{"id":20854,"date":"2022-10-30T08:50:22","date_gmt":"2022-10-30T07:50:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.countryfile.com\/?p=124917"},"modified":"2022-10-30T09:14:20","modified_gmt":"2022-10-30T08:14:20","slug":"walk-coombe-hill-buckinghamshire","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/rss_feed\/walk-coombe-hill-buckinghamshire\/","title":{"rendered":"Walk: Coombe Hill, Buckinghamshire"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>

By Vivienne Crow\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Sunday, 30 October 2022 at 12:00 am<\/p>

\n\n

Walking out to the war memorial on the exposed summit of Coombe Hill, the highest point in the Chilterns, is always stirring. You\u2019ve reached the first monument built to commemorate war dead rather than celebrate victory and, coupled with a bracing northerly wind or a mist hanging over the Vale of Aylesbury below, it can\u2019t fail to bring out goosebumps.<\/p>\n

Beyond the monument, the Ridgeway National Trail heads along the top of the wildlife-rich chalk escarpment, enjoying far-reaching views over the Buckinghamshire countryside before we head into ancient woodland.<\/p>\n

Start from the Trust\u2019s car park, three miles west of Wendover. It has a picnic area and infor-mation panels, including a map, but no toilets.<\/p>\n

Looking for more fabulous days out? Check out our guides to the best woodlands<\/a>, river walks<\/a> and lakeside strolls<\/a> in the UK.<\/p>\n

\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The Boer War Memorial\u00a0was built to remember the men from Buckinghamshire who gave their lives in the Boer War\/Credit: Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Coombe Hill walk<\/h2>\n

2.8 miles\/4.5km | 83m | 2.5 hours | easy<\/em><\/p>\n

1. Monumental views<\/strong><\/p>\n

A wheelchair-friendly path leads north from the gate on the western side of the car park en-trance as far as the monument. As well as distant views, the Prime Minister\u2019s country home, Chequers, is spotted in the valley below.<\/p>\n

2. Along the Ridgeway<\/strong><\/p>\n

No longer suitable for wheelchairs, the main route heads east-north-east along the hilltop, fol-lowing Ridgeway National Trail<\/a> signs and entering woodland. Fork right soon after a panel with details of the wildlife that thrives on these chalk hills. Watch for flocks of fieldfares and redwings stripping the last of the berries from trees and shrubs.<\/p>\n

\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The view from Coombe Hill in the Chiltern Hills in Buckinghamshire, looking out towards the Church of St Peter and St Paul in the village of Ellesborough\/Credit: Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

3. Grassland ants<\/strong><\/p>\n

A kissing-gate provides access to airy grassland sporting the pimply anthills of the yellow meadow ant. Bear right at two faint forks. The path then dips.<\/p>\n

4. Into trees<\/strong><\/p>\n

Just before it climbs again, turn sharp right along the signposted \u2018Aylesbury Outer Ring\u2019. De-scending through trees, keep left at the next waymarker.<\/p>\n

Turn right along a broad, beech-flanked track for 0.6 miles.<\/p>\n

Looking for more walking inspiration?<\/h4>\n