Chequers and Coombe Hill from Wendover

Chilterns Walk

Walk Route Description

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This Chiltern walk explores the area to the south of Wendover and includes a variety of landscapes. Route finding is generally good with paths clearly signed. If arriving by car, start from the car park in Wendover (grid ref SP868077). Exit the car park and turn left up the High Street and go straight on to pass Station Approach on the right and over the A413. If arriving by train (regular services from Marylebone), turn right out of the booking hall, go up Station Approach and at the main road turn right and cross over the railway and the A413.

Just after crossing the A413 take the first footpath on the left. Entering a field take the path heading half right which leads to a lane. Turn right up the lane and take the first signed path on the left between houses. The path is never in doubt and leads you in a straight line across a number of fields to enter Coxgrove Wood. Once in the wood take the left hand path at a junction and continue to reach a track (grid ref. SP865061). Turn right, ignore the footpath on the left and follow the bridleway uphill through woodland. This leads you to the road through Dunsmore (grid ref. SP862052).

Turn right along the road. You will soon reach a pair of footpath signs on the left. Once in the field take the right-hand path which descends through paddocks to a lane at Dunsmore Old Farm. Cross the lane and take the bridleway opposite (with farm to your right) and continue through the woodland. Ignore the first signed footpath on your right and continue to a five-way junction (grid ref. SP854050). Ignore the footpaths to your left and right and take the footpath ahead and slightly to the left, ignoring the bridleway veering off to the right. This path leads you through Goodmerhill Wood to join the Ridgeway (grid ref. SP850051). Bear left onto the Ridgeway and descend to a road (grid ref. SP846049).

Cross the road and take the Ridgeway opposite. You now pass through a security area surrounding Chequers with cameras and other measures in place. The Ridgeway is clearly marked and leads you across the main drive to Chequers and along the eastern edge of Maple Wood. Reaching an open area at the end of the wood (grid ref. SP836054) leave the Ridgeway and follow the path on your right alongside Whorley Wood. The path crosses a driveway and continues in a northerly direction to reach Ellesborough Warren with its wild box trees. Leaving this protected area continue over the western flank of Beacon Hill and down to the church and lane at Ellesborough (grid ref. SP836066).

Turn right along the lane and take the first track on your right. A short way along this track take the signed footpath on your left. This leads across a large field to reach the road at Coombe (grid ref. SP843062). Turn right following the pavement for 100 metres and turn left down a track (signed bridleway). At a crossroads of paths, continue straight ahead climbing steeply uphill through small trees. Reaching more open ground, take the clear footpath on the left. This leads across the western flank of Coombe Hill with wonderful views opening up as you gain height.

Reaching the monument on Coombe Hill you have a wonderful panorama across the Vale of Aylesbury as well as excellent views of Wendover Woods and some of the route you have just completed. Care is needed leaving the summit area of Coombe Hill. There is a very inviting clear gravel path, which leads to a car park. Ignore this and take the waymarked Ridgeway across grass. This provides a gradual descent towards Wendover with a number of paths providing alternative routes over Bacombe Hill. Reaching the road (grid ref. SP863074), continue straight ahead descending past cottages and houses on your left to cross the A413. Turn left for the station or continue ahead to reach the car park, which is off to your right by the Library.

Walk GradingMore Chilterns Walks

Other walks nearby

Walk 2052	Wendover Woods circular from Wendover	easy/mod	7.0 miles
Walk 2420	The Ridgeway south of Wendover	easy/mod	7.3 miles
Walk 1717	Chiltern Hills circular from Wendover	moderate	10.0 miles
Walk 3345	Coombe Hill from Wendover	easy	4.0 miles
Walk 1138	The Ridgeway at Chequers	easy/mod	7.3 miles