Marlow Common, Chilterns

Start: Marlow Common, Grid ref SU 823 861

(S/E) From the ‘triangle’, take the right fork down to a road. Cross it, pass timber posts and then continue ahead on a wide track.

After 300m, where the field on the left ends, fork right at a Waymark post and in about 50m pass to the right of a fenced regeneration area. Follow the track all the way to a post at an opening to a housing estate.

(1) Take the path on the right just before the post and continue to a ‘T’ junction.

(2) Turn left and follow the edge of the housing estate to reach more timber posts. Here, bear right keeping to the narrower path close to the hedge on the left.

Follow the flint wall round to a small lawned area and lane. Bear right down the lane for 200m with Danesfield Garden Centre on the left, to a footpath on the right just before the first flint building on the right.

(3) Turn right through a gap in a hedge down a waymarked path into a valley, keeping to the right of a wire fence. Where the path ends at the bottom of the slope, turn right onto a crossing path.

Follow this winding track for about 500m until the path is fenced off and diverted, then follow the permissive footpath signs up the slope, turning left at the top and continuing along the waymarked path, to reach a lane. Be careful of the tree roots and muddy patches on this stretch.

(4) Turn left, go down the hill and around the right-hand bend until the start of a field on the right. Turn right onto the track into Pullingshill Wood.

Follow this track as it runs between meadows on the left and woodland on the right for 500m to a Chiltern Way post on the left. Turn left along this path following a fence on your left all the way to a road. Turn right and walk along it for a few yards to the entrance to Homefield Wood.

(5) Take the cinder track into Homefield Wood. After 70m, bear right off the Chiltern Way and then fork left to a metal gate. Go through this and the next gate, and bear left up a gradual incline on a well established track.

At the top, fork right along a waymarked path down into a valley, then straight ahead uphill to emerge in a field. Turn right and follow the hedge until it bends to the right. Here, cut across the corner of the field towards a white waymark post to the right of a house and then onto a road.

(6) Cross the road, pass through the gate ahead, then bear half right over a field down to the next road. Turn right and, after 50m, turn left onto a waymarked path between houses. Follow the path down to the next stile. Cross it, the farm track and then through a metal kissing gate into a field. Bear half right uphill.

Go through a timber kissing gate and then ahead to a crossing bridleway. Take the path opposite into the Chiltern Society nature reserve. The path bears left. Stay on this path for 200m to the second crossing track at a short waymark sign.

(7) Turn right and follow this path, keeping a wooden seat and a sign board for the Claypits on your left to pass a glade on the right to reach another crossing track. Turn left and left again and proceed to a gate and a road. Cross it and take the track and then a narrow path to pass to the left of Heathercroft House. Cross a field and go through two kissing gates.

(8) After the second one turn sharp right onto the Chiltern Way and follow it into the woods of Marlow Common. Stay in the same direction as the path goes down a short gradient, past a crater on the right, to a junction of paths at the bottom. Bear left and then fork right up a gradual incline to meet, after 100m, the next crossing track.

Turn right and stay on the Chiltern Way for 300m as it crosses a small ditch. Take the next right and follow the white arrows as the path runs parallel to the ditch. Proceed a further 100m and then bear left, still following the Chiltern Way. Cross the road to the information board.

(9) Turn left and take the path that runs parallel with the road to return to the start of the walk.(S/E)

"We hope you have enjoyed your walk. Please remember to rate the walk and add comments. We are interested in how we could improve the instructions or the route and would like to hear about any issues with paths on the walk."

Start & Finish: Marlow Common, Grid ref SU 823 861

Parking: Please park as close as possible to the ‘triangle’ formed by an intersection of roads at the south end of the Common.

Terrain: A moderate walk with some fairly short ascents and descents. It can be muddy in places. Four stiles.

Food & Drink: None on the walk. The Royal Oak at Bovingdon Green is nearby.