Hedsor walks

Sir Stanley Spencer was one of the most important painters of the 20th century. This walk will take you round his home village, a place he regarded as ‘heaven on earth’. It also ventures out into the surrounding countryside and alongside the Thames. The locations of several of his paintings are highlighted in the description with more details in the "to do or see" section.

On the off chance that you are searching for a picturesque and refreshing walk by the water, this is for you. From overlooking the River Thames from the top of a hill to strolling along the Thames path, this is ideal for a sunny weekend walk.

Follow the Thames Path through the lovely scenery of Cliveden Reach. Visit Boulter's lock, enjoy the wildlife on the newly-created Jubilee River and pass close to Eton College.

An energetic walk with splendid views, through a picturesque village and ancient woodland.

From the water meadows of Cock Marsh to the well-known viewpoint on Winter Hill, passing through the picturesque village of Cookham Dean, this is an invigorating circular walk with excellent views. Some of the hills are steep, but the paths are good and there are no stiles.

First 2 miles are flat, along the Thames Path & Spade Oak Nature Reserve to Little Marlow. The rest of the stage is tough and very hilly with many steep climbs and mostly off-road thru'the Chiltern Hills. The route goes up around the back of High Wycombe to finish just past the National Trust owned village of West Wycombe at Pedestal Roundabout at junction of A40 and A4010.

The second stage continues on the Thames Path from Bourne End for a short distance, then climbs up through the Chiltern woodlands to descend into High Wycombe. At this point, continue on stage three to Chequers.Alternatively, there are regular bus services back to Bourne End (36/37) or Windsor (37/104). You can also take the Chiltern Railways train to London, Oxford or Birmingham.

A mostly level walk on good paths, much of it on the Green Way. No stiles. Refreshment is available in picturesque Cookham village, once home to the artist Stanley Spencer. The village dates back to prehistoric times and has many fine old buildings.

Scenic Burnham Beeches National Nature Reserve is owned by the City of London. They describe it as one of Europeʼs most important places for wildlife. Burnham Beeches is particularly colourful in spring and autumn, but well worth a visit at any time of year.

Follow the Thames Path through the lovely scenery of Cliveden Reach. Visit Boulter's lock, enjoy the wildlife on the newly-created Jubilee River and pass close to Eton College.

A mainly level walk along the scenic Thames Path then rising to overlook the famous regatta course before descending to the much-photographed river bridge and church in Henley-on-Thames.

A level walk on good paths apart from steep steps to bridge across the A404. There are three pubs en route. A wide variety of waterfowl may be seen in the Spade Oak Nature Reserve and on the River Thames.

An easy walk that climbs to the ridge on which Penn stands. Stroll through quiet woods and fields visiting the newly planted Jubilee Wood and the village of Penn with its ancient church and historic inns.

This walk follows the Thames Path to Windsor with a detour along the Eton College Olympic Rowing Lake. You will find boating on the Thames, an ancient wetlands area, an historic village with artistic connections, beautiful Clivedon, Reach and Boulter's lock, the famous railway bridge, Monkey Island, Eton's impressive rowing lake, arboretum and the nature reserve Windsor Castle.

A walk along the Thames Path to Temple Lock and through the picturesque Harleyford Estate to the woods of Marlow Common and the new Chiltern Society Local Nature Reserve.

Starting from the National Trust car park (free!) on Pinkneys Drive, the walk takes you to the green expanses of Pinkneys Green before heading towards Marlow through the countryside and forest.In Marlow, the original route joins the north bank of the Thames and follows it upstream to Temple Footbridge, which is unfortunately closed due to dilapidation and danger (missing/rotten planks). The alternative is 3 km of tarmac.This is followed by a pretty stretch along the Thames, passing Hurley Lock and the residences of Frogmill.The walk leaves the Thames, crosses Henley Road and takes a small path that runs alongside the Robinswood estate, where we saw a deer frolicking!Splendid horse pastures alternate with forest until you reach the top of Ashley Hill.Shortly after kilometre 17, the route passes through a huge osier bed belonging to Berkshire College of Agriculture and then enters the fields.

The third stage leaves High Wycombe, passes Hughenden Manor estate of former Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli, then continues through Chiltern hills and woodlands past Hampden House seat of John Hampden prominent parliamentarian in the Civil War, joining the Ridgeway national trail on the edge of the Chequers estate. At this point, continue on stage four to Little Kimble station.Alternatively, follow the Ridgeway eastward to Wendover station for services to Amersham Underground station on the Metropolitan Line.

