Walk through Chackmore, pass the Queen’s Head pub and continue through the village. At the speed de-restriction signs, keep ahead for a few paces and look for a path on the left. Aim diagonally right in the field, passing under power lines.  Make for a stile and waymarker beneath the branches of an oak tree in the corner.

Cross the field straight ahead, towards a gate and stile, beyond which is a plank bridge. Keep skirting the boundary of the field to the right all the way to the top far corner. Look left to see the Corinthian Arch at Stowe Park. Go through a kissing gate beside a galvanised gate and join a path. To the right is a fine view of Stowe Castle. Pass under telegraph wires and look for a gap and waymark ahead. Walk ahead and cross a footbridge over water. Cross the next field.

At the bottom of the field, cross a bridge over a stream and through a gate go into the field and head up the slope, keeping to the left of a house up above. As you climb the slope, the Gothic Temple can be seen to the left. Pass the former Lamport Lodge house, by grand (disused) gates, go through a galvanised gate and continue ahead. The Bourbon Tower is clearly visible over to the right. To the left is Lord Cobham’s Pillar. Pass over a stile and continue ahead towards a distant obelisk commemorating the Duke of Buckingham. Merge with another path and keep a sports ground on your right.

Make for a gate leading out to the left of an avenue of trees running down towards the Grecian Valley (only Stowe ticket holders may enter this area). Cross over and follow the track on the right-hand side of the ha-ha up to a clump of trees. Bear left here and follow the wide, straight metalled road, part of a Roman road. Pass the magnificent façade of Stowe School and keep along the main drive. On reaching the Boycott Pavilions, branch off half left along a track to a stile by a cattle grid and a sign for the Corinthian Arch. Down below lies the Oxford Water, crossed by a splendid 18th-century stone bridge.

Follow the drive through the parkland with glimpses of temples and classical designs. The drive eventually reaches the Corinthian Arch. Line up with the arch and pause here to absorb the breathtaking view of Stowe School, surely one of Britain’s stateliest vistas. Walk down the avenue to the road junction, swing left and return to Chackmore.