, Wallingford, Wantage, Watlington and Witney that reveal how Oxfordshire’s old towns evolved over the centuries.