A short walk from High Wycombe based around the river Wye. Learn about the history of the river, see the work of the "Revive the Wye Partnership" and the place where the Chiltern Society started in 1965.

This route will take you to see historic buildings, modern engineering projects and film locations, before finishing with a stroll along the peaceful and tranquil Thames.

An undulating walk through woodland and arable farmland, via Penn House Estate, Common Wood and Penn Wood.

This circular offers heaps of views, wildlife spotting, and history preserved by the National Trust. It goes up and down the Chilterns hills and woodlands where end of May-June you can enjoy the bluebells. Keep your ears and eyes wide open listening to the whistling red kites or spot some pheasant or squirrels.

This is a delightful walk from Holmer Green (located between High Wycombe and Amersham) through Chilterns woodland, fields and tracks to Coleshill All Saints Church, where there are benches in the churchyard for a picnic. Return the same way.

The route follows the Thames Path all the way. At times the path can be narrow, so be aware. The route crosses Windsor Bridge to Eton, then turns left to follow the Thames Path past Boveney, Dorney Lake. Oakley Court and Bray Studios are soon visible across the river. Next is Bray Lock, then through Maidenhead, and Cookham to Bourne End.

A lovely walk that passes through woods and farmland with pleasant distant views. You can visit Chiltern Open Air Museum and Milton’s Cottage. Note there is currently a temporary diversion in place (since May 2022) which prevents entry into Newlands Park whilst development work is undertaken. This description includes the diversion.

This section of our walk starts is 11.4 miles. It starts at Windsor & Eton Riverside Station and takes in Windsor Castle, The Long Walk, Windsor Great Park, Three Castles Path, Virginia Water, Valley Gardens, Savill Garden and Englefield Green.

This circular long distance path has access points that are easily reached by train from London, Reading and adjoining stations. If time is limited it can be walked in sections at weekends and bank holidays with one or two overnight stops. The walk passes through a variety of beautiful countryside including river valleys, chalk downland, coniferous forests, rare heath, and beech woods that are carpeted with bluebells in spring.

The 1rst sections of this walk follow The Three Castles Path, a long distance route inspired by the 13th century journeys undertaken by King John between his castles at Windsor, Odiham and Winchester

In September 2025, the President of the United States of America made a state visit to Britain, staying at Windsor Castle as guest of the King, then travelling to meet the Prime Minister at Chequers, the official country residence. It’s 20 miles as the helicopter flies from Windsor to Chequers; this is a 25 miles walking route between the two.

The first stage starts at Windsor Castle, passing over the River Thames to Eton, then follows the Jubilee River to near Maidenhead, where it picks up the Thames Path national trail to Bourne End. At this point, continue on stage two to High Wycombe.Alternatively, there is a regular bus service (37) back to Windsor, or take the train to Maidenhead for Great Western and Elizabeth Line services.

Tough from the start. Big climb up to Downley, then drop down thru' woods before climbing steeply to Hughenden Manor (National Trust). Immediately, descend again to follows Hughenden Stream, then climb up Boss Lane to Great Kingshill & rolling thru' Prestwood to join the South Bucks Way at Little Kingshill and follow it thru' Little Missenden. Then along River Misbourne thru' Shardeloes Estate, before diverting to Old Amersham.

Chiltern hillwalking at its best, linking the National Trust (NT) estates of West Wycombe Park and Hughenden, with wonderful views over the surrounding area. Don’t be put off by the amount of climbing involved, this walk is well worth the effort.

Walk from West Wycombe towards Radnage Church, before crossing Bledlow Ridge and returning along the ridge to West Wycombe Hill.

A tough walk through the rolling Chiltern Hills taking in Chess Valley Walk, Chilterns Way and Hertfordshire Way. Starts in Old Amersham, near St Mary's Church. Big climb up to pass Martyrs Memorial on the hill above Amersham, then through Chiltern Forest, Latimer, Flaunden and Chipperfield Common to finish at the Two Brewers Inn, Chipperfield.

This section of our walk starts at Datchet Railway Station. It is 14.75 miles and takes in Datchet Village, the Jubilee River, Dorney, Maidenhead Riverside, Dorney Lake, Boveney, the Thames Path, Eton High Street and Windsor Bridge. It is the longest of the five sections, but is flat and easy to follow.

A scenic walk around Naphill. Full of interest: there is a fascinating history of WWII codebreaking and you pass the home of a famous sculptor and a music camp.