A Chilterns Walk: Coombe Hill and Wendover Circular Walk 15th May 2016

I left home early on Sunday morning the 15th May 2016 to drive to have a walk in The Chilterns, a little over an hour I arrive and park up in The National Trust free car park at Coombe Hill.

The majority of the hill (an area of 106 acres (43 ha)) once formed part of the Chequers Estate but was presented to the National Trust by the United Kingdom government when they were given the Estate in the 1920s. The summit of the hill is 852 feet / 259.7 m above sea level.

I walk up the hill towards the monument, what a lovely day! The sun is shining, birds singing and a sweet Spring smell in the air!

Coombe Hill Monument is one of the first and largest examples of a war memorial erected to honour the names of individual men who fell whilst fighting for their country. The monument is an iconic Buckinghamshire landmark and a Grade II Listed monument. At 260m above sea level, it sits on one of the highest and most striking spurs of the Chilterns, commanding a wide view of the Vale of Aylesbury. On a clear day it can be seen from the Berkshire Downs and Salisbury Plain to the south-west and the Cotswolds to the west. The view overlooks Chequers, the country home of the Prime Minister.

Coombe Hill Monument was almost totally destroyed by lightning in 1938 and was rebuilt in the same year. The original bronze plaque and decorations were stolen in 1972 and replaced with a stone plaque and iron flag. The new stone plaque was also inscribed with the additional names of nine men believed to have been missing on the original. The monument was again badly damaged by a lightning strike in the early 1990s and spent several months in repair. It is now equipped with conductors to prevent this from happening again.

I stop to take photos and read the inscriptions on the monument. I take a look at the views taking it all in, then 4 people turn up. Asking if I mind moving so they could show their French friends the views.
It was about time I move on anyway!

In front of the monument is a rectangular concrete pillar that is the trig point and it is topped with a metal plaque donated in 1988 that points to true north and to the following distant features: The Cotswolds (53 miles), Brill Hill (13 miles), Waddesdon Manor (10 miles), Calvert Chimneys (15 miles), Aylesbury Church (5 miles), Mursley Water Tower (15 miles), Wingrave Church (8 miles), Leighton Buzzard (12 miles), Mentmore (9 miles), Edlesborough Church (11 miles) and Ivinghoe Beacon (9 miles).

A view down to St Peter & St Pauls Church in Ellesborough.

 

Chequers House and Estate is clearly visible in the valley to the left of the hill. Best known as the country residence of the Prime Minister it was presented to the nation by Lord Lee of Fareham in 1917. The house is16th century.

A Red Kite (one of many seen throughout the day)

 

Chequers

The original house probably gained its name in the 12th century because it may have been built or inhabited by an individual named Elias Ostiarius (or de Scaccario), who was acquiring land in the Ellesborough area at the time. The name "Ostiarius" meant an usher of the Court of the Exchequer. Elias Ostiarius' coat of arms included the chequer board of the Exchequer, so it is likely he named his estate after his arms and position at court. The house passed through generations of the De Scaccario family (spelt in many different forms) until it seems to have passed into the D'Awtrey family, whose name was eventually anglicised to Hawtrey.
Another explanation sometimes offered is that the house is named after the chequer trees (Sorbus torminalis) that grow in its grounds. There is a reference to this in the book Elizabeth: Apprenticeship by David Starkey, which describes the early life of Elizabeth I.

I reach the car park once more and cross it to enter Low scrubs.

Low Scrubs.
This area of woodland is special and has a fascinating atmosphere. The beech trees here were coppiced for firewood for centuries. This practice no longer takes place and as a result the wood is very dark and mysterious, quite different to other beech forests.

During early May there is a spectacular carpet of bluebells.

I make my way through Low Scrubs and pop out on the other side of Coombe Hill.

I take the path that follows the Ridgeway making my way towards Wendover.

The Ridgeway National Trail– this long distance path runs 85 miles from Avebury in Wiltshire to Ivinghoe Beacon in Buckinghamshire.

A Male Blackcap

I now reach Bacombe Hill-
A valuable area of downland, scrub and woodland on the central Chilterns’ escarpment. It has a mix of mature beech woodland, paricularly to the top and the south of the reserve, also with large aras of open chalk grassland. It is managed as a Local Nature Reserve and is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest (for its chalk grassland). There are some rare chalk grassland flowers and butterflies. It is noted for orchids.

A valuable area of downland, scrub and woodland on the central Chilterns’ escarpment. It has a mix of mature beech woodland, paricularly to the top and the south of the reserve, also with large aras of open chalk grassland. It is managed as a Local Nature Reserve and is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest (for its chalk grassland). There are some rare chalk grassland flowers and butterflies. It is noted for orchids. - See more at: http://www.chilternsaonb.org/ccbmaps/732/137/bacombe-hill-local-nature-reserve.html#sthash.ucoqtBUn.dpuf

Bacombe Hill– Owned by Buckinghamshire County Council and managed as a nature reserve. Trees and scrub are cleared so that rare chalk grassland flowers and butterflies can thrive.

View down to Croneycroft Farm

I leave Bacombe Hill and walk along a stretch of road towards Wendover. There is a cycle race today all around the area. Bikes everywhere! On searching it seems this was the Chiltern 100 Sportive.

