Walking holidays in The Chilterns
Designated officially as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 1965, the Chilterns are a range of hills covering an area over around 833 km2, from Goring-on-Thames in Oxfordshire, through Buckinghamshire, via Dunstable Downs and Deacon Hill in Bedfordshire, to near Hitchin in Hertfordshire. With their undulating hills, dense beech woodland, picturesque villages representing a bygone England, flint cottages and ancient churches, we think the Chilterns are one of the loveliest areas in the nation to walk. Fortunate walkers may also witness soaring buzzards, Red Kites, small groups of Fallow and Muntjac Deer, and some rare species of Chalk downland wildflowers. Midsomer Murders fans will not be disappointed either with the many film locations dotted across the area.
Although barely 30 miles from London, the Chilterns are sparsely populated and little visited making them a wonderful area for a short walking holiday. Finding our usual selection of high quality hotels and inns can be a challenge, but we have it sorted. The walking includes steep but short hills rewarded with amazing views, gorgeous dry valleys, cosy inns and abundant bluebells if you are here in May.
Our Chilterns highlights
Red Kites
Since their re introduction in the mid-1900’s these majestic and distinctive birds have become synonymous with the area.
Included in our The Thames Path from source to Henley holiday
Hambleden Village
Midsomer Murders fans will want to visit the picturesque Hambleden Valley, as there are many villages nearby that have played host to a murder mystery!
Included in our Chilterns Chalk and Cheese holiday
Bluebells!
The chalk downlands and beech woods are home to millions of blue bells in April and May – the sight and scent make your heart soar!
Included in our Chilterns Chalk and Cheese holiday
Flint buildings
It’s in cottages, garden walls and churches where you can often spot glinting flint. See St Mary Magdalene church, Boveney built to serve bargemen on the Thames.
Included in our The Thames Path from source to London holiday
Beech woods
Wonderful ancient woods of deep beech trees epitomise the Chilterns. Many have rare wildflowers and fungi amongst the dappled light.
Included in our The Thames Path from Henley to London holiday
Waddesdon Manor
A French chateau stuffed with stunning treasures and built by one of the Rothschild family for his dearly loved wife.
Included in our Chilterns Chalk and Cheese holiday
Our Chilterns Walking holidays
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Chilterns Chalk and Cheese
The Chilterns are an underrated part of England in our opinion and offer a perfect landscape for a gentle walking tour. Just as pretty as The…
From £1,385
Gentle / 6 or 7 nights / Self-guided / The Chilterns
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The Thames Path from source to London
The full length of the Thames from its source in the Cotswolds downstream to London and Greenwich includes an amazing array of differing landscapes.…
From £3,295
Not so gentle / 8 nights + / Self-guided / The Thames
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The Thames Path from Henley to London
The lower Thames from Henley to central London and Greenwich embraces many landscapes from rural meadows with kissing gates to royal palaces…
From £2,040
Gentle / 6 or 7 nights / Self-guided / The Thames
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The Thames Path from source to Henley
The Upper Thames from its source in the Cotswolds downstream to elegant Henley includes a great variety of landscapes. From remote and wild pasture…
From £1,725
Not so gentle / 6 or 7 nights / Self-guided / The Thames
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