Aylesbury Vale Parkway to Aylesbury Walk

25.9 km (16.1 mi), with 263/262m ascent/descent. For a shorter walk see below Walk Options.

5 out of 10, with 5 1/2 hours walking time. For the whole outing, including trains, sights and meals, allow at least 8 hours and 15 minutes.

This walk links up a few quiet hilltop villages north of Aylesbury in the rolling landscape of East Buckinghamshire, providing for good views into the Aylesbury Vale and back to the Chiltern Range.
After an inauspicious start along the pavement of an A-road the walk leads along the River Thame and some of its tributaries, past the site of the deserted medieval village of Quarrendon and on to the picturesque villages of Weedon and Hardwick. After ascending to and skirting around the site of the medieval Bolebec castle mound in Whitchurch, the route leads eastwards to Aston Abbotts with views across to the Chilterns, and then south back down into the Thame Valley, mostly along pastures.
You pass St. Osyth’s Well in Bierton and negotiate a quiet route through one of the many new villages that have sprung up around Aylesbury, to finish with an extended stretch along a branch of the Grand Union Canal and crossing over into Aylesbury’s historic centre for tea.

Note:
Long stretches through pastures and hay meadows make this a tougher walk in high summer.

It is possible to shorten the walk in two ways. Shortcuts I and II are mutually exclusive though:
Shortcut I from Weedon to Rowsham cuts out 6.2 km length and 84m ascent/descent (lunch in Weedon);
Shortcut II from Hardwick to Aston Abbotts cuts out 2.8 km length and 51m descent/re-ascent (lunch in Hardwick or Aston Abbotts).

Several useful bus stops are passed en route (check the route map for their exact location):

• Lines 60 (Buckingham-Aylesbury) and X60 (Milton Keynes-Aylesbury) travel along the A413 through Hardwick (an early lunch stop) and Whitchurch (a later lunch stop). Between them, they provide an at least hourly service Mondays to Saturdays and some buses on Sundays/Bank Holidays;
• Line 165 (Leighton Buzzard-Aylesbury) travels through Aston Abbotts (the late lunch stop), Rowsham (8 km from the end of the walk) and Bierton (5 km from the end). It runs two afternoon services Mondays to Saturdays;
• Lines 100, 101 and 150 (Milton Keynes-Leighton Buzzard-Aylesbury) run along the A418, with stops at Rowsham (8 km from the end of the walk) and Bierton (5 km from the end). Between them, they provide a frequent service Mondays to Saturdays, and a two-hourly one on Sundays/Bank Holidays.

OS Explorer: 181 (Chiltern Hills North) and 192 (Buckingham & Milton Keynes)
OS Landranger: 165 (Aylesbury & Leighton Buzzard)

Aylesbury Vale Parkway station, map reference SP 786 153, is 3.6 km northwest of Aylesbury and 75m above sea level. Aylesbury Station, map reference SP 817 134, is 76m above sea level. Both are in Buckinghamshire. Aylesbury and Aylesbury Vale Parkway (AVP) stations are on the London Marylebone to Aylesbury line (via Amersham). Journey times are 66 minutes to AVP (hourly service) and from 60 minutes returning from Aylesbury (half-hourly service). Buy a day return to Aylesbury Vale Parkway.

Saturday Walkers’ Club: Take the train closest to 9.30 hours.

The Five Elms Stockaway, Weedon, Buckinghamshire, HP22 4NL (01296 641 439). The Five Elms is located 5.3 km (3.3 mi) into the walk. It is a 400 years old thatched Freehouse.
The Bell at Hardwick Lower Road, Hardwick Buckinghamshire, HP22 4DZ (01296 640 005). The Bell is located 7.0 km (4.4 mi) into the walk. With log fires, a quiet front garden and a large courtyard at the back.
The White Swan 10 High Street, Whitchurch, Buckinghamshire, HP22 4JT (01296 641 228). The White Swan is located 9.6 km (6.0 mi) into the walk. It is a part-thatched Fuller’s pub with a large garden at the back.
Royal Oak Inn Wingrave Road, Aston Abbotts, Buckinghamshire, HP22 4LT (01296 681 262). The Royal Oak Inn is located 150m off the route 14.5 km (9.0 mi) into the walk and is a Grade II listed C16-C17 timber framed building.

A plethora of options in Aylesbury City Centre (see Walk Directions pdf), recommended is:
The King’s Head King’s Head Passage, Market Square, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP20 2RW (01296 718 812).

After the walk, please leave a comment, it really helps. Thanks!

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National Rail: 03457 48 49 50 • Traveline (bus times): 0871 200 22 33 (12p/min) • TFL (London) : 0343 222 1234

May-22 Thomas G