“The toughest sportive close to the capital”

Human Race are proud to have the Chiltern 100 Sportive as part of the Human Race Sportive Series. One of the highest rated major sportives in the UK, the event still maintains a club-like atmosphere and camaraderie. The challenging landscape of the Chilterns means that the 76 mile and 110 mile routes are as testing as they are stunning, both taking in infamous climbs such as Whiteleaf Hill and Wardrobes. The event will be delivered in partnership with VCC, the club who set it up eight years ago and made it the esteemed sportive it is today. Prostate Cancer are the official charity for the Chiltern 100 Sportive.

I now enter Wendover after crossing the A413 and the Railway line.

Wendover is a market town at the foot of the Chiltern Hills in Buckinghamshire.

The town name is of Brythonic origin and means "white waters", pertaining to the stream that rises in the adjacent hills and flows through the middle of the town, bringing chalk deposits on its way.

The Shoulder Of Mutton PH set in the heart of the glorious Chiltern Hills, The Shoulder of Mutton is a handsome red brick, ivy-clad country pub in the historic market town of Wendover. Surrounded by pretty thatched cottages on the brow of the hill close to Wendover Station, this Grade II listed 18th century Chilterns inn is a perfect venue to combine a relaxing pub lunch and a day out in the beautiful Buckinghamshire countryside. Wendover is a small market town dating back to the 10th century.

I stop for a cup of English Breakfast Tea at Lady Gray Tea room, which set me back £1.95. Very nice tough!

 

Lady Grey Traditional Tea Room specialises in over 20 varieties of teas from around the world but also offers coffee, along with home baked cakes and freshly made sandwiches, sausage rolls, salads and scones. The outside area is suitable for dogs (and humans) and they don't mind muddy feet inside if the weather is a little chilly. 

Lady Grey Traditional Tea Room specialises in over 20 varieties of teas from around the world but also offers coffee, along with home baked cakes and freshly made sandwiches, sausage rolls, salads and scones. The outside area is suitable for dogs (and humans) and they don't mind muddy feet inside if the weather is a little chilly. - See more at: http://www.chilternsaonb.org/ccbmaps/1673/137/lady-grey-tea-room-wendover.html#sthash.WoX7fUmP.dpuf

I now continue my walk through Wendover and past the War Memorial.
The war memorial in the market town of Wendover at the foot of the Chiltern Hills in Buckinghamshire is a Chilmark stone lantern cross with eight small crocketed pinnacles on a slim pillar. It stands on a square plinth on a three-stepped octagonal brick and stone base. The names of the fallen are inscribed around the faces of the plinth. The memorial is situated on a brick paved area on Manor Waste on the High Street behind a low post and chain fence.

Cyclist enjoying a a hot chocolate at Rumsey's Chocolaterie.

The Red Lion pub a 16th century coaching Inn was home to 'Britain's Oldest Barmaid', 100-year-old Dolly Saville, who worked at the pub for 76 years. It is claimed by media sources that she may even have been the oldest barmaid in the world, although this would be difficult to prove.

Red Lion Pub – built in around 1620. Oliver Cromwell,Robert Louis Stevenson and Rupert Brook have stayed here. A coach left here each day in the Victorian times for the 'Old Bell' in Holborn, London.

I down to the Clock Tower where I stop to eat my snadwiches before walking on.

Built in 1842 as a market hall and jail, Wendover Town Hall is one of the most distinct and recognizable buildings in the area.
The 58ft tall building, now used as tourist information and parish council office, has had its dials restored as part of a clock tower refurbishment.

Part of the town was once the property of Anne Boleyn whose father held the manor of Aylesbury among his many estates. There is still a row of houses in the town today, known as Anne Boleyn's Cottages.

Coldharbour cottages– were part of Anne Boleyn's dowry to Henry VIII.

Pass the Pack Horse PH. 

Further I the road I take a Footpath and walk up to Wendover Woods.

Wendover Woods– this is the habitat of the rare Firecrest, the smallest bird in Europe,which nests in the Norway spruce. This is also the highest point in the Chilterns (265m).

Covering 325 ha (800 acres), the woods are a mixture of coniferous and broadleaved trees. There are several signed walks for recreation, as well as bridleways, picnic and barbecue areas and a children's playground. A Go Ape treetop adventure course opened in 2008.
There are views of the countryside in the Aylesbury Vale to the north, and a stone monument marking the highest point of the Chilterns which lies within the woods on Haddington Hill.
The Aston Hill Mountain Bike Area is at the edge of the woods.

Boddington hillfort.This important archaeological site was occupied during the 1st century BC. Situated on top of the hill, the fort would have provided an excellent vantage point and defensive position for its Iron Age inhabitants. In the past the hill was cleared of trees for grazing animals. Finds have included a bronze dagger, pottery and a flint scraper.

I leave the woods and head down onto Hale Lane.

The Hale Quiet Lane. This country lane is one of many in the area where drivers are being encouraged to share the road considerately with cyclists, horse-riders and walkers.

I walk to St Marys Church In Wendover. St Mary’s is steeped in history. In mediaeval times the rood cross was venerated as a place of pilgrimage. During the Civil War, Cromwell’s troops camped in the church (you can still see the graffiti!) and in 1799 the first penny savings bank in the country was started in the church vestry.

I follow The Ridgeway again past a fishing lake opposite the Church and back into Wendover village.

I pass yet another pub in Wendover 'King and Queen' PH. 

Now after walking back up the way I came, instead of walking across Balcombe Hill I follow a Bridlepath back to the Car park.

I reach the car after having walked 10 miles. My phone stopped recording for a bit, but it all adds up to a marvelous walk!
I jump into the car and drive to Chalfont St Peters to pick up my son from camp!